Sandpoint boys defeats Lakeland in double overtime
Randy Lane goes up for layup in Sandpoint's double overtime win against Lakeland on Monday.
(Photo by JASON DUCHOW PHOTOGRAPHY)
RATHDRUM - Rusty Lee hit a 25-foot shot in the waning seconds of regulation to send Sandpoint and Lakeland into overtime.
One overtime period wasn’t enough for the two 4A Inland Empire League teams who were fighting to face Moscow in the 4A District I championship game.
The Bulldogs defeated the Hawks 75-73 in double overtime.
“I thought mentally we were in a good place after the St. Maries game,” Sandpoint boys coach Brian Childs said. “We played tough against St. Maries and Lewiston and we managed to put things together.”
Sandpoint, which lost nine out of its last 10 games coming into tonight, knew all about the streaks and wanted to break it on Monday.
“Trust me, we’ve heard all about the streaks,” Childs said. “I was telling the kids at some point it’s going to end and one group of kids will step up and tonight was that night.”
In the final seconds of overtime Lakeland was driving to the basket, but an Ethan Butler block put an end to Lakeland’s season and the hopes of a third overtime.
Butler had 17 points.
Childs said that Arie VanDenBerg, who finished with seven points, had one of his best games of the season.
Lee paced Sandpoint with 19 points.
“He led us on the defensive end,” Childs said. “He makes a lot of plays that don't necessarily show up on the state sheet, but he was huge for us tonight.”
Sandpoint will play Moscow at 7 p.m. on Wednesday Feb. 23 in Game 1 of the 4A District I championship at Moscow High School.
Sandpoint 15 18 10 17 15 - 75
Lakeland 14 20 13 18 13 - 73
Sandpoint - Lee 19, Eldridge 12, VanDenBerg 9, Dunkel 0, Dickinson 3, Childs 8, Lane 8, Bapp 0, Butler 17.
Lakeland - Nowell 4, Cameron 6, Wenry 15, Munyer 11, Wocking 4, Boettcher 0, Roth 26, Loutzenhizer 0, Waddington 7.