Big fourth quarter propels Hawks past Bulldogs

SANDPOINT — Senior Amily Stecker and sophomore Darby Murray keyed a pivotal 10-2 Lakeland run to start the fourth quarter, propelling the Hawks to a 51-40 win over Sandpoint in 4A North Inland Empire League girls basketball Tuesday night at Les Rogers Court.

Senior Christina Johnson had a big game to lead the Bulldogs (1-11, 0-1 4A IEL), scoring a team-high 14 points to go with nine rebounds and two blocks, while helping her team hold a lead throughout the first three quarters. Alex Bucholtz and Maggie Kirscher each scored eight, and Koko James grabbed six rebounds in defeat.

Stecker stuffed the stat sheet with 18 points, five steals and three assists to lead the Hawks (5-8, 1-0 4A IEL), who outscored the Bulldogs 18-6 in the final quarter.

“Emily made some big stops and hit a huge three and Darby Murray hit a pull up three,” said Hawks coach Steve Seymour of the fourth quarter spurt. “It was nice to see kids show courage in the face of adversity.”

Sandpoint hosts Moscow on Friday night in another key 4A North league game.

Lakeland  4  14  15  18 — 51

Sandpoint 8  12  14   6 — 40

LAKELAND — Quillin 2, Murray 7, Coder 3, Watson 4, Reed 2, Davis 4, Stecker 18, Buchman 8, Close 0, Winslow 1, Ranberg 2.

SANDPOINT — Van Ooyen 0, Johnson 14, Jones 0, James 3, Chatburn 3, Bucholtz 8, Kirscher 8, Roop 2.