SHS boys basketball secures first win
Jacob Eldridge plays in a game against Moscow last season at Les Rogers Court.
(Photo courtesy of JASON DUCHOW PHOTOGRAPHY)
Editor's note: This story has been updated.
SPOKANE VALLEY — The Bulldogs grabbed their first victory of the season Saturday at West Valley High.
Sandpoint boys basketball outlasted the East Valley Knights 63-55 to wrap up play in the Border Clash.
It was the Bulldogs' first win since Jan. 19, 2021, at Priest River, and victory No. 1 under new head coach Brian Childs. SHS ended last season on a 10-game losing streak.
"I'm happy for our kids," Childs said. "It was good to see the smiles on their faces."
On Friday, the Bulldogs fell 57-50 to host West Valley in the Border Clash to open the season. Childs said his team fought some fatigue Saturday and it wasn't the cleanest game on both sides, but Sandpoint responded every time the Knights made a run.
"In the second half, we kind of just made plays when we needed to," he said. "We kind of kept them at arm's length and ... every time it seemed like they had a little momentum, we'd come down and get a bucket."
Sandpoint led 30-29 at the half and outscored East Valley 18-12 in the third quarter.
Childs said everyone pitched in to secure the victory and he was impressed with the balance the Bulldogs displayed.
"It seemed like when somebody got their opportunity, they kind of rose to the occasion and made the most of it," he said.
Three Sandpoint players finished in double figures. Jacob Eldridge and Parker Childs each had 11 points and Evan Dickinson scored 10.
"Jacob Eldridge made some plays down the stretch that you kind of hope a senior is going to make," Childs said.
Dickinson missed most of his sophomore season on the basketball court last season due to injury, but he stepped up for the Bulldogs on Saturday when several players got in foul trouble. He scored 7 points in the third quarter.
"When we needed it, his number was called and he came up big for us," Childs said.
Arie VanDenBerg and Randy Lane each finished with 9 points, Ethan Butler had 8 and Rusty Lee added 5.
Sandpoint (1-1) travels to Coeur d'Alene at 7 p.m. Tuesday to open 5A-4A Inland Empire League play.
East Valley 18 11 12 14 — 55
Sandpoint 15 15 18 15 — 63
EAST VALLEY — Hofstee 4, Bales 0, Wilkinson 29, Stevens 0, Anderson 0, Wolecek 18, Hansen 7, Whallon 2.
SANDPOINT — Lee 5, Eldridge 11, VanDenBerg 9, Dunkel 0, Dickinson 10, Childs 11, Lane 9, Butler 8.