It was a mixed bag of basketball for the Wood River High School boys' varsity basketball team last week--a good win in a tough gym, and a bad loss in the team's Great Basin Conference West opener.
First of all, Wood River (2-5, 0-1 league) jumped out to leads of 17-6 after one period and 29-20 at halftime Thursday en route to a 59-52 non-league road win over the #2-ranked 2A Glenns Ferry Pilots (7-2).
Wolverine pressure defense kept the Glenns Ferry sharp-shooting guards in check and enabled coach John Radford's Hailey squad (40.9 ppg) to snap a three-game losing skid with their highest offensive effort.
On Saturday, the host Minico Spartans turned the tables on Wood River and unleashed a furious defensive press that kept the visitors constantly off balance.
Minico (5-2, 1-0), ranked third in 4A polls, mercy-ruled Wood River 73-39 at Rupert. If Saturday's game at Rupert was forgettable for Wood River, the tussle at Glenns Ferry two days before will be good to remember when times get tough.
Wood River welcomed injured 6-5 senior center Erik Jacobson and 5-8 junior guard Michale Brunker back in the lineup together for the first time this season.
Having Jacobson in the low post helped the Wolverines set the pace with a solid inside attack that opened the door for the outside shooters to score.
Senior Matt Staskiewicz (13.1 ppg) scored a season-high 23 points including two 3-pointers. Brian Tidwell (12 points) and Jacobson (11) chipped in nicely. Other scorers were Greg Wakefield 5 points, Brunker 4, Pat Patterson 2 and Ross Parsons 2.
Wood River shot 14-for-18 at the free throw line at Glenns Ferry, putting away the tight game with critical free throws in the fourth. Jesus Rodriguez (14) topped the high-scoring Pilots who were held 14 points below their season average.
Unfortunately, Wood River is the fourth team in a very tough Great Basin Conference West that boasts its top three teams among the top four 4A squads in the Gem State.
The Minico Spartans have enjoyed a good start, beating Nampa by 24 points, Skyview by 13, Bonneville by 11 and Pocatello by 30 to go with losses to Preston and Idaho Falls. And Minico feasted on Wood River.
Nine different Spartans scored in Saturday's 34-point victory over Wood River, and Minico nailed eight 3-pointers. Jacobson (10 points, Tidwell (7) and Staskiewicz (7) led Wood River on the afternoon.
Wood River hosted Hillcrest of Idaho Falls (3-3) Tuesday on the Hailey hardwoods, Hillcrest coming off an emotional 54-46 home victory over defending State 3A champion Shelley last Thursday in Idaho Falls.
On Thursday, Dec. 20, Wood River closes out its pre-holiday cage schedule with a rematch against the #2-ranked Century Diamondbacks on the Hailey floor. The junior varsity game starts at 6 p.m. and varsity contest at 7:30 p.m. The Wood River Drum Line will perform.
Century (5-1, 62.3 ppg) was a 36-point winner over Wood River in the Nov. 28 season debut at Pocatello. The Diamondbacks bounced back from their close 55-52 loss at Burley Dec. 11 with a 65-58 victory over 5A Highland in Pocatello last Thursday.
Meanwhile, Minico hosts #4-ranked Jerome (5-2, 0-0) today, Wednesday in a key league clash. The defending State 4A champ Burley Bobcats (6-0) continue to be the class of the 4A ranks. Wood River doesn't play Burley until Jan. 18.
