Priest River's state journey ends with loss to Fruitland
Junior Jordan Nortz looks to drive toward the basket while a Fruitland player defends him in a 3A state consolation game Friday at Columbia High in Nampa.
(Photo courtesy of JASON DUCHOW PHOTOGRAPHY)
Sophomore Jace Yount fights with a Fruitland player for a loose ball on Friday.
(Photo courtesy of JASON DUCHOW PHOTOGRAPHY)
Junior Blake Barrett fights to put up a shot on Friday.
(Photo courtesy of JASON DUCHOW PHOTOGRAPHY)
Jordan Nortz elevates for a layup on Friday.
(Photo courtesy of JASON DUCHOW PHOTOGRAPHY)
Freshman Dylan Nortz converts a layup on Friday.
(Photo courtesy of JASON DUCHOW PHOTOGRAPHY)
Sophomore Teigan Marinello attempts a 3-pointer on Friday.
(Photo courtesy of JASON DUCHOW PHOTOGRAPHY)
Jordan Nortz pulls up for a shot on Friday.
(Photo courtesy of JASON DUCHOW PHOTOGRAPHY)
Junior Trentyn Kreager attempts a 3-pointer from the corner on Friday.
(Photo courtesy of JASON DUCHOW PHOTOGRAPHY)
Head coach Kevin Wylie draws up a play for his team during a timeout.
(Photo courtesy of JASON DUCHOW PHOTOGRAPHY)
NAMPA — Priest River boys basketball saw its state run come to an end on Friday.
The Spartans (14-10) suffered a 82-58 defeat to Fruitland (17-7) in a 3A state consolation game at Columbia High. In its first trip to state since 2011, Priest River finished with an 0-2 record.
For the second straight game at state, Priest River fell behind early and could not dig out of it. At the half, the Spartans trailed 51-28. The Grizzlies were feeling it in the first half and shot 56.8% (21/37) from the field. On the other side, the Spartans struggled hitting just 28.1% (9/32) of their shots.
Priest River picked up its play in the second half, but the deficit was too large to overcome.
Fruitland dominated the Spartans on the glass, outrebounding them 61-30.
Jordan Nortz led the team with 14 points, five rebounds, three assists, two blocks and two steals. Trentyn Kreager grabbed 13 points and eight rebounds, Jace Yount tallied 10 points and three rebounds and Luke Butler added six points.
Hyrum Lindsey led Fruitland with 20 points and nine rebounds and Nolan Bower had 15 points and 10 rebounds.
It wasn't the ending the Spartans were hoping for, but the team shouldn't hang their heads. The program returned to prominence this season by reclaiming the league and district titles for the first time in a decade.
And the future couldn't be brighter for the Spartans. Everyone will be back next winter and with a trip to state under their belts, the team is primed to make a run at a state title.
Priest River 15 13 13 17 — 58
Fruitland 23 28 19 12 — 82
PRIEST RIVER — Mathews 4, Butler 6, J. Nortz 14, Kreager 13, Marinello 5, Barrett 4, D. Nortz 2, Thompson 0, Yount 10. Totals: 22-66 6-11.
FRUITLAND — McGraw 0, Walker 5, Harris 0, Bidwell 5, Barinaga 0, Lindsey 20, Watson 13, Rico 0, Hamann 10, Barnes 3, Capps 7, Jones 0, Bower 15, Davis 0, Snyder 4. Totals: 33-75 9-13.
