Maniacs headed to State
Maniacs defeat Bulldogs for District Championship

   In a game that included eight ties and 14 lead changes, the Maniacs came out on top, defeating Grangeville 54-53 to claim the 2A District II title. It is the Maniacs first trip to state in 19 years.

   Led by DJ Wright who scored a game-high 21 points, the Maniacs overcame a six point deficit going into the final two minutes. Michael Welch made a three-point shot to cut the margin in half. Wright then put in two free throws, making it a one point game with 58 seconds to play.

   A steal by Wright led to his next basket and gave Orofino its first lead, 51-50, since early in the quarter.

   With Wright putting away three more free throws in the final 20 seconds, the Orofino lead came to 54-51. Grangeville’s attempt at a three pointer was quashed by Wright who towered over Austin Wassmuth. Forced into handing off to another player, the resulting two point shot left the Bulldogs one point short, and gave the Maniacs the championship.

   The Maniacs open against the number one seed from District VI when tournament play begins at Capital High in Boise Feb. 28.

GRANGEVILLE (13-9)

Logan Clark 2 0-0 6, Justin Polensky 0 0-0 0, D.J. Crosby 1 2-3 4, Austin Wassmuth 6 1-2 19, Taylor Kunkel 0 0-0 0, Jason Lorentz 2 0-0 4, Jared Russell 0 0-1 0, Nels Solberg 9 2-3 20. Totals 20 5-9 53.

OROFINO (15-7)

Joey Wityczak 3 0-0 6, D.J. Wright 6 9-11 21, Michael Welch 2 0-2 5, Dylan Midstokke 4 0-0 10, Jeff Vicory 0 0-0 0, Nathan Struhs 5 1-3 11, Zac Goodrich 0 1-2 1. Totals 20 11-18 54.

Grangeville 12 8 18 15-53

Orofino 11 12 16 15-54

Three-point goals - Clark 2, Wassmuth 6, Welch, Midstokke 2. Total fouls - Grangeville 17, Orofino 14. Fouled out - none.

Pictured: Orofino High School Boys Basketball Team members are (l to r)  Jeff Vicory, Frank Haskett, Zac Goodrich, Michael Welch, DJ Wright, Nathan Struhs, Dylan Midstokke, Joey Wityczak and Cody Newman. Not pictured are Corey Corder and Kyle Jones. Photo by Lori Wright

Orofino opens district play with big win over Potlatch

   In opening play at the Class 2A District II tournament Orofino capitalized on free throws to defeat Potlatch 63-43 Feb. 13.

   Potlatch committed 33 fouls to send a steady parade of Maniacs to the free throw line. Orofino made 27 of 40 attempts at the line.

   With five and a half minutes to go in the second quarter, Potlatch's Riley Moore canned a jumper to cut Orofino's lead to 11-10.

   But the Maniacs racked up the next 12 points to take the lead for good.

   Wright paced Orofino with 22 points while Nathan Struhs added 12.

POTLATCH

Wes Lisher 2 4-6 8, Justin Heustis 4 0-0 11, Skyler Wotring 1 2-2 5, Brandon Woodin 1 0-0 2, Wendell Hash 0 0-0 0, Riley Moore 1 4-6 6, David Sapp 2 0-0 4, Dustin Shepherd 1 1-2 3, Todd Marshall 2 0-0 4, Logan Larson 0 0-0 0. Totals 14-50 11-16 43.

OROFINO

Joey Wityczak 3 2-4 8, D.J. Wright 5 11-14 22, Michael Welch 1 2-3 4, Dylan Midstokke 2 4-6 9, Frank Haskett 0 0-0 0, Jeff Vicory 0 2-4 2, Nathan Struhs 4 4-5 12, Zac Goodrich 2 1-2 5, Corey Corder 0 1-2 1, Kyle Jones 0 0-0 0, Cody Newman 0 0-0 0. Totals 17-38 27-40 63.

Potlatch 4 7 17 15-43

Orofino 9 14 18 22-63

Three-point goals - Heustis 3, Wotring, Wright, Midstokke. Total fouls - Potlatch 33, Orofino 16. Fouled out - Woodin, Moore, Marshall, Larson.