Clark Fork outlasts Wallace in emotional battle
Bonner County Daily Bee | UPDATED 3 years, 11 months AGO
Senior Cole Reuter rises up to convert a layup during Thursday's game against Wallace at CFHS.
(Photo by DYLAN GREENE)
Carter Sanroman dribbles the ball through the Wallace defense.
Sanroman was an instrumental part in Clark Fork's rebuild.
(Photo by DYLAN GREENE)
Ethan Howard looks to make a pass Thursday.
(Photo by DYLAN GREENE)
Nathan Shelton shoots a free throw Thursday.
(Photo by DYLAN GREENE)
Cole Reuter fights for a rebound Thursday.
(Photo by DYLAN GREENE)
Carter Sanroman attempts a floater over a Wallace defender Thursday.
(Photo by DYLAN GREENE)
Sam Barnett looks to make a play Thursday.
(Photo by DYLAN GREENE)
CLARK FORK — Things got intense Thursday night at CFHS.
Clark Fork and Wallace went toe-to-toe on the court for all four quarters, but down the stretch the Wampus Cats made a handful of clutch defensive plays to seal a thrilling 52-46 nonleague victory over the Miners.
"I'm tired and I'm worn out, and I'm just the coach," head coach Heath Beason said about the intensity of the game. "I don't think I sat down once."
With just four minutes left in the final quarter, Clark Fork took its first lead since midway through the second quarter when Chase Sanroman converted a layup off a steal to make it 47-46. The Wampus Cats never looked back after that.
"I'm so proud of these guys," Beason said. "They kept their poise ... This is 100% the boys."
Wallace went on a 7-2 run to close the second quarter to take a 34-29 lead into halftime. But the Wampus Cats shut down the Miners in the second half, holding them to 12 points and forcing 15 turnovers.
Beason told his team to stay calm under pressure, and they certainly did.
"I told them to play as free as streetball, to play loose as a goose and don't panic, don't stress.," he said. "We stayed with our game plan ... and they've beat us I don't how many times in a row, and finally we had our day. I wanted this game bad. We worked hard for this one and I'll tell you what these kids stepped it up."
At halftime, Beason said he made a minor adjustment to his press to make sure the Miners weren't getting too comfortable, and the Wampus Cats executed it flawlessly.
"We made that correction and we knocked it out of the ballpark," he said.
Clark Fork forced turnover after turnover in the final minutes, preventing Wallace from having any chance of cutting into the Wampus Cats' lead.
Chase Sanroman was huge for the Wampus Cats in the fourth quarter. He scored 9 of his 12 points in the final frame. He also had three steals.
Sam Barnett tallied a team-high 13 points and secured five rebounds and four steals. Carter Sanroman finished with 10 points, seven assists, six rebounds and four steals. Cole Reuter, Ethan Howard and Nathan Shelton each scored 5 points. Shelton grabbed eight rebounds and Howard added seven.
The Wampus Cats have now won four straight.
Clark Fork (7-6) travels to Kootenai at 7 p.m. Friday.
Wallace 18 16 7 5 — 46
Clark Fork 17 12 9 14 — 52
WALLACE — Goldade 2, Davis 2, Tesky 9, Streeter 11, Allison 0, Hasz 0, Morin 7, Hull 15.
CLARK FORK — Ca. Sanroman 10, Ch. Sanroman 12, Co. Sanroman 2, Reuter 5, Barnett 13, Howard 5, Shelton 5.
