Ferris scores rerun victory over G-Prep

A late first-quarter run by Ferris during a big first-half advantage that led to a 71-52 boys basketball victory Friday night over Gonzaga Prep, took on undertones of the first time the two teams met.

The margin of victory was similar. Like the first time, Ferris (17-0) built a huge first-quarter advantage, thanks to defense that took away passing lanes out front, and DeAngelo Casto had a big offensive effort.

One telling difference, however, was the extraordinary success the Saxons had shooting the basketball. They made a sizzling 77 percent from the field in the first half and finished at better than 60 percent for the game.

The win was the Saxons’ 46th consecutive victory over a two-year period. They have also won 46 league games in a row.

The makeup of Tuesday night’s snowed-out game was kept close by the Bullpups (12-5), who trailed 11-9 with 3:38 left in the first quarter.

Ten seconds later the Saxons’ Jared Karstetter converted a three-point play that started a closing rush to make it 26-12 by quarter’s end. Casto finished the game with 21 points, and Jeff Minnerly added 19.

Ferris expanded its lead to 40-17 by halftime.

“We played a good first half,” said Minnerly. “Everything was going in and defensively we played pretty well. It was a physical game and that plays to Dee’s strength.”

Casto worked the baseline with his quickness and feathery touch off the glass. Early in the game he had a monster jam off a pass from Karstetter, who had an efficient night with four steals, six rebounds, several assists and 13 points.

Minnerly was no slouch from the perimeter either, taking it to the basket or pulling up for jumpers, including two 3-pointers.

“I’ve worked on my midrange game and it’s paid dividends,” he said. Still, G-Prep made an early third-quarter run to cut the deficit to 14 points, mainly spurred by Ryan Nicholas.

“I thought we relaxed a little bit in the second half and to Prep’s credit they made some adjustments,” said Ferris coach Don Van Lierop.

Minnerly ended the spurt with 3:52 left and the Saxons regained a 24-point margin early in the fourth quarter.

Casto scored 13 of his game high in the second half.

Mt. Spokane 65, Rogers 57: The host Wildcats (8-8) got 14 points from Jordon Poynor in the decisive third quarter for a victory over the Pirates (5-11).

Mead 55, Lewis and Clark 50: Brendan Ingebritsen had 21 of Mead’s 29 second-half points as the visiting Panthers (9-8) held off the Tigers (3-12). Ingebritsen finished with 28.