Kirscher scores eight in Jack Blair game
(Photo by LOREN BENOIT/Cd’A Press) Sandpoint senior Grace Kirscher, right, played in her final high school game on Wednesday night in Spokane, capping a decorated prep career before taking her talents to EWU.
SPOKANE VALLEY — The Region girls, which included Sandpoint senior Grace Kirscher among six players from North Idaho, had their moments.
But the Metro girls, featuring the starting five from the powerhouse Central Valley team, were just a little too much in notching an 87-80 victory over the Region in the 25th annual Jack Blair Memorial high school girls all-star basketball game Wednesday night at Central Valley.
“It was so much fun,” said Gonzaga-bound Post Falls High standout Melody Kempton, who finished with 16 points, eight rebounds and four blocked shots. “I loved playing with all these girls; they’re all such great people. It’s a really fun experience to play with people you don’t really know, or you played against.
“They (the Metro) have five players from their national (tournament) championship team. So for us to play them that close, I’m very proud of my team. We had one practice, so to be able to come out and compete like that was awesome.”
Lacie Hull, she of the Stanford-bound Hull twins, put on a show at both ends. She finished with 18 points, eight steals, seven rebounds and three assists, and showed why Central Valley was arguably the best high school team in America this season.
The Region scored the first five points of the game, three of which came on a 3-pointer from Kirscher, who will play for Eastern Washington next year. The game was loaded with elite level, college-bound talent, as the Inland Empire continues to crank out girls basketball talent.
Kirscher finished with eight points, and will now get a little break before EWU off-season work starts later in June.
Region 38 42 — 80
Metro 46 41 — 87
REGION — Hailey Marlow (West Valley) 8, Jayda Noble (Medical Lake) 9, Maisie Burnham (Liberty) 8, Bayley Brennan (Post Falls) 15, Grace Kirscher (Sandpoint) 8, Sienna Swannack (Lakeside) 0, Tyler McCliment-Call (Post Falls) 5, Genesis Wilkinson (East Valley) 6, Melody Kempton (Post Falls) 16, Bella Murekatete (Genesis Prep) 1, Keara Simpson (Lake City) 4.
METRO — Ellie Boni (University) 8, Lexie Hull (Central Valley) 5, Aspyn Adams (Mt. Spokane) 11, Camryn Skaife (Central Valley) 3, Claire Dingus (University) 4, Mia Scelfo (Gonzaga Prep) 0, Mady Simmelink (Central Valley) 5, Lacie Hull (Central Valley) 18, Hailey Christopher (Central Valley 8, Jacinta Buckley (Lewis and Clark) 17, Dominique Arquette (Lewis and Clark) 4, Quincy McDeid (North Central) 3, Kinsley Barrington (University) 1.