NC boys thriving on putback victories

You might be lucky enough to win one basketball game a season with a rebound putback following a desperation shot attempt, said North Central coach Jay Webber.

“We’ve had two in only five games,” he said, expressing his incredulity.

So far the surprising Indians (4-1) have escaped like a nine-lived cat, not only winning on two rebounded misses. Their four victories have been by a total of six points (the loss to Lewis and Clark was by four).

“All of the games it seems like have come down to the last possession,” said Webber. “We could be 0-5 and could be 5-0, too. We’ve won games in different ways. Give all the credit to the kids as far as hanging in there and being able to make plays.”

Outshot at the free throw line by Ferris most recently, NC won 62-61 because of rebounding. Four days earlier, the score was 65-63 because of solid free throw shooting. They came back from 12- and nine-point deficits to win over East Valley 57-55 and University 56-55, the latter on Brandon Olsen’s rebound basket of Nathan Pelton’s miss.

Different players have provided NC with lifts. Pelton is averaging 16.8 points per game, and, said Webber, “the thing about him is he’s so competitive.”

Darwin Nelson (11.0), who had a double-double against Ferris, and 6-foot-8 newcomer Lucas Evans (10.6) are in double figures and have been big contributors.

“It’s nice to have Lucas,” said Webber. “He’s progressing every game and is a presence inside.”

Olsen, he said, does things that don’t show up in the play book, but they are what coaches love to see. So far, Webber added, the results have been amazing.

Haley breaks out

Connor Haley, a 6-foot-3 guard, scored a total of six points in Mt. Spokane’s first two games, both losses. He was shut out in game two, but since has averaged just over 20 points a game in three games, all of them Wildcats wins.

Coach Bill Ayers said it was simply a case of making the transition from football, where he helped the team compete at state.

“I’ve always known he had the ability to do that and said, ‘you know what, it’s time to step up and score,’ ” said Ayers. “Connor’s got a back problem and he’s been playing through pain, but he had double-doubles the last two games.”

The wins were over Mead, University and Central Valley. Mt. Spokane graduated its two leading scorers last year and relied early on Chaz Johnson, who’s averaging 19.2 a game. Haley became a second piece to the offensive puzzle in victory.

“I really like this group of kids,” said Ayers. “They’re fun to coach.”

Class 3A horse race

The Indians and Wildcats aren’t the only 3A teams that have made noises early in Greater Spokane League boys basketball.

Shadle Park (5-1) is a league title contender, and Rogers (2-4) has shown flashes of promise. The quartet, 14-8 overall, has gone 10-6 in games against their 4A counterparts, half of those losses coming to GSL favorite Gonzaga Prep.

“We don’t worry about 3A versus 4A,” said Ayers. “When you fall into that it can haunt you. We’re playing GSL basketball. Teams are a lot better than their records in 4A and will come on. They are going to get better and better.”

His emphasis is on winning in the league and toward that end, Ayers said, you don’t look past anybody.

Still, given their early successes, there is something intriguing about 3A possibilities during head-to- head contests and particularly in the postseason, where four teams qualify for regionals and will vie for two state berths.

“You’ve got to prove to me that Shadle Park is not the best,” said Ayers. “Rogers is improved. Whose teams play harder than NC? They don’t quit. This is one of the best East Valley (0-5) teams I’ve seen in a while. They’ll come on.”

Webber added that his Indians have their work cut out, which is why he’s glad to have the early wins.

“It’s going to be a dogfight,” he said. “Mt. Spokane is always solid and with their point guard I think is a really good basketball team. You never turn down a win, especially against Ferris or CV.”

Game postponed

Monday night’s scheduled boys basketball makeup game with Ferris at Mead was postponed once more, this time because of another snowstorm.

“It was treacherous out there,” said Mead activities coordinator Dick Cullen. “And our parking lot was not sufficiently plowed.”

The league is scheduled for a full slate tonight – weather permitting – before going on hiatus until Jan. 2. The night of their return, unbeaten girls teams Mead and Lewis and Clark (both 5-0) meet at 5:30 p.m. at LC.

The three-time defending state champion Tigers on Saturday beat another challenger, Shadle Park (4-2), 66-45. Their Dec. 19 game at Central Valley (4-1) was weathered out.

All-State football

Five Greater Spokane League players were among those selected to the 2008 AP All-State first team.

Aaron Roberts from Ferris’ state semifinalists who had 75 catches for 1,164 yards and 11 touchdowns, was on the 4A offense as a receiver. Travis Long (Gonzaga Prep) and Chris Mastin (Lewis and Clark) were first-team defensive linemen.

Nick Bellomy (East Valley), who rushed 250 times for 1,820 yards and 17 touchdowns, and Colten Williams (Mt. Spokane), with 540 yards rushing, 66 receptions for 812 yards and a total of 22 touchdowns, were 3A first-team offensive choices.

Other first-team selections were: 2A – Pullman two-way standouts Cody Weber and Jared Byers, the former at running back, the latter at linebacker; 2B – Colfax lineman Ryan Conrad and linebacker Joe Cammack; 1B – Defensive lineman Reid Ashley (Almira/Coulee- Hartline) and defensive back Spencer Shanholtzer (Cusick).

The complete list ran in The Spokesman-Review on Saturday.