Hamilton, Lang, Roos claim handball titles

SANDPOINT — A host of Sandpoint handball players more than held their own, claiming six championships during the Idaho State Handball Tournament at the SWAC last weekend.

Former Sandpoint baseball standout Tevin Hamilton outlasted Sagle’s Marty Presnell to claim the A title in a hard-fought final that ended with an 11-8 tie breaker after splitting the first two games to 21. Both players also played doubles, and the young legs of Hamilton ultimately proved the difference in the Sunday final.

Hamilton was one of the local youth who played in the juniors handball class two years ago at the SWAC, and has quickly become one of the top local players.

“He came through the ranks to win a state A championship,” said tournament director Don Helander, noting the final could have gone either way. “It was a marathon match, they really slugged it out.”

Former Sandpoint quarterback Brad Lang, also relatively new to the game, used his quickness and athleticism to score a tie-breaker win in the finals of the B division against a much more experienced player.

Presnell teamed with a Spokane player to win the A doubles, beating Helander and local Jim Lovell in the finals. Local Bruce Sletager used a strong fist ball and high game en route to a 50-plus doubles title.

Mike Roos and Eric Plummer teamed up to win the Open doubles title, going 1-1 in a tough round-robin draw and ultimately winning by tie-breaking criteria. Plummer also won the Open singles title to round out the local finishes of the tournament, which was opened up to players from Washington, Montana and Canada.  

FINAL RESULTS

Open Singles — Eric Plummer (Sandpoint) defeated Chad Bemis (Spokane/Calgary), 21-8, 7-21, 11-9

Open Doubles — Eric Plummer/Mike Roos (Sandpoint), 1st; Fred Schoener/Pete Svennungsen (Spokane), 2nd; Chuck Gauze (Sandpoint)/Bemis, 3rd.

A Singles — Tevin Hamilton (Sandpoint) defeated Marty Presnell (Sandpoint) 16-21, 21-11, 11-8.

A Singles Consolation — Blake Cloninger (Spokane) defeated Ricky Klontz (Sandpoint), injury default.

A Doubles — Marty Presnell (Sandpoint)/Blake Cloninger (Spokane) defeated John Sletager/Jamey Lovell (Sandpoint), 21-8, 21-10.

B Singles — Brad Lang (Sandpoint) defeated Lara Schoener (Spokane), 18-21, 21-17, 11-5.

B Singles Consolation — Dave Fishburne (Sandpoint) defeated Doug Gunter (Sandpoint), 14-21, 21-11, 11-7.

50-plus Doubles — Bruce Sletager (Sandpoint)/(Troy, MT) defeated Bob DeVleming (Clarkston, WA) / Greg Pearce (Palouse, WA) , 21-16, 21-19.

60-plus Singles — Bob DeVleming (Nampa, ID) defeated Mark Piatkowski (Post Falls), 21-6, 21-7

60-plus Doubles — Bill Morse (Boise) / Gary Bellinger (Spokane) defeat Mike Dobler/Neil Schillinger (Spokane), 21-10, 5-21, 11-6.