Spartans down Wampus Cats in season opener

PRIEST RIVER — The Spartans hit their first three three-point shots and stayed hot on the way to a 62-28 nonleague win over Clark Fork Thursday night at Spartan Arena.

Senior Dalton Sommer scored 13 of his game-high 20 points in the first quarter to go along with three assists and as many steals for Priest River (1-0).

Tristin Bristol nearly recorded the double-double, with nine points and 15 rebounds, but the Wampus Cats were unable to capitalize from the free throw line after finding themselves in the double-bonus early in the game.

“Actually I was pretty happy with our effort. What killed us was free throws,” Clark Fork coach Corey Vogel said. “If we shoot better free throws we’re in the game. You just can’t miss that many against a fast Priest River team that has really good shooters.”

Clark Fork went 10 for 33 from the charity stripe.

Joey Hazinsky scored six points and added six assists and four steals for the  Wampus Cats (0-1), who go on the road to face Coeur d’ Alene Charter on Saturday.

“They (Priest River) may be the toughest team we play all season,” Vogel said. “These games build character and if we can hang with the Intermountain League it will help us down the road in the North Star League.”

R.C. Akre scored 15 points for Priest River, which hosts Lakeside on Saturday.

Clark Fork   10   7   4   7   —   28

Priest River  20   20   19   3   —   62

CLARK FORK — Klein 5, Anderson 6, Hazinsky 7, Bristol 9, Nesbitt 0, Oas 1, Bowen 0, Boudousquie 0, Walker 0.

PRIEST RIVER — Akre 15, Riley 9, Sommer 20, Reynolds 2, Stelow 4, Duley 1, Low 0, Nunley 2, Koch 5, White 4, Roland 0.