Kirscher, Golder combine for 44 points in win
—Photo by JASON DUCHOW PHOTOGRAPHY Sandpoint junior Robbie Johnson kicks the ball out of traffic to pick up an assist as the Bulldog boys hit a season high for points on Saturday night.
—Photo by JASON DUCHOW PHOTOGRAPHY Sandpoint junior 6-1 guard Grace Kirscher lays in two of her game-high 24 points for the Bulldogs on Saturday night.
SANDPOINT — One of the top scoring guard duos in the state once again filled up the state sheet, as juniors Grace Kirscher and Trinity Golder combined to score 44 points, leading the Bulldogs to a decisive 67-42 win over St. Maries in nonleague girls basketball Saturday night at Les Rogers Court.
Kirscher stuffed the stat sheet with 24 points, eight rebounds, six steals and two blocks, while Golder drained four 3-pointers among her 20 points, also adding three steals to lead the Bulldogs (8-11), who jumped out to a 29-13 halftime lead.
Sandpoint head coach Duane Ward has been imploring more of his players to shoot, and he felt they heeded his advice, led by lone senior Taylor Ward with six points and three steals on Senior Night, and freshman Maddie Morgan, who drained two 3-pointers in her first varsity action.
“We’ve been a little shy (to shoot). Two players can’t carry a team,” said Ward. “I like that the other kids looked to score today, it’s a step in the right direction. We battled hard on the boards tonight.”
Shelby Holder scored 14 for the Lumberjacks (12-4), who picked it up offensively in the second half.
Sandpoint hosts Lakeland on Tuesday, looking to remain perfect in 4A IEL play.
St. Maries 7 6 13 16 — 42
Sandpoint 15 14 16 22 — 67
ST. MARIES — Sines 5, Peet 2, Borgman 0, Haeg 3, Cordell 3, Davenport 1, Wilson 3, Ke. Auer 9, Holder 14, Ka. Auer 2.
SANDPOINT — Ward 6, Laybourne 4, Hicks 2, Kaul 4, Kirscher 24, Morgan 6, Driggs 1, Golder 20.
Davis, Rockwell help Bulldogs cut down Lumberjacks
SANDPOINT — A breakout game from T.J. Davis and a big fourth quarter from Patrick Rockwell were big keys in the Bulldogs’ 64-57 win over the Lumberjacks in nonleague boys basketball Saturday night at Les Rogers Court.
Davis posted a season-high 13 points to go with six boards, Robbie Johnson added 13 points, six rebounds and three steals and Rockwell scored nine of his 12 points during a big fourth quarter run that helped put the game away for the Bulldogs (3-13).
“We’ve been challenging some of our guys. Tonight was a real breakout game for T.J., that was really big for us,” said Bulldogs head coach Kent Leiss. “Getting more guys to contribute helped us get to our season high.”
Sandpoint was aggressive offensively, making 21 of 30 free throws, and had its most balanced scoring effort of the season, with six players scoring eight points or more.
Senior post Brady Martin did some damage on the blocks for St. Maries (8-4), scoring a game-high 19 points, and Jake Seiler was 9 of 9 from the foul line for his 12 points in defeat.
Sandpoint hosts No. 3 ranked 5A Post Falls on Thursday.
St. Maries 11 17 10 19 — 57
Sandpoint 17 10 14 23 — 64
ST. MARIES — Gibson 9, Sieler 12, Martin 19, Wilson 1, Asbury 8, Pritchard 3, Buell 2, Hammond 3, McGregor 0.
SANDPOINT — Thompson 8, McLaughlin 8, Davis 13, Rockwell 12, Jones 0, Johnson 13, Stockton 10, Roos 0.
Clark Fork add ons:
Jeffres 15 rebounds, Boudousquie 8 rebounds.
Banks 3 assists, 3 steals.