University beats Shadle Park 69-48
Halfway through the Greater Spokane League boys basketball season, University coach Garrick Phillips believes his team hasn’t played a poor game.
That includes Friday night’s 69-48 win over Shadle Park. U-Hi used a dominating first quarter, when it outscored the Highlanders 25-12, and held off any runs Shadle staged.
The Titans spread the scoring around, with Spencer Matt’s 18 points leading the way. Robert Little and Austin Dill had 13 and 12 points, respectively.
Shadle tightened up its defense and got back into the game in the second and third quarters and used a number of offensive rebounds to remain within striking distance.
“I thought our poise was pretty solid,” Phillips said. “We handled their pressure pretty well.”
The Highlanders used its size and athleticism to stay in the game. Kobe Reece made three straight baskets for Shadle in the third quarter. The Highlanders also used a full-court press to disrupt the Titans’ momentum. The press worked a few times, with N’Keil Nelson throwing down a dunk late in the game after a U-Hi turnover.
But each time Shadle came back, U-Hi had an answer. The Titans outscored the Highlanders by nine in the final quarter in pulling away.
Although he didn’t show up much in the final box score, Phillips credited senior guard Garrett Schmerer with keeping the team level-headed.
“He just kind of exudes a calmness about our team,” Phillips said. “We just follow in his footsteps. He’s so calm and never really gets excited about anything. But (the whole team) is pretty experienced and I don’t take much credit for that. They’re just good on their own.”
The Titans are 9-2 overall and 7-2 in the GSL. Shadle fell to 7-4, 5-4.
“I’m happy with where we’re at,” Phillips said. “We have room for improvement and it’s going to make for an exciting second half of the season.”
Central Valley 61, Mead 47: Tanner Sloan hit three 3-pointers in the decisive third quarter for the visiting Bears (9-2, 7-2). CV outscored the Panthers (5-6, 3-6) 25-12 in the period. Sloan finished with 13, Cameron Tucker had 12 and Max Sykes added 11. Will McPhee and Brandon Pettersen had 14 for Mead.
Lewis and Clark 70, Mt. Spokane 48: The Tigers (9-2, 7-2) got out to a 23-3 lead and didn’t slow down at Mt. Spokane (1-9, 1-7). Taylor Duncan led balanced LC with 15. Justin Smith had 12 for the Wildcats.
Rogers 57, North Central 46: The league-leading Pirates (9-2, 8-1) built a 40-25 lead through three periods. KJ Hassett and Melik Hampton had 16 and 14, respectively, for Rogers. Drew Williams had 11 and Shane Pethers 10 for NC (1-10, 0-9).
Gonzaga Prep 60, Ferris 48: The first and third quarters were big for the visiting Bullpups (6-5, 5-4). Logan Adams paced G-Prep with 17 and Brandon Bieber added 12. Murphy Butte led the Saxons (3-7, 1-7) with 12.