PREP ROUNDUP: Sandpoint tennis still undefeated
Sandpoint High freshman Amelia Poulson, left, and senior Aubrey Knowles, right, are all smiles after a big win in their match against Lewiston on Wednesday at the James E. Russell Sports Center.
TENNIS
Sandpoint 8, Lewiston 4
SANDPOINT — Jacob Dawson, Nathan Duke, and Joey Allen swept boys singles and the Bulldogs earned a hard-fought victory over the Bengals on Wednesday in a 5A Inland Empire League matchup at the James E. Russell Sports Center.
Girls doubles pairs Amelia Poulson and Aubrey Knowles and Lily Evans and Hannah Fisher also swept for Sandpoint, which won their seventh straight with the victory over Lewiston.
"Lily’s net play and Hannah’s solid ground strokes were too much for their opponents," Sandpoint High head coach Kent Anderson said. "Aubrey and Amelia are improving with every match. Their speed, precision and intensity are a tough combination. They will be ready for state in a month."
In girls singles, Pepper Rickert had 14 aces and posted her seventh consecutive 6-0, 6-0 match while Bella Bailey held down the No. 2 spot like usual, winning in straight sets. Anderson said the two continue to be a force that nobody can realistically handle.
Fisher Dail and Caden Martz picked up a win in boys doubles to round out the Bulldogs' wins on the day.
SINGLES
BOYS — No. 1 Jacob Dawson, Sandpoint, d. Dylan Smith, 6-2, 6-2. No. 2 Nathan Duke, Sandpoint, d. Wes Heiss, 6-0, 6-3. No. 3 Joey Allen, Sandpoint, d. Isaac Doves, 6-1, 6-4. GIRLS — No. 1 Pepper Rickert, Sandpoint, d. Eliza Pfaff, 6-0, 6-0. No. 2 Bella Bailey, Sandpoint, d. River Hoover, 6-0, 6-3. No. 3 Molly Geary, Lewiston, d. Morgan Harris, 6-3, 4-6 (8-6).
DOUBLES
BOYS — No. 1 Cayden Beehler/JJ Pacheco, Lewiston, d. Ethan Ballard/Brennan Johnson, 6-1, 6-2. No. 2 Fisher Dail/Caden Martz, Sandpoint d. Beau Beehler/Sam Beckstead, 6-0, 6-1. GIRLS — No. 1 Aubrey Knowles/Amelia Poulson, Sandpoint, d. Grace Klein/Skye VanTrease, 6-3, 6-1. No. 2 Lily Evans/Hannah Fisher, Sandpoint, d. Taylor Musser/Jesse Hartwig, 6-2, 6-3.
MIXED DOUBLES
No. 1 Alexis Keller/Brennan Rice, Lewiston, d. Avery Thornton/ Lane Harris, 6-1, 6-2 (7-4). No. 1 Destiny Ellenwood/Filippo Groggin, Lewiston, d. Colby Dyk/Morgan Dail, 6-2, 4-6 (10-8).
Sandpoint 6, Coeur d'Alene 6
COEUR d'ALENE — Pepper Rickert won her eighth straight 6-0, 6-0 match as the Bulldogs settled for a tie with the Vikings on Thursday at Coeur d'Alene High.
Rickert defeated a familiar face in Caitlyn Combs to keep her unbeaten streak alive.
"They know each other’s game well, but Pepper just has too many potent weapons in her possession — her sharp angled serves were totally unstoppable," Sandpoint High head coach Kent Anderson said.
Trailing 6-5, Bella Bailey walked onto the court to play the deciding match with Sandpoint's hopes of keeping an undefeated season hanging in the balance. 2 1/2 hours later, she walked off the court with another win in the No. 2 girls singles spot, defeating her opponent in a third-set tiebreaker, 7-6, 2-6 (10-6).
"Bella somehow maintained a calm composure as she relentlessly ran down every ball while refusing to make an unforced error," coach Anderson said. "All of this in front of a large crowd of cheering fans."
Amelia Poulson and Aubrey Knowles continue to roll in the No. 1 girls doubles spot, winning in three sets as well, 6-2, 4-6, (10-7).
"Aubrey and Amelia were pushed to the limit finally, prevailing 10-7 in a third-set breaker," Anderson said. "Aubrey’s strong poaching at the net behind Amelia’s cross-court screamers was the difference."
In boys doubles, both Ethan Ballard and Brennan Johnson (6-2, 6-1) and Fisher Dail and Caden Martz (6-2, 7-5) notched straight sets victories.
"Ethan and Brennan were clicking on all cylinders today," Anderson said. "Again, huge serves were the difference while they also played composed and steady. Fisher and Caden continued their unbeaten run with a solid 6-2, 7-5 victory. Their foot speed and accuracy was on point."
Colby Dyk and Morgan Harris won both of their sets by a score of 6-4 to keep the Bulldogs undefeated on the season.
"Colby and Morgan calmly brought home a victory in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4," Anderson said. "Morgan was locked in for the second set, making zero unforced errors. Her improvement over the last four weeks has been amazing."
Sandpoint (7-0-1) is set for a rematch with Coeur d'Alene on Monday at the James E. Russell Sports Center.
Full box score not available.
Clark Fork at Coeur d'Alene Charter
COEUR d'ALENE — Results from the Wampus Cats' matchup against the Panthers on Thursday at Ramsey Park were not available.
Clark Fork will return to action Wednesday, also against Coeur d'Alene Charter at Ramsey Park.
GOLF
WORLEY — Junior Payton Stevens carded a team-best 124 for the Wampus Cats at the Lakeside Invitational held Thursday at the Circling Raven Golf Club.
Sophomore Haylyn Ashford-Brown shot a 129, sophomore Cameron Stewart a 137 for Clark Fork.
On the girls' side, Clark Fork High freshman Gracie Stevens finished with a score of 137. Bonners Ferry High sophomore Nollie Hiatt shot a 104 and captured medalist honors for the Lady Badgers, which won their fifth straight team title.
Clark Fork returns to action on Tuesday for the Priest River Invitational at the Stoneridge Resort in Blanchard.
BOYS
Par 72
TEAM SCORES — 1, Genesis Prep 344. 2, St. Maries 395. 3, Bonners Ferry 430.
MEDALIST — Byron Hammett, Genesis Prep, 73.
ST. MARIES — Brayden Buell 92, Owen Chatigny 94, Ezekiel Watts 98, Trace Chatigny 111, Allan Wise 118.
GENESIS PREP — Byron Hammett 73, Isaiah Bateman 84, Emmaus Nichols 93, Emmett Swanson 94, Owen Call 112.
BONNERS FERRY — Eli Blackmore 91, Makeen Loretto 108, Gabriel Warren 115, Rowdy Hull 116, Brandon Gardner 125.
CLARK FORK — Payton Stevens 124, Haylyn Ashford-Brown 129, Cameron Stewart 137, Jason Mayorga WD.
GIRLS
MEDALIST — Nollie Hiatt, Bonners Ferry, 104.
TEAM SCORES — 1, Bonners Ferry 463. 2, St. Maries 489.
BONNERS FERRY — Nollie Hiatt 104, Callie Bateman 113, Sydney Hinthorn 123, Ava Villelli 123, Sadie Newhouse 137.
ST. MARIES — Addison Crane 111, Makenna Phillips 122, Layla Pooley 125, Paige Offerman 131, Nova Newton 135.
GENESIS PREP — Haley Sorenson 118, Layla Grimmett 133, Chiara Bendinelli 139.
INDIVIDUALS — Gracie Stevens, Clark Fork, 137.
BOYS LACROSSE
COEUR d'ALENE — Results from Thursday's IHSLL North Division match between Sandpoint and Lake City were not available.
Sandpoint will travel to Spokane on Saturday for a league game against Mead at the Dwight Merkel Sports Complex.