Priest River boys cruise to Spartan Christmas Tournament championship

PRIEST RIVER — It's still early in the season, but Priest River boys basketball is showing just how special they could be this winter.

The Spartans sailed to the Spartan Christmas Tournament title on Saturday, knocking off North Idaho Christian 71-53.

Priest River went back and forth with the Royals in the first half and took a 27-26 lead into the locker room. Then in the second half, the Spartans separated themselves from North Idaho Christian by scoring 44 points.

"Our defense picked up in the second half which turned into good offense," head coach Kevin Wylie said. "I'm just really impressed with how well we played defensively as a team."

Jordan Nortz went off for the Spartans, hitting five 3-pointers and scoring 27 points. Trentyn Kreager also had an eventful night. He had to miss some time in the first half due to a cut in his head and rolled his ankle near the end of the third quarter. However, he still managed to score 22 points.

Jace Yount added 7 points. Malachi Bullington scored 27 for the Royals.

Priest River advanced to the tourney title game by dismantling Clark Fork on Friday.

In their first game in over a week, the Spartans exploded for 30 points in the third quarter to secure a 74-26 win over the Wampus Cats.

The Spartans couldn't be stopped in the third quarter. Their dynamic offense turned a 14-point halftime lead into a 43-point advantage just like that.

But the key to all that scoring was Priest River's defense, Wylie said.

"The number one focus that we've been focusing on since we started this season was we have to be the best defensive team every night," he said, "that's how we're going to win games ... and the kids have really bought into that."

The Spartans had a comfortable 13-point lead after the first quarter, but in the second Wylie said his team got a little complacent on defense and allowed the Wampus Cats to stay within striking distance.

At halftime, Wylie told his team to clean it up on the defensive end and the rest will come.

"We've been telling them that," he said, "and they're finally starting to understand when you play good defense, your offense just clicks and so far us, that was the third quarter."

The Spartans forced 21 turnovers and had 13 steals.

Priest River saw Blake Barrett make his season debut against Clark Fork. Barrett, a transfer from Newport High, made quite the first impression. He tallied 20 points and five rebounds, and was a force on both ends of the court.

"Blake is just a kid that brings so much energy," Wylie said. "He loves to play hard, he loves to play with emotion ... and he is super smart. He mixes so well with any of our kids."

Kreager added 14 points for the Spartans, Jordan Nortz had 12, Yount scored 9 and Dylan Nortz grabbed 6. Travis Mathews tallied 6 points and six assists.

"This team is so offensively skilled," Wylie said. "Every kid wants to be an offensive threat, but I got six or seven kids that are just hoop heads ... so it makes it hard on other teams to guard us."

Priest River (5-1) heads to North Idaho Christian on Monday, Jan. 4.

North Idaho Christian 15 11 16 11 — 53

Priest River 14 13 24 20 — 71

NORTH IDAHO CHRISTIAN — Pilgrim 5, Smith 0, Schlader 0, Mckee 3, O'Brien 9, Alliano 2, Mitchell 2, Johnson 2, Grassi 3, Bullington 27, Sakae 0.

PRIEST RIVER — Mathews 3, Butler 0, J. Nortz 27, Kreager 22, Marinello 0, Barrett 5, D. Nortz 3, Thompson 1, Yount 7.

Clark Fork 10 11 1 4 — 26

Priest River 23 12 30 9 — 74

CLARK FORK — Garcia 8, Sanroman 5, Barnett 6, Wade 0, Reuter 3, Shelton 2, Bopp 0, Mayorga 2, Pierson 0, Mintken 0, Matteson 0.

PRIEST RIVER — Mathews 6, Butler 1, J. Nortz 12, Kreager 14, Marinello 4, Berns 0, Barrett 20, D. Nortz 6, Thompson 2, Yount 9.