Central Valley wrestlers finish unbeaten in league

Central Valley High School wrestling coach John Owen likened the Bears’ week to a state tournament.

“Tonight,” he said following Wednesday’s match with East Valley, “was the semifinals of state, and tomorrow is the finals.”

The Bears wrestled the Knights and University back-to-back needing wins in both for the outright Greater Spokane League championship.

Owen’s wrestlers pulled through. CV finished unbeaten (10-0) in league, defeating the Knights (9-1) 31-27 and the next night beating the Titans (8-2) in the Battle of the Bone 37-29.

CV’s T-shirted theme was “Bone Wars, The Revenge of the Bears.” And in a way it followed the movie script. After five successive losses to U-Hi, the Bears prevailed. The Titans wore “Sword and The Bone” shirts, but there would be no King Arthurian magic, losing the night’s final two matches after rallying from a 25-8 deficit to lead 29-28.

Jeremy Savage, at 130 pounds, and Josh Renfro, at 152, won 4-3 decisions for the Bears who also had four pins to three for the Titans during the contest.

At 125 pounds Titan Brian Owen beat Nick Cambron 11-1 in a match between state champions. Owen won the 103-pound title in 2005 and Cambron in 2006.

The night before, Central Valley rallied from a 27-18 deficit against EV to win the night’s final three matches, a pin by Tanner Teeples and decisions by Tyler Simmet and Chase Ferrozzo to win.

It was quite a series this year when the three Valley schools faced off for GSL supremacy. EV beat U-Hi by a point before CV won over both in contests that went to the final matches.

“All three are evenly matched teams; they really are,” John Owen said.

And if this were something of a building, if competitive, year in the GSL, the building blocks for a bright future are in place at all three schools.

Five freshmen, seven sophomores and a dozen juniors figure prominently among the Valley squads.

Next weekend the postseason begins with district competition. University and Central Valley are at Mead for 4A, East Valley hosts the 3A sub-regional with Columbia Basin League schools.

West Valley will host the 2A District tournament.

Eagles continue to soar

West Valley’s boys basketball team reached the mid-point of the Great Northern League season with a 7-0 record while scoring 160 points in wins over Colville and Deer Park.

Four players scored in double figures in the latter win and Bryan Peterson averaged 21.0 per contest, Jordan Lupfer-Graham 16.0 and Casey Sherrill 15.5 for the two games.

The Eagles (11-2 overall) have a two-game lead and are the only team in league with a winning record.

WV’s girls basketball team stayed on task during its inaugural GNL season. The Eagles (7-6, 5-2) are third midway through the season.

“Greater Spokane League Valley teams are scrambling to reach postseason. Central Valley (7-9) is in fifth place among 4A teams. The Bears beat Rogers 64-48 on 63 percent shooting from the field, but lost 47-34 to Mead. Nick Ambrose had a 35-point week.

University (5-10) is one of three teams after the sixth District 8 spot. The Titans lost 75-47 to surging Gonzaga Prep (10-5), which hosted the Bears on Friday. Mason Johnson scored 16.

East Valley (2-11) following a 78-56 loss to Lewis and Clark, nonetheless is assured a District 8 3A berth. Emerson Fulton had 14 in the game.

GSL basketball is entering its final two weeks.

University’s girls (13-2) had a three-pronged effort against Gonzaga Prep (9-6) to remain in second place. Riki Schiermeister scored 21 points, Dara Zack and Angie Bjorklund 17 apiece.

Central Valley (4-12) will miss the playoffs for the first time in memory after losses to Rogers and Mead. Freshman Kelsey Matthews scored 15 points in the former, and Justine Bowman averaged 13.5 for the pair.

East Valley (4-9) continues to struggle, having lost six straight and nine of its last 10, but maintains a two-game edge for top 3A playoff seed.

“Freeman’s boys (12-4, 5-1) and girls (13-3, 5-1) played Colfax again on Friday with first place at stake for both.

“Valley Christian’s boys (8-9, 7-6) are currently fourth in the Bi-County with games remaining at second-place Liberty (14-3, 11-2) tonight and Almira/Coulee-Hartline at home Monday to complete their season. Playoffs are next. The girls (4-13, 4-9) also complete their season, including against Liberty (16-1, 13-0) which leads the league.

Gymnasts chase title

Today’s Greater Spokane League gymnastics meet at Mead, 4 p.m., could have championship implications for University and Central Valley.

The Titans (9-1) are a point behind unbeaten Mead, and the Bears are two back. The all-league meet awards 10 points for first, 8 for second and 7 for third. Depending upon the outcome, either could yet overtake the Panthers.

Little League registration

Eastside Little League baseball, which formed in Liberty Lake the East Farms and Greenacres areas, is expanding west into Spokane Valley.

Registration over the next month and one-half will take place at eight new locations beginning Thursday at McDonald Elementary from 6-8 p.m.

Fee for Little League is $60 for 5-6 year old tee ball and $85 for other players through age 14. Practices begin April 1 with games through June 1.

Players are required to bring a birth certificate and proof of residence when registering.