Spartans capture first league win
(Photo by DYLAN GREENE) Sophomore Trentyn Kreager fights through the heart of the North Idaho Christian defense to attempt a shot last Thursday.
(Photo by DYLAN GREENE) Senior Caden Brennan converts a layup on the fast break during a game against North Idaho Christian last Thursday.
(Photo by DYLAN GREENE) Freshman Jace Yount goes up for a shot against North Idaho Christian last Thursday.
Priest River boys basketball bounced back from a disappointing loss to North Idaho Christian last Thursday by picking up their first Intermountain League victory of the season Saturday over Bonners Ferry.
Tuesday night, the Spartans fell at home to Genesis Prep 52-37. Senior Caden Brennan had 12 points, sophomore Trentyn Kreager tallied 11 and senior Cole Thompson added 8.
In a 51-46 loss to North Idaho Christian last Thursday, Priest River continued its early game struggles by falling behind 14-7 after the first quarter.
“First quarter, first half was kind of just a slow start,” head coach Kevin Wylie said. “Turning the ball over, not getting back on defense and just the little things that added up to them pulling away.”
Things didn’t get better in the third quarter as the Royals outscored the Spartans 17-7 to take a 40-24 lead into the fourth quarter.
And just when the game looked over, Priest River made a run and Brennan got hot from outside and helped the Spartans pull within three with 22.3 seconds left.
Unfortunately, Priest River was unable to get a bucket and the Royals knocked down some free throws to secure the victory.
Brennan finished with 23 points, nine rebounds and three assists in the game.
“We won the second half,” Wylie said. “We played a lot harder, took care of the ball but we got to figure out why we can’t put four full quarters together.”
Unfortunately, the slow starts didn’t get any better against Bonners Ferry. The Spartans fell behind 11-3 after the first quarter. But then Priest River stormed back, outscoring the Badgers 18-4 in the third quarter to runaway with a 60-49 win.
Priest River (6-9, 1-2 IML) has a full week of games. First they head to Timberlake 7 p.m. Thursday and then travel to Wallace Friday at the same time. The Spartans wrap up the next week of games 7 p.m. Tuesday at Bonners Ferry.
