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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Post Falls uses 4-point play to beat CdA

For seven of the Post Falls boys basketball players, the ultra-competitive environment they found for their 5A Inland Empire League opener Tuesday was brand new to them.

At times it showed. In the end, though, one of the veterans came through with precious seconds ticking off the clock.

With Coeur d’Alene leading 58-55, Max McCullough came off a screen, took a pass from Dalton Thompson, got his feet set and launched a 3-pointer from the corner near Post Falls’ bench. As he released the ball he was fouled.

McCullough made the shot and the foul shot, and the Trojans escaped with an electrifying 59-58 win before a crowd estimated at 1,200 at Elmer Jordan Court.

The Trojans, who slipped out of a tie for first in the state rankings without having played a game, improve to 13-1 overall.

“Our team is pretty skilled but other than three guys we’ve never been in that kind of environment before,” Post Falls coach Mike McLean. “Even for veteran guys that kind of environment takes a little while to get used to.”

After CdA’s Colby Daniels made two free throws to extend the lead to 58-55 with 14 seconds remaining, McLean called timeout to set up a play for a 3-point shot.

“As cliché as it is, we ran it exactly the way I drew it up,” McLean said of McCullough’s shot. “We wanted to have a little false action on top so that Max would kind of get lost. Something that is probably overlooked is Jack Millsap set such a good (baseline) screen. Sometimes hitting the shot isn’t as difficult as the guy setting the screen to free the guy.”

CdA (8-4, 1-1) didn’t have any timeouts remaining. The Viks rushed upcourt with Thompson able to knock the ball away from Daniels after he crossed midcourt moments before the horn sounded.

There were 13 lead changes in the back-and-fourth game.

“We did everything you’re supposed to do when you lose on the road,” McLean said. “We missed I don’t know how many layups in the second half. I thought we were getting the ball right where we wanted around the block and we were just missing. Part of it is the (Tony) Naccarato boy is protecting the rim. I thought a lot of it was a lack of focus.”

CdA coach Kurt Lundblad said he’d take more positives than negatives from the outcome.

“Our plan after the second or third pass was to foul,” Lundblad said. “We’re up three, put them on the (free-throw) line and secure a rebound and seal it that way. They did a good job moving the ball. It was a gutty play by a great little basketball player.”