Size Pays Off For T-Wolves Lc Hits High-Percentage Shots To Pull Away From Post Falls

The speedy Post Falls High School girls basketball team managed to stay within eyesight of Lake City early thanks to quickness.

LC’s size and ability to adjust, though, smothered the Trojans as the Timberwolves rolled past Post Falls 59-38 in a Border League game.

The Timberwolves’ size advantage provided higher-percentage shots as Post Falls struggled from the field.

“They’re extremely quick, they’re a lot quicker than we are,” said LC coach Dave Stockwell, whose top-ranked T-Wolves improved to 7-0 overall, 3-0 in league. “We had to pull out of our full-court (pressure). We went to a zone - we weren’t quick enough in a man (defense) - and packed ‘er in.

“Our team goal is to hold teams under 40 points. As long as we keep doing that, we’re in good shape.”

Except for three 3-pointers in the second half, the majority of LC’s baskets came inside the key against the smaller Trojans (3-2, 1-1).

LC’s four posts and forwards combined for 33 points. And the T-Wolves’ guards penetrated frequently for easy baskets.

The T-Wolves made 10 of 18 shots from the field in the first half while Post Falls was sinking only 5 of 26. The Trojans warmed up slightly in the second half (7 of 23), but they were just 1 of 15 from 3-point range for the night.

Post Falls took a 9-6 lead with 3:05 left in the first quarter when Katelynn Brown made a 14-foot jumper.

LC then went on 14-2 run that spilled over into the second quarter. Two free throws by Laura Dodge extended LC’s lead to 20-11 at the 6:26 mark of the second.

Post Falls’ Megan Billetz followed up a 3-pointer with a layup off a steal to pull the Trojans within 20-16.

The Trojans wouldn’t get any closer. LC closed out the half with a 10-1 spurt for a 30-17 advantage.

The lead was under double digits just once in the second half. That came when Jennifer Swanstrom stole an inbounds pass and raced for a layup to pull the Trojans within 30-21 with five minutes left in the third quarter.

Three straight 3-pointers - two by Lindsay Herbert and one by Kelle Kendrick - widened LC’s lead to 43-25 with a minute remaining in the third.

LC’s biggest lead came late at 58-34.

“The key for us was we were able to adjust,” Stockwell said. “Some teams can’t do that.”

Herbert led a balanced LC offense with 16 points. Billetz led Post Falls with 12 as the T-Wolves held the Trojans’ top player, Janelle Ruen, to seven.

“Our quickness enabled us to handle their full-court pressure and we got some good looks at the basket,” Post Falls coach Chris Johnson said. “We got some shots that we’ve been making our first four games.

“Give them credit. I’m sure their defense had something to do with us missing some of those. Hopefully, next time we’ll shoot better.”

Lake City 59, Post Falls 38

Lake City 18 12 13 16 - 59

Post Falls 11 6 11 10 - 38

POST FALLS - Eberle 2, Billetz 12, Mills 0, Brown 3, Foster 2, Edmonds 2, Holland 4, Swanstrom 2, Ruen 7, Johnson 4.

LAKE CITY - Hayes 3, Hawn 2, Kendrick 5, Bro 0, Herbert 16, McCabe 7, Dodge 9, Asher 10, Stern 7.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color photo