Gagnon erupts for 21 points in loss

SANDPOINT — Sandpoint junior Jeremiah Gagnon wasted little time making his presence known in his first game of the season, nailing all four of his attempts from 3-point land en route to a game-high 21 points, but West Valley simply had too much depth, downing the Bulldogs 63-45 Friday night in nonleague action at Les Rogers Court.

Gagnon’s second 3-pointer of the second quarter cut the lead to 18-16, but West Valley (5-1) promptly drilled four 3-pointers to blow the lead up to double digits.

Nick Nelson added nine points for the Bulldogs (1-5), Matthew Burgstahler five points, three assists and two steals, and Chase Rodriguez two blocks for the Bulldogs, who missed a bunch of free throws, including the front end of some one-and-ones.

“We got to the line and the kids played incredibly hard,” said Bulldogs head coach Tyler Haynes, adding his team is getting better. “We left 12 points on free throws, and a lot of that is mental.”

Sandpoint is at East Valley tonight.

West Valley 13  18  18  14 — 63

Sandpoint   10   10   12   13 — 45

SANDPOINT — Jurenka 0, Rodriguez 3, Schwartz 4, Nelson 9, Burgstahler 5, Gagnon 21, Edwards 1, Alsager 0, Lutz 2.