Thunder boys ready to roll into MCL playoffs

SANDPOINT — The Kootenai Thunder girls lost 33-23 to the North Idaho Christian School Royals recently at Kootenai Elementary School to end regular season play in the Mountain Christian League.

Carly Johnson was a force down low with 21 rebounds to go with seven points, Joyce Blair added six points, Taryn Osman three and Tessa Murray, Gracie Jones and Josie Saganski two apiece in defeat.

Led by 6-9 senior post Andrew Spayth, the Kootenai Thunder boys notched a 48-39 home win recently over North Idaho Christian School.

Spayth poured in 30 points, Taylor Jensen added 11, Shayne Jensen three and Curtis Roop and Joel Crosby two each in the win.

The Thunder boys followed that up with a 58-51 overtime win over the Christian Center School Lions at the Hub in Liberty Lake. 

Taylor Jensen tied the game with seven seconds left in regulation to force overtime, where the Thunder dominated. Unfortunately, starting guard Shayne Jensen went down in the first quarter with a sprained ankle. 

Besides hitting the biggest shot of the game, Taylor Jensen was dominant inside with 19 points and 18 boards, Spayth, who averages nearly 10 blocks a game, posted a double-double with 24 points and 14 rebounds, Joel Crosby scored seven points, Curtis Roop scored four to go with seven boards and Shayne Jensen and Jimmy Soderberg scored two each.

The Thunder are now 11-3 in Mountain Christian League play, and will be a factor in the MCL tournament.