Believe it or not, the 4A IEL Regional Tournament is around the corner.

In preparation for the Bulldogs’ biggest games of the year, the Bee will highlight one (or two) Sandpoint boys basketball players every issue in the first-ever SHS Basketball Player-a-Day series.

The countdown resumes with junior guard Christian Niemela.

The most vivid, indicative moment of Sandpoint’s game against Lakeland might not have been from any of the in-game action.

As junior guard Christian Niemela walked back towards the bench late in the third quarter, one line from an exchange between him and a Sandpoint fan filled in the silence from the dead-ball timeout:

“Nobody’s working harder than me out there.”

Quite frankly, one couldn’t really argue with this self-assessment.

Whenever the Bulldogs need either a big play on defense, or an opportunity to turn the game around with its press, Niemela has usually been the go-to guy. His lateral quickness, anticipation and smart positioning have helped him be a threat in critical defensive moments. Without Niemela, the Bulldogs could not have clawed back into games like they’ve done so many times this season.

But he’s also a spark on both ends of the floor.

With a quick trigger and a knack for the corner three, Niemela is Sandpoint’s quintessential 3-and-D guy. Although players like Kobe Banks, Alex Stockton and Ryan Roos have provided most of the offense, it’s worth noting that Niemela leads all Sandpoint reserves in double-digit scoring outings whenever he doesn’t start.

Game of note: vs. Davenport in the Eagle Holiday Classic

In Wade Engelson’s words: “Christian is a really good athlete. He competes every moment he’s on the basketball court and is one of our best defenders. He’s one of those guys that we oftentimes have in at critical moments of the game because we know that he’s going to go out there and do the things we want him to do.”