Clark Fork blows past Mullan in league opener
Sophomore Antonio Mayorga gets down low in the paint during a home game against Wallace on Feb. 1.
(File photo by DYLAN GREENE)
MULLAN — Clark Fork boys basketball opened North Star League play Thursday night with an emphatic victory at rival Mullan.
The Wampus Cats handed the Tigers a 71-41 defeat.
"We wanted to make a statement," head coach Heath Beason said, "but we wanted to improve from [Wednesday]'s game ... and they stepped up. This is a big win, especially with it being our first league game, we had to start out strong."
Clark Fork trailed early in the first quarter, but Beason called a timeout, made a minor correction and the Wampus Cats were in cruise control from there.
"We played a heck of a game defensively," Beason said. "We rotated phenomenally and our press worked great."
Clark Fork held all-league player Luke Trogden to just 9 points with a box-and-one defense.
Three Wampus Cats reached double figures. Sam Barnett led the way with 19 points, six rebounds and four steals. Carter Sanroman tallied 15 points, 15 rebounds, four steals and three assists, and Antonio Mayorga finished with a career-high 18 points and six rebounds. Cole Sanroman and Ethan Howard each added 5 points.
Beason said his team is headed in the right direction and this victory was a great stepping stone.
"We're taking baby steps and we still have a lot more improvement to do," he said.
Clark Fork (2-2, 1-0 NSL) heads to Lake City JV at 7 p.m. Monday.
Clark Fork 14 20 20 16 — 71
Mullan 11 9 13 7 — 41
CLARK FORK — Ca. Sanroman 15, Matsutaro 0, Bopp 3, Ch. Sanroman 1, Co. Sanroman 5, Reuter 0, Matteson 0, Mintken 0, Barnett 19, Howard 5, Mayorga 18, Shelton 2.
MULLAN — L. Trogden 9, Nelson 9, A Trogden 4, Petit 2, Appiah 2, T. Zingler 11, Rupp Connors 4, Knoll 0.