Clark Fork falls in state play-in game
Antonio Mayorga (25) of Clark Fork tries to go up for a shot through the defense of Logan Hunter, left, and Micah Nelson of Timberline of Weippe during a 1A Division II boys basketball state play-in game Saturday at Lake City High.
(MARK NELKE/Hagadone News Network)
Sam Barnett (20) of Clark Fork shoots as Gavin Christopherson, left, and Jude Nelson of Timberline of Weippe defend in a 1A Division II boys basketball state play-in game Saturday at Lake City High.
COEUR d’ALENE — The Wampus Cats held a slim lead most of the way, but the Spartans of Weippe overtook Clark Fork in the final few minutes of the state 1A Division II play-in game at Lake City High.
Timberline, which trailed by seven at halftime and by four after three quarters, tied it at 56 on a three-point play by Micah Nelson. Another free throw put the Spartans ahead by one, but Clark Fork’s Sam Barnett answered with a running bank shot with a minute and a half left.
Timberline hit 5 of 6 free throws while the Wampus Cats committed a turnover, and a tying 3 by Barnett rattled out.
Cole Sanroman’s 3 with 7.5 seconds left pulled Clark Fork within one, and the Wampus Cats fouled with 6.5 seconds left.
Gavin Christopherson made the first and missed the second for Timberline for a two-point lead. But Clark Fork couldn’t corral the rebounded, and Nelson snuck in and grabbed the ball. He was fouled and hit two free throws with 2.3 seconds left to ice the game.
“We made some horrible choices in passing,” Clark Fork coach Heath Beason said. “Our turnovers got us … we had this game, and we were doing very well, and we can’t blame anybody but ourselves. I felt that we played a very good game, I just think at the end we put too much pressure on ourselves; we tried to make things happen when they weren’t there.”
Parker Brown hit three 3-pointers and scored 21 points for Timberline (13-10), which advances to state at Caldwell High. The seventh-seeded Spartans open Thursday at 6 p.m. PDT vs. No. 2 Carey (18-6).
Clark Fork, bidding for its second straight trip to state, finished 15-7.
Carter Sanroman led the Wampus Cats with 23 points before fouling out with 1:55 left. Barnett added 17 points.
Timberline 15 12 14 24 — 65
Clark Fork 15 19 11 16 — 61
TIMBERLINE — Brown 21, West 2, M. Nelson 11, J. Nelson 5, Hunter 16, G. Christopherson 10, J. Christopherson 0.
CLARK FORK — Ca. Sanroman 23, Ch. Sanroman 4, Co. Sanroman 6, Barnett 17, Howard 4, Mayorga 4, Shelton 3.
