Saturday Slight

 

Beautiful morning out there. 

As I look out my west window, I see bluish  and white mountains with pink skies forming a backdrop. 

I heard that Schweitzer Ski Area was going to open today but later I heard, not yet. 

It had not been cold enough for the snow-making machine.

Today I'm guessing it's cold enough for the machine to get started creating extra snow to fill in the gaps and to allow the resort to open. 

The walks outside this morning were crisp and a bit crunchy, but still nice walking. 

Fortunately the little patches of ice that we have are easy to avoid, so no concerns there. 

The beauty of the morning enhances the excitement of this day when our son's boys varsity basketball team tips off for its official season starter. 

The Bulldogs will host Bonners Ferry tonight at Les Rogers Gym. 

Tip off is set for 7 p.m.  PST

JV2 and JV teams will play at 4 and 5:30 p.m. 

So, if you're in Sandpoint and want to see the home teams start their seasons, plan to come attend the game or games. 

It should be fun. 

I don't have the details right now, but will add later specifics on how you can watch the varsity game via Facebook. 

Check back before 7, and hopefully, the information will appear here.

Link to watch game via video: 

  https://fan.hudl.com/usa/id/sandpoint/organization/7601/sandpoint-high-school

   

Sandpoint High Bulldog Men's Basketball

 Bonner County Daily Bee Winter Sports Preview

by MAX OSWALD

Sports Reporter | November 29, 2025 1:00 AM

Nice job, Max. 

Last season: 11-12 (5-3 in 6A/5A IEL), 5A District 1-2 Runner-ups

Coaches: William Love ('95), head coach, first year; Chris Taylor, head junior varsity coach and assistant coach; Matt Majors, head JV2 coach and assistant coach; Jacob Schultz, assistant coach; Derrick Hagstrom, assistant coach.

Key returners: Knox Williams, PG, jr.; Logan Iverson, SG/SF, jr.; Brock Yarbrough, SG, jr; Derrick Chamberlain, C, jr.; Logan Roos, SG/F, sr.; Caiden Gion, PF, sr.; Kingston Corbett, C, sr.

Key newcomers: Tyler Weisz, SF, sr.; Dallen Williams, G/F, sr.; Coleman Inge, G/F, sr.

Key losses to graduation: Wil Leisy, SG; Emerik Jones, SG/F; Rece Wolff, C, sr.

Outlook: Will Love has officially taken over as head coach, and he wants to put together the pieces that will build Bulldog hoops into a perennial contender at the state level. 

The program has seen a rise in success across the last two seasons, but a runner-up finish a year ago after winning the district title during the 2023-2024 campaign has Sandpoint searching for more.

Logan Roos, an all-league selection a season ago standing a 6 feet 6 inches tall, is expected to lead a strong core of seasoned returners. The high-flying senior, Roos, who averaged 9.2 points per game last year, is a threat inside, but also makes opposing team's pay when he's hot from behind the three-point line. 

Knox Williams, a junior and now three-year varsity player, is primed for a breakthrough year at the point guard position while junior Derrick Chamberlain, also a three-year varsity player and standing at 6 feet 7 inches tall, is looking to shake off an injury that hindered his sophomore campaign. 

Williams plays a high-IQ brand of basketball and Chamberlain, with his great footwork in and around the rim, is typically a benefactor of that play.

Look out for junior Brock Yarbrough and senior Caiden Gion, coming off spectacular seasons of football and soccer, respectively, to see their roles expanded. 

The same goes for junior Logan Iverson and senior Kingston Corbett. Senior Tyler Weisz, who saw some time at the varsity level last year, will see an uptick in minutes after bettering his game this summer. 

Dallen Williams and Coleman Inge, both seniors, are new to the team this season and will really help with depth when it comes to the style of offense and defense the Bulldogs want to play this year.

As for the schedule, the Bulldogs will head to the TitleOne Tip-Off Classic where they'll see teams such as Coeur d’Alene, Shelley, Century, Boise, Star Valley of Wyoming, Vallivue and Hillcrest at the two-day event at the Mountain America Center. 

Sandpoint will also travel to Eastmont and Wenatchee High for the GESA Winter Shootout, where they'll see some of Washington's best across the three-day tournament. 

New to the non-league slate is Lewis & Clark of the Greater Spokane League, which finished 5-19 last season but returns nearly their entire starting lineup.

Coach's comments:

"We had a really good summer in regards to introducing the ways in which we go about things. 

"It's one of those things where you have to be meeting regularly for it to really work. 

"I'm really pleased by the effort from all the kids in the program. Excited to see us go through the process throughout the year. " — Coach Will Love on the conceptual nature of his offensive and defensive schemes

"I wanted to carry over the scheduling philosophy of facing some of the better teams in Idaho and get us in a tournament mindset. 

"Getting playing experience in an Arena (TitleOne Tip-Off Classic), which ultimately, if we're going to compete for a state title, you have to win games in an arena. 

"Heading over to Wenatchee (2025-2026 GESA Winter Shootout) and facing some teams we don't know a whole lot about will also provide a great tournament feel." — Coach Will Love on getting ready for postseason tournament play

"We return a lot of experience, and for some of them, that includes playing at state a few years ago. 

"Lots of our kids play other sports and I think that all bodes well in regard to the competitive aspect of playing at the 5A level... and competing against the 6A's. 

"I think with these guys, with what we've done during the summer, including scrimmages and camps, we'll have a group that can get on the floor and compete with the 6A IEL." — Coach Will Love on the competitiveness of his squad

"We really want to focus on building on our legacy and making this a program where people are very involved. 

"The mission is to be the best program on and off the court at the 5A level. 

"It's going to take a lot of work, and we'll need to understand how much the off-the-court stuff plays a role in our success." — Coach Will Love on building year-over-year success within the program.

Hey, Washington Cousins and other family members:  maybe we can watch some basketball and enjoy a low-key, loosely organized and laid-back  reunion when the Bulldogs are playing in Wenatchee Jan. 1-3. 

Could be fun. 

🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀

While we're at it, YOU can help the Sandpoint activities and athletics programs by purchasing tickets on this glitzy Subaru. 

Christmas decorations are going up in the neighborhood, and it's feeling more festive each day with every new addition to the colorful magic of lights.

If all goes well, I'll have my deck lights shining by evening.  

Happy Saturday.  

Thanksgiving 2025 Album

 

We took the easy route yesterday.  

We drove to Bonners Ferry for our Thanksgiving dinner. 

It was a nice and relaxing time at the Kootenai River Inn where many others had chosen to enjoy their holiday feast. 

One of Debbie's friends and colleagues, Susan, joined us and took the photo above. 

Bill and I had enjoyed our morning hours by packing up the dogs, leaving behind snow flurries and wind, to enjoy some relatively calm, dry weather and some nice walking at the Clark Fork drift yard. 

A few bird hunters were there also.  

There was plenty of space for all to enjoy their respective outings along with some beautiful scenery.

I have a feeling that our group also did some quality snoozing after a lovely dinner. 

We agreed on our trip home in the dark that it sure felt like bed time AND it was only 4:30 p.m.

Turkey and plentiful eats will do that to you. 

I know that I nodded off a few times before finally giving up and going to bed. 

Overall, it was a nice day. 

Happy Friday. 

Let the Christmas hubbub begin!

⛄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄⛄

Happy Thanksgiving

 

On this 27th day of November, 2025 aka Thanksgiving Day, I give thanks and heartfelt appreciation for the following, in no particular order: 

Little Foster who turned 14 today. 

My friends and my family, whom I cherish. 

Our beloved ZAGS.  

We all can agree that this week it was the best of tournaments and the worst of tournaments, but today is a new day and the ZAGS will continue to provide us joy. 

Congratulations, Michigan. ZAGS will bounce back.

This beautiful area in which we live and our little slice of Heaven on Earth called the Lovestead.  

To be so lucky. 

All who still know the difference between right and wrong and who courageously remind us and give us hope through their inspiring examples and their thoughts.

Those of different trades and professions who make our lives better, whenever needed, through their skills, their knowledge, their labor and their vision.

The good-hearted, the generous and all those who care deeply about and do good for their fellow man, the earth and all its creatures. 

The opportunity to create and experience precious memories. 

The four-legged and winged creatures which co-exist with us, which educate us and remind us constantly of the beauty and the glory in the natural world.  

A special shout-out to our beloved Lovestead dogs and horses. 

The gift of laughter. 

Optimism. 

It's a good life overall, and for that I am grateful. 

Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving. 

Snow, Ball and Lavender

 

It was perfect timing. 

Winter prep projects done. 

Over the river and through the woods time. 

Plus, it was a perfect beginning for winter with just enough snow to make it pretty out there but not enough to make walking difficult. 

The dogs and I have already been out in the first snow of Winter 2025-26 twice, and I'm not complaining. 

It is pretty, and the scenes this morning with the new snow are almost magical. 

Plus, the snow helps get us in the mood for holiday fun. 

As long as it doesn't get carried away . . . !

Bill and I attended the first game of a basketball jamboree last night.  We arrived home in time for the ZAGS to have taken a 10-4 lead over Maryland.  

They finished with 100 points to Maryland's 61. More about that later. 

The first game/scrimmage of the Jamboree pitted Sandpoint against Lake City. 

And, what a way to start off a season, even if it wasn't an official game. As you can see from the scoreboard below, the Bulldogs did well in their two 8-minute quarters. 

We left as Lake City and Post Falls were warming up for the second match-up.  

Willie texted me overnight that their second game vs Post Falls was a tough one, so they finished the night at 1-1. 

There were lots of referees in town last night because, as with basketball teams, the Jamboree also offers them some dress-rehearsal time to work out the kinks before full-fledged season games begin. 

We didn't stay long, but we enjoyed every minute spent in the gym, especially seeing some familiar faces at the scorers' table and meeting a nice family who sat behind us. 

Ask enough questions, and you usually find a connection.  Before our conversation ended, I learned that they know our old neighborhood fairly well because they're connected with our old neighbors, the Readers. 

I'm looking forward to getting to know them better as the season unfolds.   

Anyone who shops at The Flower Farm on Selle Road should recognize Akasha who has worked there for several years. Her knowledge of plants and plant care is amazing. 

Yesterday my friend Akasha stopped by with some lavender spray refills, with contents prepared right here in the neighborhood where Akasha tends a lavender farm. 

I have been using her lavender spray for the past year or so as a sleep aid, and I swear by it. 

She was the first to tell me how lavender can serve as a calming and healing agent. 

When she told me that it improves your dreams, I wanted to know more and decided to try a bottle. 

Let's just say I'll be asking for refills from this day forth because, as a longtime insomniac, I've had some of the best sleep ever after spraying my pillows before going to bed. 

If I have to get up in the middle of the night, I'll spray again and almost always get right back to sleep.  And, yes, the dreams are weird some times but not bad. 

I have found her very affordable and attractive bottles of lavender to be reasonably price.  In addition, once purchased, each bottle can be refilled. 

It's a great and inexpensive gift or stocking stuffer. 

If you wish to know more about her lavender spray and other products, check out her website at 

https://www.etsy.com/shop/SelleValleyLavender?dd_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fsearch.yahoo.com%2F

If you want to talk to her directly, click on the "contact." 

🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀

Tonight at 6:30 p.m. PST, Gonzaga will tip off against Michigan in the championship bracket of the ERA Tournament in Las Vegas. 

It's complicated, but the two teams had win and had to have a good record, along with some adequate point spreads in their wins to become eligible for this championship game. 

Gonzaga's second win in the tournament, with a spread of 39 points, secured their spot in the championship game. 

There's money involved too. In addition to their schools winning big bucks for participating, the champions will earn even more: a million for tonight's game winner and $500,000 for the loser. 

We Gonzaga fans never think much about the money.  We just love our team and love to watch them play their beautiful ball and win any time and anywhere.  

BUT if Gonzaga wins $1 million tonight, we won't complain. 

It should be an exciting game, as both teams in the championship scored 100 points yesterday. 

6:30 p.m. PST on TNT Channel.