Girls roundup: Rockland’s dominating run to state title ends Council’s dream season

Rockland High School girls basketball coach Vern Nelson has led the Bulldogs for 26 seasons, but probably no team has been as impressive as this season’s.

The top defense in all classifications (24.1 ppg) proved its mettle on the biggest stage Saturday, leading Rockland to a 44-26 win over previously unbeaten Council at the Ford Idaho Center to earn its second 1A Division II state championship in three years.

“I’ve overcome with emotion,” Nelson said. “This year was extra special because this group of young ladies worked so hard. They did everything they were asked to do and I’m so happy for them.”

After losing to 1A Division I state qualifier Raft River on Dec. 15, the Bulldogs (24-1) finished the season on a 16-game winning streak — all by double digits — en route to the title. They were eliminated in the semifinals last season, after winning it all in 2020.

“They are very competitive and they don’t like to lose,” Nelson said of his team. “They want to go out and do their best every time. It’s never been a problem with this group to motivate them. Every game they come to play.”

A 10-0 start set the tone for Rockland. Employing a full-court press, the Bulldogs’ defense produced four steals in the opening quarter, three of which led to easy baskets in the paint from senior Ember Farr.

Council got a spark in the second half, with a three-point play from junior Isabelle Eppich cutting the team’s deficit to 23-16, but Rockland responded with a deep 3-pointer from junior Taylie Boyer, silencing the Lumberjacks’ crowd.

“It’s our whole team that pushes us on offense,” Farr said. “When we step up and do our job, that really helps the team.”

Farr finished with a game-high 16 points and 10 rebounds, while Boyer added 15 points, including a 3-of-5 effort on 3-pointers.

“(Coach Nelson) always encourages us to work hard and keep the end in sight, but to not look past the easy games,” Farr said. “Our coaches told us to play for each other all year and that really plays out in our defense.”

The Bulldogs forced 17 turnovers in the title game and held Council to 11-for-40 shooting from the field. They outscored their three opponents 126-67 in the state tournament.

Rockland’s state title, district title and near-perfect record caps arguably Nelson’s best season in his long career. But he said he wants his legacy to be about more than wins.

“I hope, more than anything, that my kids that have come through the program over the years look and say, ‘Hey, we had fun playing and our coaches cared about us.’ You like to win but there’s more to it than just wins,” he said.

Council (18-1) suffered its first loss of the season. Eppich led the team with nine points.

LAPWAI WINS ANOTHER STATE TITLE

Lapwai crushed district rival Prairie 63-37 in the 1A Division I state championship, bringing home a state title for a record 11th time. The next-closest program in Idaho girls basketball has nine (Prairie, Coeur d’Alene).

The Wildcats (21-3) forced 23 turnovers and held the Pirates (20-5) to 15-for-53 shooting (28%). Lapwai built a 21-9 lead after the first quarter and never looked back, leading by as many as 35 points.

Lapwai sophomore Jordyn McCormack-Marks led all scorers with 19 points, and junior Lauren Gould added 15 points.

Tara Schlader had a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds for Prairie, which has faced Lapwai in the finals six times in the past nine years.

Oakley 43, Notus 25: The Hornets held Notus to 8-for-33 (24%) shooting and out rebounded the Pirates 48-31 in the 1A Division I consolation final. Alexis Cudaback scored a game-high 14 points for Notus (17-5).

This story was originally published February 19, 2022 at 2:15 PM.