Clark Fork headed to state for third year in a row
<p>Clark Fork junior Dimi Kailang, left, drives past KootenaiÕs Katey Mae McInturff for two of her game-high 15 points in the 1A Division II District 1 championship game on Saturday at Clark Fork.</p>
CLARK FORK - A young Kootenai Warriors squad proved a dangerous underdog in the first half, but eventually experience prevailed, as the Clark Fork Wampus Cats dominated the second half en route to a 55-30 win in the 1A Division II District 1 girls basketball championship game Saturday afternoon.
Clark Fork (12-7), which qualified for state for the third straight year, drew the short straw and will be tested immediately, drawing No. 1-ranked and undefeated Dietrich (21-0) in the first round of state on Thursday at 7 p.m. PST at Nampa High.
After two lopsided losses in the regular season, the Warriors (4-17) surprised the North Star League champion Wampus Cats, trailing by only five at halftime after getting two Wampus Cat starters into early foul trouble.
The second half proved a different story, and a Cats' squad rife with experience blew the game open.
Junior Dimi Kailang scored 15 points, senior Brocklynn Thornton posted a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds, and senior Jessica Driver stepped up with nine points, seven steals and four assists as the Cats outscored the Warriors 29-9 in the second half.
"We didn't collapse when Kootenai kept the game close," said Cats coach Dexter Vogel, who thinks his team can make some noise at state after winning just one game in the past two trips with largely the same players. "I hope when we get there, the girls will perform up to their ability. If we do, we'll compete with anyone down there."
Freshman Katey Mae McInturff led a spirited effort for the Warriors in defeat, stuffing the stat sheet with 14 points, six rebounds, four assists and four steals. Kootenai coach Mike LaFountaine was proud of his team's effort in making the first half tighter than anyone expected.
"Last time we got blown out, and this time we competed," he said. "It was an intense game of basketball and we got them in foul trouble, we just didn't have the firepower in the second half."
Kootenai 8 13 3 6 - 30
Clark Fork 14 12 14 15 - 55
KOOTENAI - McInturff 14, Walton 2, Griggs 3, Benson 0, Dutton 2, Donohoe 4, Goodson 0, Carman 5.
CLARK FORK - McMahon 6, Driver 9, Komanec 6, Thornton 10, Van Buren 0, Vogel 7, Kailang 15, Kiebert 2.