Lewiston nips Vikings to open best-of-3 regional series

Coeur d’Alene had its chances, but Lewiston has the victory.

The Bengals survived a scramble in the final seconds Friday to earn a 51-49 victory over the Vikings in a best-of-3 opener of the 5A Region I boys basketball tournament at Lewiston.

Lewiston held a nine-point lead going into the fourth quarter, but Coeur d’Alene scored the first 12 points of the period and held a four-point lead.

Beau Blewett hit a pair of free throws with just more than a minute left, giving the Bengals a 50-49 lead they nursed by running the clock.

The Vikings’ Joe Wolfe drove and was fouled with 6 seconds left, but he missed both free-throw attempts. In the ensuing melee for the rebound, the Vikings got possession for forcing a jump ball, but the in-bounds pass was deflected, forcing a wild shot that fell short.

Lewiston’s Andrew Packwood rebounded the ball, was fouled, and sank a free throw.

Coeur d’Alene must defeat Lewiston on Tuesday and Thursday to earn a guaranteed berth in the State 5A tournament. Lewiston needs to win once to make state for sure.

Intermountain League

Bonners Ferry takes title

Bonners Ferry wrapped up the league championship by turning away visiting Kellogg 56-36 behind Bryan Cossairt, who had 15 points, five assists and five steals. The Badgers (9-11, 7-1) built a 10-point lead at intermission and didn’t falter. Brandon Landrum paced Kellogg (11-9, 5-3) with 10 points. … Timberlake 59, St. Maries 55: The Tigers staged a fourth-quarter comeback to sink the host Lumberjacks, setting up a district playoff game Tuesday at North Idaho College. Timberlake (6-14, 2-6) drilled three straight 3-pointers midway through the period to take the lead. St. Maries (6-13, 0-8) missed a 3-point attempt to tie the game with 15 seconds left.

North Star League

Hot fourth lifts Clark Fork

Stephen McDaniel and Brian Young each scored six points in the decisive fourth quarter, lifting Clark Fork to a 50-38 victory over host Kootenai at Harrison. The Wampus Cats (5-11, 4-7) have one league game remaining, but will be either a No. 4 or No. 5 seed into the playoffs. Kootenai (4-16, 4-8) is the No. 6 seed into the playoffs and will face Mullan on Tuesday in Rathdrum in a play-in game. Clayton Hewitt paced Clark Fork with 14 points. Tony Kraack led the Warriors with 12 points. …Wallace 74, CdA Charter Academy 32: The Miners wrapped up the No. 4 seed into the playoffs with the road victory. Paul Norris poured in 17 points and grabbed 11 rebounds while his brother, Stephan, put up 15 points, pulled down seven rebounds and blocked three shots.

State 1A girls

Miners avoid elimination at state

Lisa Carver hit two 3-pointers, the only two 3-pointers of the game for either team, and paced Wallace with 18 points during a 65-46 win over Cambridge in a loser-out game at Nampa. Shala Wild and Krista Williams combined for 21 rebounds for the Miners, who advance to play Oakley for the fourth-place trophy today. Cambridge shot 3 of 26 in the first half.