Bulldogs ready for round three with Bears

SANDPOINT — The first two 4A North match ups between the Bulldogs and Bears were mostly even games, until Moscow was able to ride two big second half runs to 13 and 14 point victories.

But that was the regular season, when games were played mostly for the right to host the district tournament. Tonight’s 4A Region 1 second round game carries far higher stakes, as the No. 3 seed Bulldogs (8-13) travel south into the hostile environs of the Bear Den to face No. 1 Moscow (10-10).

Sandpoint will look to ride the momentum gained in Tuesday’s opening round win at Lakeland, knowing a win tonight will shorten the journey toward securing the lone state berth in the double-elimination tournament.

Seniors Jackson Olin and Ryan Schwartz have provided scoring punch all season, combining for 44 against Lakeland. Olin has scored 15 or more points in a game 13 times this year, drawing the attention of opposing defenses. If Schwartz, Tyler Howk and Adam Couch can provide added scoring punch, the senior-laden Bulldogs will be a tough out.

“It’s districts, and every team reacts different to it,” said head coach Tyler Haynes, whose team peaked in the past two weeks. “Our players are pretty level headed, so I think they will react well to the challenge.”

Sophomore Chase Rodriguez, a lengthy player at 6-foot-5, continues to earn more minutes for the Bulldogs off the bench, pairing with fellow sophomores Matthew Burgstahler and Jeremiah Gagnon for some bench depth.

The winner advances to the championship game, while loser will face Lakeland on Saturday in a loser-out game.