Tuesday’s prep recap: Owyhee sends warning with beatdown of top 5A SIC contender
Idaho’s newest high school basketball team continues to impress in its first season.
No. 3-ranked Owyhee put together an all-around performance Tuesday to defeat Mountain View 50-24, solidifying its claim as one of the most dangerous teams in the state.
Owyhee was the heavy preseason favorite in the 5A SIC, followed by Mountain View in second place.
The Storm (9-3, 6-1 5A SIC) got off to a hot start in the crosstown matchup, with a pair of 3-pointers from sophomore guard Liam Campbell and junior guard Barrett Fernandez to go up 18-2 late in the first quarter.
“We were really hitting (in) rhythm,” Owyhee coach Andy Harrington said. “We were moving the ball, sharing the ball and hitting the right shots. Liam really set the tone early for us.”
While Owyhee was finding its offensive groove, Mountain View (5-5, 3-3) struggled to find a spark of its own. Despite multiple drives to the basket by junior wing Nate Ojukwu, the Mavericks only scored three points in the second quarter and trailed 33-9 at the break.
“We were missing a starter, and we had another guy that was out,” Harrington said. “So, we’re like, ‘Next man up, gotta play defense.”
The Storm continued to pour it on in the second half, frustrating the Mavericks while getting quality shots with ease.
“We were moving the ball pretty well. That was really one of our keys,” Campbell said. “It was about taking our own shots, but we really communicated and played well until the end.”
A strong defensive stand by Owyhee held the Mountain View to a season-low 24 points, while Campbell’s 24 points helped the Storm keep pace with Eagle (10-2, 6-1) atop the 5A SIC standings. Eagle owns a head-to-head win over Owyhee from December.
“Our focus is continuing to get better,” Harrington said. “We’re not worried about the standings. We just want to play our best basketball at the end of the year.”
TUESDAY’S STANDOUTS
Addie Hiler, Bishop Kelly (girls basketball): Scored a game-high 13 points as the Knights routed Ridgevue 68-38 for their eight straight win.
Austyn Harris, Parma (girls basketball): Poured in 27 points and added eight rebounds in the Panthers’ 64-23 rout of McCall-Donnelly.
Grace Reeve, Nampa Christian (girls basketball): Racked up 18 points and six rebounds to lead the Trojans to a 43-39 upset of No. 2-ranked Melba, the reigning 2A state champ.
Thatcher McLinn, Council (boys basketball): Scored 21 points to keep the Lumberjacks undefeated in 1A Division II Long Pin Conference play in a 68-29 victory at Salmon River.
GIRLS BASKETBALL SCOREBOARD
BOYS BASKETBALL SCOREBOARD
This story was originally published January 12, 2022 at 12:03 AM.