GSL Boys: Ferris clinches title
Ferris left no doubt about who is best in Greater Spokane League boys basketball, casting aside a hot Gonzaga Prep team much as it has the rest.
The Saxons (17-0) rolled at Gonzaga Prep 74-49 Tuesday to clinch the league championship outright.
“That’s nice to (do so and) beat a good team that’s been playing well at their place,” said Ferris coach Don Van Lierop.
Ferris has only won three games by fewer than double figures and has, in turn, beaten each of those teams, including G-Prep, by more than 20 in their second meetings.
The 25-point win over the Bullpups (11-6), who had won their last six games, was about par. The Saxons’ average margin of victory in the GSL this year is 22.5 per game.
Ferris was dominant, flustering G-Prep with multiple defenses that resulted in poor shooting all night and at varying times created Saxons transition scores off turnovers.
After trailing 14-13 late in the first quarter of the up-tempo game, Ferris outscored the Bullpups 29-7 for a 21-point halftime lead that all but sealed the deal. The lead briefly was down to 15 points in the third quarter.
“We’re playing well, but the big thing is we’re practicing well,” said Van Lierop. “We’re just awfully versatile.”
A measure of that versatility showed in the effort of 6-foot-3 junior reserve Beau Brett.
A role player averaging about 2.0 per game, Brett came in to help jump-start the Saxons in the first half with seven of his nine points.
Included was a steal for a layin and free throw.
“Our coaches said this was a big game and we needed to win to keep things rolling,” he said. “I just wanted to come in with some energy.”
Brett added that the Saxons haven’t peaked yet.
“That’s what we’re going for, getting better each week,” he said.
Brett was the second-leading scorer at half, behind point guard Shawn Stockton, who Ferris coaches said, had the best game he’s played to date against G-Prep.
By intermission Stockton scored 14 points with two second-quarter 3-pointers.
“I tried to treat it as a normal game,” he said. “But it was one of our tougher games and I wanted to have a good one.”
He and Jared Karstetter shared team honors with 16 points. DeAngelo Casto added 14, had eight rebounds and six blocked shots.
The Saxons have three games remaining with a chance at a perfect season.
“Hopefully, we can be the first 20-0 team,” said Van Lierop. “There have been undefeated teams, but there’s never been a 20-0 team in league.”
Mead 53, Shadle Park 36: Mead unleashed a 19-0 run in the first quarter at home, and made sure the anticipated matchup between teams tied for second place failed to live up to its billing.
The Panthers (13-4) are one game closer to securing a No. 2 seed behind Ferris and a first-round bye in the district tournament. The Highlanders (12-5) slipped a game back with their third loss in the last four games.
Ben Loewen scored 16 points, and Lucas Ashe chipped in 10 to pace Mead, which turned an early 5-4 deficit into a 23-5 advantage by the end of the first quarter. The Highlanders wilted against Mead’s considerable defensive pressure and committed several turnovers that allowed the Panthers’ athletic group to run the floor.
“I think our defense – no doubt – sparked our offense,” Mead coach Glenn Williams said. “We’re trying to impress on the kids as we get into the season more that we have to play defense and rebound.” – Jason Shoot
Lewis and Clark 78, Rogers 65: Nick Hardrick proved unstoppable at Shaw Middle School, and the Tigers (6-11) moved into sixth place among GSL 4A schools. Hardrick scored 31 points, all in the paint, as the host Pirates (6-12) tried everything to guard him, but to no avail. Scotty Livengood scored 24 for Rogers.
East Valley 95, University 86 (OT): In a wild and crazy game, the Knights (3-12) made 7 of 9 3-pointers in overtime and won at U-Hi (5-12). Emerson Fulton (22 points) hit two of his five after the Titans took a four-point OT lead. EV had five double-figure scorers. U-Hi rallied from 12 down to force overtime on Ryan Dixon’s 3-pointer with 4 seconds left in regulation.