Baker boys split

The first two games for players who had been playing in the Class 4A state football playoffs came Friday and Saturday against Fruitland and Weiser, idaho.

Baker hosted Fruitland, top ranked in Idaho’s Class 3A ranks, Friday and came away with a physical 57-48 victory.

Saturday, at Weiser, the host Wolverines scored in the final five seconds to nip the Bulldogs 79-77.

“We still have a lot of little kinks to iron out,” Woods said.

“We’re sill trying to iron out where all of the kids will get the most playing time. We had a lot of rusty little things and we have to knock the rust off. We’ll just have to spread a little WD-40.”

Fruitland’s first loss

Fruitland entered Friday’s game with a 5-0 record. But, Baker played the Grizzlies toe to toe.

“It was a good defensive effort,” Woods said.

“And I liked the way we attacked the basket and got to the free throw line. Overall, it was a good first game with all the guys back.”

The teams traded baskets throughout the opening quarter that ended with Baker leading 15-13.

Then, early in the second period, Derek Blankenship sandwiched a pair of three-point baskets around another “three” by Jesse Brown to help the Bulldogs build a 24-17 lead.

Fruitland then battled back to pull within 24-23 at halftime.

Then, trailing 30-25 early in the third quarter, the Grizzlies went on a 12-2 run to take a 37-32 lead. This time Baker rallied to get within 42-38 at the end of the quarter.

A three-point play by Brown with 34 seconds left in the third quarter started a 16-0 Baker run over the next 6:40 leaving the Bulldogs on top 51-42 with 1:53 left in the game.

Blankenship scored six points, Brown five, Trace Richardson three, and Dekker Smith two during the spurt.

Blankenship, who is averaging about 30 points a game this season, finished with 29 points. Brown added 16.

Late-game controversy at Weiser

Weiser’s Alex Turner hit two free throws with five seconds left in the game, then stole a Baker pass to seal the win for the Wolverines.

“This was a tough one,” Woods said.

Baker trailed by nine points with two minutes left in the game. Blankenship then got hot, hitting three three-pointers in succession to help knot the game at 77-77 with eight seconds left.

Baker then slapped on a full court press with Smith gaining a steal. Smith drove to the basket, and missed the shot when he appeared to get fouled. However, no foul was called and Weiser got the rebound.

“Then, they called a ticky-tack foul against Jesse and the kid goes down and hits the two free throws,” Woods said.

“You don’t like to have a call like that decide the game. But both teams had several other opportunities earlier to take control. It was just a battle the whole time.”

Weiser outrebounded the Bulldogs 45-27. Smith led Baker with seven boards.

“We’ve got to make sure we’re going after the rebounds better,” Woods said.

The Baker coach said he saw some good things.

“We’re learning. We’ll get better,” he said.

“We’ll take a look at some film Monday. Now that we have a couple of games to look at we’ll see what we’re doing well and what we need to work on.”

Baker hosts an alumni game Tuesday at 6 p.m.

Friday game

Fruitland    13    10    19    5    — 47

Baker    15    9    14    20    — 58

Fruitland (47) — Rayo 3 0-0 8, Holt 1 0-0 2, Olinger 5 0-0 12, Wright, Van Patten 1 0-0 3, Johnson 0 1-2 1, Graves 3 0-0 6, Dahle 4 0-2 8, Crim 3 1-2 7. Totals 20 2-6 47.

Baker (58) — Brown 5 5-6 16, Everson, Curtis, McEnroe 2 0-0 4, Richardson 1 0-0 3, Blankenship 11 3-4 29, Quintana 1 1-2 3, Lay, Smith 0 3-5 3. Totals 20 12-17 58.

Three-point goals — Rayo 2, Olinger 2, Van Patten, Brown, Richardson, Blankenship 4. Fouled out — Rayo. Total fouls — Fruitland 14, Baker 10. Technicals — none.

Saturday game

Baker    18    15    18    26    — 77

Weiser    16    18    17    28    — 79

Baker (77) — Brown 4 6-11 15, Everson 1 0-0 2, Curtis 0 2-2 2, McEnroe 1 0-0 2, Richardson 2 0-0 6, Blankenship 11 4-4 32, Quintana 2 0-2 5, Lay 2 0-0 4, Smith 4 1-2 9. Totals 27 13-21 77.

Weiser (79) — Thomas 3 2-2 9, Sappe 2 3-3 8, Tanner 5 5-6 16, Zanelli 3 1-2 7, Winegar 6 5-6 18, McKie 6 5-6 21, Chandler, Loomis. Totals 25 21-25 79.

Three-point goals — Brown, Richardson 2, Blankenship 6, Quintana, Thomas, Sappe, Tanner, Winegar, McKie 2. Fouled out — Quintana, McKie. Total fouls — Baker 10, Weiser 18. Technicals — none.