Strock blocks, Bulldogs win

Sandpoint hosted Lakeland on Wednesday night in their first game of three at districts. Aliya Strock scored 15 points for the Bulldogs to help them win 57-54 over the Hawks.

Strock had two steals in the first quarter, a trend that would continue for the rest of the game.

“She was struggling a bit with her shot tonight but picked things up on the other end of the court,” head coach Will Love said.

Sandpoint led 17-15 at the end of the first quarter.

The Hawks and the Bulldogs battled back and forth keeping the game close with just one point between the two teams. Strock had six points and another steal. Karli Banks added four points.

“We made a bit of a run in the first quarter, then Lakeland came back so credit to coach Derek and the game plan that he had.” Love said.

The Bulldogs were up 31-30 heading into halftime.

Landry Simon had 26 points for Lakeland and kept the game within two point for the Hawks.

“She’s a competitor and was hitting shots all over the place so credit to her,” Love said. “She gave us a bunch of trouble defensively.”

Banks had another two steals as the battle between the two teams continued.

Sandpoint trailed 39-38 heading into the fourth.

Momentum shifted with 6:00 to go in the final quarter. Daylee Driggs stole the ball, layed up for two, got fouled and hit 1:2 at the line.

“Having Daylee back was a big shift for us,” Love said. “She’s one of the toughest players what I’ve coached so I knew she was going to be out there giving it her all.”

Strock was in her element with another block and steal.

“We did a pretty good job of not fouling,” Love said. “And they got into some foul trouble which caused them some issues.”

The Bulldogs up by three with :20 to go.

Lakeland did everything they could to stop the Bulldogs but Sandpoint hung on for the win.

“I’m really proud of our kids,” Love said.

Sandpoint will host Lakeland at home again on Friday, Feb. 10 at 7 p.m. for game two of three at Districts.

Sandpoint 17 14 7 19 — 57

Lakeland 15 15 9 15 — 54

SANDPOINT — K. Cessna 14, De. Driggs 1, Da. Driggs 7, P. Cessna 0, Richardson 6, Strock 15, Banks 12, Thaete 2.

LAKELAND — L. Simon 26, K. Kiefer 2, Munyer 10, Gallus 0, Holte 0, K. Simon 4, L. Kiefer 8, Sterling 4.