Wampus Cats end season with loss at Mullan

MULLAN — Clark Fork came oh-so-close to notching its first victory of the year, but Casey McKinnon and Trevor Henderson teamed to block a 7-foot shot by the Wampus Cats at the buzzer as Mullan survived in the first round of the 1A Division II District 1 tournament at the Pavilion, ending the Cats’ season.

Stillman Berkley scored 14 points for Clark Fork (0-19), which closed to within one point after three quarters, but could never take the lead. Chaunce Nesbitt returned to the lineup and scored 10 points, and brother Nate Nesbitt also added 10 for the Cats, who outscored the Tigers 30-23 in the second half.

Down by one with three seconds left, Cats head coach Melvin Speelmon drew up an out-of-bounds play that freed up Chuance Nesbitt for a good look, which rattled out at the buzzer.

“Half an inch one way and it goes in; could have went either way,” described Speelmon. “We fought our way back into the game, but couldn’t get over that hump.”

Mullan won the three matchups with the Wampus Cats by a combined five points, narrowly escaping the last two.

“They played their hearts out; they don’t have anything to hold their heads about,” Mullan coach Mike Smith said of Clark Fork. “I definitely know how it feels, because we were 0-18 last year.”

Justin Scheel had 16 points and 15 rebounds for Mullan.

Mullan (7-11) will play at Kootenai (11-9) on Friday at 6 p.m. in the championship game for a berth to state March 4-6 at Caldwell High.

Clark Fork     4       9    18     12 — 43

Mullan     12     9    11     12 — 44

CLARK FORK — Berkley 14, N. Nesbitt 10, Klein 2, C. Nesbitt 10, Anderson 5, Walker 2, Kennerley 0.

MULLAN — Henderson 3, Trogden 7, McKinnon 7, Scheel 16, Garitone 9, Newell 0, Johnson 2.