Basketball Game Preview: Newport Grizzlies vs. Priest River Spartans

Newport and Priest River are an even 5-5 against one another since December of 2018, but not for long. The Newport Grizzlies will venture away from home to square off against the Priest River Spartans at 7:30 p.m. on Friday. Priest River took a loss in their last game and will be looking to turn the tables on Newport, who comes in off a win.

Having struggled with 18 losses in a row dating back to last season, Newport turned things around against Chewelah on Wednesday. They came out on top against the Cougars by a score of 59-48. The Grizzlies' offense stepped up their game for this one, as that was the most points they've scored all season.

Meanwhile, Priest River unfortunately witnessed the end of their four-game winning streak on Friday. They received a blow as they fell 53-38 to Orofino. The loss was a bit of a surprise, as the Spartans came into the matchup with a sizable advantage in MaxPreps' Idaho basketball rankings (they are ranked 35th, while the Maniacs are ranked 108th).

Newport will need focus on slowing down Palmer Coleman, one of several Priest River players who made an impact when they last played. He posted four points in addition to nine rebounds and six assists. The team also got some help courtesy of Ian Lamanna, who earned nine points.

Newport's first win this season bumped their record up to 1-15. As for Priest River, their defeat was their first in the conference, dropping their conference record down to 4-1 and their overall record down to 10-3.

Newport might still be hurting after the 65-43 loss they got from Priest River in their previous meeting back in December of 2024. Can Newport avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.