T-Wolves pass tough test

RATHDRUM — Christmas break is over, school is back in session, and Tuesday night, it was time for a tough test at Lakeland High School.

Both the unbeaten Hawks and visiting Lake City Timberwolves were up to the challenge, trading the lead and clutch baskets throughout the game’s final 12 minutes.

But on a team featuring three freshman, it was Seth Hanson, one of only two T-Wolf seniors, who landed the final blow of this bout, sinking a 3-pointer with 4 seconds remaining to give Lake City a 72-70 nonleague victory at Hawk Court.

“It was a great game ... reminded me of a 15-round boxing match, with each team trading blows,” Lake City coach Jim Winger said. “I’m real happy for Seth, making that big one at the end — if any kid deserved it, it’s him, because he’s put in so much work to prepare for this season.”

Winger wasn’t so happy early in the game, earning a technical foul late in the first quarter in the midst of a 13-0 run by the host Hawks. Three straight drives to the basket by Lakeland senior Ben Zubaly put the hosts ahead 24-9 before Lake City freshman Kolton Mitchell ended the quarter with a buzzer-beating 3-pointer.

In fact, Lake City (7-3) ended all four periods with last-second 3-pointers, one of them the old-fashioned way, as Chris Irvin drove to the basket and was fouled with 1.3 seconds left in the third quarter. His 3-point play pulled the visitors within 56-53, as the Timberwolves cut Lakeland’s 36-30 halftime lead in half.

Lakeland coach Dave Stockwell credited Lake City for strong shooting and forcing turnovers to get back into the game after intermission, but also noted forward Noah Haaland’s fourth foul was whistled with 4:22 left in the third, forcing him to the bench. The Timberwolves went on a 10-4 run at that point, taking their first lead on Jack Kiesbuy’s free throw and a putback from Irvin (13 points).

“When Noah gets in foul trouble, that hurts us. He does so much for us with his defense and rebounding, and he had to sit until the fourth quarter,” Stockwell said. “That’s taking nothing away from Lake City — they played really well, and shot the ball as well as I’ve seen them shoot it this year.”

With Haaland out, Zubaly and junior Ammon Munyer kept Lakeland (10-1) in the game.

Munyer, a 6-5 post, had a career-high 18 points and 10 rebounds, helping the Hawks out-rebound the T-Wolves 29-22.

Zubaly led all scorers with 28 points, as he continuously drove into the lane to either score or find open teammates. He also made four 3-pointers, went 8-for-8 from the free-throw line and had six assists.

“I love how he plays,” Winger said of Lakeland’s senior. “He plays hard, has a poker face, and we just couldn’t stop him.”

“Ben’s tougher than hell. He’s a strong kid, has a nose for the basket, and had six assists tonight,” Stockwell said. “They switched to a diamond and one (defense) in the fourth quarter, and he still was able to do what he needed to do.”

The fourth quarter saw five ties and five lead changes, the final of those coming as Zubaly found Abe Munyer in the paint with 1:34 remaining. Munyer was fouled and hit both free throws for a 68-66 Lakeland lead, and Zubaly added two more free throws a minute later, putting the Hawks ahead 70-66.

Mitchell, who had just missed a pair of free throws, responded by hitting a 3-pointer with 20 seconds left, pulling Lake City within a point of Lakeland. After the Hawks missed a free throw, Lake City forced a held ball after a missed shot, and the possession arrow gave the T-Wolves the ball under their basket with 7.6 seconds remaining.

Mitchell’s inbound pass found an open Hanson at the top of the key, and Lake City’s bench and fans erupted as it found nothing but net.

“We just ran our inbound play,” Hanson said of the game-winner. “I had a feeling they were going to crash inside. I was ready to shoot when it came to me.

“Our freshmen are very mature for their age,” added Hanson, who has been on the varsity for three seasons. “It’s very impressive to see how they played tonight, especially in a tough environment.”

“Kolton sees the floor well, and he’s a competitor,” Winger said of Mitchell. “He was mad at missing those free throws, and he responded with two huge plays for us.”

Mitchell finished with 14 points for Lake City, which faces another intense environment on Friday as it hosts Coeur d’Alene in the Fight for the Fish game. Kiesbuy led the Timberwolves with 17 points, and Hanson added 13 points and five rebounds.

Haaland had eight points and seven rebounds for Lakeland, which hosts Lewiston on Saturday.

Lake City 12 18 23 19 — 72

Lakeland 24 12 20 14 — 70

LAKE CITY — Kiesbuy 17, Johnson 6, Hanson 13, Mitchell 14, Meredith 0, Janke 9, Irvin 13, Spellman 0, Sundstrom 0.

LAKELAND — Zubaly 28, Seay 7, Ab. Munyer 4, Am. Munyer 18, Haaland 8, Henry 5, Roth 0, Waddington 0, Derrick 0.