GSL Boys: Standings shift

Gonzaga Prep and Rogers added spice to the Greater Spokane League playoff picture at differing ends of the spectrum with Tuesday boys basketball victories.

Only one game separates three teams from second place following the Bullpups’ 66-64 overtime victory in their game with visiting Shadle Park.

The Highlanders’ loss (11-4) dropped them into third place behind Mead (12-4) and four games behind unbeaten Ferris (15-0), which routed Lewis and Clark 81-41.

G-Prep (10-5) continues its upwardly mobile move by winning its fifth straight.

The Rogers Pirates (5-11) created a three-team tie for the sixth and final District 8 playoff berth with their 69-43 romp over North Central at Shaw Middle School.

The Pirates are even in the win column with the Tigers (5-10) and idle University (5-10).

The Saxons are a win away from assuring a tie for their third straight GSL title while Mead (12-4) moved into second place with a 47-34 victory over Central Valley.

Gonzaga Prep 66, Shadle Park 64 (OT): Following a tight first half in which the teams were separated by one point, the Highlanders built a 41-35 lead through three quarters.

The Bullpups roared back in the final period to take the lead and had a chance to finish the game in regulation, but missed the shot. Leo Avila’s tip-in at the buzzer for Shadle sent the game into overtime.

From there, however, G-Prep took command of the game, building a five-point lead with time running down.

Zack Humphrey’s eighth 3-pointer from an estimated 30 feet, cut the margin to two points. Humphrey was 8 for 16 from beyond the arc and finished with 26 points.

G-Prep had four double-figures scorers: Beau Azadganian led with 23, while Michael Stockton (15), Michael Alexander (14) and Max Manix (10) combined for most of the rest.

Rogers 69, North Central 43: Scotty Livengood became the third player in GSL history to surpass 1,000 league points with 2:56 remaining in the first quarter.

His two free throws began a run of 15 straight points by the Pirates that put them ahead 21-5 and in command of the game. The lead stretched to 39-16 before halftime.

Livengood scored 13, junior Daniel Anderson provided 11 in the paint and Andrew Durant nine. All three finished the game in double figures. They were joined by Jon Binschus who scored nine of his 12 points in the second half.

“I think it’s cool to be up there with Adam Morrison and Sean Mallon,” said Livengood, who has 1,013 points. “I just think I’ve been able to stay healthy all four years and stay consistent.”

Rogers coach Brian Kissinger also had praise for the efforts inside of 6-foot-4 junior Anderson as well as Durant and his midrange shooting

“Daniel started the year on junior varsity and has made a huge difference,” he said. “Andrew plays baseball all summer and it takes him a month and a half to get his stroke down.”

NC, missing team scoring leader Nick Rijon, lost the battle of the boards and free throws and never got into a rhythm. Cody Hauenstein led the Indians with 11 points.

The Pirates have four games remaining, including home (Shaw) games against LC and U-Hi.

Ferris 81, Lewis and Clark 41: The host Saxons trailed after a quarter before going on a 26-0 tear fueled by former Tiger Andre Jennings.

Jennings had three steals and assists during the big turnaround. Four Ferris players finished in double figures. Jared Karstetter scored 21 points, and DeAngelo Casto had 17 points and 11 rebounds – five at the offensive end.

Mead 47, Central Valley 34: The Panthers did not score for the final 5 minutes of the first half and still shot 47 percent for the game. Despite the drought, Mead led by five points at intermission and went on to the 13-point victory because the visiting Bears (7-9) shot 27 percent from the field. Mead’s Lucas Ashe scored a team-high 15 points, had 10 rebounds and three blocks. Mead’s Ben Loewen scored nine of his 12 points in the second half. CV’s Nick Ambrose led all scorers with 17.