Bjorklund scores 25 to propel Metro to easy win over Region

What Eastern Washington prep basketball fans knew already about University’s Angie Bjorklund, North Idaho fans found out firsthand Tuesday.

Bjorklund, a Parade All-American who is rated the best sophomore in the nation by the College Coaches Association, scored a game-high 25 points to lead the Metro all-stars to a runaway 87-62 victory over the Region all-stars before an estimated crowd of 1,000 at Coeur d’Alene’s Lake City High School in the 12th annual Jack Blair Memorial Girls AAU All-Star Basketball Classic.

The 6-foot Bjorklund tied the Jack Blair record for most points in a game set by Mead graduate Adriane Ferguson in 2002.

“(Region coach Dale Poffenroth) told us who to watch out for … and just hope Angie’s having an off night because it’s going to be hard to stop her,” said Freeman junior Jessie DePell, who led the Region with 14 points. “I’ve played with her all my life in AAU and she never ceases to amaze me. You think you get used to playing with her and she’ll come to practice the next day with an amazing move and just blow you away. She’s always getting better every day.”

Bjorklund scored 16 points in the first half. But most of those came after a sluggish start by the Metro all-stars, who remained undefeated in the Blair game.

A jumper by Nikki Nelson of Chewelah gave Region an 11-2 lead 6 minutes into the game. But Metro, which had made just one of its first nine shots, quickly erased the deficit.

Fueled by five straight steals, Metro used a 12-0 run to take a 14-11 lead.

“We came out a little flat,” said Metro co-coach David Hall of North Central. “The defense turned up the intensity. The defense made the difference. Then they got going and got more comfortable.”

Bjorklund used an array of moves inside and a deft touch from the perimeter to make 7 of 10 shots in the first half. She made one field goal to go with 7-of-7 shooting from the foul line in the second half.

“Angie’s definitely a great ballplayer, but Angie doesn’t score without people around her,” Hall said. “I think people found out how good this entire group is.”

Although the Metro all-stars seized control with their early run, the Region all-stars kept the game respectable through most of the first half. Jacki Calhoun of Moscow made a free throw to pull the Region within 37-29 with 2:16 remaining before halftime.

But Region didn’t score again until the second half.

Scoring became much more difficult for Region in the final 20 minutes against Metro’s defense.

DePell, who was named the game’s most inspirational player, made a 3-pointer with 13:49 to go in the second half. The Region didn’t score another basket until Nelson made a 3-pointer at the 2:30 mark.

Bjorklund gave plenty of credit to her teammates and the Region team. Stacey Cox of Ferris and Kelli Valentine of Mead each scored 14 points. All 10 Metro players scored.

“It’s fun to come out and play with the best girls from our area,” Bjorklund said.

Jenna Griffitts led all North Idaho players on the Region team with 13 points, 11 of which came in the first half on 4-of-4 shooting.