Shaw powers Panthers

CALDWELL, Idaho – Chris Shaw easily could have imploded Thursday night. Instead, the senior guard exploded late to push Coeur d’Alene Charter Academy up the next rung of an improbable ladder.

Shaw made up for a technical foul late in the first half by playing a part in all of the Panthers’ final 18 points in a 62-51 boys State 1A basketball tournament victory over District III Council at Caldwell High.

“I felt I really had to make it up,” Shaw said of the emotional outburst that gave him three fouls before the intermission. “I stepped in there and said, ‘This is not going to happen.’ “

CdA Charter (21-3) won for the 18th time in its past 19 games and takes a seven-game winning streak into tonight’s 7:15 PST semifinal against Greenleaf Friends Academy at Caldwell High.

The Grizzlies from the Western Idaho Conference sailed into the semis with a 50-30 victory over fellow District III squad Notus.

The other semifinal is between Genesee and Cascade.

Shaw sank 9 of 11 free throws in the game’s final 2 minutes, 40 seconds as Council tried to short-circuit the Panthers’ momentum and claw back from a 10-point deficit. Shaw finished with 19 points.

“I have a pretty good relationship with Chris,” CdA Charter coach Brian Childs said. “I said some things that he didn’t want to hear, but I think he knew he needed to hear.

“I told him, ‘We weathered their storm. Now you have to take us home.’ “

Shaw not only grabbed hold of the steering wheel for the Panthers – he put a stranglehold on the entire proceedings with 5 1/2 minutes remaining and the Panthers clinging to a 39-34 lead.

He beat the Lumberjacks’ formidable press to feed Austin Folnagy for a clutch layup then stole an ill-advised cross-court pass to set up Josiah Menzies’ 3-pointer.

The shot, only the third of 14 on the night that Menzies converted, gave CdA Charter a 46-36 lead, capped a 7-2 spurt and effectively chopped down the Lumberjacks.

“He’s banged up, and he’s giving us what he can,” Childs said of his leading scorer, who has nursed a bum knee since the District I championship game. “He hit a big 3-point shot to extend our lead.”

With Menzies having trouble with his shot, the duo of David Baker and Austin Folnagy helped keep the Panthers one step ahead of speedy Council.

Baker scored 11 points in the second quarter, and 17 of his game-high 24 points came before halftime.

Folnagy snatched eight of his game-high 12 rebounds off Council’s backboard.

Carey 62, Clark Fork 54: At Vallivue High, Brad Hunt scored 20 points to lead Carey past the Wampus Cats in the consolation bracket.

Mike Martin scored 12, Cameron Jeffres had 11 and Jared Broggi added 10 for the Wampus Cats (15-9), who were eliminated from the four-day tournament.

The Panthers’ pressure defense forced 20 Clark Fork turnovers, leading to 15 points.

Allen Peck and D.J. Simpson each scored 17 for Carey.