Broncos basketball earns split decision in weekend tilts

The Lind-Ritzville/Sprague Broncos basketball team split a pair of league games last weekend, as they now sit with a 2-3 record in league play and a 5-8 record overall on the season.

The Broncos came out guns blazing in their Jan. 11 game against the Tekoa-Rosalia Timberwolves, leading 38-27 after the first half and winning the game 78-47. The wide margin of victory can be attributed to a tremendous third quarter from LRS, outscoring Tekoa-Rosalia 25-7 to put the game out of reach for good.

Senior Bryce Kelly led the way offensively for the Broncos, scoring a game-high 21 points and making five three-pointers. Junior Austin Thompson scored 17 points and also made five three-pointers, while sophomore Drew Kelly finished with 15 points. Six other Broncos players scored at least three points in the game.

"It was a huge win for us, especially with how well we played and the margin of victory," said head coach Dustan Arlt. "It was probably the best-at least in the last three years, where a lot of these kids have played-I've seen them play in a regular season game."

Senior Shontz Yaeger piled up 11 assists in the game, while the team recorded 26 assists on 29 made baskets. The team shot 12-27 from beyond the arc and over 50 percent from two-point range in what was undoubtedly the Broncos' best offensive performance of the season.

"The kids showed how well they can play, by moving the ball and playing selfless and shooting the ball well," said Arlt. "It hasn't happened consistently this year, at least as a group, but they put it all together [against Tekoa-Rosalia]."

LRS then traveled to Asotin the next day to take on the Panthers. The Broncos scored the first nine points of the game, and went into the half leading 24-21. But they were outscored 30-17 in the second half as they lost 51-41 to move to 2-3 in league play.

Bryce Kelly led all scorers with 18 points in the game, but his younger brother Drew was the only other Broncos player to finish in double digits, scoring 10 points. Only two other players scored five or more points for LRS, and the team as whole was just 3-12 from the free throw line.

"We looked a little tired," said head coach Dustan Arlt, who noted that only three different players scored in the second half for the Broncos. "We didn't put the ball in the hole enough. We missed out on an opportunity, but hopefully we get them the next time at home."

The Broncos have another packed schedule this week, with two league and on non-league game on the schedule. They travel to St. John on Jan. 15 to take on the St. John/Endicott Eagles for a non-league game, with tip-off set for 7:30 p.m.

LRS then travels to Spangle on Jan. 18 to take on the Liberty Lancers for the second time this season. The Lancers bested the Broncos in their first matchup on Dec. 11, 64-43. The game is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m.

The Broncos then host the Colfax Bulldogs at the Gilson Gymnasium the next day, their second game against each other this season. Colfax won the first tilt 42-36 on Dec. 14. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m.