Post Falls And Quesnell Put Squeeze On Lewiston

There was nothing sophomoric-like about the second-half play of Post Falls guard Chad Quesnell on Saturday night at Trojan Gym.

The 5-foot-7 sophomore keyed the Trojans’ relentless full-court press turning a close Inland Empire League boys basketball game into a convincing 57-43 victory over Lewiston.

The win secured a second-place IEL finish for Post Falls (10-8, 5-3), as well as a first-round A-1 Region I-II Tournament host position.

The Bengals (6-13, 3-5) wound up third in the IEL and travel to meet the Trojans on Thursday.

Quesnell and junior post Austin Lee dominated in the third quarter, combining for 21 of the teams’ 28 points. They also shared game scoring honors with 19 points apiece.

Post Falls forced nine Lewiston turnovers in that decisive third quarter, as the Trojans rallied from a 23-20 halftime deficit.

An offensive rebound conversion by Quesnell at the 5-minute mark put Post Falls in front for good at 30-28.

Seconds later, Quesnell stole the ball and went up in heavy traffic for an inside basket. Quesnell trapped the ensuing inbounds pass and the Bengals stepped on the out-of-bounds line at 4:38.

Lee added an inside basket at 4:05, while senior teammate Brett Hollenbeck stole the ball and scored off a layup for a 36-28 lead at 3:50.

The eight-point Post Falls blitz forced Lewiston coach Dick Richel to use a timeout at 3:45.

“We just struggled against the pressure,” Lewiston coach Dick Richel said. “I don’t think we saw (the press) at that level (in the first half). We didn’t pass, catch, there was no composure, I’m just really disappointed.

”(Quesnell) dominated the game on the perimeter and Lee dominated inside,” Richel added. “We didn’t have anybody close to even matching those guys.”

Quesnell added eight rebounds and five steals.

“Everybody picked up the defense, then when we got in that press, everybody started doing the right things,” Quesnell said. “I thought tonight was one of our best defensive efforts.”

Post Falls 57, Lewiston 43

Lewiston 11 12 10 10 - 43 Post Falls 13 7 28 9 - 57

LEWISTONCharlo 2, Perez 0, Frei 4, Farris 3, Steele 8, Sullivan 2, Albright 5, Wiliams 2, Egland 2, Lorentz 2, Feider 10, Mauer 0, Johnson 3.

POST FALLSBechel 2, Alexander 0, Quesnell 19, McLean 2, Hollenbeck 8, Campbell 0, O’Briant 5, Lee 19, Shepherd 0, Juhlin 2.

, DataTimes