McLaughlin nails game winner as Bulldogs top Medical Lake
(Photo by JASON DUCHOW PHOTOGRAPHY) Sophomore Alex Stockton, pictured earlier in the season, pulled down a team-high nine rebounds in a big win over Medical Lake on Tuesday in Spokane.
SPOKANE VALLEY — Taran McLaughlin was money in crunch time, draining a 3-pointer from NBA distance for the winning basket, as Sandpoint opened the 2016 Eagle Holiday Classic with its biggest win of the season, dropping previously undefeated Medical Lake 46-43 on Tuesday at West Valley High School.
McLaughlin led the Bulldogs (2-6) with 18 points, including four 3-pointers, but none bigger than the go ahead dagger in the final minute.
“Taran had a huge day. It was 43-43 with about 30 seconds to go and he drilled a 23 footer. We came down and got a stop and that was the ball game,” described Bulldogs head coach Kent Leiss, whose team closed with a 13-8 fourth quarter against a solid opponent. “They won their games by an average of 18 points, so it was a big win for us.”
Alex Stockton added eight points and nine boards, and Robbie Johnson six points and seven boards, as the pair of 6-3 underclassmen bring some power and athleticism to the blocks and on the glass. After some tough fourth quarters to start the season, the Bulldogs finished the game strong.
For Medical Lake (6-1), which beat 4A Inland Empire League Lakeland 62-40 earlier in the year, Nizhole Sherman finished with 15 points and Joey Jasmer collected 12 rebounds with three blocks.
Sandpoint will look to make it two in a row today against Lakeside, with a 5 p.m. tip off at West Valley.
Sandpoint 12 14 7 13 — 46
Medical Lake 14 10 11 8 — 43
SANDPOINT — Johnson 6, Jones 0, McLaughlin 18, Moore 0, Rockwell 3, Stockton 8, Thompson 6, Davis 5, Roos 0.
MEDICAL LAKE — Butler 3, Duran 0, Garza 8, Hostetter 4, Jasmer 3, Johnson 4, Mason 0, Sherman 15, Westfall 0, J.Johnson 0, Steegy 6.