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Baker boys defeat Vale at Fruitland

Written by Gerry Steele December 30, 2009 06:20 am

Bulldogs meet Parma for title

Baker continued to develop a team chemistry Tuesday while defeating Vale 64-46 in the first round of the Fruitland, Idaho, Invitational boys basketball tournament.

“We continued to take baby steps forward. That’s the important thing,” said Baker coach Craig Woods.

The Bulldogs jumped out to a 13-6 lead after one period and never looked back.

“Defensively, I thought we played a lot better,” Woods said.

Woods was still concerned about the Bulldogs’ rebounding. Vale outrebounded Baker 35-34, with 18 coming on the offensive boards.

“Those extra opportunities kind of kept them close,” the Baker coach said.

Woods said the Bulldogs played more zone defense than in earlier games.

“We played more zone and that had something to do with the rebounding. But it was a good building block,” Woods said.

Derek Blankenship led Baker with 25 points. Jesse Brown added 12.

Baker plays Kuna in the championship game today at 3:45 p.m. PST.

“We split with them last season,” Woods said. “They beat us at the buzzer in Baker, and we beat them at the buzzer at Kuna.

“They’re a big team, but seem to be pretty slow. We’ll have to play well on the boards,” Woods said.

Baker 13 19 15 17 — 64

Vale 6 16 12 12 — 46

Baker (64) — Brown 5 2-4 12, Everson 2 0-0 4, Curtis 0 2-2 2, McEnroe 2 1-2 5, Richardson 2 0-0 5, Blankenship 11 0-0 25, Quintana 3 0-0 6, Lay 1 0-0 3, Smith, Barr. Totals 26 5-8 64.

Vale (46) _ Barras 2 1-2 7, Hicks 4 2-4 11, Haueter 4 1-2 9, Skerjanec 1 0-2 2, Zemmer 4 3-4 12, Bentz 2 0-0 4, Zigma 0 1-2 1, Samio, Yraguen, Hicks. Totals 17 8-16 46.

Three-point goals — Richardson, Blankenship 3, Lay, Barras 2, Hicks, Zemmer. Fouled out — none. Total fouls — Baker 16, Vale 12. Technicals — none.