PREP BOYS BASKETBALL: Wheeler's return lifts Coeur d'Alene

MOSCOW — The Coeur d’Alene Vikings got senior Kruz Wheeler back for the first time since the season opener, and wrapped up the regular season with a 57-24 victory over the Moscow Bears in Inland Empire League play Monday night at Bear Den.

Wheeler, a transfer from Ferris, played in the opener vs., ironically, Ferris, and aggravated a sports hernia injury from football season.

“He’s a big, physical guard,” Coeur d’Alene coach Jon Adams said. “He’s making an impact already.”

Sophomore Carter Rupp hit 3 of 5 3-pointers, two of those in the second quarter, and scored 13 points for Coeur d’Alene (14-6, 6-3 IEL). Freshman Caden Symons added 11 points, and Steven Burgess hit a 3 and scored five early points as the Vikings raced to a 36-14 halftime lead.

“We put a lot of pressure on them,” Adams said. “We forced a lot of turnovers, contested a lot of their shots, and then we got out in transition.”

Dylan Rehder scored seven points for Moscow (8-11, 2-5), which plays host to Post Falls tonight at 7.

Coeur d’Alene, the No. 2 seed, plays host to third seed Lewiston on Friday at 6:30 p.m. in the first round of the 5A Region 1 tournament.

Coeur d’Alene 14 22 12 9 — 57

Moscow 4 10 6 4 — 24

COEUR d’ALENE — Larson 2, Cherny 3, T. Booth 4, Nipp 8, Entzi 2, Rupp 13, Smith 0, Kr. Wheeler 2, Burgess 7, Symons 11, Ka. Wheeler 5, Sutich 0.

MOSCOW — Wilson 4, Reed 0, Cummings 0, Asatchao 2, Rehder 7, Abendroth 4, Williams 0, C. Skinner 4, Izzo 0, Z. Skinner 3.