Strong year for GSL wrestling

Prior to the season, Greater Spokane League wrestling coaches weren’t sure how strong their league was going to be.

But, given the fact five schools are 7-3 or better, and by the showings of individuals and teams at various tournaments, it might be stronger than they thought.

“Having gone through the year, I think the league is way better that what we were giving it credit for,” said East Valley coach Craig Hanson.

It was one that, until EV beat University by two points last week, could have potentially finished in a four-way tie for first place. Ferris (7-3) beat his Knights by a point, but lost to Mead (7-2), which also beat the Titans.

“How many matches have gone down to the last match?” asked Mead coach Phil McLean. “It shows on any given night anybody can win.”

Hanson pointed toward Mead’s showing at a tournament in Snohomish as an indication of the strength of the league.

“We’re getting better all the time,” said McLean. “These guys don’t even know that they’re pretty good. They’ve wrestled more inspired since we got tuned up by EV.”

Last week’s Dream Duals at EV were another indicator.

Central Valley tied defending 4A state champion Lake Stevens, winning the final four matches by pin or major decision. Tanner Teeples edged defending state champion Zach Zweifel 2-1 at 112 pounds and Jordan Choate beat a state placer at 145.

The Knights lost to Enumclaw by two points and tied Kelso in a dead-even 3A bracket.

Referring to the competitiveness of this year’s GSL, Hanson said, “I think the kids are being better prepared for postseason.”

And postseason is not far away. Wednesday is the final dual date in the GSL. Barring upset, the Knights (8-1) will at least share their first GSL title since a three-run run from 2002 through 2004.

CV (8-1) is at University (7-2) in the annual Battle of the Bone, the Bears seeking their second straight title.

District competition begins Feb. 1.

Streak lives on

With victories last week, the Ferris Saxons have won 43 basketball games in a row, dating back to last year’s 29-0 state championship season.

Going back to January of 2006, coach Don Van Lierop’s Saxons have also won 43 straight Greater Spokane League games, the longest boys streak in GSL history.

Central Valley’s girls won 69 in a row from 2002-04.

Ferris’ streak gets tested this week when the Saxons (14-0) travel to Mead tonight and then play the GSL title showdown Thursday against Shadle Park at Spokane Falls Community College.

Ferris has won or shared the last three league championships.

GSL fans get their money’s worth with three sets of games this week – tonight, Thursday and Saturday.

Graham in Hall

Former Reardan coach Dan Graham will be inducted Saturday into the Washington State Coaches Association Football Hall of Fame.

Induction ceremonies at the Bellevue Hilton Inn are part of the mid-winter coaches football clinic Jan. 25-27.

Graham assisted at Reardan from 1975-92 and was head coach from 1993-2003, winning state championships his final two seasons. He compiled a 102-22 record while there.

Bob Bourgette, still coaching at Kennedy after 34 years, the last 14 has head coach, and Larry Lunke, who coached at several schools during a 32-plus year career also will be inducted.

Tickets for the 6 p.m. banquet are $20 and can be purchased at the door.

Riverside impressive

Defending Great Northern League wrestling champion Riverside was impressive while winning the 2A portion of the Dream Duals. The Rams outscored Tumwater and Steilacoom by a combined 116-12 score.

Upcoming this week is the annual Battle of the Horns against Deer Park. Both teams are currently unbeaten in the GNL.

Deer Park was in Orem, Utah, this past weekend and placed fifth in the 60-school Rocky Mountain Rumble – finishing, incidentally, ahead of perennial 3A state champion Sedro Woolley.

Drew Acorn at 103 pounds and Cody Miller, 152, both finished second. Waylon Cork, 160, was sixth and Levi Zadorozny, 119, and Shawn Burton, 285, were seventh.

Lakeside thinks big

Wrestlers from Lakeside of Nine Mile Falls may compete in the 1A classification, but first-year coach Troy Hughes thinks in bigger terms.

“Even back to when (Scott) Jones was coaching, we’ve never viewed ourselves as a 1A program,” Hughes said. “It doesn’t matter who’s on the mat, we want to compete with them whether they’re 4A or 10A.”

Indeed his one regret this year was not winning the prestigious Tri-State tournament in Coeur d’Alene.

“I thought going in we had a chance,” he said. “I knew Flathead was tough and once we got there they proved a little too tough.”

Lakeside placed third there. Lakeside was also third at the Pacific Northwest Classic and won tournaments in Vashon and Kelso to go with their impressive win at the Dream Duals.

“I’m proud of the guys, but tell them none of that matters now. Now is a new season,” said Hughes, as post-season looms. “But we’ve actually seen a lot of growth since day one.”

Basketball

•James Glenn scored 15 points and grabbed 13 rebounds to lead the Odessa (8-7, 5-7) boys to a 34-30 Bi-County League win over visiting Liberty. Lane Salsbury led the Lancers (4-13, 4-9) with 12 points.

•Chelsea Crosby and Teara Cornmesser scored 10 points apiece to lead Liberty (8-9, 8-5) to a 52-32 Bi-County League victory in a girls game Monday in Odessa. Jordan Frederick tallied a game-high 16 points to guide the Tigers (3-11, 1-10). … Elsewhere, Myranda Wheeler scored 20 points as Wallace (2-12, 2-3) routed Mullan 52-24 in a North Star League game in Wallace. Fawn Story had 14 points for Mullan (0-12, 0-5). … Martha Taylor scored 20 points to lead Brewster to a 48-41 win over Colfax in the TourneyTown.com Shootout at the Yakima SunDome. Jordan Harazin and Kayla Johnson had 12 points each for the Bulldogs (13-3).