Area basketball: University boys advance in 3A playoffs

Zech Martin notched 15 points and 15 rebounds and four University players finished in double figures as the Titans (16-5) advanced to the District 8 3A tournament title game with a 62-54 victory over North Central (8-12) Saturday at U-Hi.

Zach Bruce added 13 points and Brett Bailey chipped in 14 points and seven boards for the Titans, who dominated the glass against the Indians, outrebounding them 44-29 in the game and getting 18 second-chance points.

North Central was led by Zac Hill’s 23 points on 10-of-13 shooting. NC will host Mt. Spokane Tuesday at 7:15 p.m. in a loser-out game, with the winner playing U-Hi for the district title.

Mt. Spokane 62, Shadle Park 53: Kellen Clute scored nine of his 17 points in the third quarter to help spark the Wildcats (6-15) to a comeback win over the Highlanders (4-17) at Mt. Spokane.

After trailing 30-25 at the half, the Wildcats went on a 37-23 run in the final two quarters, getting 24 points from Hunter Hahn on 11-of-17 shooting. The Highlanders were led by Nick Bettinson’s 27 points.

District 7 2B

Northwest Christian 56, Liberty 34: Kwinn Hanson tallied 16 points and Austin Friedly added six points, eight rebounds and seven assists off the bench as the Crusaders (19-2) used a 20-11 edge in the fourth quarter to finish off the Lancers (1-20) at Mead. Reuben Clark scored 13 points for NWC, which plays Lind/Ritzville-Sprague at 5 p.m. Monday at Mt. Spokane. Liberty wil play St. George’s at 5 p.m. at NWC.

Lind-Ritzville/Sprague 52, St. George’s 45: Bryce Hilzer notched 16 points and Dylan Hartz hit three 3-pointers and scored 13 points as the Broncos (11-10) used a 9-2 run to close out the Dragons (10-11) at Mt. Spokane. LRS built a 24-4 lead at the end of the first quarter, but the Dragons pulled even at 43-43 behind 15 points from Mark Kenney.

Colfax 81, Springdale 44: Brandon Gfeller tallied 19 of his 21 points in the first half, Justin Berarducci chipped in 15 points and 14 rebounds and the Bulldogs (19-2) cruised to a win over the Chargers (8-13), outscoring them 45-15 in the second half at Mead. J.J. Robinson scored 17 points to go with 12 rebounds for Colfax, which will play Reardan (11-10) at 3:30 p.m. Monday at Mt. Spokane.

The Indians beat Davenport (10-11), which will play Sprindale Monday at 3:30 p.m. at NWC.

District 7 1B

Almira/Coulee-Hartline 62, Cusick 42: Derek Isaak added nine rebounds to his 28 points and the Warriors (22-0) held the Panthers’ (16-8) top scorer, Tyler Edwards, to just nine points in their win in Deer Park. Thunder Wellhausen scored 14 for ACH, which will play Wellpinit for the district title Saturday at 7 p.m. in Deer Park. Cusick will play Odessa-Harrington at 5:45 p.m. Wednesday.

Wellpinit 73, Northport 55: A.J. Kieffer and Greg Wynecoop combined for 25 points and 23 blocks and the Redskins (20-4) pounded the Mustangs (12-10), outscoring them 55-34 in the first three quarters. Michael Marko and Adrian Konkler had 13 points apiece for the Mustangs, who will play Wilbur-Creston Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.

Wilbur-Creston 50, Selkirk 37: Austin Goodman finished with 11 points and four steals, Damon Abel added 11 points and 12 rebounds and the Wildcats (12-9) pulled away for the victory, outscoring the Rangers (7-16) 25-14 in the second half and eliminating them from postseason play.

Odessa-Harrington 48, Valley Christian 35: Stetson Sanford scored 15 points and hit 5 of 6 free throws down the stretch as the Titans (8-15) beat the Panthers (14-8) for the first time in four tries this season. Craver small led VC, which was eliminated from the postseason, with 10 points in the loss.

District 9 1B

Rosalia 58, St. John-Endicott 40: Nathan Richards scored 18 points to go with 12 rebounds and seven steals and the Spartans (20-1) used a 14-7 run in the third quarter to pull away from the visiting Eagles (10-11). The Spartans will play Colton for the district championship Friday in Colfax at 7:30 p.m.

Colton 70, Garfield-Palouse 57: The Wildcats (14-7) beat the visiting Vikings (10-11). GP will play Touchet Tuesday at Colfax at 7:30 p.m.

Nonleague

Post Falls 81, Moscow 52: Luke Thoreson had 13 points and eight rebounds and Connor Hill scored 17 points as the Trojans (17-3) upended the host Bears (6-13), outscoring them 31-14 in the fourth quarter.

Lake City 66, Lakeland 36: Mark Smyly scored 16 points and Chris Wheelock added seven points and seven steals as the Timberwolves (15-5) jumped out to a 31-12 halftime lead, beating the Hawks (4-16) in Rathdrum.

Lewiston 71, Sandpoint 40: Jay Thomason and Matt Kalbfleisch combined for 33 points and nine rebounds as the Bengals (10-9) knocked off the host Bulldogs (9-11).