Round one at State Boys Basketball belongs to Weiser, 49-45 over Kellogg

  Kellogg was supposedly the number one seeded team in the State of Idaho in boys basketball. I say, "Who did they play?" They did not play our Wolverines because then they would have found out just how good Weiser really is. It was round one at the state tournament on Thursday, March 1. Weiser played Kellogg in the nightcap in a great game. Weiser led at every quarter and despite abysmal free throw shooting down the stretch, had enough momentum, tenacity and gutsy play to win 49-45.
  Starters were Drew McKie, Issac Zanelli, Tyler Hemphill, Justin Roberts and Elias Daniel. Kellogg had the early lead on back to back three point shots by their guard. That would be his only points on the night. Zanelli to Daniel at the free throw line for two. Roberts with the baseline two. Roberts made a free throw. Daniel with the drive for the momentary lead 7-6. McKie hit his first shot. Daniel to Derek Reyes on the back door play for two. McKie to Daniel on the give and go for the bucket. The game was tied 13-13 with 1:18 to go in the first quarter.
  Brock Bumgarner leaped out of bounds to save an errant rebound. The ball ended up in Daniel's hands for the shot. Bumgarner again saved the ball from going out of bounds only this time, Daniel was wrapped up after the catch. Not for long as Elias ripped the ball from his defenders grasp to retain possession. Bumgarner would cap the play off that he started with the offensive rebound putback. Weiser led after one, 17-13.
  Weiser squandered their lead early in the second quarter on turnovers. McKie had a rejection but Kellogg had 10 unanswered points. Hemphill knocked down a three to stop the bleeding and to jump start the Wolverines into action. Daniel was fouled draining both shots. McKie drove the key for two. McKie for two more from inside, 26-25. McKie from the top of the key for the long two and the lead once again. Weiser controlled the ball the last minute of play in the first half. Bumgarner yanked down a long rebound, found Reyes all alone under the basket, fired the pass with Reyes finishing the play. At the half, Weiser 30, Kellogg 27.
  Weiser was fired up coming out of the break. Kellogg had the ball first with their shot missing. McKie pulled down the defensive rebound, slung the ball to Daniel on the fastbreak for the soft shot. Daniel putback an "O" rebound to put Weiser up by 7 points. Kellogg took a time-out to regroup. Weiser began their perimeter game which to me seems a huge waste of time but then, I'm not the coach. McKie to Zanelli for the three, 37-30. Kellogg went to a full court defense which appeared to stymie Weiser for a bit. McKie had another rejection. Reyes made the trip to the free throw line making one count. McKie to Reyes who fought for control of the ball, won it and made the shot. With a quarter to play, Weiser 40, Kellogg 36.
  Hemphill went up the ladder to block a high pass in the top of the fourth quarter. The ball careened to Bumgarner who found McKie still in the Weiser half for the bucket. Kellogg was struggling to make a shot and Weiser was struggling to break the press. The clock was our friend at this point. McKie sank two free throws. McKie for yet another rejection as complete madness was going on, on Kellogg's half of the court. Weiser missed a very easy shot maintaining only a four point lead, 44-40. Zanelli to Bumgarner for two. Weiser played better when they were going full tilt. Kellogg was forced to foul and Weiser could not find the cylinder from the free throw line.
  McKie made two free throws and Hemphill one in the closing minutes of the game. It was just enough to win 49-45. Weiser was 9 made free throws of 19 attempts but a win is a win.
  Scoring: Daniel and McKie 14 each, Reyes 7, Bumgarner and Hemphill 4 each, Roberts and Zanelli 3 each.