Trio lead Cats to wild win

CLARK FORK — Clark Fork’s wild 69-68 overtime win over Lakeside on Saturday featured a buzzer beater in regulation, a pressurized game-winning free throw with no time on the clock and a school record for long range bombs.

Zack Klein drained a record eight 3-pointers, and also made 4-4 free throw attempts, breaking out for a season-high 28 points to lead the Wampus Cats (4-12, 3-2 NSL), whose tough nonleague schedule has prepared them well for the rigors of league play.

Trailing 60-58 with 14 seconds left, the Cats were patient with the ball, eventually setting up Tristin Bristol, who sent the game into overtime with a basket from the baseline with 1.5 seconds left. Bristol finished with 11 points and 16 rebounds, and continues to be arguably the best rebounder in the North Star League.

Lakeside (6-9, 3-1 NSL) hit two quick 3-pointers in overtime to take a 66-60 lead. The Wampus Cats methodically fought back to tie the game at 68-68, and as time ran out in overtime freshman Eich Anderson had his shot blocked out of bounds with .7 seconds left on the clock. Clark Fork head coach Corey Vogel called a special tip play for senior Joey Hazinsky, who finished with 16 points and four assists.

“Joey went up and tried to tip it in but was fouled at the buzzer,” described Vogel. “He stepped up to the line alone with the Lakeside crowd screaming at him and drained the first free throw to end the game 69-68. We really played together as a team, were really patient with the ball and we took much better shots by waiting for good opportunities against their defense.”

Klein, who in three years as a starter has shown the ability to score in bunches when he finds the hot hand, made a rock-solid 8-11 attempts from beyond the arc, and every point was needed.

Clark Fork host Coeur d’Alene Charter on Thursday.

Clark Fork 17  16  14  13  9 — 69

Lakeside  11  15  17  17  8 — 68

CLARK FORK — Bristol 11, Klein 28, Hazinsky 16, Bowen 0, Nesbitt 3, A. Anderson 9, E. Anderson 0, Bahr 2.

LAKESIDE — Kolar 4, Gauthier 0, Boyd 16, Mitchell 0, Nomee 0, Gallegos 13, Nilson 0, Stensgar 2, Meshell 16, Brown 15, Davis 0.