Moose Madness to invade Sandpoint

SANDPOINT — A fun night of hoops and spirit wars  is on tap for the Second Annual Moose Madness spirit games against Bonners Ferry on Saturday night at Sandpoint Middle School.

The Bulldog boys and girls basketball teams will host their northern rivals for some heated action both on and off the court. Moose Madness is much more than just good basketball action, and this year the game will be held in the old high school gymnasium, affectionately known as “the pit.”

The girls tip off at 6 p.m., with the boys to follow around 7:30. A reporter who covered the game last year in Bonners Ferry strongly recommended ear plugs, and the old SMS gymnasium is famously loud.

Besides the hoops, both bands will be battling throughout the night, and the dance teams and cheerleaders from both schools will perform against each other. There will also be a moose drawing contest, a moose call contest, and a stomp routine performed by each school.

Three judges from each community will decide who wins the Moose Madness trophy at the end of the evening’s festivities (the Badgers won it last year). Among the criteria will be sportsmanship, cheering intensity, best posters and face painting, along with points for fundraising.

The most important part of the whole event is the opportunity to teach sportsmanship, unite students for a fun evening, and raise money for a charity for both communities. This year the Food Banks for both Bonner and Boundary Counties will be the recipients of the money raised.

Each school will only be allowed 625 tickets for students and fans. Ticket prices are $5 per ticket with no discount for ASB and Bulldog Cards. Senior Citizens are free but must pick up a ticket.

Tickets will be available from the SHS bookkeeper at tonight’s first and only home wrestling match, coincidentally against the Badgers, and can also be purchased in advance at either high school, during working hours. Tickets will sell out fast, so act quickly.