Bombers close season with Snake River Shootout title
(Photo courtesy of DERICK DRIGGS) Peyton Cessna, Tru Tomco, Anna Reinink, Boston Bode, Payton Betz, Karlie Banks, Kelsey Cessna and Daylee Driggs pose with the scoreboard after the Bombers’ championship win.
(Photo courtesy of GARY CESSNA) The 2018-19 Sandpoint Bombers eighth grade team and coaches are, from left to right: Derick Driggs, Anna Reinink, Kelsey Cessna, Tru Tomco, Kamryn Nadeja, Payton Betz, Daylee Driggs, Karlie Banks, Boston Bode and Gary Cessna.
The Sandpoint Bombers 8th grade girls AAU team recently wrapped up its season by winning the Snake River Shootout in Lewiston, Idaho this past weekend.
On day one the Bombers defeated the Whitepine Warriors 57-47, then lost to the LC Warriors 49-44 in a tough shooting night. On day two they finally found the basket defeating the Clarkston Crush 62-32, setting them up for a rematch against the LC Warriors in the championship game.
This time, the Bombers redeemed themselves with a 45-31 victory over the Warriors.
Kelsey Cessna led the Bombers in scoring with the help of her team’s ability to create turnovers off the press. Daylee Driggs was equally dominant on both the offensive and defensive side, where she spearheaded the Bombers’ full-court press.
Karlie Banks and Anna Reinink were huge factors in the Bombers victory this past weekend. Both were big on the boards and hit threes when the team needed them. Skilled rebounder Tru Tomco, whose game has improved rounded out the Bombers’ starting five.
Payton Betz and Boston Bode both new to the Bombers this year did a great job coming off the bench.
Bode came in aggressive and continues to improve. She had her share of rebounds also. Betz came in helping both on defense and offense sinking a few baskets of her own.
Last but not least, Peyton Cessna, who was the only seventh-grader on the team filled in for several injured players by hitting shots, getting rebounds, stealing the ball and making assists.
They finish their season with a 16-3 record overall and went undefeated in their Post Falls AAU league while also winning the River City Championship.
The Bombers won two tournaments and finished second in another.