Rogers snaps 73-game league losing streak
A quartet of Rogers girls basketball players had been waiting four years for this. When they got the first Greater Spokane League basketball win of their careers, they did so with flair.
The Pirates (1-2) defeated Mt. Spokane (0-3) 64-39 Friday night, ending the school’s losing streak at 73. The last win dated to January 2002.
“It is over,” said Pirates coach Nicole Kilgore, with finality. “This is what I’ve been waiting for. It’s been a long time coming. I’m just really excited for this group and I’m sure they’re excited for themselves.”
Led by the 1-2-3 punch of their fourth-year regulars – D’Erica Jones (who scored 18 points), guards Denisha Whitehead (18) and Rikeya Crossley (15) – along with fellow four-year varsity starter Mary Fairbanks, the Pirates bolted to a 37-13 first-half lead. They never looked back.
Rogers won two non-league games last year, but this is the most meaningful victory since that 2002 season.
“We don’t even think about it,” said Whitehead. “We let that go. That’s the past, this is the present – this is the future. I’m excited. I think our whole team is, too, especially the coach.”
Lewis and Clark 52, Mead 42: Following a first-quarter jolt, the host Panthers (3-1) gave the league-leading Tigers (4-0) a game. Trailing 16-6 after the first quarter, Mead cut the deficit to one point before LC got away.
Katelan Redmon, Brittany Kennedy and Lyndi Seidensticker combined for 39 points for LC. The Panthers were led by freshmen Jazmine Redmon, 13 points, and Alexis Olgard, nine points, nine blocked shots and eight rebounds.
East Valley 49, Shadle Park 43: The Knights (3-0) continued their hot December on the road against the Highlanders (1-2). Kelsi Jacobson came off the bench for 19 points, 10 in the first quarter, and also had a pivotal 3-pointer in the fourth quarter.
Turnovers played a part in EV’s 16-7 final-period scoring advantage.
In her first game this year following an ankle injury, Lexie Pettersen scored 28 for Shadle, but the Highlanders were without scoring leader Lexi Bishop.
University 74, Ferris 32: Angie Bjorklund had six 3-pointers and finished with 25 points. Dara Zack added 16 points as the visiting Titans (3-1) won easily over the Saxons (2-2). A 26-point second quarter put U-Hi up 40-18.
Central Valley 49, North Central 35: The Bears (1-3) broke into the win column with a first-half run. Justine Bowman led the visitors with 13 points to trip up the Indians (0-4).