‘HIVELIGHTS’ with MAX OSWALD: Here are the top 10 sports stories of 2023

After being here for about 10 months now, one thing is clear to me – right here in Bonner County, we have some of the hardest-working athletes in the state… my opinion of course. Football, soccer, basketball, you name it, and there was a fantastic community story waiting to be told. Without further ado, here are the Top 10 Bonner County sports stories of 2023.

1. Sandpoint girls basketball won their first-ever 4A state championship

    The 2022-2023 Sandpoint High girls basketball team is all smiles after winning the schools' first-ever, boys or girls, 4A state championship last year. Players, back row, from left, Daylee Driggs, Karlie Banks, Kelsey Cessna, Peyton Cessna, Livia Owens, Jetta Thaete. Front row, from left, Demi Driggs, Maggie Bleckwenn, Chloe Laybourne, Aliya Strock, Lily Richardson, Taylor Mire, Aubrey Knowles, Alex David.

WHAT HAPPENED: Sandpoint, in its first appearance in the state title game since 1996, went on a 14-0 run in the third quarter, and held off the top-seeded Shelley Russets 69-65 to win the state 4A championship.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE: The Bulldogs were the No. 3 seed and beat Minico, Columbia to get to the championship match against No. 1 Shelley. I would consider this a Cinderella story, and one that will live on for generations to come. Unfortunately, I arrived in Bonner County about three weeks after the fact. I’m hoping to write a similar headline in 2024… keep watching this squad. They are 11-2 so far this season and are putting the pieces together for another run.

2. Sandpoint girls soccer wins ninth 4A state championship

WHAT HAPPENED: During the 79th minute, Sandpoint’s Marlee McCrum faked left, turned the ball right, created some space and scored to help No. 4 Sandpoint capture the 4A state title, 2-1 over No. 2 Bishop Kelly. It was Sandpoint’s first win over Bishop Kelly since 2019.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE: WOW. I was able to watch this game remotely off of an NFHS broadcast – another Cinderella story. I remember screaming and running around my apartment for a brief moment after Marlee scored that goal. Moments later, Lilliana Brinkmeier made an amazing save to seal the deal. This whole team is just beaming with talent and will have a lot of returners in 2024. Head out to a game this fall, you will not regret it.

3. Clark Fork boys football makes a miraculous comeback over Lakeside to qualify for 1A D2 state championship

WHAT HAPPENED:  The Wampus Cats, down 20 points in the fourth quarter and with six of their starting eight players banged up, pulled off the impossible, defeating Lakeside, 44-42 in the final seconds to qualify for the 1A D2 state championship for the second year in a row.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE: It was about 11:30 p.m. that Friday and I had just got home from work. My phone starts buzzing and it’s from Clark Fork head coach Patrick Young. He says something along the lines of “Do you have a place to sit and some time to talk.” Of course, I said. He then goes on to tell me this story and remembers all of the little details that went along with it – every single one. What a truly once in a lifetime game for this team and for a first-year head coach who is doing great things for this program.

4. Sandpoint girls swimming wins another 4A state title after risky decision pays off

WHAT HAPPENED: After a third-place finish in 2022, and a second-place finish in 2021, the Sandpoint girls swim team was able to win the 4A State Championship, their first title since 2019. Sandpoint scored 185 points, 12 more points than Bishop Kelly. At the meet, head coach Greg Jackson made a couple of uncommon moves by putting Sara Hogue in three relay races instead of two individual races and two relay races; he also did not stack his relays in the preliminaries. Jackson admitted before doing it that he didn’t know if it was a good idea, but his gamble clearly paid off in a big way with all of the relays performing exceptionally well. The girls 200-yard medley relay of Ryleigh Bamer, Sara Hogue, Mia Driggs, and Reina Montecchi that captured gold at the 4A state championship, was originally seeded fifth. That win was an 18-point swing on the scoreboard.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE: When I was sitting down with Greg Jackson a couple weeks after the championship, it was clear to me he has a deep passion for his athletes and the sport of swimming. Sandpoint surely loves its swimming. From the Sandpoint Sharks organization to the Long Bridge Swim, among other things, it is evident. I also have an amazing swimming story I’m currently working on that will come out sometime in January of 2024… stay tuned.

5. Sandpoint boys soccer second at 4A state championship after strong run

WHAT HAPPENED: No. 6 Sandpoint got on the board first, but couldn’t outlast No. 1 Wood River, falling 3-1 in the state title match. Days earlier, siblings Jett and Kai Longanecker helped Sandpoint upset No. 3 Caldwell on the final penalty kick of the game, and then the Bulldogs defeated No. 7 Blackfoot in the semifinals.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE: Former head coach Tanner French is truly remarkable and will be hard to replace. He also led the squad to a huge upset over Coeur d’Alene during the regular season. A huge thank you also needs to be given to Cynthia Schmit for sending the Daily Bee photos during the teams’ state run. Probably an appropriate time to say that I have a deep appreciation for all the parents, relatives, and coaches, who are able to help me tell stories when I am not able to be physically present at the events.

6. Shane Sherrill returns an interception 103 yards for a touchdown in a win over Lakeland

WHAT HAPPENED: With over 400 yards of total offense and three forced turnovers, Sandpoint cruised to a 49-21 victory over 4A Inland Empire conference rival Lakeland at War Memorial Field. In the second half, the Hawks made their way down the field, but a pass fell right into the arms of Shane Sherrill deep in the endzone. After weaving in-and-out of traffic, Sherrill scored on a 103-yard interception return. The crowd went wild.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE: I think it’s hard for some to understand just how much work these athletes put into their seasons – football, among the top. Ryan Knowles is running a well-oiled machine, and I believe another winning season is on the agenda for next year. I met Shane in the summer of 2023 when he came to the office to talk to me about Team Idaho winning their first ever wrestling national championship in Fargo, something he was a part of. At the Sandpoint/Priest River boys basketball game the other day I called him up to where I sat in the stands to chat and he showed me the ring from that wrestling championship… pretty dang cool. Almost as cool as the interception return, which is a school record.

7. Sandpoint girls golf third at 4A state championship

WHAT HAPPENED: The Sandpoint girls golf team took home bronze from the 4A State Championship held at the University of Idaho Golf Course. Junior Taylor Mire finished in fourth place to lead the Bulldogs to another state trophy.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE: Super cool and a huge accomplishment. I have to say, Mike Deprez, one of the best coaches in the sense that he helps me get these great athletes recognized, especially since the majority of events are far away. The fact that every player on this girls team is returning next year… big time. I’m not someone who knows too much about golf, but it’s growing on me. I was constantly refreshing the results on both days of the state tournament.

8. Sandpoint volleyball defeats Lake City for the first time since 2010

WHAT HAPPENED: The Sandpoint girls volleyball team defeated Lake City for the first time since 2010 in a thrilling four-set match. Sandpoint won all of their sets by just two points — 27-25, 25-23, 23-25, 27-25.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE: When I used to do play-by-play and color commentating, volleyball was always my favorite sport. I could not have imagined what the call would have been for a game like this. What a big step for the Sandpoint girls volleyball program. Credit to first-year head coach Piper Wahlin for making it happen. Aubree Lane, Vivian Platte, Haley Swaim – they all thrived this year under her.

9. Sandpoint boys baseball sweeps Lakeland after a dramatic Game 2

    Earlier this year, 2023 Sandpoint graduate Jack Zimmerman celebrated with his teammates after stealing home plate, a move that allowed the Bulldogs to clinch a 7-6 lead and an eventual 8-6 victory over 4A IEL rival Lakeland to complete a regular season sweep.

WHAT HAPPENED: With two outs and one on, Jack Zimmerman got creative – really creative. In a move that nobody could have guessed, Zimmerman stole home plate while Lakeland’s Roan Reilly was winding up to put the Bulldogs on top 7-6. Kobe Barlow added to the excitement by hitting an RBI single to left field on the very next pitch, to put the score at 8-6 Bulldogs, which ended up being the final score of Game 2. The Bulldogs won Game 1, 11-6.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE: Woah! Definitely the best baseball game/moment of 2023. After walking into Sandpoint High the other day, I actually saw Jack heading inside for a baseball practice. One of the many dedicated athletes that is/was a part of Sandpoint baseball. Excited to keep up with his progress this spring; he will be playing for the Lassen County Community College Cougars, which is located in Susanville, Calif.

10. Sandpoint girls cross country upsets Moscow for district title

WHAT HAPPENED: Sandpoint’s girls, even though down a runner, pulled off the upset over Moscow, 31-33 to reclaim the district trophy. Lily Richardson, Grace Rookey, and Elizabeth Storms finished 2-3-4 to help secure the victory. freshman Sienna Todd-Murray stepped up, finishing in ninth place. Hannah Ricks rounded out the top five with a 13th-place finish.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE: Having done cross country in high school and college myself, I know first-hand what something like this feels like. First-year head coach Mike Ehredt is extremely accomplished and knowledgeable and led both the boys and girls team to district titles. At the meet, I also saw coaching legend Matt Brass running up and down the course supporting the Bulldogs. It’s safe to say that both the boys and girls cross country teams have built North Idaho dynasties.