Bulldogs take on Bears in final round

SANDPOINT — Facing another must-win situation, the Sandpoint girls play host to Moscow at 7 p.m. tonight in the final round of the 4A Region I girls basketball tournament at Les Rogers Court.

The winner of tonight's contest will advance to the state play-in game on Saturday in Grangeville, while the losers hang up their jerseys until next season.

Despite having the better record, Sandpoint (13-7) has been beaten by Moscow (9-13) in the last two of their three games this season. The most recent being the regional opener last week, when the Bears edged the Bulldogs 56-54 in Sandpoint.

The Bears were led in the last game by 6-foot, 3-inch junior post Kelsey Taylor and senior Jacki Calhoun, scoring 15 and 12 points, respectively.

Scoring an average of 15 points a game against Sandpoint this season, Calhoun will once again be the Bulldogs' biggest threat. Sandpoint will also focus on Taylor and senior Alisa Hart.

In Sandpoint's 55-44 victory over Moscow earlier in January, the Bulldogs were able to hold Taylor to just three points and Hart to six points.

However, the Bears have had some defensive success of their own against Sandpoint this year. The best example being Moscow's 49-37 regular season win on their home court. In that game, the Bears were able to effectively hold Sandpoint junior Ashleigh Mire to two points, while limiting senior Kelsey James to five points.

It basically boils down to who wants it more, said Sandpoint coach Scott Salesky.

"I know the girls can do it," said Salesky. "They just have to fight for it."