Big energy, baskets help Spartans claim 'Border'
Teigan Marinello goes up for a shot as the Spartans took on Newport in Thursday's Battle of the Border. Priest River claimed the win, 62-42.
(Photo courtesy JASON DUCHOW PHOTOGRAPHY)
The Battle of the Border started out hot with the Spartans sinking a 3-pointer and holding Newport to 10 points in the first quarter. The trend continued and Priest River took the win over the Grizzlies, 62-42.
The fast-paced first quarter was led by Tyler Engelson, who hit two 3-pointers and ended the game with 17 points for Priest River.
“Tyler Engleson shot the crap out of the ball again,” Barrett said. “He’s probably my best scorer.”
Heading into the second quarter, Priest River had a 15-10 lead.
The period saw Engleson drop in another 3-pointer to start the second quarter while Newport put up shot after shot, but nothing dropped.
The Spartans led 28-17 at the end of the first half.
Halftime was full of energy with a mascot dance-off and Priest River versus Newport in a tug-of-war as part of spirit contests between the two schools. The crowd went wild and spirits were high.
Newport scored first in the second half. Jace Yount was phenomenal under the basket cleaning up all missed shots for Priest River. Yount was 5-6 from inside and had 17 points overall for the Spartans.
“He dominated scoring and rebounding in the paint,” head coach Jaden Barrett said. “He dominated every aspect of the game in that sense.”
The Spartans continued to show their speed and athleticism. Teigan Marinello hit seven points and 10 total for Priest River. Newport stuck with them and played their best quarter of the game with 19 points total.
“Teigan Marinello had probably his best game of the year, attacking everyone well and breaking their pressure,” Barrett said.
Priest River was up 48-36 heading into the final quarter.
Newport stepped up its defense but the Spartans controlled the game. Engelson had hit both of his 3s and Yount had another four points.
“Every defense they threw at us, we played well against,” Barrett said. “We broke the presses well.”
With 2:00 to go in the fourth quarter, Priest River changed out their bench.
Priest River travels to Sandpoint on Saturday for a 4:30 p.m. tip-off.
Priest River 15 13 20 14 — 62
Newport 10 7 19 6 — 42
PRIEST RIVER — Mathews 3, Butler 6, Staudt 3, Marinello 10, T. Engleson 17, Korff 0, Z. Engleson 6, Kreager 0, Cook 0, Solomon 0, J. Yount 17.
NEWPORT — Driver 0, Smith 7, Mackey 6, C. Loosier 4, N. Loosier 8, Brown 0, Kinney 0, Sawyer 0, Sherman 13, Hughes 0, Owen 4, Becker 0.