Weiser ends season with loss in state play-in game

The Weiser Wolverine men met the Bonners Ferry Badgers in Grangeville for a state play-in game on Saturday, Feb. 27 to see who would advance to the Idaho 3A state tournament.
 The Wolverines who struggled early in their season entered the game ranked 12th in the state power rankings. The Badgers, who fared better throughout came in ranked sixth.
 Weiser quickly took control of the game as Tyler Pope stood strong taking a charge on the Badgers first possession. Then on offense Sam Kerner fed Pope in the key for a nice bucket for Weiser’s first points.
 Eli Ruiz, shooting well, sunk a three-pointer giving Weiser five points. A couple of possessions later on a baseline inbounds play Ruiz picked up a rebound and put it in for two points. Weiser was up seven to four.
 The Wolverines then started to struggle to put the ball in the hoop while Bonners Ferry capitalized on their end.
 With under three minutes to go in the first the Badgers held a five point lead. The Wolverines still working hard, gained possession of the ball with defensive teamwork. Brett Spencer ended up with the ball and took it the length of the court giving Weiser their first points after a three minute dry spell.
 The Wolverines battled through and were able to end the first quarter only three behind, Weiser 14, Bonners Ferry 17.
 Working hard Weiser fought for rebounds and to make contested layups, but things just were not falling for the Wolverines.
 With just over two minutes ticked off the clock, Weiser’s Brayden Walker snagged a rebound putting it back up for two. On defense he had a nice steal and was fouled as he went up for a layup. At the line he made both his free throws bringing Weiser within two points.
 The teams made multiple trips up and down the court trading buckets and trips to the free throw line, both being in double bonus.
 The Wolverines were unable to close in on the Badgers and the first half ended Weiser 30, Bonners Ferry 38.
 Early in the third Weiser had a surge as Evan Haggerty made a bucket and went to the line making the free throw. Ruiz soon added two more on a lay-in, Weiser 35, Bonners 38. Pope made a nice shot bringing Weiser within one.
 Bonners Ferry playing smart on offense was able to take control, gaining a nine point lead with about 3:30 left in the third.
 With less than a minute left, Ruiz brought Weiser within five when he made a three-pointer on a Spencer assist.
 Bonners answered with their own three and the third ended, Weiser 45, Bonners 53.
 In the fourth quarter both teams were successful in scoring. With 3:34 to play in the game, Weiser took the lead on a pass from Ruiz to Walker in the paint for two.
 The Badgers soon after tied the game at 60 with a free throw. The game stayed tied for until 2:16 to go, when the Badgers made a lay-in.
 The last couple of minutes of the game were back and forth as both teams worked to gain possession and score. The frenzy continued until the very end.
 Bonners would jump out to a four point lead and then Weiser would answer. The game ended with Weiser behind by five and losing 69-74.
 With the loss the season ended for the Wolverines.   
 Weiser scoring: Spencer 24, Ruiz 18, Kerner seven, Walker six, Haggerty five, Willy Shirts and Pope four, and Ray Calley one.

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Signal American

18 E. Idaho St.
Weiser, ID 83672
PH: (208) 549-1717
FAX: (208) 549-1718
 

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