Bulldogs run hot and cold in season opener
SANDPOINT — Offering a glimpse of a promising future, the Bulldog girls outscored the Trojans 16-2 in the first four minutes of a frenetic second quarter during the season opener on Tuesday night at Les Rogers Court.
However, Post Falls (1-0) dominated the first and third quarters, as Hallie Gennett scored a game-high 23 points to lead the Trojans to a 78-42 win over the Bulldogs in a game played at a fast and furious tempo.
Nikole Alamillo scored 13 points to lead the Bulldogs (0-1), who were plagued by nerves and sloppy play early as the Trojans jumped out to a 16-1 lead. Trailing 26-7 to start the second quarter, the Bulldogs went on a blistering run, pressing and running the fast break to perfection, cutting the lead to 30-25 at one point.
“I was tickled pink. That second quarter told us we’re capable of being right there with a program as talented as Post Falls,” said first-year Sandpoint head coach Bill Bender. “We got a taste of what we can do. They have the skills to play this level of basketball, we just need to take it from eight minutes, to 12, to 16 to 32.”
Maryah Delgado added nine points in defeat for the Bulldogs, who shot 17-35 from the field on the night. Their biggest problem was turnovers in transition, and the Trojans capitalized with a couple of quick and decisive runs to blow the game open.
Gennett made 4-7 shots from beyond the arc, including a 24 foot buzzer beater at the end of the first half. Dani Failor added 14 points and eight rebounds, Brooke Litalien 18 points, five steals and four assists and Lexi Smith five points and five steals for the Trojans.
“I liked our effort and intensity, but we need to work on a few things,” said Post Falls coach Marc Allert, praising the play of Gennett in her first game as a Trojan. “She came in, didn’t try to force anything, and got great shots all night long.”
Sandpoint is at Lake City on Friday.
Post Falls 26 22 22 8 — 78
Sandpoint 7 21 6 8 — 42
POST FALLS — Allert 5, Gonzales 6, King 0, Meehan 4, Smith 5, Litalien 18, Gennett 23, Runkle 2, Failor 14, Perrin 1.
SANDPOINT — Schoening 2, Corless 2, Liband 4, Young 5, Alamillo 13, Speelmon 3, Williams 0, Olin 4, Delgado 9.