Seniors have Cats gunning for state

CLARK FORK — An up-tempo offense and what their coach calls “scrappy defense” will be the hallmarks of this year’s Clark Fork girls basketball team, which has designs on winning the North Star League and making it to state.

Leading the way will be seniors Chelsea Macumber and Shaina Gustafson, each boasting four years of varsity experience. Head coach Dexter Vogel expects both to step up and run the team. Gustafson figures to lead the league in steals again, using her quickness to play the passing lanes, and Macumber also brings an active defensive presence to the perimeter.

“With their experience and desire to get to state, I think we’ll get there,” said Vogel. “We need to get a few of the younger girls to step up.”

Rounding out the starting five are junior Zara Palmer, a solid outside shooter, and sophomores Brocklynn Thornton and Celeste Komanec, both of whom will be the primary rebounders down low. Vogel believes Thornton has a big upside at center.

“She’s come a long way and will help us a lot,” he said. “She’ll be one of the better post players in our league.”

The Cats opened the season with losses to 3A Timberlake, Priest River and Bonners Ferry, and Vogel believes if his team doesn’t let it get them down, they’ll be the better for down the road.

Sophomores Claire McMahon and Tabitha Van Buren, and freshman Tessa Vogel and Dimi Kailang will each see minutes off the bench.

“We’ll be exciting to watch, especially in league,” said Vogel.

n Spartans 60, Wampus Cats 38 (late)

CLARK FORK — Shaina Gustafson scored a team-high 16 points to go with eight steals, and drained two three pointers at the end of the first half, but it wasn’t enough as the Cats fell 60-30 to Priest River on Monday night.

Brocklynn Thornton tallied seven points and five rebounds, Celeste Komanec five points and three steals, and Chelsea Macumber five points in defeat.

Senior Taylor Stewart dropped in 27 points to lead the Spartans, who also got 18 from Melissa Hopkins.

Priest River 16  20  10  14 — 60

Clark Fork    12  14   6   6 — 38

PRIEST RIVER — Stewart 27, Troudt 0, Stewart 2, Oscarson 0, Stokes 3, Pavey 0, Hopkins 18, Doolittle 0, Hirst 2, Trost 2, Halcro 6.

CLARK FORK — Gustafson 16, Macumber 5, Vogel 2, Thornton 7, McMahon 0, Palmer 3, Komanec 5, Kailang 0.