Potential wins slip away

CHENEY — The Cheney boys may have let post-season play slip through their fingers following a pair of Greater Spokane League basketball games last week on the road.

The Blackhawks (2-5 GSL, 7-10 overall) let a possible victory slip away Jan. 23 at Ridgeline where the Falcons used a 21-7 fourth quarter to erase a Cheney lead in a 62-50 loss. Then, Cheney kept GSL leading Mount Spokane in check before falling 56-52, Jan. 26.

“Ridgeline (4-3, 13-4) is a team that doesn’t quit, and 3-point shooting teams are never out of it,” Peevey wrote in an email. “We executed the game plan well enough to win but didn’t finish down the stretch and had some crucial turnovers that cost us.”

The teams were tied 24-24 at the half and Cheney had a 43-41 lead before the meltdown. Evan Stinson’s 21 points led the Blackhawks with Liam Carver adding 15.

This was one of several frustrating outings this season for the Blackhawks who were with the Wildcats until the end. Stinson mirrored his point production from earlier scoring 21 with Grayson Burton pitching in with another 15.

“We truly believe we can play with anyone when we all do our job and play our roles,” Peevey said. “Mt. Spokane is one of the best teams in the state and we had a chance to knock them out on the road but couldn’t get it done.”

Stinson’s surpassing the 1,000-point mark in career scoring with 21 points in the game with the Wildcats was a pleasant footnote.

“As far as I know, Evan is the first ever Blackhawk to reach the 1,000-point milestone,” Peevey said. “It’s a huge accomplishment and it’s a testament to the hard work he has put in over his career at Cheney. Evan is a great player but an even better teammate.”

With two league games remaining — plus their non-league rivalry matchup with Rogers player Jan. 31 — the Blackhawks can still land in post-season for the first time in two seasons under Peevey.

The Blackhawks close the regular season with teams they saw in the non-league portion of the schedule with the definite need for redemption.

Cheney hosts University, a 62-53 winner, Dec. 8, on Friday, Feb. 2 game hosting the Titans (4-3, 9-8) and close, also at home vs. North Central (4-3, 13-5), Feb. 9. The Wolfpack prevailed 71-67 Dec. 5.