PREP GIRLS BASKETBALL: Vikings get back on pace, down Trojans
JASON ELLIOTT/Press Coeur d'Alene sophomore guard Madison Mitchell defends Post Falls sophomore guard Brooklyn Brennan during the second quarter of an Inland Empire League game at Viking Court.
JASON ELLIOTT/Press Post Falls senior guard Trinidie Nichols drives past Coeur d'Alene senior forward Lily Phenicie during the fourth quarter of Friday's Inland Empire League game at Viking Court.
By JASON ELLIOTT
Sports writer
COEUR d’ALENE — As senior Skylar Burke of Coeur d'Alene stepped to the free-throw line by herself following an intentional foul by Post Falls with 12.8 seconds remaining, she tried to think of it as any other opportunity.
Even if this one was a little bigger in the long run.
“Honestly, I just clear my mind and try to think of it as any other free throw,” Burke said. “I’m confident enough in myself that I can get it done. It’s the first time in a long time, but I didn't think of it as anything different than any other free throw.”
Burke sank two free throws to push the Viking lead to 56-53, then sophomore Madison Mitchell knocked down a pair of free throws following a steal with 6.5 seconds remaining to push Coeur d’Alene past Post Falls 58-53 in an Inland Empire League girls basketball game at Viking Court on Friday.
Coeur d’Alene outscored Post Falls 13-7 in the fourth quarter after the Trojans led 46-45 after the three quarters.
“Post Falls plays hard and they’re in your face,” Coeur d’Alene coach Nicole Symons said. “I knew this was going to be a tough game. I told the girls at halftime we’re going to pull it out, but it’s going to be ugly. You’re just going to have to grind through and make the plays when you need to, and they did. And I’m super proud of them.”
Burke and Mitchell scored 16 points apiece for Coeur d’Alene (14-3, 5-0 IEL). Mitchell, a sophomore, scored eight points in the fourth quarter.
“As the game goes on, I get more situated in the game and am not as frantic with the way I play,” Mitchell said. “Both Skylar and Madi (Symons) are really good mentors and have really helped me succeed.”
“Madison has been playing better and better each game, and I’m super proud of her,” Symons said. “We ask a lot of her to play baseline-to-baseline defense for us, and she never gets tired, never complains. She knows when to drive and when to kick it out. She really picked us up when Madi (Symons) missed the front end of the 1-and-1 (with 48 seconds left, and the game tied at 52). They didn’t drop their heads. She just stepped up and shot it. And it was huge for us. It was a good time to grow and learn for sure.”
Post Falls junior Capri Sims — who finished with a game-high 18 points — pulled the Trojans (14-3, 4-1) within a 54-53 deficit with 46.4 seconds remaining.
“I thought it was a great high school basketball game,” Post Falls coach Marc Allert said. “Both teams played great and played hard. It seemed like Skylar Burke, every time they needed a play she made it for them. We started the second half, they made some layups and we had some turnovers and they made their run and that was a big swing in the game right there.”
Coeur d’Alene beat Lake City 62-48 on Tuesday in league play.
“Post Falls, they just play faster and more aggressively than Lake City,” Symons said. “It’s just a different type of game that we’ve got to prepare for, so I knew we’d be a little slow off the gate, and we were.”
Lexi Heath scored 15 points for Post Falls, scoring 13 in the first half.
“She got us off to a good start and made some shots and that opened the inside a little bit,” Allert said. “She makes a big difference, even when she’s not scoring.”
Coeur d'Alene trailed 35-30 at halftime.
“I just told them we’re going to win this game,” Symons said. “We just had to get back to what we’re good at. Sit down and play good defense. Our shots weren’t falling, and Madi and Skylar didn’t have their best game. But we had other kids step up and hit some shots and get some rebounds. And that’s what we’ve got to do. But when they’re struggling a little bit, it was nice to see their teammates have their back tonight.”
On Tuesday, Post Falls hosts Lake City and Coeur d’Alene hosts Lewiston.
“I think it’s going to be any given night,” Allert said. “Matchups are going to take into account, but I think anybody can beat anybody. It’s going to come down to whoever can run their stuff and execute the best on that night.”
Post Falls 20 15 11 7 — 53
Coeur d’Alene 14 16 15 13 — 58
POST FALLS — Nichols 5, Heath 15, Brennan 6, Sims 18, Asper 0, Crane 6, Walton 0, Christensen 3.
COEUR d’ALENE — Mitchell 16, Awbery 2, Symons 13, Naccarato 0, Holecek 5, Phenicie 2, Carroll 2, Burke 16.
