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b r i e f ly Timberlake finishes second in state REXBURG, Idaho – Timberlake, the Spirit Lake school who went undefeated in Intermountain League play, finished second at the 3A state volleyball tournament. Sugar-Salem beat Timberlake twice Saturday, Oct. 29. Sugar beat Timberlake in three sets. Then Timberlake beat Parma in five sets to earn a rematch with Sugar in the finals. Sugar-Salem again beat Timberlake in three sets to win the championship.

Newport loses close match to Colville, season ends NEWPORT – The Newport volleyball season ended Thursday, Oct. 27, with a loss to Colville. Colville went on to lose to Lakeside later that day, with Lakeside taking the district title. Colville lost to Deer Park Saturday. Consequently, Deer Park, Freeman and Lakeside are moving on to regionals. Newport fought hard against Colville Thursday. Newport won the first game 25-18, and the second game 25-23. The third game went into extra points, with Colville winning 28-26. They won the last two games for the win. Kylyah Mercurius had seven kills and eight blocks for Newport. Faith Hood had 12 assists and three aces, Megan Vaughn had three aces, and Hannah Hansen had 10 digs. Newport finished in fifth place, with a 6-8 Northeast A League record and 7-9 overall.

High altitude hinders Spartans at state

By Sophia Aldous Of The Miner

POCATELLO – Try as they did, the Priest River cross country team was not able to place at state, with the muddy, wet running conditions, high altitudes and illness all being factors. Several of the team members had advanced to the 3A State Championships, held Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Portneuf Wellness Complex in Pocatello. PRLHS Coach Lance Clark said the high altitude and long bus ride didn’t help his runners’ performances, something he hopes to rectify for future meets in southern Idaho. “The trip down to XC state was a good one this year,” Clark wrote in an email. “The boys raced hard but complained that their legs were heavy. I had a few that were sick from some food we ate, and a few other issues got in our way. I believe that the team still raced hard and chalked it up as an experience to help them succeed in the future.”

Selkirk sweeps Cusick IONE – The Selkirk volleyball team beat Cusick in three games Thursday, Oct. 27, winning 25-12, 25-18, 25-20. Selkirk had some problems with serving to begin the match, but Whitney Dawson’s dominating play at the net helped the Rangers with the win. Dawson had 11 kills and two blocks. Lexi Ellsworth had five aces for Selkirk and Jenna Couch had 10 assists and seven digs. For Cusick, Taylor Allen had two assists and two blocks. Nicole Stensgar had an ace and Alana Keogh had 10 digs. Selica Auld had three kills.

November 2, 2016 |

See Spartans, 3B

Miner photo|Michelle Nedved

Newport’s Brad McMeen gets a block to help Koa Pancho against Deer Park Friday. Newport took the undefeated Stags to two overtimes, but Deer Park remained undefeated, winning 28-21.

Newport falls to Deer Park in double OT

By Don Gronning Of The Miner

NEWPORT – The Newport Grizzlies football team took it to the undefeated Deer Park Stags Friday night at Newport, coming up short in double overtime, losing 28-21. “I thought that was one of the most exciting games that we have had here in a long time,” Newport coach Zac Farnam said. “Two good teams banging it out, trying to prepare for a playoff run. Both sides had our ups and downs and they just made the last big play.” Even with the loss, Newport will go on to post season play against the No. 1 team from the Caribou Trail League. There are three teams tied in the CTL – Okanogan, Cashmere and Cascade. They will have a tiebreaker tonight to determine which of those teams will advance. Playoff times haven’t been set yet, but Newport will travel to play the CTL opponent Friday. Against Deer Park, it was a defensive contest in the first half, with neither team being able to score. “I felt that we did a great job on defense and we were physical and had great leverage up front,” Farnam said. After the halftime break, Deer Park broke through with a nine-yard touchdown run, with a successful point after kick. Newport battled back, with Jesse Reyes scoring on a three-yard run. Kai Thomas kicked the extra point and the teams were tied.

Just before the quarter ended, Newport got into the end zone again, with Koa Pancho making a nine-yard touchdown run. Thomas was good on the extra point kick and the Grizzlies left the third quarter leading 14-7. The team battled through the fourth quarter, with Deer Park finally getting a touchdown on a 10-yard pass. The kick tied the game. In overtime play in Washington high school football, each team gets the ball on the 25 yard line with a chance to score. Newport won the flip and made the most of it, with Pancho scoring on a 12-yard run, and Thomas kicking the extra point. Then Deer Park got their chance and they too converted, scoring on a fouryard run and kicking the extra point. Newport then got the ball back. This time, they couldn’t score. Deer Park took over and scored on a 25 yard run, taking the win. This year in the Northeast A League, there are two guaranteed state playoff berths for the top two teams – Deer Park and Freeman. The third and fourth place teams will play the first and second place teams from the Caribou Trail League. Newport finished the season tied for fourth with Lakeside, both with a 4-3 league record and 5-4 overall record. Since Newport beat Lakeside during the regular season, they will go on as the No. 4 team in the NEA.

Cusick routs Selkirk 54-14 By Don Gronning Of The Miner

CUSICK – The Cusick Panthers football team defeated rival Selkirk 5414 Friday night, Oct. 28, at Cusick. “We came out stronger than we usually do,” Cu-

sick coach Troy Hendershott said. Cusick kicked off, then the defense went to work, holding Selkirk to three plays and a punt. The Selkirk offense then took over, capping their drive with a five-yard Colton Hansen touchdown run.

Panther season ends CUSICK – The Cusick volleyball seasons is over, ending with a win and a loss at home Saturday. The Panthers hosted both Republic and Curlew Saturday, losing to Republic in three, but beating Curlew in four. Republic beat Cusick 25-16, 25-16, 25-14. Taileya Tonasket had four kills and an ace for Cusick. Maki Ranck had four assists, and Taylor Allen had seven digs and three blocks. Cusick had a stronger showing in the second game of the day, beating Curlew 25-23, 21-25, 25-23, 26-24. Allen had six kills and a block for Cusick. Ranck had 14 assists and five aces, and Jacki Sage had 15 digs. Cusick finished fourth in the Northeast 1B North League, 4-8 in league play and 5-10 overall.

Cusick’s run. “They were a little too strong up the middle,” Link said. “Their nose guard, Caleb Ziesmer, is a force.” Still, Selkirk stayed in it, with Jacob Couch breaking a 65-yard run for a touchdown. The twopoint extra point run was On Deck:

Canon Keogh caught a two-point conversion pass from Jedd Cupp. Selkirk coach Jeremy Link said his team started strong and played a good first half. But they had trouble stopping Courtesy photo|Jeana Hendershott

Taylor Allen goes up for the pass Saturday against Republic.

Cusick vs. Almira/Coulee-Hartline: Friday, Nov. 4, 7 p.m., at Cusick Selkirk vs. Pateros: Friday, Nov. 4, 7 p.m., at Pateros

successful and the teams were tied at 8-8. That didn’t last long, as Cusick answered with a 68-yard touchdown pass play, with Cupp hitting Dylan Hendershott for a score. Hansen ran for two extra points, giving Cusick a 16-8 first quarter lead. Hansen caught another long touchdown pass from Cupp in the second quarter – a 70-yard play. The extra point was unsuccessful and Cusick led 22-8 at the half. Hendershott said he wanted to keep his players fired up after the half. “It’s See Gridiron, 3b

Courtesy photo|Cheney Free Press

Gracie StrangeOwl, a Cusick student that runs for the Newport High School cross country team, strives to finish at District Championships last Thursday.

Grizzlies hang up shoes for crosscountry season

By Sophia Aldous Of The Miner

CHEWELAH – Hard rain and a mucky running surface didn’t exactly help any of the runners at the crosscountry District 6/7 1A Championships at Chewelah Golf Course Thursday, Oct. 27. The Newport High School harriers persevered despite the challenges, but were unable to place, resulting in the end of their cross country season and no advancements to the state tournament scheduled for this Saturday at Sun Willows Golf Course in Pasco. “We ran pretty well under adverse conditions,” said Newport cross country coach Mike Frederick. “Our league is so tough.” Newport’s boys came in eighth out of eight

schools with an overall score of 222. Cusick High School student Gracie StrangeOwl, who ran with the Newport Grizzlies this season, was barely nudged out of the top thirty with a time of 22:35. The girls did not place. However, considering only two students on the entire team had ever competed in cross country before, Frederick said he is very pleased with his team’s commitment and determination, which will help lay the foundation for next year’s cross-country team. “We’ve really made some good strides,” said Frederick. “I hope the kids that turned out for the team this year stick with it, because they have learned a lot and can apply that knowledge to next year.”

s p o rt s c a l e n da r Thursday, Nov. 3

Saturday, Nov. 5

Cusick Volleyball at Playoffs: TBA

Selkirk Volleyball vs Wellpinit, 4 p.m.

Selkirk Volleyball at Playoffs: TBA

Friday, Nov. 4 Newport Football at NEA/CTL Crossover Game: 7 p.m. - TBA

Open Gym, Adult Basketball: 7 a.m. - Newport High School

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