The importance of MLK Day and Basketball

<p>The association of playing basketball on Martin Luther King Day allows players to cherish an opportunity to play for something greater than basketball. People across the country take advantage to play on a holiday and these high schoolers are not any different. It grants the opportunity to honor those in the past and be nationally recognized. So let us look at some of the games from MLK day throughout the state of Idaho. </p> <p><strong>Filer holds off Wendell in an OT Thriller</strong></p> <p>Filer was led by junior [player_tooltip player_id="969638" first="Drake" last="Speirs"] and junior Jake Bowman each with 18 points in the overtime win over Wendell. Senior Joe DeMasters was the high scorer for the game with 20 points for Wendell. Filer pulled off an upset many did not see coming. </p> <p>Speirs and Bowman fed off each other and ultimately were the difference. Both of them are verstatile scorers and accounted for over 50 percent of Filer’s points to win 60-56. DeMasters needed to score at will to keep Wendell in the game but came up just short. He can score anywhere on the floor but really showcased his inside game against Filer. </p> <p><strong>Oakley dominates the Boards</strong></p> <p>Oakley senior [player_tooltip player_id="969832" first="Corbin" last="Bedke"] was the leading scorer for the game with 17 points and eight rebounds, junior [player_tooltip player_id="969846" first="Payton" last="Beck"] and senior Austin Cranney each tossed in seven points, and senior [player_tooltip player_id="969831" first="Jace" last="Robinson"] pulled down seven boards in the home win over Camas County. Junior Breken Clarke led Camas County with 13 points and seven rebounds, junior Dawson Kramer followed with eight points and six rebounds and freshman Emmett Palan had eight points. </p> <p>The true domination by Oakley to crash the boards offensively and defensively allowed them to obtain extra possessions and led to their success against Camas County. It was a team effort the whole way through and it led to more shot attempts which ended up being the difference for a 49-35 victory. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p>