Wurm, Kiebert lead Clark Fork into championship

KELLOGG — With their team’s season hanging in the balance, seniors Lyndsie Kiebert and Annie Wurm stepped up with big games to lead Clark Fork to a 48-38 win over Mullan in the opener of the 1A Division II girls basketball tournament on Tuesday night at Kellogg High School.

Wurm posted a double-double with 10 points, 10 rebounds and three assists, and also played solid defense on Mullan’s 6-2 post, as the Wampus Cats (2-17) continue to play their best basketball late in the season.

“Annie had a really strong game,” said Cats head coach Mark Stevens, whose team went to Wurm often on the blocks in the second half. “We kept telling the girls to feed her, and we need to keep looking for her.”

Kiebert poured in a game-high 22 points, attacking the rim and getting to the free throw line a whopping 16 times, making nine. Kiebert also added eight rebounds, and continues to be the Cats’ go-to player when the game is tight.

“She just did what she does,” said Stevens. “She pushed the ball hard to the hoop.”

Callie Potter nabbed three steals, and continues to be a solid defensive presence. The game was tied heading into the fourth quarter, before the Cats turned up the pressure to help put the game away with a decisive run.

“We put a little more pressure on them, and they had a bunch of turnovers,” described Stevens of the big fourth quarter. “We moved the ball well, and created some turnovers with our defense.”

Sydney Koening scored 12 points to lead the Tigers (6-12) in defeat.

The Cats now turn their attention to No. 1 seed Kootenai (7-9), which won by 23 in the first meeting and 14 in the second. However, the Cats are peaking at the right time. The key will be stopping the versatile Katie Mae McInturff.

“In my eyes she’s the MVP of the league,” said Stevens. “If we play the way we’re capable of playing, we have a shot.”

Tip-off for tonight’s championship game is 6 p.m. at Lake City High School, with the winner advancing to state.

Mullan       7   7   16    8 — 38

Clark Fork 11   6   15   16 — 48

MULLAN — Sadler 11, Galloway 2, Plowhart 3, Trogden 10, Koening 12.

CLARK FORK — Kinney 0, Ly. Kiebert 22, Le. Kiebert 8, Dohmen 0, Heigis 2, Potter 6, Wurm 10.