Wampus Cats punch ticket to state
The Wampus Cat players and coaches celebtrate after cutting down the nets on Friday night. (Photo by ERIC PLUMMER)
CLARK FORK — Sophomore Dimi Kailang notched a double-double with 13 points and 11 boards, as Clark Fork took a commanding early lead and never looked back en route to a 53-24 dispatching of Mullan in the 1A Division II District 1 championship game Friday night at Clark Fork High School.
Celeste Komanec stuffed the stat sheet with nine points, six assists and four steals, as the Wampus Cats (12-8) jumped out to a 17-3 lead after one quarter, essentially putting the game away against the shorthanded Tigers, who dressed just six players.
The win puts the Wampus Cats in state yet again, as a few of the players will be making their third trip south, experience that should bode well in their quest for a trophy.
“We should be right in it,” said Cats head coach Dexter Vogel, who knows full well what he’ll be up against. “If we play good, hard, smart basketball, we can compete with anyone down there.”
The Wampus Cats relied on a stingy 2-3 zone defense to hold the Tigers offense in check in the championship, allowing just nine first half points and creating numerous turnovers. Offensively, their up-tempo style led to some easy baskets, and they committed just 16 turnovers, a number most coaches will live with.
When asked about their prospects at state after the game, the Clark Fork players said success will lie in tried and true things like working hard, sticking together as a team and playing their game. A happy Kailang may have summed it up best.
“Never underestimate the heart of a champion,” she said after cutting down the nets.
Nicole Axtman led the Tigers with eight points, four steals and three assists, Kami McKinnon added seven points and three steals and Sydni Kotschevar six points and eight rebounds in defeat.
Clark Fork will face the winner of today’s Mackay vs. Camas County play-in game in the first round of the 1A Division II state tournament on Thursday.
Mullan 3 6 6 9 — 24
Clark Fork 17 14 10 12 — 53
MULLAN — Axtman 8, Kotschevar 6, M. Koenig 0, McKinnon 7, S. Koenig 3, Gribble 0.
CLARK FORK — Palmer 4, Mueller 0, Thornton 10, McMahon 6, Komanec 9, Van Buren 5, Vogel 4, Kailang 13, Wurm 2, Potter 0.