Weiser claims sole title to number one with defeat of Payette 73-61

  It was senior night Friday, February 10 for the Wolverine basketball team and the last game of the regular season. Those seniors honored were Brock Bumgarner, Bruce Hamilton, Logan Loomis, Drew McKie, Philipp Schmitz and Issac Zanelli. The night began on an awesome note as the frosh/soph team defeated Payette 57-40 to finish the season undefeated at 20-0 under first year coach Bo von Brethorst. Varsity coach Neil Stutzman did the same thing three years ago, his last year as the frosh/soph coach. The JV dropped a close game 46-42. The varsity game was nip and tuck until the fourth quarter when the fouls began to pile up on Payette and the Weiser team settled down to play real basketball. The first half was filled with out of control play and plenty of turnovers by both squads. Weiser handled it better down the stretch winning 73-61. This puts Weiser in the number one spot for District.
  Starters for the varsity were Bumgarner, Tyler Hemphill, Zanelli, Elias Daniel and McKie. Payette stole the tip off and finished with the lay-up. Zanelli to Daniel for two. McKie hit one free throw. Payette built their lead to 11-3. McKie to Zanelli for the lay-up. McKie with the rejection. Ethan Thomas nailed a THREE from the right wing at 3:22, 11-8 Payette. McKie stipped the ball and launched it to Derek Reyes on the fast break for two. Weiser picked up four quick fouls. Zanelli hit the long range banked shot two pointer, 12-11 Weiser. Hemphill had a steal, was fouled and drained both free throws. Thomas banked home his second THREE! Daniel to Zanelli for his THREE. Bruce Hamilton sank a THREE! At the end of the first, Weiser led 23-19.
  Hamilton hit a baseline two in the top of the second quarter. Zanelli had a block on defense. Hamilton to Zanelli on the back door play for two, 27-24. Daniel putback an "O" rebound. McKie drove the key, lost the handle on the ball but stayed focus, regained possession and almost dunked the ball, 31-24. Hemphill scored off the "O" rebound. Thomas sank his third THREE! Zanelli intercepted a pass and with a hop through the key made the shot. Weiser led at the half, 38-33.
  The third quarter began sloppy. Payette scored on the fourth trip up and down the court. Hemphill to Zanelli for the hoop. Hemphill with the nice move for two. Payette pulled to within a point, 40-41. McKie tipped in an "O" rebound. Payette took the lead at 1:56 as Weiser was missing easy inside shots. Zanelli inbound to McKie who caught the ball in the air and shot it true. Payette had the lead at the end of the third, 52-46.
  McKie drove the lane for two as Weiser began it's domination of the fourth quarter. Daniel hit the jumper, 52-50 Payette. McKie with the block on defense. Hamilton inside the key passed outside to Hemphill for two but Weiser trailed by a point 53-52. McKie with the steal outlet passed to Hemphill who returned the favor as McKie made the shot, 54-53 Weiser. Zanelli to McKie at the top of the key for THREE! Zanelli to Daniel for two. Zanelli putback the "O" rebound after Weiser had tried four times to get the shot to drop. Bumgarner with the "O" rebound putback.
  At this point, 2:15, Weiser had a good lead 63-57 and paraded to the free throw line for the rest of the game. Free throws were made by Zanelli with two, Hemphill with four, McKie with three and Bumgarner with one. Weiser would win 73-61.
  Scoring: Zanelli and McKie 17 each, Hemphill 12, Thomas 9, Daniel 8, Hamilton 5, Bumgarner 3 and Reyes 2.