Wampus Cats lose to Newport
NEWPORT— The Wampus Cats lost 61-39 to the host Grizzlies Friday night at the Newport Holiday Tournament. Clark Fork senior Jared Broggi recorded a double-double, scoring 17 points and pulling down 14 rebounds in the losing effort. Chase Chowning also posted a double-double with 11 points and 10 boards.
“We’re playing after two weeks off and were a little rusty,” said Cats head coach Melvin Speelmon. “I did think we stuck with them well though and handled their press for three quarters. Our problem was we only had one shooter and they had a bunch.”
Newport (3-4) shot well from the field and was led by senior guard Devon Willenbrock with a game-high 19 points to go along with five steals and five rebounds. Teammates Chaise Exkano and Erik Weidemeir both chipped in 13 points for the Grizzlies.
“Our overall intensity was good and that is what we strive for,” Newport head coach Jamie Pancho said after the game. “We want to play with intention and intensity for 32 minutes. Our defense was great, but we were still a little tentative on offense and need to iron some things out.”
Clark Fork (1-3) faces Bonners Ferry at 2:30 p.m. today in the consolation game after the Badgers were defeated 61-46 by Priest River in their first game of the tournament. Newport faces Priest River in the championship game at 6 p.m.
Clark Fork 9 4 17 9 — 39
Newport 7 20 17 17 — 61
CLARK FORK — Berkley 3, Katzenberg 0, N. Nesbitt 2, C. Nesbitt 2, Young 4, Thrasher 0, Demers 0, Chowning 11, Broggi 17.
NEWPORT — Exkano 13, Zickler 6, Weidemeir 13, Willenbrock 19, Larion 2, Wear 0, Hunt 0, McSwain 2, Schultz 6.
n Gustafson scores 15 in Clark Fork loss
NEWPORT— Shaina Gustafson scored a game-high 15 points, but the Grizzly defense proved too much, forcing a short-handed Clark Fork team into 27 turnovers on the way to a 60-31 victory in the first round of the Newport Holiday Tournament Friday night. Numerous junior varsity players saw time for the Wampus Cats, who were without four varsity players for the game.
Gustafson, a junior guard, also led the game with four steals and threw in six rebounds.
“Shaina is our team leader, Clark Fork head coach Dexter Vogel said. “She is our most aggressive, hard working player and she has a great desire to play and win.
On his teams overall performance, coach Vogel said “When our first group was in we made some mistakes, but I was happy to see the ideas were good.”
Junior Pamela Bell led the way for the Grizzlies scoring 13 points to go along with six rebounds. Following closely behind with 12 points and three steals was freshman Taylor Lewis. “I was aware Clark Fork brought up JV players, and have been on the other side of the situation, so we limited our press to the early minutes,” said Newport head coach Mike Fredrick.
The (1-6, 1-1 NSL) Wampus Cats will not play in today’s second round action after the West Valley girls team canceled their trip to the tournament. The team returns to action on January 8 when they travel to Wallace. The (5-3) Grizzlies face the (2-4) Priest River Lady Spartans in the championship game beginning today at 4:15 p.m.
Clark Fork 9 4 6 12 — 31
Newport 20 15 12 13 — 60
CLARK FORK — Gannon 4, Palmer 2, Gustafson 15, Macumber 3, Martin 7, Cartmell 0, Thornton 0, Komanec 0.
NEWPORT — T. Lewis 12, Bush 4, Frederick 5, A. Lewis 6, Musso 2, Bell 13, Lowry 2, Pancho 0, Adams 7, Scott 7, Lindell 2, Betz 0.