Schoening sparkles in defeat in opener
<p>Junior Madi Schoening scored 30 points and nabbed 11 steals, keeping the Bulldogs in the game for three quarters. (Photo by ERIC PLUMMER)</p>
SANDPOINT — Sandpoint junior Madi Schoening had the best game of her career, dominating for stretches, but Post Falls had three players in double figures, leading the Trojans to a 69-49 win over the Bulldogs in season opening girls basketball Tuesday night at Les Rogers Court.
Schoening scored 24 of her team’s first 26 points en route to a 30 point night, making 8 of 15 shots from the field and 8-11 from the foul line, while also nabbing 11 steals and pulling down five rebounds for the Bulldogs (0-1). She did much of her damage in transition off of steals, and her stellar performance earned the respect of Trojans coach Marc Allert.
“Madi put on a show in the first half. She’s good, she broke down our defense,” said Allert. “Give her a ton of credit. In the second half, our defense was much better.”
Shayna Allert scored 16 points and seemed to come up with a big bucket every time the Trojans (1-0) needed one, and freshmen Melody Kempton and Bayley Brennan had impressive varsity debuts, combining for 27 points.
The Trojans jumped out to a quick 8-0 lead, before Schoening essentially took the game over. Unfortunately she got her second foul with four minutes left in the second quarter, with the game tied at 29-29. The Trojans would take advantage and end the half on a 12-1 run with Schoening on the bench.
Freshman Grace Kirscher hit consecutive 3-pointers to start the second half, helping the Bulldogs cut the lead to 43-39, but it was all Post Falls from there as the Bulldogs ran out of gas. Morgan Bluemer had six rebounds and Elani Williams five, and Kirscher and Brelynn Converse combined for 13 points in defeat.
Bulldogs head coach Duane Ward was happy with his team’s performance against a strong 5A program, and sees some areas where they can improve.
“I was happy with the way we ran the floor and played defense. We played together the whole game, but a few times we made bad decisions,” said Ward, praising the play of Schoening. “She attacks. She played a great game defensively.”
The Bulldogs will host Lake City, arguably one of the top teams in the state, on Friday.
Post Falls 16 25 14 14 — 69
Sandpoint 11 19 15 4 — 49
POST FALLS — Allert 17, O. Ellison 4, A. Ellison 5, Brennan 10, King 0, McComb 6, Anderson 0, Kempton 17, Runkle 2, Reynolds 9.
SANDPOINT — Williams 2, Schoening 30, Dumars 0, Converse 6, Robertson 0, Ward 0, Martin 2, Couch 0, Kirscher 7, Bluemer 2.