Granite snags second straight win as season nears end
PHILIPSBURG – For the second night in a row the Prospectors got solid play from its young roster and Brian Ward had the hot hand as Granite defeated Clark Fork in Philipsburg, 53-40.
Foul trouble plagued the Prospectors again Saturday, with three starters collecting either two or three fouls in the first half.
“For the second night in a row, we had to overcome foul trouble. We had some young kids step in and play very poised,” said Granite Head Coach Dustin Keltner. “We made some young mistakes tonight, but we played intelligent basketball down the stretch.”
Granite held a six-point lead at the half, 28-22. Keltner made a few adjustments during the break which resulted in the Mountain Cats scoring just five third quarter points while the Prospectors did double that. The game was essentially even over the final eight minutes, with Granite playing smart basketball to secure the win.
Ward lit it up for the second straight night, scoring 23 to go with his 26 from Friday’s tilt with Ennis. Kade Cutler scored 14 and Daniel Brabender 10 to give the locals a trio in double figures for balanced scoring.
Senior Night is the next date on the docket for Granite, slated for Friday, Feb. 8 against Victor. The Prospectors will then close out the regular season Feb. 9 at Twin Bridges.
SCORING
CLARK FORK – 9/13/5/13 – 40
GRANITE – 14/14/10/15 – 53
Clark Fork – Haskins 10, Mask 20, Callison 4, Waddle 4, Spence 2, Radford 2
Granite – Ward 23, Parret 6, Brabender 10, Cutler 14
