Newport boys off to slow start

NEWPORT – The Newport Grizzly boys’ basketball team opened the season with three losses, including a loss to border rival Priest River.

The Grizzlies started the season with a home game with Riverside, losing 5528 Thursday, Dec. 5.

Austin Owen was Newport’s top scorer, with three 3-pointers.

The Grizzlies went to Colville the next night, where they had a better game, but still came up short, losing 47-41.

Newport coach Brett Mackay says the Grizzlies had too many turnovers.

Between the third and fourth quarters, Newport had 13 turnovers and seven possessions in which the Grizzlies didn’t score, creating a 20-possession drought, Mackey says.

“Pretty tough to win with those numbers,” he says.

Damian Hamberg led Newport scoring with 16 points.

Newport hosted Priest River Saturday, Dec. 7, losing 65-43.

“(Newport) missed too Berg Hughes led Newport scoring with 10 points.

Newport (0-3) next plays at home against St. George’s (2-1) Friday, Dec. 13, at 7:30 p.m.

Mackey is glad Newport has some time before their next game.

“We definitely learned a bunch this last week and will have some time to prepare this week for a very tough St. Georges team on Friday,” Mackey says.