Cold shooting upends Priest River in 3A District 1 tourney
(Photo courtesy of JASON DUCHOW) Preist River senior guard Robert Anselmo shoots a layup during the first half of the Spartans’ 58-26 opening-round loss in the 3A District 1 tournament on Feb. 20.
SPIRIT LAKE — A three-point first quarter and a cold shooting night set the tone for the Priest River Spartans’ opening-round loss to host team Timberlake in a 58-26 loss on Wednesday night.
Nevertheless, the Spartans will have to put the game behind them quickly, as the Spartans play Bonners Ferry in the consolation bracket. Should they win that game, a match-up with the district’s runner-up will determine the league’s second state bid.
In short: It’s not over.
“It’s a do-or-die situation,” Priest River head coach Kevin Wylie said. “As up-and-down as we’ve been all season, we’re hoping that maybe we’ll bounce back tomorrow night.”
Save for Keegan Hegel’s three pointer three minutes into the game, the Tigers held the Spartans to one first-quarter field goal and six total before both teams emptied their benches. Usual Spartan stalwarts Brandon McCracken, Caden Brennan and Keegan Hegel were held to seven points combined.
“They took a lot of good shots, they just didn’t fall,” Wylie said. “I hope it’s a different story tomorrow night.”
The Tigers led wire-to-wire thanks to the efforts of senior forward Sheldon Kistler’s 14-point, 13-rebound double-double and junior wing Jacob James’s 13 points.
“Our boys really came together at the right time defensively tonight,” Timberlake head coach Mike Menti said. “It was a matter of pride to really limit opportunities for (Priest River, contest every shot and make sure they didn’t get any second chances.”
Despite carrying a 23-10 halftime lead, the Tigers put on the afterburners with a 23-point third quarter. As a team, Timberlake shot 8-13 (61.5 percent), committed only two turnovers and was sparked by James’s 7 points in order to put the game away.
Junior guard Jantzen Lucas came off the bench to lead Priest River with six points, while teammate Trentyn Kreager added five.
The Tigers (7-13, 5-1 IML) will play the winner of Kellogg and Bonners Ferry for the 3A District 1 championship tomorrow night at 7 p.m.
Priest River 3 7 6 10 — 26
Timberlake 14 9 23 12 — 58
PRIEST RIVER — Anselmo 4, Hegel 3, Brennan 0, Lucas 6, McCracken 4, Kreager 5, Bell 2, Thompson 2, Zapfe 0, Parkes 0.
TIMBERLAKE — Cramer 0, Kluss 7, McDonald 4, James 13, Kistler 14, Gardom 8, Simpson 6, Dickinson 2, Peightal 4, Menti 0, Yetter 0, Paslay 0.