Performances of the Week: Idaho Falls Metro

<p>Basketball continues in the state of Idaho with teams starting to play their rivals and division opponents for the second time around. Will the teams split on the season or will there be a season sweep? Let’s look at some of the performances and games of the week from the Idaho Falls Metro. </p> <p><strong>Jan. 26th</strong></p> <p><em><strong>Bergholm and McWilliams Combine for 55 of Soda Springs 75</strong></em></p> <p>Brittan Bergholm and Hayden McWilliams combined for 55 points, carrying the Cardinals to a back-and-forth overtime 75-72 win over Marsh Valley.</p> <p>Bergholm, finished with 30 points, scored six of the Cardinals’ seven points in overtime as they held off Marsh Valley and McWilliams added 25 for Soda Springs. Those two were virtually impossible to stop on Tuesday night. Both of them feeding off each other trying to outmatch one another. </p> <p>Stanton Howell had 22 points and [player_tooltip player_id="969724" first="Karter" last="Howell"] added 18 for Marsh Valley, which put up a 21-point fourth quarter to send the game to overtime.</p> <p><strong>Jan. 27th</strong></p> <p><em><strong>Freshman Bowie continues to carry Pocatello</strong></em></p> <p>At Highland, Pocatello needed overtime to earn a gritty 62-56 win over its cross-town rival. Pocatello’s last-second attempt in regulation — an ally-oop attempt to Julian Bowie — just rimmed out but the Indians were able to pull it out in extra time.</p> <p>Mickelson — Highland’s 6-foot-7 center — scored 20 points on the night while Rams’ senior guard Easton Durham notched a game-high 24 points. Poky was spear-headed by Bowie and [player_tooltip player_id="1108112" first="Ryan" last="Payne"], who scored 22 and 18 points, respectively.</p> <p>Bowie, though, led the way and hit an important 3-pointer in overtime. The kid has been an absolute star bursting onto the scene this season. He’s been the one leading the charge for a talented Poky squad. </p> <p><em><strong>Prestons’  free throw shooting and defense rally past Century</strong></em></p> <p>Preston knocked down 7 of 8 free throws in the final minute of the game to pull away for a big 53-43 victory over district rival Century. </p> <p>Preston trailed by as many as 10 points in the game and a dominant fourth quarter spurred the victory outscoring Century 18-3. Yes, they held them to 3 points in the fourth quarter! The defense was swarming all over the court, not giving Century any open looks. </p> <p>This was Century’s first loss to a team from Idaho since Dec. 17, the team was on a roll the past month and half until Preston knocked them off. </p> <p><strong>Jan. 28th</strong></p> <p><em><strong>Shurtliff continues to shine for West Side</strong></em></p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="969492" first="Bryler" last="Shurtliff"] came up clutch once again as he made three late free-throws to send the game into overtime and help West Side rally to a 73-72 victory over Malad. </p> <p>Shurtliff was moderately quiet by finishing with only 16 points but he made the plays when it mattered. </p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="969736" first="Tom" last="Simpson"] led all scorers with 26 and tried to hold off West Side. Simpson would have been the story of the night if Malad pulled off the upset. </p> <p><strong>Games to Watch</strong></p> <p><em><strong>Friday,  Jan. 29th</strong></em></p> <p>North Gem vs Rockland</p> <p>Thunder Ridge vs Hillcrest</p> <p><em><strong>Saturday, Jan. 30th</strong></em></p> <p>Soda Springs vs West Side</p> <p>West Jefferson vs Salmon</p>