Clark Fork Given Best Shot

The Clark Fork and Falls Christian boys basketball teams played in trophy games at the State A-4 tournament last year.

Falls Christian coach Jared Phay thinks both teams could be playing for trophies again this year. To hear Phay explain it, he wouldn’t be surprised to see North Star League and District I champ Clark Fork playing in the Idaho Center on Saturday - the site of the four state championship games.

“When they’re playing at the top of their game, I really think they can win it,” Phay said.

State begins today at two sites in Caldwell. Falls Christian (14-8 overall) plays first when it meets District V runner-up Rockland (12-8) at 2:15 p.m. PST at Caldwell High School.

Clark Fork (16-5) will take on District III runner-up Wilder (16-8) at 5:30 at Vallivue High School.

Clark Fork vs. Wilder

The Wampus Cats will have a size advantage over the Wildcats, one of the perennial A-4 powers.

At 6-foot-7, Clark Fork senior post Shawn Rounsville will tower over Wilder’s tallest player, 6-2 post Omar Puga.

Clark Fork coach Bob Hays hopes to exploit Wilder’s lack of height.

Rounsville scored 28 and 24 points in the Wampus Cats’ district victories, and Rounsville owned the post in those games.

Junior point guard Brent Stutzke and junior wing Antone Changala give the Wampus Cats scoring threats all over the court.

“We got a trophy last year with a team that didn’t have the offensive capabilities like this year’s team,” Rounsville said. “I think we’ve got a really good shot at winning (state). I know we’ll place.”

Falls Christian vs. Rockland

Phay would have jumped at an opportunity to return to state at the start of the year.

Especially considering he graduated six of his top seven players and his lone returning starter transferred.

When he went to his first practice, Phay was looking into the faces of his No. 8, 9 and 10 players from last year’s team and players up from the junior varsity.

“At the start of the year, I would have been just happy going to state,” Phay said. “But now I think we can do some damage down there.”

The Eagles are led by sophomore point guard Scott Jackson and junior post Russ Baker.

FCA will face an up-tempo team in Rockland. All five of its starters score above or near double figures.

The question mark for Rockland is its health. One starter will play with a soft cast on a broken arm, and three others are recovering from ankle sprains.

This sidebar appeared with the story: A-4 basketball

Today at Vallivue High, Caldwell

Oakley (16-7) vs. Council (16-7), 12:45

G2-Mackay (19-1) vs. Camas County (17-11), 2:15

G3-Clark Fork (16-5) vs. Wilder (16-8), 5:30

G4-Genesee (11-12) vs. Greenleaf Friends (19-5), 7

Today at Caldwell High School

Game 5-Kendrick (13-10) vs. Murtaugh (12-14), 12:45

G6-Falls Christian Academy (14-8) vs. Rockland (12-8), 2:15

G7-Meadows Valley (13-8) vs. Troy (17-5), 5:30

G8-Richfield (21-4) vs. Cole Valley (18-9), 7