NC gets sneak peek at GU recruit

When North Central lost to Bainbridge in the semifinals of the State 3A basketball tournament in Seattle last Friday, the Indians gained a glimpse of Gonzaga University’s future.

High-scoring Bainbridge guard and tourney MVP Steven Gray scored 17 points, mainly on drives to the basket, and didn’t play the whole game during a 55-40 triumph. Gray committed to play for the Zags during a summer camp at the University before his junior year at Bainbridge.

“I’m pretty sure my AAU coach was the one who told them ‘You might want to take a look at this kid,’ ” said Gray. “They went to the 2A tournament in Yakima and that’s when I got my first letters saying they were interested.”

At 6-foot-4, Gray is another big-bodied guard who ended his career as the third-highest Washington scorer all-time with 2,415 points compiled during a career split between Class 1A Chimacum and the Spartans. He averaged 20.5 points per game during the regular season for the Bainbridge this year, although his stats were actually down from the previous year, said his coach Scott Orness.

“The only reason is because he is such a playmaker for us,” said Orness. “One thing he does really well is how he sees the floor. He finds teammates when they get open. We were a better ball club this year because of that.”

When Gray arrived as a junior, Orness said, he was curious how he would fit in with a veteran group. He discovered the transition was easy.

Last year he was primarily an outside threat, Orness said, but this year was more explosive going to the basket and improved his midrange game. That stood him in good stead during the state tournament in Bank of America Arena at the University of Washington. He struggled from outside.

“The bigger arena takes an adjustment period,” said Gray.

Gray said he moved to the Bainbridge from Chimacum to become better prepared academically for college – he’s taking an Advanced Placement statistics class as an elective this year (“Who does that?” asked his coach) – and to play in the Metro League, one of the best 3A conferences in state. He said his decision to select Gonzaga University was based on its family-like atmosphere and that it’s the type of program that holds each other accountable.

“I think Steven is one of the top shooters in the nation,” said Orness. “At Gonzaga he will be able to focus more on that part of game. He’s great academically, makes great choices off the floor and will be back at the heart of what Gonzaga University is.”

Bainbridge, making its first state appearance since 1998, finished second to O’Dea, a team it beat three times previously during the season.

Indians salvage week

North Central’s stunning third-place state finish at the 3A boys basketball tournament saved the week for local state qualifiers.

East Valley went 1-2 in the girls 3A tournament, missing a trophy by a mere point. But the four Great Northern League state qualifiers to the 2A tournament in Tacoma, West Valley boys, Clarkston boys and girls and Cheney girls, finished a combined 0-8.

The Indians’ Nick Rijon was named to the second all-tournament team. He averaged 15.3 points per game to lead the Indians, including 28 with five 3-pointers during second-day victory over Mt. Vernon.

NC won its opener against Hudson’s Bay with its inside game led by Justin Anderson’s 16 points and 10 rebounds. Following the Bainbridge loss in the semis, the Indians topped Southridge for third, making eight 3-pointers and getting another big rebounding effort from Anderson.

The Greater Spokane League this year finished with two state champions, the Ferris boys and Lewis and Clark girls in 4A, a second-place, University’s girls, NC’s third and the Mead girls’ fourth-placer.

Spring sports next

Basketball is no sooner ended than spring sports begin. Several non-league boys soccer matches were contested over the weekend.

GSL softball opens Tuesday, league soccer on Wednesday and the first of 20 league baseball games on Thursday.