GSL teams ready for more action

In case you missed it, the Greater Spokane League volleyball, cross country and soccer regular seasons came to an end (where did the fall seasons go?) and playoff positioning was decided in several finales.

Post-season competition begins as early as today. Here’s a quick look at what happened and what to expect:

Ferris, Mead lead soccer

On the final Friday of GSL play Ferris and Mead both won 2-1 matches to share the title. The Saxons are No. 1 District 8 4A seed by virtue of its wins the second and third matches of the season over the Panthers and Gonzaga Prep.

But it’s a nominal distinction since the two meet Wednesday, 7 p.m. at Joe Albi Stadium in a more important matter. District champion qualifies for the regional final against the Columbia Basin League.

The Bullpups won their final eight matches, worked their way up to third and play Central Valley tonight at 7 at Joe Albi Stadium in the second of two loser-out matches. The first, at 5, pits No. 4 Shadle Park against No. 5 University.

Winners move on to play at Albi on Wednesday.

Another Friday match, East Valley’s 3-0 shutout over Shadle, coupled with Mt. Spokane’s loss to Ferris, gave the Knights No. 1 seeding to the eight-team 3A regional with the CBL. Mt. Spokane is No. 2. Matches begin on Wednesday, the Knights at home, Wildcats on the road.

Mead, LC rest for volleyball

Mead (10-0) beat Lewis and Clark (9-1) in three games last Tuesday to determine first and second places and byes into this week’s six-team 4A District 8 double elimination tournament.

Matches are Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

Gonzaga had already secured third, Ferris finished strong winning its final three matches to place fourth. Both host Tuesday matches. The Bullpups play Shadle Park, the Saxons face Central Valley.

Winners play at Mead and LC Thursday, according to seeding. Tournament finishes at Mt. Spokane.

The Wildcats, who beat Prep to share third in league with a 7-3 record, will host the three-team 3A tournament Saturday.

Qualifiers (four to 4A, two to 3A) move on to regional. Three 4A and two 3A teams go from there to state.

Great Northern League ends its regular season this week. Northeast A plays Tuesday and Saturday, at Central Valley, for three regional berths. Class 2B and 1B district playoffs are underway.

Cross country still king?

Spokane-area leagues have made their state reputation in cross country. Defending champion Ferris, Mead and Central Valley are top three state-ranked 4A boys teams and hope to sweep Saturday’s regional in Yakima.

Central Valley, University and Mead hope to make inroads against Walla Walla and Richland girls for three berths.

North Central’s boys are ranked second in 3A state and will chase one of two berths. Mt. Spokane hopes to sneak past Kamiakin or Hanford for the other. Mt. Spokane’s girls will be challenged by WV-Yakima and Kamiakin.

The Great Northern League and Class B district meets are at Fairways, Northeast A League is in Wenatchee.

Football showdowns on tap

Lewis and Clark is coming off a bye week, the last challenger Thursday night to Gonzaga Prep’s unbeaten GSL season. More important for the Tigers, a win qualifies them for state play-in games Nov. 3-4 against the CBL.

Also on Thursday, Colfax travels to Freeman with a chance at creating a three-way for first place. If that happens, said Scotties coach Jim Wood, things must be sorted out. If it comes down to using a pre-season number draw, Freeman would be third and travel against the Caribou Trail League for Nov. 3 or 4 state play-in games.

“If we win, it’s over,” said Wood. “That’s the scenario we want.”

Pullman is at Clarkston on Friday with second place on the line in the Great Northern League.