Sandpoint boys basketball cruises to fifth-straight win
Kyle Cajero Sports Editor | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 6 years AGO
SPOKANE — Sandpoint’s fifth win of the season was also its biggest, as the Bulldogs continued their winning streak by beating Davenport (WA) 72-55 in the Eagle Holiday Classic.
But rewind to the first half, and the Bulldogs’ fifth win didn’t look like a sure thing.
“We started out the game like we’ve been on Christmas vacation,” Sandpoint head coach Wade Engelson said. “So we made some adjustments at halftime and had a strong third quarter.”
Sandpoint was led by Ryan Roos — who nearly missed out on a double-double with 21 points and nine rebounds — Alex Stockton (18 points) and a complete showing from Kobe Banks (eight points, four rebounds, four assists and three steals). Not to be overlooked, junior guard Christian Niemela’s season-high 12 points gave Sandpoint’s offense a shot in the arm as the Bulldogs trudged through the first half.
Speaking of first half performances, Davenport junior A.J. Floyd carried the team by scoring 19 of the Gorillas’ 28 first-half points. Sandpoint had no answer for the shooting guard, who beat defenders off the dribble, hit his midrange jumpers and was perfect from beyond the arc. When all was said and done, Floyd’s 34-point performance was the best individual performance against the Bulldogs this season.
“Floyd was able to get whatever shot he wanted,” Engelson said. “This was a good wakeup call for us, and we’re going to strive to make defensive improvements.”
Sandpoint (5-3) will put its winning streak on the line against Shadle Park (WA) at 10:30 a.m.
Davenport 17 11 13 14 — 55
Sandpoint 14 20 24 14 — 72
DAVENPORT — Mellick 2, Floyd 34, Jacobsen 4, Furman 3, Waters 6, Coffman 3, Steed 3, Plumb 0.
SANDPOINT — Jones 5, Roos 21, Banks 8, Casey 2, Stockton 18, Niemela 12, Larson 2, Bailey 6, Treadaway 0, Vandenberg 0, Chandler 0.
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