Bulldogs drop pair to Cheney

SANDPOINT — Stefan Buratto had his pull-up jumper working in mid-season form, dropping in 23 points to lead Sandpoint, which fell 69-56 to a lengthy and athletic Cheney team in home-opening boys basketball action Tuesday night at Les Rogers Court.

The Bulldogs (0-1) dug an early double-digit hole, before battling back to close the gap to five in the third quarter, but could get no closer.

“Bouned back after rough start, got in a hole but kept our composure,” said Bulldogs head coach Tyler Haynes. “We couldn’t get over that hump; put so much effort into to get to that point, then ran out of gas.”

Brandon Lawrence had six points, 13 rebounds and two assists, Skyler Tucker scored nine and Brandon Hawkins eight, and Buratto added four steals in defeat.

DeAngelo Jones scored a game-high 26 to lead Cheney, which expects to contend for a league title this season.

Sandpoint plays Clarkston at the Pendleton Tournament on Friday.

Cheney     24   13   7   25 — 69

Sandpoint 13   14   19   19 — 56

CHENEY — Cook 3, Harding 5, Jones 26, Moore-Young 7, Stralser 4, Franklin 6, Igbinoba 11, Smalls 7.

SANDPOINT — Hubbard 1, Tucker 9, Lawrence 6, Buratto 23, Olin 0, Hawkins 8, Shultz 4, Fuhrman 5.

SANDPOINT — Senior Christina Johnson poured in a season-high 19 points, but Sandpoint could never gain the lead in a 51-44 loss to Cheney in nonleague girls basketball action Tuesday night at Les Rogers Court.

“She cuts to the basket and takes it hard to the rim, and gets a lot of opportunities from the line,” said Bulldogs coach Lance Bruce of Johnson. “We only had six turnovers tonight, and we’ve been averaging more than 20. Alex (Bucholtz) did a tremendous job of controlling the tempo of the game.”

Natasha Roop had a solid game on the blocks for Sandpoint (0-6), posting 11 points and nine rebounds, including a beautiful no-look reverse lay-in after a rebound. Alex Bucholtz added six points, three assists and two steals, and freshman Jordan Speelmon added two steals in defeat.

Laikyn Brophy led Cheney with 17 points, as Sandpoint could never get closer than four points for much of the night.

Sandpoint plays Clarkston in the Pendleton Tournament on Friday.

Cheney    11   11   12   17 — 51

Sandpoint  9    9    12   14 — 44

CHENEY — Stralser 5, Scott 0, Lebret 7, Benzel 4, Vergo 0, Olson 8, Fox 6, Brown 2, Brophy 17, McDowell 2.

SANDPOINT — Johnson 19, Van Ooyen 0, Jones 2, James 2, Chatburn 0, Bucholtz 6, Kirscher 2, Roop 11, Speelmon 2.