Priest River, Chewelah split hoop wins

PRIEST RIVER — The Priest River Lady Spartans have been making it close their last three games, but only until the second quarter buzzer.

The visiting Chewelah Cougars were only ahead by two points, 31-29, after Spartan Tabitha Clark knocked down a 28-footer from behind the arc at the second quarter buzzer.

The Spartans were 2-of-18 in the fourth quarter . The Spartan full-court pressure was unable to create enough easy baskets to keep in the game and the Cougars took the win in non-league action, 51-36.

The Spartans have to rebound quickly with only one night's rest before facing off with border rivals Newport on Saturday night.

Chewelah 13 8 11 19 - 51

Priest River 9 10 12 5 - 36

Chewelah - Schatz 6, Schanzenback 13, Schalock 4, Rolstad 0, Leick 5, Polm 5, B. Smith 8, E. Smith 0, Whitley 10.

Priest River - Smith 5, Clark 9, Hopkins 5, Hatfield 0, Karkoski 0, Salesky 4, Hirst 8, Yount 1, Willig 1, Schanilec 3.

Boy's game:

Micah Smith had 22 points and six assists to lead Priest River (1-0) to a 61-54 win over Chewelah.

His twin brother Cody added 13 and Dustin Lehman scored eight. The Spartans hit 10-11 free throws in the fourth quarter to seal the game.

"We handled pressure really well and hit clutch free throws down the stretch," said Spartan coach Bill Ryan. "Cody really shot the ball well. He hit some early threes to get the team going, and Micah was 10-12 from the free throw line."