There was the Stinky Sneaker, then the Battle of the Bone. Yes, competition between rival Central Valley and University fans was spirited. 

But don't forget: Amidst all that action by supporters in the stands, a sporting event broke out on basketball courts and wrestling mats propelling teams and athletes headlong into February's postseason.

And what a compelling four-team boys basketball playoff for Greater Spokane League supremacy it will be. Who can remember when four teams could conceivably have been tied for first place with three games remaining during regular season play?

The outcome of the Stinky Sneaker rivalry game between Central Valley and University held the fates for an undisputed league title in their hands.

And when the game was over, U-Hi may have won the Sneaker for the second straight year, but the Bears had won the game and found themselves alone in first place, at least temporarily, one game ahead of the Titans, Lewis and Clark and Rogers.

They had split with U-Hi, lost to the Pirates for the second time by two points in overtime, then faced surging LC after Splash press deadlines in late January, the outcome determining whether CV was in the driver's seat or whether part of a four-way first-place tie. 

CV took an eight-point lead, but the Titans erased the deficit late in the first half to hold a four-point advantage at halftime.

The Bears then went on a 22-8 tear after intermission and had things seemingly in hand leading 42-31 heading into the game's final eight minutes. But three 3-pointers brought the Titans back before Eli Emerson's two free throws saved the day, 48-45.

With four games remaining, Central Valley's Michael Hannan was averaging 15.3 points and Cameron Tucker 12.8 points per game, including two non-league contests.

The winner of the annual Battle of the Bone (also held after press deadlines on Jan. 28) earns a share of the GSL championship, coaching brothers get to lord it over the other and winning team members earn bragging rights before they go their ways this month in search of individual tournament glory.

John Owen usually isn't prone to jockeying his wrestlers around in weight classes in search of an advantage as his brother Don so adeptly does at U-Hi, but he was all in, during a 33-26 victory over North Central last month.

District competition begins Fridays and Saturdays Feb. 6 and ends at the Mat Classic state tournament in Tacoma Feb. 21-22.

The Bears return two state finalists, two-time champion Blake Beard, second place finisher Bryson Beard and state veterans Braedon Orrino and Chauncye Garrigan. 

Greatness is writ throughout GSL girls basketball history. Their names can be found from Division I colleges to the WNBA. But Central Valley's Madison Hovren will likely have outscored them all by the time her career is said and done.

Five times this year, Hovren has scored more than 30 points in a game, with games of 34 and 32 against rival University. For the second straight year, her season scoring average is "hovrening" around 23 per contest.  And the Bears were part of a taut three-team chase for second place in the GSL as the playoffs approach in a week.