Bulldog girls ready to make noise at districts
SANDPOINT — Sandpoint head coach Lance Bruce is hoping the old sports axiom that it’s tough to beat a team three times in a row holds true tonight, as the Bulldog girls tip off the 4A Region 1 girls basketball tournament at Lakeland.
The No. 3 seed Bulldogs (8-12) lost 49-41 in the first meeting against the No. 2 Hawks (11-9), then closed to within five points in the fourth quarter in last Friday’s 47-33 loss.
Bruce is hoping that senior Maggie Kirscher, the Bulldogs’ leading scorer on the season, will be healthy after spraining her ankle late in the loss to Lakeland. Kirscher, who sat out the final regular season loss against Lewiston, will be a game-time decision.
One of the silver linings in Saturday’s loss against Lewiston, currently ranked No. 3 in the 5A ranks, was the post play of sophomores Nikole Alamillo and Cassie Young in Kirscher’s absence. The pair combined for 19 points and held their own against some quality bigs from Lewiston.
“That was really big for us. They did a great job attacking Lewiston inside,” said Bruce of the duo. “With Maggie out, it gave them some big time confidence.”
Sandpoint guard Hailey Olin will be counted on to carry the scoring load if Kirscher can’t go, a role she has excelled at all season.
Bruce believes his team is playing its best basketball of the season down the stretch, holding their own against 5A competition in arguably the toughest league in the state.
All three 4A Inland Empire League teams are mostly even, with each capable of winning on any given night. Bruce said controlling the tempo will be key to finally push through against Lakeland.
“Lakeland plays at a frenetic pace, and they’ll press the entire game. They live off those turnovers,” said Bruce, who likes his team’s mindset as it fights for the lone 4A North state berth. “They’re confidence is high right now. The record is 0-0 at this point, and anything can happen.”
Guards Jordan Speelmon and Kara Bruce will team with Olin to break the Hawks press and capitalize on some easy baskets.
Tip off is at 7 p.m. at Lakeland High School. The winner will face No. 1 Moscow on Thursday at the Bear Den in the true double-elimination format.
n JV girls wrap up solid season
Emily Chatburn scored 14 points to go with four assists and three steals to lead the Sandpoint JV girls to a 35-23 win over Lakeland on Friday to wrap up an undefeated season in 4A North play.
Lily Martin added five points and Karlee Williams seven rebounds and two steals for the Bulldogs, who finished the season 11-8, with a perfect 4-0 record against league rivals Lakeland and Moscow.
Combined with a relatively young varsity, the solid showing at the JV level bodes well for the future of SHS girls basketball.