Scout Notebook: Mt. Spokane vs. Central Valley

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Final: Central Valley 56, Mt. Spokane 51</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This matchup had the feel of two programs in transition meeting in the middle. <strong>Mt. Spokane</strong> is clearly leaning into youth, asking underclassmen to shoulder real minutes and responsibility. <strong>Central Valley</strong>, meanwhile, is reloading after losing a historic core from last year's state championship run, searching for a new offensive identity while maintaining its competitive edge.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The result was a well-coached, back-and-forth game with multiple lead changes and stretches where execution mattered more than momentum.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Mt. Spokane Notes</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Dakota Wyss","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'8u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12125","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Mt Spokane","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-696735cdcb4ef"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Wyss was the offensive spark for Mt. Spokane. She knocked down <strong>five three-pointers</strong> and finished with <strong>17 points</strong>, consistently punishing defensive lapses. Her confidence shooting the ball never wavered, and she showed a quick, repeatable release that allowed her to get looks off movement and kick-outs. When Mt. Spokane needed spacing or a response basket, Wyss delivered.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1234500"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-696735cdcb5a9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Manuel added <strong>10 points</strong>, doing most of her damage off athleticism and downhill pressure. She attacked gaps decisively, got to the rim, and drew fouls by forcing defenders to react late. Manuel's impact went beyond scoring—her ability to change pace and put pressure on the defense helped keep Mt. Spokane competitive throughout the second half.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Overall takeaway:</em> Mt. Spokane's youth showed, but so did its upside. There's shot-making, athleticism, and competitiveness here—now it's about consistency and late-game execution.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Central Valley Notes</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Olivia Patshkowski","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12125","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Central Valley","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-696735cdcb69b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Patshkowski was the best player on the floor. She finished with <strong>25 points</strong>, scoring at all three levels and looking completely at ease with the ball in her hands. Whether attacking off the dribble, finishing through contact, or knocking down jumpers, she controlled the game's offensive rhythm. Her comfort level and decision-making stood out in high-leverage moments.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["943344"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-696735cdcb723"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Henry played the role of tone-setter and closer, finishing with <strong>16 points</strong>. She spaced the floor consistently, punished late closeouts, and made Mt. Spokane pay from the free throw line. Beyond the scoring, her presence steadied Central Valley during momentum swings, providing leadership as the Bears continue to redefine themselves offensively.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1049372"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-696735cdcb79f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lanphere ended with <strong>7 points</strong>, but the timing mattered. She hit shots late that halted runs and forced Mt. Spokane to guard the perimeter honestly down the stretch. Her willingness to stay ready and deliver in key moments added real value in a tight finish.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Overall takeaway:</em> Central Valley may look different than last season, but the foundation remains. Shot-making, composure, and late-game execution carried them when the margin tightened.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Final Thought</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Central Valley ultimately pulled out a <strong>56–51 win</strong>, but this felt like a game both teams will benefit from long-term. Mt. Spokane's youth gained meaningful reps in a high-pressure environment, while Central Valley showed it can win close games even while reshaping its identity. A competitive, well-coached matchup—and one worth revisiting later in league play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->