Impressive first half, stingy defense pushes SHS past Lakeland

DYLAN GREENE | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 4 years AGO

Sandpoint senior Bella Phillips (right) attempts a jump shot over the outstretched arm of Lakeland's Katy Ryan on Friday night.
(Photo courtesy of JASON DUCHOW PHOTOGRAPHY)

Sophomore Daylee Driggs attempts a 3-pointer on Friday.
(Photo courtesy of JASON DUCHOW PHOTOGRAPHY)

Junior guard Destiny Lyons fights off a Lakeland defender and drives toward the basket on Friday.
(Photo courtesy of JASON DUCHOW PHOTOGRAPHY)

Senior Hattie Larson pulls up for a floater over a Lakeland defender on Friday.
(Photo courtesy of JASON DUCHOW PHOTOGRAPHY)

Senior Riley Cessna pulls up for a 3-pointer on Friday.
(Photo courtesy of JASON DUCHOW PHOTOGRAPHY)

Senior Kaylee Banks attacks the basket during a game at Lakeland on Jan. 15.
(Photo courtesy of JASON DUCHOW PHOTOGRAPHY)

Sophomore Karlie Banks converts a basket in the first half of Friday's game at Lakeland.
(Photo courtesy of JASON DUCHOW PHOTOGRAPHY)

Kaylee Banks attempts to steal the ball from a Lakeland player on Friday.
(Photo courtesy of JASON DUCHOW PHOTOGRAPHY)

Daylee Driggs scrambles for a loose ball on Friday.
(Photo courtesy of JASON DUCHOW PHOTOGRAPHY)

Hattie Larson pulls up for a jumper on Friday.
(Photo courtesy of JASON DUCHOW PHOTOGRAPHY)

RATHDRUM — The Sandpoint girls basketball team isn't messing around.

The Bulldogs stormed out of the gates Friday night against Lakeland to pickup their sixth straight win over their 4A Inland Empire League rival.

SHS scored 28 points and knocked down six 3-pointers in the first half to cruise to a 43-34 win over the Hawks.

"It was huge," head coach Will Love said about the impact of the 3-pointer. "I mean those can be backbreakers for teams, especially right off the bat."

Kaylee Banks caught fire for the Bulldogs in the opening quarter. The senior guard knocked down a trio of 3-pointers to help SHS build a 18-7 first-quarter lead.

Sandpoint continued feeling it from beyond the arc in the second quarter. Senior Riley Cessna came off the bench and drilled two 3-pointers to allow SHS to carry a commanding 28-12 advantage into halftime.

"The kids offensively did some good stuff in that first half as far as moving the basketball and executing the stuff we've worked on," Love said. "Lakeland threw some different looks at us — both zone and a man — so the kids adjusted to both of them well."

But that production on the offensive end was a result of the Bulldogs' relentless full-court press on defense, Love said.

"Our defense was just top notch," Love said. "We were able to harass their guards bringing the ball up tonight, so they had a hard time getting into their offense."

Love said that was the best first half his team has played all season.

Sandpoint took a 34-19 lead into the final quarter, and that's when the Hawks attempted to mount a comeback. Fortunately, the Bulldogs knocked down some clutch free throws down the stretch to stave off Lakeland and improve to 2-0 in 4A IEL play.

"Lakeland is a very good team and as expected, they made a run," Love said. "But through those free throws and being able to hold onto the ball for the most part, we were able to secure the win."

The Bulldogs came in with a game plan to shut down Lakeland's two all-league players, Katy Ryan and Addie Kiefer. Ryan and Kiefer combined for just 10 points and Sandpoint held Ryan scoreless for the first three quarters.

"We wanted to make their guards win the basketball game through bringing the basketball up," Love said about neutralizing the duo, "and so that's what we focused on throughout this year was getting prepared for this game and getting prepared for Moscow because we think our defense is a strength for us."

Kaylee Banks led the way with 16 points. Her younger sister, Karlie Banks, scored eight, Daylee Driggs tallied seven, Cessna finished with six and Bella Phillips added four.

Love said his bench really stepped up against the Hawks and he thought Destiny Lyons played great defense all night.

Love was also impressed with Driggs' ability to knock down five of her six throws in the second half.

"Credit to Daylee Driggs in leading that full-court press," he said. "She puts in miles and she did a tremendous job."

Sandpoint (6-6, 3-4 IEL) heads to Coeur d'Alene at 7 p.m. Thursday.

Sandpoint 18 10 6 9 — 43

Lakeland 7 5 7 15 — 34

SANDPOINT — Gammon 0, Driggs 7, Reinink 0, Lyons 0, Tomco 0, Cessna 6, Phillips 4, Kar. Banks 8, Larson 2, Platte 0, Banks 16.

LAKELAND — Sterling 13, Neff 6, Hostetler 0, Ryan 4, Simon 2, Woempner 3, A. Kiefer 6, L. Kiefer.