Martin, McMahon and Wilkinson carry Cats to win

CALDWELL - As bounce-back games go, Drew Wilkinson's was hard to beat Friday at the 1A state basketball tournament, as the streak-shooting senior guard exploded for a career-high 30 points to lead Clark Fork to a 67-53 win over Clark County in consolation action at Vallivue High School.

Wilkinson, who has a knack for scoring in bunches when he gets hot, was held to only three points in Thursday's loss to Lapwai and came out firing against Clark County, pouring in 19 first half points and staking the Cats to a double-digit lead that they would hold throughout.

“Drew is very streaky and he got going early and got confident,” said Brian Powell, noting the quick Lapwai defenders never let him get going. “He was a totally different kid after the game, which makes me happy. Last night he was pretty bummed.”

Wilkinson scored in a variety of ways, finishing 7-14 from the field, 13-16 from the foul stripe, and 3-6 from behind the arc, all three long range bombs coming in the pivotal first half, when the Cats built a 35-23 lead.

Mike Martin had another solid game, finishing with 15 points, but it was his efficiency running the offense that was most crucial. The Cats finished with only seven turnovers in the game, a number any basketball coach would be happy with. Thomas McMahon added 12 points and 12 rebounds, and teamed with Jared Broggi, who gutted the game out on a badly sprained ankle sustained in the Lapwai game, to hold their own inside despite a size disadvantage.

Powell was particularly pleased with the defense of Thomas McMahon, who held 6-foot-5 Jaytee Tarpley, who's being recruited by Idaho, Montana and Washington, to only nine points. Cole Wagoner, who's also being recruited by some Division 1 schools, led the Bobcats (18-9) with 20 points.

The win keeps the Cats in the hunt for a state trophy, which was their goal when the tournament began. They'll play a familiar foe in the fourth place game today, facing North Star League runner up Wallace, which beat Murtaugh on Friday.

The Cats and Miners split their regular season league meetings, so today's rubber match will not only be for bragging rights and season supremacy, but for state hardware. Powell said containing Darrick Holmquist and Jared Bilaski will be the key to the game.

Tip off is scheduled for 9:45 (PST) at Vallivue High School. AM 1400 will have the call live.

Clark Fork 17 18 15 17 - 67

Clark County 11 12 10 20 - 53

CLARK FORK - Wilkinson 30, Martin 15, McMahon 12, Broggi 5, Young 3, Baugh 2, Chowning 0.

n Wallace rolls over Murtaugh, faces Clark Fork today

CALDWELL - The Wallace Miners outscored Murtaugh 45-12 in the first half, then coasted to a 66-45 win Friday at Vallivue High School.

Miner senior Jordan Beehner led the Miners with 17 points and 10 rebounds, followed by Darrick Holmquist with 16 points and 10 rebounds and Jared Bilaski with 16 points.

Jesus Cabral led Murtaugh with 17 points.

n Coeur d'Alene advances to title game

The No. 1 ranked Coeur d'Alene Vikings took another step towards joining the girls team as state champions, downing Eagle 65-57 Friday in a 5A semifinal game at the Idaho Center in Nampa.

Unheralded sophomore Devon Austin had another stellar game, scoring 18 to lead the Vikings (22-2), who face the winner of Highland and Vallivue tomorrow in the 5A championship game. Nate Clinton added 17 for Coeur d'Alene, which should they win, would make Coeur d'Alene the first Idaho 5A school to hold both the boys and girls state titles since Meridian in 1983.

n Moscow wins consolation game

4A North champion Moscow beat Emmett 43-33 Friday at the 4A tournament. Anthony Williams led the Bears with 16 points as they remain alive in the consolation bracket.

n Bonners Ferry bounced from state

A.J. Bennett scored 16 points to go with four rebounds and four steals, and Casey Langford added 12, but the Badgers shot 13-51 from the field and lost to Buhl 59-48 on Friday, eliminating the Badgers from the 3A state tournament.

Buhl 12 14 10 23 - 59

Bonners Ferry 12 11 3 22 - 48

BUHL - Sengvanhpheng 2, Romans 0, Twiss 20, Leckenby 2, Schilz 0, Osterkamp 10, Owen 8, Hosman 9, Cooper 8.

BONNERS FERRY - De. Deitz 8, Bennett 16, Reynolds 0, Di. Deitz 1, Hoisington 0, Parker 0, Mendez 2, Nelson 2, Carey 0, Langford 12, Galloway 3, Winebark 3, Newhouse 1.