Boys’ playoffs begin Tuesday
The pairings are set for four Spokane Valley teams competing in the District 8 4A basketball playoffs beginning Tuesday.
Central Valley (9-11) boys will travel to Mead (10-10) and University (8-11 with today’s makeup game at Ferris remaining) is at Gonzaga Prep (14-6) in 7:30 p.m. winner to regional-loser out games.
U-Hi (13-6) and CV (11-9) girls, fourth and fifth in league, meet for the third time this year with a regional spot at stake.
Boys: The Titans won their final three games to gain the sixth seed into the tournament. They were beaten twice by the Bullpups during regular season.
The Bears have lost six of their last seven boys games, but did split with Mead home-and-home during the regular season.
Thursday night U-Hi played a nail biter against visiting Rogers in a game for the final playoff berth. The Pirates led by a point at halftime before the Titans, who made nine 3-point baskets, went in front by three points after a quarter and held on.
Mason Johnson, who scored a season-high 28 points, made six of the 3-pointers. Curt Smith was the other double figures scorer wit 10 points.
“We saved ourself an extra game Monday (by avoiding a tie with Rogers),” said coach Garrick Phillips. “It will be nice to have an extra day to prepare for Prep.”
Gonzaga shot well in handing U-Hi both losses. When the Titans emphasized guarding the perimeter, the Bullpups scored in the paint. And they shot well outside when the Titans packed it inside.
“They’ve had an answer for everything we’ve done,” Phillips said.
He said he had higher expectations this year, but is happy to be in district where a win Tuesday guarantees at least four more games.
“We’ve been good in stretches and bad in stretches,” Phillips said. “but now anything can happen.”
Inconsistency and two narrow losses, to Shadle Park and Mt. Spokane that started a six-game tailspin, was bane of the season, he said.
Central Valley surrendered 48 first-half points to Lewis and Clark in a 70-60 setback to a team that won just once in 15 previous games. William Davis scored 19 points and Alex Howard 15.
Girls: University’s girls swept their season series with the Bears and are playing in their seventh straight district tournament. U-Hi has been to state the past four season. A district staple for nearly two decades, CV returns after a year’s absence.
EV girls set stage
East Valley’s 52-40 victory Thursday over Ferris has positioned the Knights (5-13) for a pivotal three-team GSL 3A series among teams bidding for the regional playoffs.
They are tied with Mt. Spokane and a game ahead of North Central and teams all face each other beginning Tuesday. EV hosts Mt. Spokane at 7:30 and a win would assure them one of the two spots.
The Knights outscored Ferris 20-11 in the fourth quarter for their win and finished nearly perfect from the free throw line, making all but one of 14 attempts. Kelsi Jacobson was 6-for-6 and finished with 19 points. Bryana Manchester made 5-of-6 from the line.
EV boys (1-17) will miss the playoffs this year because of a district playoff change in which only two advance unless they finish sixth or higher in league.
State at stake
University’s league champion gymnasts host the 4A and 3A/2A/1A regional tournaments today beginning at 10 a.m.
One team, two all-around individuals and top four 4A finishers in individual events will qualify for state next weekend in Tacoma. The 3A meet starts at 2 p.m. and advances one team, two all-around and five individuals per event.
The Titans and Central Valley will begin together on balance beam with a “bump” rotation schedule in which each team moves on to a different event as soon as its gymnasts complete their routines.
They are among seven GSL schools and Richland in the 4A regional.