Undefeated Central Valley girls cruise to 4A subregional win with defense as key factor
Central Valley girls basketball coach Freddie Rehkow understands the ebb and flow regarding offensive production from his players.
The one thing that can be a constant, though, is defense. And the No. 1-ranked Bears were efficient as usual Friday.
Central Valley smothered the visiting Pasco Bulldogs 74-27 in a 4A subregional opener.
The Bears (21-0), winners of 49 straight, play host to Richland (11-9) Saturday at 4 p.m. Pasco (6-15) visits Lewis and Clark, which fell 74-72 at Richland.
Central Valley 74, Pasco 27: The Bears have allowed opponents 25 points per game.
The first half the Bears played state-championship level defense.
“That was good,” Rehkow said. “The second half we probably gave up some shots that we shouldn’t have. Any time you can hold a team under 30 you’re going to be in good shape. That’s been us all year long. It’s a matter of just buckling down on defense and taking care of business.”
The Bears could have been forgiven for mental lapses in the second half since the game was decided well before halftime. When the teams broke for the intermission, CV led 43-10.
And when Lacie Hull made a basket with 5:47 to go in the third quarter, the 40-point running clock mercy rule went into effect.
The Bears shared the ball, finishing with 15 assists.
“We just didn’t finish well,” Rehkow said. “If we finish, it’s more like 22 assists.”
All the Bears contributed to the solid defense. Leading the way was guard Camryn Skaife. She finished with four steals to go with 11 points.
“Her quick little hands – she gets the steals you just don’t see,” Rehkow said. “That’s one of the areas she doesn’t get enough credit and people don’t recognize it is the defense. And when she can knock down a couple of shots, too, that helps.”
“Defense is our base priority,” Skaife said. “If we play defense, we’ll score on offense better. Defense makes our offense.”
Skaife noted that the win means CV has six more to go to repeat as state champs.
Rehkow said his team is just beginning to find its offensive rhythm.
“Outside of Mt. Spokane, we haven’t had to play a full game,” he said.
Katie Hawkins and Kalle Couch played well off the bench for CV.
Lacie Hull led CV with 18 points and 10 rebounds and twin sister Lexie Hull had 13 points and nine rebounds.
Gonzaga Prep 48, Walla Walla 43: Olivia Mayer had 15 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Bullpups (13-7) past the visiting Blue Devils (7-12). G-Prep plays host to Mead on Saturday at 4 p.m. Molly McDermott supported Mayer with 14 points. WW goes to No. 1 Mid-Columbia Conference seed Chiawana (15-6) in a loser-out game Saturday.
Mead 69, Chiawana 65: The visiting Panthers (15-7) pulled off a win over the RiverHawks (15-6). Aaliyah Pauling had two steals in the final minute to help Mead hold on. Mead got out to a 24-12 lead after the first quarter. Alyse Jackson led Mead with 19 points, Lindsey Russell had 17 and Pauling added 16. Mead goes to G-Prep on Saturday.
Richland 74, Lewis and Clark 72: The visiting Tigers (12-9) missed a shot at the buzzer that rolled off the rim. LC trailed 72-68 with a minute to go, rallying to tie it at 72. Jacinta Buckley led LC with 29 points and Kamri von Oelhoffen led the Bombers with 24. The Tigers play host to Pasco on Saturday.
3A subregional
North Central 61, Kennewick 51: The Indians (8-13) made 7 of 9 free throws in the final 5 minutes to hold off the visiting Lions (5-15) in a loser-out game. NC travels to Kamiakin (19-1) on Saturday. Tipoff is at 5 p.m. Quincy McDeid led NC with 23 points, Kiena Bigsmoke scored all 16 of her points in the first half and Sunny Ellenwood had 13.
Southridge 62, Rogers 46: The visiting Pirates (5-16) couldn’t overcome the Suns (11-9). Kendal Tillet led Rogers with 16 points. Southridge travels to Mt. Spokane (16-4) on Saturday at 7.