Fight for the Fish: CdA boys, Lake City girls both romp

The Coeur d’Alene boys and the Lake City girls had their ways in the annual Fight for the Fish spirit doubleheader Friday before a standing-room-only crowd of more than 1,800 at Viking Gym.

Led by 23 points and 14 rebounds from Joey Naccarato, the Vikings handled the Timberwolves 63-40.

Nina Carlson had 18 points, nine rebounds, three steals and two blocked shots to lead Lake City to a runaway 56-25 win over Coeur d’Alene.

Coeur d’Alene boys 63, Lake City 40: Vikings coach Kurt Lundblad calls Naccarato his team’s leader.

Naccarato was all over the court, scoring easy baskets in transition. But the junior was most problematic on the boards, where he was a monster the Timberwolves couldn’t contain.

“Joey’s motor doesn’t stop,” Lundblad said. “That’s what we expect out of Joey. He’s a beast on both ends of the floor and he showed that tonight. He plays with so much heart. The kids follow his lead and his work ethic is contagious.”

It was a particularly satisfying win for CdA (11-2 overall, 2-1 league) considering it was coming off a 1-1 start in league last week that included a 57-54 win at Lake City and a 50-49 loss at Post Falls.

CdA used a 12-0 run, capped by a 3-pointer from Brody Lundblad, to open a 30-14 lead 2:37 before halftime.

The lead only grew in the second half.

Naccarato had much praise for his team.

“It was only of our best games as a team,” Naccarato said. “We played more together than we have in the past league games and I think that’s why we got the results that we did tonight. I was just trying to play active and give these guys some confidence shooting the ball knowing they’re going to get a second chance.”

CdA extended the lead to 56-30 in the fourth quarter when Lundblad got a breakaway dunk off a steal. He and sharp-shooting Sam Matheson added 14 points apiece.

Kodie Kolden came off the bench to lead LC (0-3, 3-10) with 14 points, 12 in the second half.

“Coeur d’Alene was loaded for bear,” LC coach Jim Winger said. “They played really well. To add to it I think the elements bothered us a little bit. They (referees) let it get pretty rough and if it gets that rough we’re young and kind of light framed. All of those factors – them playing lights out – we were uptight with the Fish game.”

Lake City girls 56, Coeur d’Alene 25: It was the Timberwolves’ third win against the Vikings, and it was easily their best game against their cross-town rival.

The 6-foot-2 Carlson, a junior, said she thought she played her best game of the season. LC coach Bryan Kelly also thought 6-4 junior Lauren Rewers also played her best game.

LC (14-3, 3-1) led 29-15 at halftime. The T-Wolves then closed out the third quarter – along with the opening basket of the fourth – with a 20-0 surge that made for a running clock in the final period.

Rewers finished with 12 points, Bridget Rieken had 10 and Olivia Maryon had seven assists.

After losing to Post Falls 49-38 last week, LC rebounded with a rare road win at Lewiston (48-39) before cruising Friday.

“That was the best game we’ve played all year,” Kelly said. “We’re pretty athletic when we want to be and we need to use that to our advantage.”