Not since 2006 has a team other than Fruitland or Weiser represented District Three in the 3A girls basketball state tournament.

But thanks to breakout seasons by Homedale and Parma, the stranglehold on the 3A Snake River Valley has finally been lifted.

Here is a look at how the Trojans and Panthers broke through this season for tournament berths.

HOMEDALE

The Trojans' season took a turn for the better on Jan. 8 when they defeated Fruitland 65-58 in double overtime.

That victory - the first for the Trojans over the Grizzlies in 17 games - signaled a changing of the guard, both for the program and the 3A SRV.

"We had our ups and downs. It was a roller coaster year," Betancourt said. "But toward the end we kind of got to where we needed to be and made our little run in the district tournament to get (to state)."

It is the first state tournament trip for Homedale since 2003, when the Trojans finished as the state runner-up in the 2A classification.

Homedale (12-11) has not won a state title since 1980, but this year's squad has a connection to that championship team.

Sophomore guard Elise Shenk's mother, Shelley Shenk, played for the Trojans in 1980.

Shelley has already passed down some advice to her daughter on how to approach the state tournament.

"She just said to not play scared, just go out and have fun," the younger Shenk said. "She wants us to try and have fun and not be too nervous."

That's exactly what the Trojans plan to do when they open state play at 8 p.m. Thursday against Sugar-Salem (12-13) at Skyview High in Nampa.

"It's nice that we're going this year, it's been a long time," third-year letterman Kaylee Rupp said. "Hopefully we'll do well."

PARMA

Winning has been a pleasant change of pace for the Panthers this season.

Just last year, Parma went 4-17. The year before that, the Panthers only registered two victories.

That's what makes Parma's run to the top of the 3A SRV all the more impressive.

The Panthers - who thrive on a fast-paced style of play - are 20-2 heading into state after defeating Homedale 55-33 in last week's district championship game.

"These last couple of years have been rough, but now they believe in themselves," Parma coach Michael Calkins said. "… All of a sudden, they are winning now, and I take zero credit for that. These kids deserve all the credit."

The Panthers last qualified for state in 2010 as a 2A school, but have never won a state title.

They begin their championship quest against Bonners Ferry (16-5) at 3 p.m. Thursday.