PREP BASKETBALL: Clark Fork boys, girls both dominate in wins over Mullan

by MAX OSWALD
Sports Reporter | January 16, 2024 9:30 PM

Boys

Clark Fork 74, Mullan 16

MULLAN — Four different Wampus Cats reached double-digits as Clark Fork trounced Mullan, 74-16, in a North Star League matchup at the Mullan Pavilion Tuesday.

Cole Sanroman (14), Mateo Cruz (13), Owen Howard (10), and Ethan Howard (10) all scored in double-figures to lead the Wampus Cats, who led 44-9 at halftime.

“It was good to get back on the court,” head coach Heath Beason said. “The players were excited, but a little rusty with the long winter break. Our focus was defense and the team rose to the challenge. I’m very proud of the team coming out aggressive. Owen and Ethan Howard blocked shots and dominated the boards. The Sanroman brothers controlled the tempo and our bench just elevated our game. It’s a good way to start, but we still have a lot of work to do.”

Clark Fork’s Westin Caven added eight points and five assists off the bench. Chase Sanroman scored nine and recorded a team-high three steals. Owen Howard had a career-high five blocks and team-high eight rebounds.

Clark Fork (5-2, 2-0) hosts Kootenai on Thursday.

Clark Fork 15 29 19 11 — 74

Mullan 4 5 2 5 — 16

PTS: CF – Co. Sanroman 14, Cruz 13, O. Howard 10, E. Howard 10, Ch. Sanroman 9, W. Caven 8, Christofferson 6, S. Caven 4, Yanik 0. MLN – Imes 8, S. Petit 3, L. Petit 2, Conners Rupp 2, Appiah 1, Calvert 0, Ayers 0.

REB: CF – O. Howard 8, S. Caven 6, Christofferson 6, Ch. Sanroman 5, E. Howard 4, Cruz 3, W. Caven 2, Co. Sanroman 1. MLN – N/A.

AST: CF – W. Caven 5, Ch. Sanroman 4, Co. Sanroman 2, E. Howard 1, O. Howard 1, Christofferson 1, Yanik 1. MLN – N/A.

STL: CF – Ch. Sanroman 3, W. Caven 2, Co. Sanroman 2, O. Howard 2, Cruz 2, Yanik 2, Christofferson 1. MLN – N/A.

BLK: CF – O. Howard 5, S. Caven 2, Christofferson 1, Cruz 1. MLN – N/A.

Girls

Clark Fork 44, Mullan 24

MULLAN — Senior Lily Reuter scored a team-high nine points for the Wampus Cats in a 44-24 North Star League win over the Tigers at the Mullan Pavilion Tuesday.

Senior Eloise Shelton and sophomore Piper Scarlett scored eight points each for Clark Fork, which swept Mullan for the league title as Kootenai did not field a girls program this season.

The teams will meet again in the 1A Division II District 1 championship game on Feb. 7 at 5:30 p.m. at North Idaho College, with the winner advancing to a state play-in game at McCall-Donnelly on Feb. 10 against the District 5-6 third-place team.

Clark Fork (3-7, 2-0) will travel to Troy (Mont.) Saturday, a team they defeated 51-19 earlier this season.

Clark Fork 9 16 11 8 — 44

Mullan 6 2 8 8 — 24

CLARK FORK — Shelton 8, Reuter 9, Thompson 4, Boehme 2, Printz-Hay 2, Leadbetter 4, Scarlett 8, Morgan 6, Yetter 0.

MULLAN — Crandall 4, Blankenship 6, Niemi 2, Boson 0, Kostelich 1, Charvez 9, Elliott 2.