Spartans storm past Miners in season opener

PRIEST RIVER — The Spartans came out firing in their season opener on Wednesday night and their high-powered offense allowed them to soar to a 80-64 win over Wallace.

The boys basketball team had four players reach double figures and juniors Travis Mathews and Trentyn Kreager led the way, combining for 43 points.

First-game jitters were not an issue for Priest River.

"I'm really happy with how they played," head coach Kevin Wylie said after the game. "It was honestly a lot better than I kind of anticipated. I kind of figured we'd have some nerves, especially with no crowd and fans, but they responded very well. We've been working super hard. It was nice to see them get out and play some tough defense and get off to a good start."

Only three players on the Spartans played varsity last season, but Wylie saw his team jelling from the opening tip. The chemistry was evident and the Spartans always seemed to find the open shooter.

Priest River stormed out to a 22-8 lead, but the Miners fought back in the second quarter to shrink the deficit to 9 points at the half.

The Spartans heated up in the second half and so did Mathews. He scored a trio of 3-pointers.

Priest River scored 46 points in the final 16 minutes to cruise past the Miners.

Kreager led the team with 24 points and 11 rebounds and Mathews finished with 19 points, 10 rebounds, nine assists and five steals.

Wylie said Kreager and Mathews are great leaders and their play on Wednesday was impressive, but it didn't surprise him.

"They set the tone for everybody else," he said. "When we found out we were going to be limited to what we could do over the summer, they were actually the two that made the initiative to get ahold of every other kid ... They've taken the program under control and are doing everything. It makes my job so much easier because they're the ones keeping every player accountable."

Junior Jordan Nortz had 14 points and three steals and his younger brother, Dylan Nortz, added 8 points. Sophomore Jace Yount tallied 10 points and nine rebounds and sophomore Luke Butler racked up six rebounds, five assists and three steals, and he drilled a 3-pointer.

Brad Tesky led Wallace with 19 points and five rebounds, Connor Denson had 12 points and seven rebounds, Hayden Hogamier tallied 11 points and four rebounds and Carter Bailey added 10 points.

The Spartans will turn around and face the Miners again at 6:30 p.m. Friday in the Silver Valley Tournament at Wallace High School.

Wylie said his team can't get complacent.

"We got a win and it felt good, but like we told the guys, they're a good ballclub ... so we're going into their tournament, their home and they are going to want to come out and get some revenge," he said. "We've got to stay humble, and we've got to work hard and be focused for Friday night."

Wallace 8 17 15 24 — 64

Priest River 22 12 20 26 — 80

WALLACE — Tesky 19, Farkas 4, Hogamier 11, Allison 0, Jaramillo 3, Bailey 10, Morin 2, Denson 12, Hall 0, Hammeburg 3.

PRIEST RIVER — Mathews 19, Butler 3, Kreager 24, Marinello 0, Berns 0, J. Nortz 14, D. Nortz 8, Thompson 2, Johnson 0, Yount 10.