GSL teams chase more spots in state qualifiers

It’s win-or-else tonight when two Greater Spokane League 3A teams begin regional competition against the Columbia Basin League with three state berths the prize.

North Central plays Kennewick in boys loser-out competition and Mt. Spokane plays Hanford in girls.

The Kennewick Lions, fourth in league during the regular season, are led by guard Robbie Marshall, who averages 15.2 points per game, and have size.

“He’s quick and athletic (and) able to get to the hoop,” said NC coach Jay Webber. “If we can’t keep him, or keep the ball, out of the paint, we’ll be in trouble.”

The Hanford Falcons won the CBL girls championship, but lost to late-charging district champion Kamiakin and are seeded third. Brittany Quick (13.7 ppg), a 6-foot-2 post, and guard Chelsey DePeel (13.2) were second and third in league scoring.

”(DePeel) had her knee wrapped and didn’t play as much as she usually does,” said Wildcats coach Julie Kistler.

If the two GSL teams win, they’ll play the CBL district champions West Valley-Yakima boys (18-5) and Kamiakin girls (12-11) on Friday in Richland.

“We’ve definitely made strides,” said second-year coach Kistler of her 10-deep lineup. “I believe the GSL is the toughest league in the state and that kind of competition (against 4A schools) gives us a huge advantage.”

Greater Spokane League district champion East Valley girls (8-13) and Mt. Spokane boys (12-9) are in Friday’s double-elimination semifinals.

The Knights play either WV-Yakima (15-8), the CBL’s regular season second-place team, or Kennewick (11-2), at 8:30 p.m. The Wildcats play either Eastmont (16-6) or Kamiakin (11-12) at 5:30.

“In my opinion (their league) is a little stronger than last year,” Webber said of the CBL boys. “That was the advantage for Mt. Spokane winning on Thursday. Hopefully we can make some noise, too.”