Johnson, Stockton nab All-IEL hoop honors
(Photo by ERIC PLUMMER) Junior Robbie Johnson, shooting a reverse layup against 5A power Post Falls, was one of two Bulldogs to earn all-league honors.
SANDPOINT — Junior Robbie Johnson and sophomore Alex Stockton were bright spots for the Bulldog boys basketball team this season, and their solid play was recognized with spots on the 4A All-Inland Empire League Boys Basketball Team, as voted on recently by the league’s coaches.
Johnson, a 6-3 power forward, averaged 11 points and eight rebounds to lead the Bulldogs in both categories. Down the stretch, against Post Falls, Coeur d’Alene, Lakeland and Moscow, Johnson carried the scoring load for the Bulldogs, averaging 19 in the final four games and playing his best hoop of the season.
“I thought that Robbie Johnson was our hardest worker during this basketball season. He brings 100 percent effort every day and truly tries to improve,” praised Bulldog head coach Kent Leiss, noting Johnson played much of the season with injured ankles. “He is a true warrior. He just kept getting better and better. I’m very proud of his improvement.”
Stockton, a 6-3 post, was voted Newcomer of the Year after a season that saw him average eight points and seven rebounds a game. He teamed with Johnson to provide the Bulldogs with a physical, athletic front court that played bigger than its height and often kept the team in games.
“Alex was our second most improved player,” said Leiss, who has a talented young player to build around moving forward. “I’m looking forward to coaching Alex for two more seasons.”
4A INLAND EMPIRE LEAGUE
Most Valuable Player — Dylan Knight, jr., Lakeland
Newcomer of the Year — Alex Stockton, so., Sandpoint
Coach of the Year — Josh Uhrig, Moscow
Robbie Johnson, jr., Sandpoint; Dylan Vahey, jr., Lakeland; Kaden Davis, jr., Lakeland; Cooper Stephens, jr., Moscow; Glen Gosse, sr., Moscow.