Wampus Cats win playoff opener

CLARK FORK — Zack Klein scored five of his game-high 20 points in a 15 second span of the third quarter, helping break open a surprisingly close game and propelling the Wampus Cats to a 43-31 win over Mullan in the 1A Region 1, Division II boys basketball tournament opener on Tuesday night in Clark Fork.

Stillman Berkley added 14 points and four assists for the No. 2 seed Wampus Cats (4-14), who came out hesitant and tight, as the two teams combined for just four first quarter points in the loser-out game.

“We kind of came out in a funk, but it’s a playoff win,” said Clark Fork coach Corey Vogel after the game. “We’re 1-0 and we go play Kootenai. We’ll fix a few things, and I know we’ll play better.”

Axel Anderson pulled down 11 rebounds for the Cats, and Tristin Bristol added eight boards as they completed the season sweep of Mullan.

Freshman guard T.J. Placencio drained three 3-pointers and led the No. 3 seed Tigers with 11 points, while Tyler Henderson added nine. The Tigers (0-16) surprised the Cats with their hustle in the first half, and trailed 15-13 midway through the third quarter before Klein started scoring and the Wampus Cats found their rhythm offensively.

“Number 11’s (Kotschevar) 3-pointers kept them in the game,” said Vogel. “It was not a gimme, Mullan was scrappy.”

Vogel thinks his team’s improved post play will help them finally break through against No. 1 seed Kootenai after losing twice, feeling like his team has a great shot to secure the lone berth to state.

The Cats travel to Kootenai on Saturday for the championship game. Tip off is at 1 p.m.

Mullan       2    9   10   10 — 31

Clark Fork 2   13   14   14 — 43

MULLAN — Placencio 11, Johnson 0, Kotschevar 2, Henderson 9, Martin 4, Sadler 5, Dykes 0.

CLARK FORK — Berkley 14, Gr. Boudousquie 3, Klein 20, Anderson 1, Blankenship 0, Nesbitt 0, Bristol 5, Taylor 0, Bahr 0, Bowen 0, Stevens 0, Franck 0, Ge. Boudousquie 0.