GSL boys: Douglas’ varsity debut leads Shadle past CV

Anthony Brown had a game in one quarter and sophomore Robby Douglas had his varsity break-out performance to lead Shadle Park past Central Valley 60-47 in the featured game on Greater Spokane League basketball’s opening night.

Brown scored 10 points and pulled down six of his game-high 12 rebounds in the second quarter to turn a two-point deficit into an eight-point lead Tuesday night at CV.

The Highlanders were never threatened thereafter, as Douglas drained three third-quarter 3-pointers on the way to a game-high 17 points in his varsity debut.

“He’s a skilled player,” said Shadle coach Tim Gaebe. “For him to compete this well against a team on the road says a lot.”

Both teams spent the first quarter in transition with no more than three points separating either of them as they finished it in a 15-all tie.

“First time out it was really up and down, up and down,” said Gaebe, “and I know our hearts were racing.”

The host Bears ran off five straight points, on a three-point play by Michael Williams and inside basket by William Davis for a 20-18 lead.

That’s when Brown asserted himself.

He scored for the first time in the game for a tie with 5 minutes, 44 seconds to play.

Then he hit a 3-pointer in transition after Matt Barnes stuffed a J.C. Agen shot attempt. A minute later his third-effort layin produced a three-point play and he capped it with two free throws for a 30-22 lead.

“Anthony missed some shots early on,” said Gaebe. “He is so long and athletic, he got some loose balls and just took over that second quarter.”

CV cut the deficit to three points in the final 1:39 before half, but that was as close as it got because of Douglas’ outside shooting.

Gaebe said he played freshman basketball last year and “probably averaged 25 points a game. He had 40 in a game and was in the 30s a few times.”

The jump to varsity appeared effortless in the season opener.

Both teams finished with 19 field goals, but the Highlanders were 16 for 21 at the free-throw line while the Bears made 6 of 12.

Zack Humphrey showed the rust of a layoff because of a hamstring injury, but finished with 11 points and seven rebounds. Eight CV players scored, three of them with nine points.

University 57, North Central 49: Tyler Olson had an impressive start in his return to the Titans, scoring 21 points to lead the road victory over the Indians.

Olson, who spent last year in California after playing two years of varsity at U-Hi, made 8 of 13 shots. Included were three 3-pointers in a game that was decided in the final 5 minutes.

NC had rallied from a 40-33 deficit to lead 47-43 in the fourth quarter, but the Titans outscored their hosts 10-2 thereafter.

Fourth-year veteran Nick Rijon led Indians scoring with 14 points and sophomore newcomer Dylan Harris added 12.

Gonzaga Prep 80, Rogers 54: The new-look Bullpups held the visiting Pirates scoreless for the first 5 minutes on the way to a 23-5 scoring advantage in the third quarter to settle the game’s outcome. Five G-Prep players finished in double figures, led by Ryan Nicholas (16 points) and Travis Long (15). Kyle Erdman made three 3-pointers to pace Rogers with a dozen points.