Bulldogs stroll past Kellogg
Senior Hattie Larson elevates for a layup during the second half of Tuesday's game against Kellogg at Les Rogers Court. She tallied 18 points and nine rebounds.
(Photo courtesy of JASON DUCHOW PHOTOGRAPHY)
Senior Riley Cessna fires a 3-pointer in the second half of Tuesday's game.
(Photo courtesy of JASON DUCHOW PHOTOGRAPHY)
Senior Bella Phillips goes up for a layup on Tuesday.
(Photo courtesy of JASON DUCHOW PHOTOGRAPHY)
Senior Kaylee Banks pulls up for a 3-pointer during the second half of Tuesday's game.
(Photo courtesy of JASON DUCHOW PHOTOGRAPHY)
SANDPOINT — Sandpoint girls basketball put it all together Tuesday night and sailed to a 56-28 win over Kellogg at Les Rogers Court.
Senior captains Hattie Larson and Kaylee Banks combined for 33 points and helped the Bulldogs go on a 15-2 run in the third quarter to silence the Wildcats.
After starting the season 0-3, Sandpoint has now won back-to-back games. Head coach Will Love said he can see the girls getting better with every game.
"I think the kids are starting to get comfortable with each other and understanding their places," he said, "and I'd also say some kids were probably pressing at the beginning of the year trying to make it all happen and putting everything on their shoulders. I think they are doing a better job of letting the game come to them."
Sandpoint came roaring out of the gates against Kellogg, gaining a 12-1 advantage midway through the first quarter. But Kellogg's Grace Nearing hit a pair of 3-pointers late in the frame to cut the Bulldogs lead to three.
The Sandpoint defense engulfed the Wildcats in the second quarter and held them to just five points. The Bulldogs took a 25-16 advantage into the locker room after forcing 16 turnovers in the first half.
In the third quarter, the Sandpoint offense started firing on all cylinders and the Bulldogs put the Wildcats in their rearview. The team tallied 18 points, the most they've scored in a quarter this season.
"I was really pleased with how we started and more importantly how we finished," Love said. "We talked about some things at halftime and the girls did a good job of doing the things that we asked them to do."
This was the Bulldogs' first game without sophomore Kelsey Cessna, who suffered a season-ending injury against Lewiston on Saturday. Karlie Banks started in her place Tuesday and Love messed with the rotation throughout the night as the team adjusted to life without Kelsey. Anna Reinink, Destiny Lyons, Tru Tomco and Kelsey's older sister, Riley Cessna, all saw an increase in playing time.
Larson led the team with 18 points and nine rebounds and Kaylee finished with 15 points, five steals and three assists. The duo has come up big for the Bulldogs lately and Love was impressed with their play Tuesday.
Daylee Driggs had 8 points and seven steals, Karlie tallied 6 points and six rebounds and Riley added 5 points.
Kellogg turned the ball over 26 times and Love was proud of the defensive effort.
"This is kind of a hallmark of the team," he said about the defense. "It's something that they take pride in."
The Bulldogs (2-3) head to Lake City at 5:30 p.m. Friday.
Kellogg 11 5 5 7 — 28
Sandpoint 14 11 18 13 — 56
KELLOGG — A. Van Hoose 0, Jerome 6, Karst 0, E. Van Hoose 0, Coe 2, Hill 2, Potts 0, Nearing 6, H. Chaney 10, Reed 2, M. Chaney 0.
SANDPOINT — Driggs 8, Reinink 0, Lyons 0, Tomco 0, Cessna 5, Phillips 2, Kar. Banks 6, Larson 18, Platte 2, Kay. Banks 15.
