Ferris routs Shadle
The Ferris Saxons put the defensive clamps on Shadle Park scoring leader Zack Humphrey and got a second-half lift from Jared Karstetter, for a 72-49 Greater Spokane League boys basketball win Friday at Ferris in the game between first- and second-place teams.
A combination of zone and man-to-man defenses limited Humphrey, who averages 16.8 points per game, to two baskets. Ferris standout Karstetter continued his sparkling junior athletic season.
Karstetter took over the game in the third quarter when he scored 11 of his 16 second-half points. Included were nine straight in the final 2 minutes of the third quarter. That outburst put the Saxons ahead by 19 points and removed all doubt about the outcome.
“Jared has come a long way,” said Ferris coach Don Van Lierop.
Shadle coach Tim Gaebe took the assessment a step further.
“I’ve been watching a lot of film and I think Karstetter right now is the best player in league, I really do,” Gaebe said. “He’s a very, very athletic kid.”
The AP All-State football receiver finished the game with 22 points on a night when three separate Ferris flurries put the Highlanders on their heels.
The first came early in the second quarter with the Saxons trailing 13-10. Point guard Shawn Stockton had just re-entered the game and scored twice within 25 seconds. The second came on an Andre Jennings’ steal and assist.
Ferris post DeAngelo Casto made his first 3-pointer as a Saxon and Erick Cheadle followed with another to make the score 20-13.
Cheadle scored seven more points in succession before half to up the lead to 31-20.
When Karstetter finished off the third quarter with a soaring buzzer-beating putback of miss, the Saxons (14-0) had increased their GSL lead to three games.
“I just think it was a big game,” said Karstetter of a slow start. “I came out in the second half and calmed down a little bit.”
Part of it, added Van Lierop, was that he and Casto were forced to sit in the first half because of foul concerns.
Casto continued to pose matchup nightmares for opponents. The 6-foot-8 junior scored 17 points, with his back to the basket or facing it.
His inside presence helped Karstetter to his big offensive night, said Van Lierop. It also enabled Ferris to concentrate its defense on Humphrey.
“It really wasn’t anything complicated,” said Van Lierop. “We just talked about that we needed to be aware of where Zack is and didn’t let him go until someone else was going to pick him up.”
Ferris also showed its long-range-shooting ability, hitting five 3-pointers. It also got a solid floor game from Jennings, who has been a starter for a month.
“He (defends) their point guard and wears on them,” said Van Lierop.
Shadle (11-3) was led by Anthony Brown, who scored 21 points, but fouled out with 5 minutes left to play in the game.
“Anthony played well and scored, but collectively we didn’t shoot the ball very well tonight,” said Gaebe. “Unfortunately, we didn’t shoot well when we played them last time. You have to give Ferris credit. They’re a good team.”
Gonzaga Prep 75, University 45: The Bullpups (9-5) are on a tear, having won four straight, their last three games by an average of 30 points. Michael Stockton scored 16 points, had seven assists and five steals at U-Hi (5-10). Four other G-Prep players finished in double figures. Mason Johnson and Andrew Pirttima combined for 30 points for the Titans, but their posts were held scoreless.
Mead 58, Mt. Spokane 33: The host Panthers (11-4) led just 28-26 with 5 minutes left in the third quarter, then went on a 15-2 tear to outdistance the district rival Wildcats (6-8). Lucas Ashe scored 8 of his 23 points in the third quarter. He was 8 for 12 from the field, including five 3-pointers, and had 10 rebounds. Ryan Selland had rallied Mt. Spokane in the third quarter and finished with a dozen points.
Central Valley 64, Rogers 48: The game was close until the fourth quarter when the host Bears (7-8) outscored the Pirates (4-11) 22-12. CV had three double-figure scorers, Nick Ambrose, Kevin Cameron and William Davis, who combined for 45 points. Scotty Livengood led Rogers with 19 to become the GSL’s third-leading all-time scorer. He has 998 points, behind Adam Morrison (1,287) and Sean Mallon (1,214).
Lewis and Clark 78, East Valley 56: The host Tigers (5-9) trailed by seven points in the first quarter, but outscored the Knights (2-11) by 15 before half. They then went on a 17-2 third-quarter run. Every LC player scored, including double-figure performers Nick Hardrick, 14 points, and Cole Poland and Doug Talkington, with 11 apiece. EV’s Emerson Fulton scored 14.