Lady Cats stifle host Spartans to secure first win

PRIEST RIVER — The Lady Cats finally got the monkey off their back.

Clark Fork girls basketball picked up its first win of the season Friday, taking down 3A Priest River 30-26 to open play in the Spartan Christmas Tournament.

Head coach Jordan Adams said her team was due for a win and it was nice to get it against a squad they lost at home to 27-19 on Dec. 1.

"As a unit, it was good for us," she said. "It was good for our hearts, our minds and our bodies ... It was time and they deserved it. They've been working hard."

Clark Fork's defense came through and held the Spartans to 11 points in the first half and just 3 in the first quarter. The Lady Cats nearly led from start to finish.

Adams said she's been hesitant about going all in on a man defense, but she got some encouragement from assistant coach Chris Bafus and its been working pretty well for the Lady Cats as of late.

"They are doing great," Adams said. "I'm thoroughly impressed with how much hard work they've been putting into playing man and they are smart enough that they were able to switch into a zone very effectively. Their basketball IQ on the court tonight was pretty awesome."

Sophomore Lilly Reuter led the team with 14 points and hit four 3-pointers. Freshman Hannah Thompson scored a career-high 9 points and sophomore Eloise Shelton added 6. Adams said all three players made clutch plays for Clark Fork down the stretch.

The Lady Cats (1-5) will face North Idaho Christian in the Spartan Christmas Tournament championship game at 6 p.m. Saturday. Priest River (2-5) takes on Genesis Prep in a consolation game at 3 p.m. Saturday.

Clark Fork 9 3 9 9 — 30

Priest River 3 8 6 9 — 26

CLARK FORK — Matteson 0, Valliere 1, Shelton 6, Reuter 14, Yancey 0, Thompson 9, Mace 0, Herrick 0.

PRIEST RIVER — Burgess-Duquette 0, Pound 10, Freitas 2, Thompson 0, Humphrey 0, McCracken 5, Kingery 2, Davis 0, Barton 5, Rhine 1.