Weiser destroys McCall

Weiser traveled to McCall with a determined purpose. The players had a mantra – “We’re going to win!” After playing a tight and exhilarating game against Fruitland just two days earlier, Weiser was up against McCall on Thursday, February 26. McCall had won the previous three outings but not on this night. The Vandals had a breeze of a game against Payette and maybe that led to their complacency against us. Big mistake! Weiser dominated this game never even coming close to giving up the lead from the 5:09 mark in the first quarter. McCall has two big men in the middle but every time they had the ball, Weiser swarmed like wasps making the shots nearly impossible to make. By the third quarter, McCall was out of gas and settling for low percentage shots. Meanwhile, Weiser had just hit their stride. It was a master class in how to dismantle a team. Weiser won 65-46.

Weiser scored first when Garrett Walker made a free throw. Zayn Crossley had a block on one of the big men (one of several he had on this night). Garrett Walker to Shayd Crossley for the hoop, 3-0. Ryker Enders to S. Crossley for a three, 6-2. McCall wanted that time out. The clock showed 5:09. S. Crossley to Garrett Walker for the basket, 8-2. On the fast break, Z. Crossley with the finish, 10-4. S. Crossley with a block. Owen Funke stole the ball and finished with the lay up, 12-4. Garrett Walker with the tear drop banked in shot, 14-6. S. Crossley with an 180 degree turn around jumper, 16-9. Garrett Walker with a “J” 18-9. Funke to S. Crossley driving down the key for two, 20-9. S. Crossley forced a McCall turn over with Funke to Michael Strasser to Garrett Walker for the final shot of the first quarter. Weiser 22, McCall 11 (most of those free throw shots).

  Neither team scored big in the second quarter with McCall just edging out Weiser by a basket. Strasser to Funke for the bucket, 24-12. Z. Crossley with the steal and finish, 26-12. McCall began to close the gap. Weiser called time out at 4:36 leading 26-19. Enders with a hesitation move to allow McCall to sail on by. He made his shot, was fouled and sank the free throw, 29-19. McCall made one free throw to close out the half trailing Weiser 29-20.

  Weiser came out of the half time spitting fire. They out scored the Vandals two baskets to one in the third quarter. McCall had the ball but briefly as Garrett Walker stole it and found S. Crossley on the fast break for the basket, 31-20. S. Crossley sank a free throw, 32-23. Enders with the hoop. Z. Crossley with a block. Funke drove the key for two, 36-26. Z. Crossley with another block. Strasser hit his shot, 38-28. Garrett Walker made a free throw. With three minutes to play in the third, Weiser doubled their efforts. Garrett Walker sank two free throws. Z. Crossley had yet another block and once again a block on the next defensive set. Enders to Funke for a three, 44-30. Garrett Walker nailed a three, 47-30. Z. Crossley put back an “O” rebound. Weiser 49, McCall 30.

  As stated, McCall was nearly out of gas while Weiser was just hitting their stride in this final quarter. Weiser dominated on the boards both offensively and defensively. Strasser put back his own “O” rebound, 51-32. S. Crossley with a block. Funke with the basket. Strasser inbound the ball to Z. Crossley for the bucket, 55-37. Strasser to Funke for another bucket. McCall tried hard to catch up. Funke to Strasser for two, 59-43. Funke with his own “O” rebound put back, 61-43. Funke was fouled and drained both free throws, 63-46. What happened next can be called controversial. There was about 10 seconds on the clock. Weiser had a 17 point lead. We just wanted to dribbled out the clock but two of the McCall players went after our guy with the ball. Whether they were trying to steal the ball (like any more points in so little time would turn the tides) or just plain frustrated. Weiser had not planned on scoring but after the harassment, S. Crossley dunked the ball as the buzzer sounded. Final score had Weiser winning 65-46. It’s off to Grangeville on Saturday to take on Bonners Ferry for the right to play in the State Tournament.

  Scoring: Funke 17, Garrett Walker 15, S. Crossley 14, Z. Crossley 8, Strasser 6 and Enders 5. Unofficial rebound leaders: Z. Crossley 10, Garrett Walker 9, Strasser 7 and S. Crossley 5. Blocks: Z. Crossley 5, S. Crossley and Garret Walker 1 each.