Pocatello 77, Sandpoint 42

MERIDIAN — Parker Childs led the Bulldogs with 17 points as No. 8 Sandpoint fell to No. 1 Pocatello, 77-42 in the opening round of the 4A IHSAA State Basketball Tournament held Thursday afternoon at Rocky Mountain High.

Pocatello started off the game on a 17-3 run, but the Bulldogs bounced back, responding with a 10-4 run midway through the second quarter to pull within eight points of the Thunder. Leading the run was Wil Leisy, Emerik Jones, and Parker Childs, who hit a 3-pointer and converted a 3-point play. Pocatello, however, eventually led 44-18 after finishing out the half on a 23-5 run.

“I thought we weathered the storm at the beginning after they got off to a hot start,” head coach Brian Childs said. “We made some live ball turnovers at half court and they went on to extend the lead and really never looked back from that point on.”

In the second half, Sandpoint still couldn’t quite find their groove, but battled until the very end. The Bulldogs outscored the Thunder 16-13 in the fourth quarter, getting a trio of timely baskets from various players. Logan Roos hit one of his two 3-pointers in the fourth, Rece Wolff scored a putback bucket underneath after an offensive rebound, and Knox Williams converted a 3-point play near the end to wrap things up.

“We’re disappointed to have lost, of course, but when you take a look at that team — they’re one of the top teams in the state regardless of classification,” coach Childs said. “Putting that into perspective, especially with how young we are, I thought we really battled and competed through the end of that game.”

In addition to his 17 points, Childs also led Sandpoint in assists and rebounds with five each. Leisy, Roos, and Jones all had six for Sandpoint; Jones also had three steals. 

Pocatello was led by Boise State commit Julian Bowie, who put up 21 points, five rebounds, and five assists in three quarters of play.

“Our goal was to come down here and play on Saturday in some way, shape, or form,” coach Childs said. “We have a chance to do that tomorrow — it’s all a learning experience — hopefully we come out on the right side of things.”

No. 8 Sandpoint (12-13) will face No. 5 Twin Falls (15-11) in a consolation matchup Friday at 4 p.m. PST.

Sandpoint 7 11 8 16 – 42

Pocatello 17 27 20 13 – 77

PTS: SPT – Childs 17, Leisy 6, Jones 6, Roos 6, Williams 3, Chamberlain 2, Wolff 2, Haddock 0, Gion 0, Iverson 0, Gion 0. POC – Bowie 21, Vaughan 10, Smith 9, Ontiveros 8, Cordell 7, Romrell 5, Contreras 4, Leonard 4, May 3, Michaelson 2, West 2, Williams 2.

REB: SPT – Childs 5, Roos 4, Leisy 3, Chamberlain 2, Leavitt 2, Gion 2, Wolff 2. POC – Ontiveros 7, Contreras 7, Bowie 5, Williams 3, Cordell 2, Leonard 2, Michaelson 1, West 1, Vaughan 1, May 1.

AST: SPT – Childs 5, Leavitt 2, Williams 2. POC – Bowie 5, Vaughan 5, May 3, Contreras 3, Cordell 3, Williams 1, Leonard 1, Ontiveros 1.

STL: SPT – Jones 3, Chamberlain 2, Williams 1. POC – Smith 4, Ontiveros 2, West 1, Williams 1, May 1, Contreras 1.

BLK: SPT – Chamberlain 2, Roos 1, Jones 1. POC – Bowie 1, Contreras 1.