Friday’s 4A and 3A Regional Game Standouts in Spokane

University High School in Spokane played host to 4A and 3A regional matchups. Both games featured Eastern Washington versus Western Washington matchups with the two GSL schools running away with both games in convincing fashion. All four teams will receive automatic bids to the state tournament, but a first round bye was on the line. <strong>4A Regional Game:</strong> <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Central Valley 67</span> Glacier Peak 49 Central Valley handled Glacier Peak's pressure all throughout the game and that was the ultimate reason for their big victory. Glacier Peak's swarming run and jump did not bother them as they passed and dribbled right out of attempted double teams. One other major factor was Central Valley's ability to execute half court offense with great floor spacing. Both teams ran some similar action, but the floor spacing and outside shooting of Central Valley was key. As one person mentioned to me about CV, "They cut with a purpose to score off the ball." *Coaches from Idaho, Montana and EWU were among those in attendance. <em>Standouts:</em> 2020 5'11 F <strong><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/michael-pitts/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/michael-pitts/">Michael Pitts</a></a></strong> (Central Valley HS) - She has impressed me more and more as the season has gone along and this game made it clear that she belongs at the four year level. GNAC schools should be on her, as she went right at some Division 1 recruits, although a year younger than her, and more than held her own. She can finish around the basket, sees the floor well out of double teams and plays hard. 2021 5'9 SG <strong><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/chloe-williams-3/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/chloe-williams-3/">Chloe Williams</a></a></strong> (Central Valley HS) - The game's leading scorer at 17 points showed the ability to hit from the outside and get in the mix of things on defense. Chloe played a really solid game all around and will receive some small college attention. 2021 5'10 SF <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/mj-bruno/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/mj-bruno/">MJ Bruno</a></a> (Central Valley HS) - The biggest standout of the game got it done in every facet. The Portland commit dove on the floor, gave her team extra possessions, scored inside and out and then made plays in transition. A very impressive showing overall as she also made life difficult for <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/maya-erling/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/maya-erling/">Maya Erling</a></a> of Glacier Peak. 2020 5'8 PG <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/peyton-howard/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/peyton-howard/">Peyton Howard</a></a> (Central Valley HS) - Howard handled point guard responsibilities and passed out of double teams, made solid decisions and did not appear to be flustered at any point. The Seattle U signee finished with 11 points. 2021 6'0 F <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/madison-rubino/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/madison-rubino/">Madison Rubino</a></a> and 2021 5'5 G <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/aaliyah-collins-2/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/aaliyah-collins-2/">Aaliyah Collins</a></a> each finished with a team high 10 points for Glacier Peak. Rubino battled on the boards and Collins showed off her electric speed in transition, but neither could sustain the momentum as Central Valley kept them at bay overall. <hr /> <strong>3A Regional Game:</strong> <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Mt. Spokane 78</span> Shorecrest 49 Mt. Spokane came out playing a slow brand of basketball, using multiple zones, much to Shorecrest's delight as they even held an early lead by getting easy open looks. Everything changed by the second quarter. Mt. Spokane went man and turned up the pressure a lot more and won the second quarter 25-9. When Mt. Spokane went man and played off of more instincts and less slow down sets, they blew this game open quickly. By the second half, the Wildcats displayed the ability to execute in the half court as well as in the uptempo setting, giving Shorecrest a difficult time all around. <em>Standouts:</em> 2021 5'10 C <strong>Kiana Lino</strong> (Shorecrest HS) - Had a tough battle inside, but Lino did show off some nifty footwork in the post and a soft touch to finish. Lino projects as a small college and potential solid JUCO prospect in the NWAC. 2020 5'7 SG <strong>Sydney Van Ness</strong> (Shorecrest HS) - Did her best to keep her team competitive, netting three 3 pointers and scoring some inside the paint. She finished with a team high 15 points. Another JUCO level prospect. 2020 5'6 G <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/emma-main/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/emma-main/">Emma Main</a></a> (Mt. Spokane HS) - Finished with 13 points on the night, shooting with confidence from the outside as usual. Main has been picking up her college interest with multiple D3 schools vying for her services at the next level. 2020 6'0 SG <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/jayda-noble/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/jayda-noble/">Jayda Noble</a></a> (Mt. Spokane HS) - The super standout from the entire night put on a show! The Washington commit made several next level passes, got deflections she had no business getting and grabbed rebound after rebound, all while scoring inside and out for 22 points. She had a beautiful long range step back that she nailed from 17 feet. Her ability to make plays on both sides of the ball was most impressive and she handled and shot the ball with full confidence. She had the near perfect game outside of uncharacteristic 1/6 free throw shooting, which she will clean up come the state tourney.