The Lewiston Bengals and Kendrick Tigers spent more than half of regulation in a virtual deadlock as big cats collided on New Year’s Eve in a tense Avista Holiday Tournament boys basketball final. Ultimately, it was the Bengals who asserted themselves, surging over the last quarter-and-a-half to prevail 70-60 on Wednesday at the P1FCU Activity Center in Lewiston and clinch their second Avista title in three years. Lewiston’s Royce Fisher was announced as tournament MVP during the postgame ceremony, while teammate Blaze Hepburn and Kendrick’s Nathan Tweit garnered all-tournament team recognition. “I thought our pressure was good in the first half,” said Lewiston coach Brooks Malm, whose...
