Komanec shoots Wampus Cats into consolation final
NAMPA — Those that don’t learn by history are doomed to repeat it, and consider the Clark Fork girls basketball team quick learners.
After a dismal second quarter proved the difference in an opening round loss at state on Thursday, the Wampus Cats rebounded from a slow first quarter to own the second Friday night, propelling them to a 40-35 win over Rockland (9-14) in the 1A Division II consolation bracket at Nampa High School.
After a rough first quarter in which they scored just two points, the Cats (16-6) rebounded with a 15 point second quarter to take a two point lead into halftime, a lead which they would never relinquish.
“In the first quarter we were really slow, but still got some good looks. In the second quarter, we finally started knocking them down,” said Cats coach Dexter Vogel, whose team committed 22 turnovers, or 13 less than in the opening round loss to Richfield.
Sophomore Celeste Komanec led the Cats with 13 points, five assists, four rebounds and two steals, and most importantly, stepped up in the clutch after Rockland fought back into the game late in the fourth quarter.
“She really stepped up,” said Vogel of Komanec, who took over down the stretch. “She shot the ball when she needed to and handled the pressure well. She made a 3-pointer and two free throws at the end to give us some breathing room.”
Shaina Gustafson tallied seven points, five assists and four steals, Chelsea Macumber added four points and seven boards, Brocklynn Thornton scored eight points to go with seven rebounds and Zara Palmer scored six in a balanced effort.
Clark Fork will face Summit Academy in the fourth place game today at Nampa High School, looking to claim the first trophy since 2002, when the Cats also won fourth.
Rockland 6 9 7 13 — 35
Clark Fork 2 15 12 11 — 40
ROCKLAND — Munk 9, Robinson 6, Bott 3, Spillett 8, Lee 3, Woodworth 6.
CLARK FORK — Palmer 6, Gustafson 7, Vogel 0, McMahon 0, Kailang 2, Macumber 4, Komanec 13, Thornton 8.