Pressure propels Priest River past Clark Fork

CLARK FORK — A full court press by Priest River created a bunch of turnovers, as the Spartans beat the Wampus Cats 51-40 Thursday night in nonleague girls basketball at Clark Fork High School.

Steffie Pavey led the 3A Spartans (4-9) with 11 points, and a full court press from start to finish generated 31 turnovers, proving the difference.

Brocklynn Thornton led the 1A Wampus Cats (9-6) with eight points and 12 rebounds, Dimi Kailang added seven points and six steals, Zara Palmer scored four and Claire McMahon dished out four assists in defeat.

Point guard Celeste Komanec injured her ankle in the second quarter, which made dealing with the Spartans’ pressure all the more difficult.

“We played well defensively,” said Clark Fork head coach Dexter Vogel, lamenting his team’s unforced turnovers. “We need better ball movement and decision making on our passes.”

Clark Fork is at Lakeside on Saturday night in a battle of the North Star League’s two best teams.

Priest River  11   17   10   13 — 51

Clark Fork    4    11    7     8 — 30

PRIEST RIVER — Luckey 5, Weimer 4, Trost 6, Pavey 11, Stewart 3, Oscarson 8, Doolittle 2, Halcro 8, Hirst 4.

CLARK FORK — Palmer 7, McMahon 1, Vogel 5, Diffey 2, Kailang 7, Thornton 8.