Bulldogs down Bears; off to state

MOSCOW — Prior to the 4A regional tournament, Sandpoint coach Tyler Haynes said Moscow liked to keep the game in the 50s, and that his team would need force the pace of the game to have a chance.

Forget about a game in the 50s, Sandpoint downed the Bears 39-33 in a defensive slugfest Thursday night at the Bear Den, winning the 4A Region 1 championship and securing a berth at state next week in Boise.

Perhaps Moscow’s deliberate style of game played into the hands of Sandpoint, who posted two solid road wins over the Bears in a span of three nights. Steffan Buratto scored 14, Spencer Swerin scored seven and the Bulldogs (9-14) simply found a way to win, pretty or not.

“Give our kids credit,” said Bulldogs head coach Tyler Haynes. “It’s really not the way we want to play, but Moscow sort of forces you to play that half court game.”

Haynes read off the Champions names on the Regional trophy, relishing the win.

“2001, Moscow, 2,3,4, Moscow, 5, Sandpoint, 6,7,8, Moscow, and now 2009 back to Sandpoint. Moscow has dominated the district tournament,” Haynes said, adding that back-to-back wins in the Bear Den was ‘Herculean.’ “It says a lot about these kids how they can adjust and do what you have to do.”

Brandon Lawrence added four points, seven big rebounds and a crucial steal, providing a lift with his athleticism and energy.

“He does a lot of stuff,” said Haynes of Lawrence, also praising the entire team’s defensive effort, calling it the best of the year.

Haynes also said the appearance of the SHS band, which is down in Moscow for a competition and made it to the game at halftime, infused his team with energy in what is generally a very tough and hostile road environment.

Mac Stannard led Moscow (9-13) with 14 points.

Sandpoint will face the loser of the Skyview/Bishop Kelly next Thursday in the first round of the 4A state playoffs.

Sandpoint 9 8 11 11 — 39

Moscow 9 11 6 6 — 33

SANDPOINT — Tucker 1, Olin 5, French 3, Lawrence 4, Cafferty 2, Swerin 7, Shultz 3, Buratto 14.

MOSCOW — Stannard 14, CLyde 7, Fritz 0, Derringer 5, Weaver 2, Iverson 0, Hanson 1, Helbling 4.