Tigers hold on for the win, slipping by St. Francis
By Kristan Krogman
In a much anticipated match-up January 10, at Barnhart Gymnasium, a determined Tiger boys team got all they could handle from the St. Franics Warriors.
The first quarter was indicative of things to come as both teams fought back and forth in an exciting bout. St. Francis worked the inside, with points coming off offensive rebounds and fastbreak opportunities. White River was limited to points in the half court and a variety of zone defenses by the Warriors left openings for White River on the perimeter. Tre Iyotte was a beneficiary with three first quarter three point baskets.
The Tigers made a more concerted effort to feed the ball inside to start the second period of play. Big man Justin Folkers had eight points early on. A three point basket by Justin Prue gave the Tigers their largest lead of the half, 33-25, with 2:57 remaining. The score at the intermission was 36-31 in favor of White River.
The second half was a tale of two quarters, the first favoring White River, the second going to St. Francis. The Tigers outscored St. Francis 16-8 in quarter three. Link Tucker hit a three point basket that came just before Iyotte was fouled on a three point shot. Iyotte went three for three at the line and with 2:51 to go in the third, the Tigers appeared to have a firm grip on the game’s outcome, leading 49-35.
The backcourt duo of Iyotte and Prue was a strong factor in the game. They combined for 32 points, 7 steals, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists and contributed in ways that can’t be found on the stat sheet. Prue scored the final points of the third on a spot up three after having made the steal that set up the final shot. It was 52-39 going into the final period.
Tucker scored two and Prue hit another three to open the fourth quarter. What followed was a turn in momentum that favored St. Francis. They scored eleven of the next twelve points and forced White River into a timeout at 4:28. The Tigers set up a slow down, spread offense that broke up the momentum, though Leon Bad Hand of St. Francis hit a three with close to two minutes remaining that drew the Warriors to within four 58-54. It was free throws down the stretch for White River, and they went 6/8 to seal the win. St. Francis hit a three at the buzzer, making the final score 64-61.
White River 18 36 52 64
St. Francis 15 31 39 61
Stats: Justin Prue 16 pts, 2 rebs, 1 assist, 6 steals, 2 blocks; Tre Iyotte 16 pts, 6 rebs 3 assists, 1 steal; Christian Bartlett 2 rebs, 1 assist; Tavis Burbank 10 pts, 7 rebs, 6 assists, 2 steals; Justin Folkers 13 pts, 7 rebs, 1 steal, 1 charge taken; Justice Morrison 1 rebound; Gunner Piper 2 rebounds; Link Tucker 9 pts, 2 rebs, 3 assists, 1 steal, 2 blocks
White River won the JV game earlier in the evening but lost the C game.
C Game
- 12 16 19 30
- 12 21 29 42
Stats: Tanner Cook 10 points 3 rebounds; CJ White Hat 15 points 14 rebounds, 2 blocks; Gaton Hawk 5 points
JV Game
- 14 33 40 58
- 6 13 19 33
Stats: Justice Morrison 12 points; Tanner Larvie 8 points, 5 rebounds, 4 steals; Gunner Piper 4 points, 3 assists, 3 steals; Chris Eagle Bear 6 points, 11 rebounds; Nic Young 11 points, 12 rebounds, 4 steals; Cain Fairbanks 4 points, 4 rebounds; Tanner Cook 3 points; Camren Folkers 6 points; CJ White Hat 2 points, 5 rebounds; Lucas Beardt 2 points