Electric atmosphere aids Priest River win

Priest River was first to score in what was an electric atmosphere of Thursday night's Battle of the Border against Newport. The Spartans led from start to finish to win 50-35.

“This is by far the best game we’ve played,” head coach Tyler Douglas said.

Good defense by both teams kept the game a low-scoring affair in the first quarter with Desi Humphrey scoring four points in the first and 11 overall for the Spartans. Newport scored their first basket with two minutes to go.

“We shot the ball well,” Douglas said.

The Spartans had six fouls to the Grizzlies' four. At the end of the first quarter, the Spartans were ahead, 8-4.

Humphrey hit a 3 to start the second quarter. Lizzie McCraken back her up with another 3 and had eight points total for Priest River.

The fouls continued rolling in with four for each team. The Spartans kept their lead 18-11 heading into halftime.

"They were all playing so hard,” Douglas said.

A battle of the bands, battle of the crowds and battle of the teams continued throughout the game.

A big 3-point quarter for the Spartans with Sam Pound hitting two 3-pointers and Marley Burgess-Duguette and Pavin Coleman hitting one each.

“Sam had a couple of big 3s for us tonight,” Douglas said. “And Marley played so hard. It was her first game starting and she really set the tempo for us.”

Both teams cleaned up their play and limited fouling in the third.

Newport was down 36-19 leading into the final quarter.

The Grizzlies fought hard to claw their way back into the game, but the Spartans continued to move the ball well and take every opportunity to shoot.

“We’ve been working on our press,” Douglas said. “Tonight everyone bought in and put their head down.”

Addy Kingery scored seven of her nine points in the fourth quarter to help out Priest River.

"Addy by far played her best game tonight,” Douglas said.

Priest River travels to Sandpoint on Saturday for a 3 p.m. tip-off against the Bulldogs.

Priest River 8 10 18 14 — 50

Newport 4 7 8 16 — 35

PRIEST RIVER — Marinello 0, Pound 8, Thompson 0, Burgess-Duguette 3, Humphrey 11, Yount 4, McCracken 8, Kingery 10, Jensen 2, Coleman 4.

NEWPORT — Wiese 1, Jurgens 4, Lawrence 0, Hinchliff 7, Tellessen 1, Goodman 2, Collison 3, Reedy 14, Hoffman 0, McDaniel 0, Dahl 0.