By Jim Allen, NWPrepsNow.com
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Mt. Spokane may yet make it to state, but the fairy-tale ride took a Little detour Friday night at University.
The Titans’ Robert Little scored a game-high 27 points, including six 3-pointers, to beat the Wildcats 63-49 in a boys 3A subregional game in front of an enthusiastic crowd at U-Hi.
The win guarantees University a spot in next week’s regionals – the Titans host Shadle Park tonight for the top seed – while Mt. Spokane (6-16) gets one last chance tonight at Kennewick.
“We played well in stretches tonight and shared the ball well,” said U-Hi coach Garrick Phillips, whose team improved to 13-9.
The Titans led just 17-12 after the first quarter, but Little hit a trio of 3-pointers late in the second quarter, which also included a fake pass and layup by Titans guard Garrett Schmerer. Suddenly the lead was in double digits – for good, as it turned out.
“Every time he shoots it, I think it’s going in, because his shot preparation is so good,” Phillips said of Little. “This is nothing out of the ordinary.”
“Coach is always telling us to be aggressive, and I got a lot of good looks today,” said Little, whose final 3 of the half gave the Titans a 35-18 lead.
Mt. Spokane, which broke 15-game losing streak by upsetting Mid-Columbia Conference champion Kamiakin, couldn’t find the range Friday night. The Wildcats were 13 of 52, and leading scorer Stu Stiles worked hard for his 18 points.
“Our game plan was to give him as much attention as possible,” said Phillips, whose club made 25 of 45 shots.
Leading 35-23 at halftime, the Titans continued to play solid defense, and they led by as many as 18 in the fourth quarter.
