GSL girls: Tiger champions

They say there’s strength in numbers, and in the case of Lewis and Clark basketball that certainly was true in Thursday’s Greater Spokane League championship-clinching victory over visiting Mead.

The Tigers (19-1) liberally rotated a dozen players for freshness throughout the game and they helped to wear down the Panthers (16-4) during a 56-48 victory.

Of course, it certainly didn’t hurt having junior Brittany Kennedy on the court at LC.

Kennedy’s lightning-quick bursts proved a source of discomfort for the visiting Panthers all night.

She created eight turnovers, including six steals – two for baskets – and had game-ending statistics of 17 points, nine assists and eight rebounds.

She scored off the fast break, off rebounds, or simply by taking the ball to the basket in LC’s half-court offense.

“We play our tempo,” said Kennedy, whose abbreviated answers to questions describing the outcome were as quick as her game.

“Play for ourselves. Play as a team. Rebounding and pushing the ball,” she answered.

Her coach, Jim Redmon quipped, “She’s all business. But she’ll loosen up – give her 10 years.”

As for her defensive prowess, which he said is at the crux of the Tigers’ game, Redmon continued, “We joke on the sidelines all the time, that we wouldn’t want her to guard us.”

Because it was senior night, Kennedy didn’t start against Mead. The score was 2-2 when she entered with 2 minutes gone in the game.

Kennedy immediately had a steal for a basket and added two more scores as the lead shot to 13-2. Mead finished the quarter 0 for 10 from the field.

Trailing 22-9, the Panthers rallied back into the game and if not for four successive missed free throws (and six potential points), the 28-22 halftime deficit could have been much less.

Guards Alysha Green and Jazmine Redmon fueled the comeback with a combined 12 second-quarter points.

“I was impressed with Mead’s ability to get to the rim,” said Redmon. “Green and Redmon did a nice job (of penetrating).”

The duo finished with a combined 27 of Mead’s points.

But LC’s depth – and Redmon’s confidence in his entire bench – paid off, particularly midway through the third quarter.

Kiki January came off the bench to follow senior starter Lyndi Seidensticker’s 3-pointer with one of her own, then added a fast-break layin to turn a four-point advantage into a 38-26 lead.

Mead never got closer than seven points thereafter and Kennedy scored three times in the fourth quarter, while Katelan Redmon got untracked for eight points to seal the deal.

“Katelan turned an ankle and she was only 80 percent,” Jim Redmon said. “I’m thankful we have a week off.”

Eight players scored for LC.

In turning back the Panthers, LC secured its first outright GSL championship in 20 years. The last came in 1987.

The Tigers finished a game ahead of University, which they swept during the regular season, and have earned a bye in next week’s District 8 tournament. They are scheduled to play Thursday at Central Valley.

“I’m proud of the girls and glad they won this game so it was outright,” said Redmon of the championship. “Obviously, we like to get these type of things, but our goal is the next step and the next step after that.”

Mead opens district play Tuesday at home against Ferris.

University 76, Ferris 48: The Titans (18-2) scored 33 third-quarter points, 20 of them by Angie Bjorklund, to pull away from the visiting Saxons (10-10). Bjorklund finished with a triple-double in points (a season-high 36), rebounds (11) and assists (10). Bjorklund has scored more points in her career (1,907) than any other boy or girl to have played in the GSL. She made five 3-pointers, giving her 68 for the year. Dara Zack added 16 points and 10 rebounds. Jenna Galloway scored 13 for the Saxons.

Shadle Park 53, East Valley 36: The host Knights (6-12) had no answer for Lexi Bishop or Lexie Pettersen, who each scored 20 points, including a combined 10 for 10 from the free-throw line. Bishop had two 3-pointers and Pettersen was 7 for 10 from the field. The Highlanders (14-6) finished fourth. They’ll host Gonzaga Prep on Tuesday.

Mt. Spokane 66, Rogers 54: Korina Baker had three straight 3-pointers as the visiting Wildcats (3-15) shot to a 23-12 first-quarter lead. All four of Baker’s field goals were from beyond the arc and she finished with 17 points. Inside, Sam Patrick led Mt. Spokane with 19. D’Erica Jones ended her career with the Pirates (4-16) by scoring 25 points and pulling down 11 rebounds.

Central Valley 56, North Central 43: The Bears (5-15) won for just the second time in 14 games, beating the visiting Indians (0-18) to end a five-game losing streak. Sophomore Alexa Morales and freshman Kelsey Matthews each scored six points in the third quarter to help extend a nine-point lead fashioned by intermission. Junior Justine Bowman scored 11 points. Alex Canfield and Andrea DePaolo each scored nine for NC.