Bulldogs and Hawks set to tangle for state berth
(Photo by JASON DUCHOW PHOTOGRAPHY) Senior Taylor Ward will look to help the Bulldogs punch their ticket to state in tonight’s 4A Region 1 championship at NIC.
SANDPOINT — If there was any worry the Bulldog girls might take the Hawks lightly in tonight’s 4A Region 1 Championship, it was erased in the surprising loser-out game on Tuesday, when the Hawks got everyone’s attention with a breakout game.
The Hawks stunned No. 2 seed Moscow 74-45 in the loser-out game, shooting a sizzling-hot 30 of 48 from the field, including 12 of 16 from beyond the arc. Tauna Kirk hit 4 of 4 3-pointers and scored 21 points and Lauryn Cooper hit 4 of 5 3s and added 20 points, and the Hawks eclipsed their previous season-high by 22 points.
The No. 1 seed Bulldogs (9-11) swept the No. 3 Hawks (3-18) in league play, including a 62-21 thrashing last week. But if Tuesday’s performance is any indicator, tonight’s game could be a little tighter, and not just because of the nerves as one team will punch its ticket to state and the other will be done for the season.
Bulldog coaches Duane Ward and Will Love no doubt took notice. Luckily one of the Bulldogs’ strengths defensively is the ability to close out on perimeter shooters.
The high scoring duo of Grace Kirscher and Trinity Golder will draw a lot of defensive attention as always, so the Bulldogs will look for Grace Hicks, Taylor Ward, Audrey Matilla, Katherine Kaul and Maddie Morgan to add some offensive balance when possible.
Tip-off is at 8 p.m. at Rolly Williams Court at North Idaho College.
Bob Witte will call the game live tonight on AM1400 and 105.3 FM.