Clark Fork upsets Mullan at districts

RATHDRUM — Brain Young had 11 points and eight rebounds as Clark Fork beat Mullan for the first time this season, using constant pressure to secure a 45-35 win in the second round of the 1A District championships at Lakeland Thursday night.

Bill Clayton and Tyler Broggi both added eight for the Bulldogs (12-10), but it was Kyle Ruen's shut-down defense of Mullan's top player, Jesse James, that proved to be the biggest difference.

Kyle's a strong kid and he just stayed low and didn't let James get a lot of good looks," said Clark Fork coach Brian Powell of holding James to two points. "He did a really nice job on him."

Corey Pehan led Mullan (13-7) with 17 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Tiger's high number of turnovers against the Wampus Cat's full court press. Mullan committed nine turnovers in a pivotal third quarter, where they only mustered five points.

"We put a lot more pressure on them this time," said Powell of the difference in this game after having lost the previous two meetings with Mullan. "We were faster and quicker and maybe a little deeper. We pressed them pretty hard."

Clark Fork plays Post Falls Christian tonight at 7:45 p.m. at Lakeland in the NSL championship game for an automatic berth to state.

Clark Fork 10 9 10 16 — 45

Mullan 7 9 5 14 — 35

CLARK FORK — Martin 6, Ruen 3, Wilkinson 5, T. Broggi 8, Jeffres 4, Clayton 8, B. Young 11.

MULLAN — Auger 4, Ja. Ploharz 1, James 2, Jo. Ploharz 3, Murray 8, Pehan 17.