Weiser brings home win in the first round of the district tournament

by Michelle Estes

 On Tuesday, Feb. 15, the Wolverines brought home a 68 to 62 win in the first round of the district tournament. Besting the Payette Pirates, the Weiser Wolverine boys advanced to the semi-final round where they played the McCall Vandals.

 The teams had split games in their regular season meetings. In the first game, Weiser won 62 to 60. The second meeting Payette came out on top winning 53 to 52. Since Payette had won a game against the higher seeded Fruitland Grizzlies, they hosted the first round game.

 The two teams were fairly evenly matched in the first 3 minutes of the first period. Payette started separating themselves, hitting two quick 3 pointers. After 4 minutes of play, Weiser 6, Payette 14. 

 Weiser stepped up their game as they went on a scoring run. Brayden Walker sunk a nice jump shot, followed by Brett Spencer snagging a rebound and taking it coast to coast for a lay-in. Jack Shirts scored off an offensive rebound. Malakye Scott scored on a fast break. With 36 seconds remaining, Brett Spencer found Scott at the top of the key for a solid 3 pointer tying the game at 17. 

 At the buzzer, the Pirates found an open teammate on the block for an easy two points and the lead ending the first quarter Weiser 17, Payette 19.  

 In the second quarter the teams stayed even, both scoring 12 points. 

 Multiple times Payette jumped out to a 5 point lead. Each time, the Wolverines were able to stop the Pirate run and tie the game or come within 2. 

 The half ended with a wild scramble as players on both sides hit the floor diving for the ball. Somehow in the pile, Weiser’s Brett Spencer came up with the ball, tossing it to Jack Shirts as he cut to the basket for a lay-in.

 Going into halftime, it was Weiser 29, Payette 31. 

 The Wolverines started out a little stronger in the third than they had in the previous two quarters. Scott scored first for Weiser with a rebound put back. Soon afterwards, they took the lead with a kick out pass from Willy Shirts to Scott at the top for a 3 pointer,   Weiser 34, Payette 31.

 Payette struck back with their own quick buckets going up by six. Weiser unable to answer ended the third down by 5 points, Weiser 38, Payette 42.

 Weiser fighting to take the lead, went up 48 to 46 with a Brayden Walker steal that he passed up court to Willy Shirts for 2. 

 The Wolverine defense had multiple stops and their offense put points on the board. With a minute to go, Weiser held a 12 point lead, Weiser 61, Payette 49. 

 Payette not willing to give up, hit three 3 pointers and a couple of other buckets in the final minutes of the game. Weiser kept their lead finishing with the win, Weiser 68, Payette 62.

 Malakye Scott shot well during the game, leading Weiser with 27 points. Evan Haggerty contributed 12 and Brayden Walker had 10. Brett Spencer added 7. The Shirts brothers, senior Willy and sophomore Jack, each had 6 points.