In a non-conference 4A boys' basketball matchup in Pocatello Tuesday night, Century was nothing but mud in Wood River's wheels.
The defending state champion Diamondbacks dispatched the Wolverines 61-41.
"It's like a tractor in the mud. Sometimes it goes and sometimes your wheels spin. Your still putting out the rpm's, but sometimes you just can't get out," Wood River coach Fred Trenkle remarked.
The Diamondbacks, who boast college prospect Jacques Wilson (18 points), broke out to a 10-0 lead before Wood River cut their advantage to 20-13 at the end of one.
It did not surprise Trenkle in the wake of Wood River's 50-46 upset of Bonneville last week.
"There's no question they were not going to let us sneak up on them. They wanted to get out to a fast start and we don't play well from behind," Trenkle said.
And given the fact that Century is "tall, strong and quick," and the refs only whistled 12 fouls in a very physical game, Wood River bogged down quicker than a John Deere in May.
"No one plays harder than them," Trenkle said of his team. "Someone said to me, 'Coach, they have beaten a lot more talented teams worse'. And they're right."
The Diamondbacks led 33-15 at halftime and 50-24 after three. Hailey outscored its host 17-11 in the fourth frame to lose by 20.
Trenkle remarked, "We actually played better in the second half. We were tired out in the second (2 points). There is such a fine line between making it and not if your getting layins."
Wood River was pretty good from the outside. Brady Femling's nine points came off three treys. Dylan Fullmer (8 points) sunk two and Morgan Uhrig (7 points) nailed one. The trio led Hailey in points scored, and were backed up by Reno Christino with 5, Craig Werley 4, Corbin Miniard 4, Casey Lane 2, and Ted Dankanyin 2,
Wood River (1-10, 0-2 league) played at Burley last night and will kick off a three-game home stand against Filer this Saturday, Jan. 15.
"I think we will have a good game against Filer. We want to have a great crowd. Last week against Bonneville our fans pushed us over the top and we're hoping for that again."
The Wood River—Filer showdown is a rematch of the thrilling 60-55 double overtime Wildcat home win over Wood River back on Dec. 3.
