Quick start propels Mead

Grant Fink said his main role on Mead’s basketball team is rebounding. But he jump-started the Panthers with an early offensive outburst and successful debut as the Greater Spokane League season began Tuesday.

Fink hit three successive 3-pointers, staking Mead to an 11-0 lead at Central Valley, and the Panthers never trailed during their 59-51 win over the Bears.

“Not usually,” Fink said when asked if his early outburst was typical. “But I was on at the beginning of the game and just kept shooting.”

Fink scored 13 points in the first half and took on his accustomed role in the second half as part of a Panthers’ nearly 2-to-1 rebounding effort that helped keep the Bears at bay.

“That was one of the better efforts we’ve had in years,” Mead coach Glenn Williams said. “We’re not tall, but (we) went after it and pursued the ball.”

The early streak was typical of Mead’s game-long modus operandi. CV cut the lead to six points early in the second quarter before Seth Peterson ignited a seven-point burst for a 13-point lead.

In the third quarter, after the Bears closed to within 28-24, it was Mitch Kayser’s turn to lead a run that bumped Mead back up 43-31.

Michael Williams rallied CV one last time with an athletic performance that cut the deficit to 45-38. But Mead point guard Brendon Meyers hit a layin and took care of the ball down the stretch as the Panthers put the game away at the line.

“They’re an athletic team,” Williams said. “A couple of times Williams came down the court and pulled up (scoring) with us on him.”

Fink and Kayser each finished with 15 points and Meyers had 10 points for the Panthers.

“It was a big win for us,” Fink said. “They knocked us out of the playoffs last year, so it was good to beat them.”

Williams scored all 16 of his points in the second half either from afar or from taking it to the basket after sitting much of the first in foul trouble. Brad Whitley added 14 and each converted all three free throws when fouled on 3-point shot attempts.

Gonzaga Prep 77, University 30: Ryan Nicholas scored 21 points to lead four Bullpups in double figures during the easy win at home against the Titans. The Bullpups shot 65 percent from the field as Nicholas made 8 of 11 shots and Travis Long was 7 of 8.

Shadle Park 62, Rogers 48: The Highlanders inaugurated their new gym by taking a 10-point first-quarter lead, but the Pirates battled on even terms thereafter, thanks to Jesse Vaughn’s 23-point night. Anthony Brown scored 22 points and Robby Douglas 17 to fuel Shadle.

North Central 57, East Valley 55: This one went down to the wire as the host Knights had a fast break off a missed free throw in the final 6 seconds, but could not get off a shot. EV led by four points at intermission, but the Indians rallied behind Nathan Pelton and Dylan Harris. Pelton made 8 of 11 shots and finished with 19 points. The Knights were led by Austin Zurfluh, who scored 16.