Post Falls slips past Lake City

Just as fans were about to be lulled asleep by the snail-like pace Friday, a game broke out between the Post Falls and Lake City boys basketball teams.

Post Falls, winless in five previous games against Inland Empire League 5A teams, finally broke through on the final night of regular-season play as the Trojans broke down Lake City’s defense late for a 52-46 victory in overtime at The Arena.

While the game was meaningless to the Trojans in terms of postseason seeding, the Timberwolves had a lot to play for. A win would have locked up a loser-out playoff game against their crosstown rival Tuesday. A loss by Coeur d’Alene also would do the same for LC.

So LC had to settle for a CdA loss as Moscow did the Timberwolves a big favor with a 62-53 win over the Vikings at Elmer Jordan Court.

LC (9-11, 7-5) will play host to CdA (12-8, 7-5) on Tuesday. Tip-off is at 7 p.m. The T-Wolves owned the tiebreaker over the Vikings by virtue of sweeping them in IEL play. The winner advances to meet league champion Lewiston (19-1, 11-1) in a best-of-3 series for an automatic state berth.

Still, LC coach Jim Thacker was nonetheless frustrated by the defeat Friday, especially with his team’s porous defense in the final minutes of regulation and overtime.

“We just gave the game away,” Thacker said. “We didn’t defend at the end of regulation. We gave up way too many layups.”

LC led 37-35 with 8.3 seconds remaining when Post Falls (12-8, 5-7), with possession, took a timeout. After both teams returned to the court, LC took a timeout, and the Trojans countered with a second timeout moments later.

Finally, senior wing Joe Bodman took an inbounds pass and drove to the basket for an uncontested layup – uncontested in the sense that the defender offered little resistance – tying the score with 4 seconds remaining.

Following a timeout, LC got the ball into its shooter’s hands – junior guard Ty Stoddard, who has made three game-winning shots – but Stoddard’s tough 3-point attempt from a right angle banked off the glass and rimmed out at the buzzer.

Post Falls beat LC defenders to the basket three times in overtime. Then the Trojans made 6 of 10 foul shots to secure the win.

The Trojans played the second half without starting senior post Kyle Turpin, who sprained an ankle with 1:31 to go before halftime. He had an ice bag taped to the ankle and was on crutches afterward.

Post Falls hopes Turpin returns for the 4A Region I tournament, which begins Friday at Lake City. The second-seeded Trojans face No. 3 Sandpoint (8-12, 3-9) in the opener at 6 p.m. Top-seeded Moscow (13-7, 8-4) will take on No. 4 Lakeland (6-13, 1-11) at 7:30.

Post Falls heads into the postseason on a good note.

“If it doesn’t propel us with confidence going into districts …” Post Falls coach Dave Stockwell said, trailing off. “Winning without Kyle shows other guys can do the job also. We’ve had to be like that (lately). But that’s why you have more than five guys.”

LC’s Brett Bemis had a game-high 16 points to go with six rebounds. Teammate Jarom Taylor had 12 points, seven rebounds and five blocked shots.

Streaky shooter Spencer Pingel hit four 3-pointers to lead the Trojans with 15 points. Haas added 12, including a breakaway slam dunk in overtime with 28 seconds to go.

“It was a struggle to come from behind and win that type of game,” Stockwell said. “To win that type of game is huge for these kids.”