Weiser High School Wolverines chew up Senators

Gooding came calling on Friday, Jan. 3 in a same classification, different district basketball game. It was a good day for basketball after a much needed rest for the players. 

 The frosh/soph game was a thriller. The teams were tied 22-22 at the half. They tied again with 3:06 to play in the game, 46-46. Weiser went ahead on some made free throws and won 53-46. The JV team played tough but did not fare as well dropping their game 52-42. The varsity game was fast paced with both teams getting after it. Weiser would build a lead at the end of the first quarter and maintain that throughout the rest of the game winning 66-44.

 A couple of misses by both teams soon led to points. Senior Kolin Cook sank two free throws to start the scoring but Gooding matched that with a three. Shayd Crossley stole the ball with Cook driving the key for two, 4-3 W. Gooding sank another three. Josh Mizar received a pass from Crossley as he was cutting under the basket for two and the tie, 6-6. Owen Funke inbound the ball to Garrett Walker for a bucket. Weiser’s defense really stiffened up forcing a shot clock violation on the Senators. Cook would calmly bring the ball up the court, find Funke for a three. At the end of the first, Weiser led 11-8.

 Weiser nearly doubled their score in the second quarter. Gooding had the ball but missed with Grant Walker reeling in the rebound. Funke took two steps to his left and sank a long two from the top of the key. Cook to Mizar to Garrett Walker for a baseline three, 16-8 W. Garrett Walker hit a fade away jumper. Cook added a basket. Gooding called time out to regroup trailing 20-15. Funke to Mizar for his three. Cook to Mizar for an arching three. Gooding called time out again trailing 26-15. Isai Herrera notched the books with his made shot. Mizar sank two free throws. Funke hit a jumper as Weiser took a 32-20 lead at half time.

 Weiser slowed a bit in scoring in the third quarter but still controlled the game. This quarter featured a lot of steals by both teams. Cook stole the ball and threw a lead pass to Garrett Walker for the lay-in. Crossley stole the ball and pulled up for a jumper to finish the play, 36-20. 

 On a missed Weiser shot, Cook stole the ball right under the Weiser basket and put it through the hoop on a reversed shot. Herrera had a block on defense. It took some up and downs before Weiser scored on an almost coast to coast play by Mizar, 40-23. Crossley would sink a free throw and Mizar would drain two from the charity stripe. Mizar on the fast break to Garrett Walker for the finish, 45-29, and the end of the quarter.

 Weiser continued to score big in the final stanza. Mizar to Cook at the top of the key for three. Herrera inbound the ball to Mizar on the baseline for his three, 51-35. Cook to Crossley cutting to the backboard for two, 53-38. 

 Gooding was trying to keep pace with just three point shots. Weiser was just too quick. Cook kissed the ball off the glass and in. Mizar hit with a jumper at the charity stripe. Herrera was fouled when he muscled his way for an offensive rebound. He would sink his first free throw, 58-44. Herrera to Funke on the baseline for a three. Mizar would find Funke on the baseline for yet another three. Weiser closed out their scoring when Mizar hit a bucket near the end. Weiser won 66-44.

 Scoring: Mizar 21, Cook and Funke 13 each, Garrett Walker 11, Crossley 5 and Herrera 3.