PREP BASKETBALL: Howard drops 21 as Clark Fork boys thump Kootenai

Clark Fork 75, Kootenai 31

CLARK FORK – Ethan Howard led the Wampus Cats with 21 points as Clark Fork notched their 10th win of the season over Kootenai at Clark Fork High Saturday afternoon.

After a slow start, Clark Fork got rolling in the second quarter, outscoring Kootenai 20-4 to take a 25-point lead into halftime. The Wampus Cats continued to cruise in the second half, eventually securing a 44-point North Star League win over the Warriors.

“We knew coming into this game today that it would be a brain-teaser for us — to see if we're staying focused or not,“ head coach Heath Beason said. “We played hard in our previous game and we’re trying to keep the momentum going. We have a big game coming up Tuesday. Tonight we seemed to be a little flat-footed in the first half and picked it up in the second half. We were able to play everyone from our freshman to our seniors.”

Beason said Cole and Chase Sanroman once again controlled the pace and tempo while Howard was able to dominate down low. He also mentioned that JV players Solomon Holderman and Mateo Cruz played well and that the future is bright for the pair.

“Kootenai played hard and deserved everything they got today,” Beason said. “They did a lot better than when we traveled there earlier this year, and to me, that shows basketball is getting better in our league.”

In addition to Howard’s 21 points, Cole Sanroman had 14 points, six steals, for Clark Fork. Arrow Christofferson added 12 points. Westin Caven led the Wampus Cats in assists with 6.

Clark Fork had 23 steals and assisted on 24 of their made baskets.

Kootenai’s Christopher Moore led the Warriors with 23 points and five steals.

Clark Fork (10-5, 4-0) will travel to play Sandpoint JV Tuesday.

Kootenai 10 4 13 4 — 31

Clark Fork 19 20 18 18 — 75

PTS: CF – E. Howard 21, Co. Sanroman 14, Christofferson 12, Montgomery 9, Cruz 6, W. Caven 6, Ch. Sanroman 4, Yanik 2, Holderman 2, Stewart 0, Stevens 0, Adams 0. K – C. Moore 23, Strobel 6, Addington 2, Hodges 0, Unger 0, Braz 0.

REB: CF – Holderman 5, E. Howard 4, Ch. Sanroman 4, W. Caven 3, Cruz 2, Co. Sanroman 1, Christofferson 1, Montgomery 1. K – Addington 3, C. Moore 2, Unger 2.

AST: CF – W. Caven 6, Ch. Sanroman 4, Co. Sanroman 4, Holderman 3, Adams 2, Montgomery 2, Cruz 1, Stevens 1, E. Howard 1. K – Unger 2, Hodges 1, Addington 1.

STL: CF – Co. Sanroman 6, Ch. Sanroman 5, Christofferson 3, E. Howard 3, Montgomery 2, Holderman 1, Stevens 1, Yanik 1, Adams 1. K – C. Moore 5, Hodges 3, Braz 2, Unger 1.

BLK: CF – Cruz 2, Christofferson 1, Holderman 1. K – C. Moore 1, Unger 1.