NAMPA - Either way, tradition is going to be established Saturday night at the Idaho Center.

But will it be the Borah High boys basketball team hoisting its 11th state championship trophy, or the Rocky Mountain program celebrating its first?

The fourth meeting between the 5A Southern Idaho Conference rivals tips off at 8.

"The three games we've played, they've all come down to the last second," Borah's Isaiah Wright said. "It's going to be a great game, I know that for a fact."

BORAH 62, MOUNTAIN VIEW 53

When the game is on the line, there simply is no answer for Wright. The junior point guard did what he does best, taking over in the fourth quarter to lead the Lions into the state championship game for the second year in a row.

Wright scored a game-high 25 points - including 13 in the fourth quarter - to put the Lions within one win of a second consecutive state title.

"Isaiah is certainly a special player," Borah coach Cary Cada said. "I don't even know what to say about Isaiah anymore."

Borah trailed Mountain View 23-22 at the half after the Mavericks made six 3-pointers in the second quarter. Senior Tanner Percifield made four.

"I thought Mountain View played extremely well," Cada said. "They had us twisted in knots. We were struggling in the first half, but the second half we kind of got things sorted out and got a little more balance."

The Lions also got a boost from an unexpected source.

Senior Nick Reed had a career night, going 5-for-8 from 3-point range to drop in 17 points. Reed had three of those 3s in the second half.

"Whenever somebody is shut down, somebody else on our team always steps up," Reed said, "either defensively or offensively or getting rebounds."

Mountain View tied the game 46-46 with about 5 minutes remaining in the game.

That was Wright's cue.

He responded with a three-point play to put Borah in front for good.

"I am a competitor. I don't like to lose," Wright said. "Whatever I can do to help my team, I'm going to do it."

ROCKY MOUNTAIN 51, HIGHLAND 48

The blood gushing from John Sherle's forehead looked strikingly victorious.

Even as it dripped from his nose and into his hands, there seemed to be no worry in his eyes.

Sherle returned to the game moments after a head-to-head collision with a purple bandage wrapped around his head like a badge of honor.

Although he missed the front end of his one-and-one opportunity, Sherle's presence gave the Grizzlies the confidence they needed to hang on for a victory against the pesky Rams.

"It's crazy. It's really crazy," Sherle said. "First practice, we said our goal is to make it to the state championship, and we did it. We've just got to win the game now. It's an unreal feeling."

Big men Matt Grooms and Austin Hall led the way for the Grizzlies, scoring 16 and 12 points, respectively.

Hall's three-point play with 1 minute, 9 seconds left in the fourth quarter gave Rocky Mountain the lead, and Grooms' two free throws with 5.4 seconds left sealed the deal.

"You can't say we wanted it more, because when you get in those situations, players give everything they have," Rocky Mountain coach Dane Roy said. "Highland gave their heart, and we gave our heart."

Highland sophomore Stefan Gonzalez had a chance to send the game into overtime, but his 3-pointer at the buzzer rolled in and out.

"I thought it was in and we were going to overtime," Roy said. "My reaction was a little bit of shock because I thought the ball was in. He's a great player."

CAPITAL 54, LAKE CITY 46

Three players scored in double figures to help the Eagles eliminate the Timberwolves a day after a heartbreaking loss in the final seconds of their state opener. Sophomore point guard Derrick White led all scorers with 20 points, junior Hunter Young had 12 and Cameron Carlsen 10. The Eagles play Madison for the consolation trophy at 10 a.m. Saturday at Columbia High in Nampa.

MADISON 56, POST FALLS 49

Junior guard Lyle Sutton led the Bobcats in scoring for the second straight day, dropping in a game-best 18 points in an elimination win over the Trojans. The Bobcats were down 40-38 heading into the fourth quarter, but outscored the Trojans 18-9 in the final frame.

Rachel Roberts: 377-6422