‘We will be back.’ Pocatello grabs 5A title, ends Middleton’s 21-game winning streak
Even though things didn’t go their way Saturday night, Middleton coach Marianne Blackwell already had a hunch about next season.
“We will be back,” Blackwell told the crowd at the Ford Idaho Center in Nampa.
Top-seeded Pocatello ended No. 3 Middleton’s 21-game winning streak, riding a dominant fourth quarter to a 62-46 win in the 5A state championship. It was the first state title in program history for the Thunder, who were making their first title game appearance since 1995.
“I have no doubt (about) the work and the preparation from us coaches and the work from these players that we will see that court again on a Saturday night,” Blackwell said. “I have no doubt, so that gives me fuel.”
Middleton (25-2) entered Saturday’s title matchup with the classification’s top scoring offense (68 ppg) and defense (28.9 ppg). But the Vikings had never faced a team quite like the Thunder (24-2).
Pocatello’s lineup is anchored by a pair of Division I recruits: 6-foot-2 senior forward Kennasyn Garza and 6-0 junior forward Abby Lusk. Garza has signed with Boise State and Lusk holds offers from Texas Tech, UNLV and Pepperdine.
“They’re big, and they’re great players,” Middleton junior guard Zoey Blackwell said. “We tried (to defend them), and they just kind of beat us up.”
Lusk scored 13 of her 19 points in the second half and pulled down 12 rebounds for a double-double, while Garza collected a game-leading 20 points along with six rebounds, three steals and two assists. Senior guard Taylee Rogers also reached double figures with 11 points.
Pocatello’s 62 points were the most the Vikings allowed all season, and Middleton’s 46 points were its fewest in a game outside of a 50-38 loss to 6A state champion Owyhee in early December.
“We gave it the best shot that we could,” Marianne Blackwell said. “I mean, great job to Pocatello. Everything executed and went well in their favor. And it didn’t in ours, and some games are like that, and that’s life. That’s just another great testament to what the game of basketball does. It teaches you a lot about life.”
Middleton trailed just 38-34 after three quarters, but Pocatello started the fourth quarter on a 9-0 run and outscored the Vikings 24-12 over the final eight minutes.
Zoey Blackwell finished with a team-best 15 points along with five rebounds, two steals and two assists. Freshman Dawn Holman and junior Aysha Fried each chipped in nine points.
The Vikings graduate only one senior — starting guard Elsie Wyatt — giving them good reason to believe they’ll be back under the lights at the Idaho Center next season.
“We’ll just grow upon it,” Marianne Blackwell said. “Yeah, it stinks. I mean, I’m in there shedding tears, but it’s moments like these that you remember, and that’s what just gives you that, ‘OK, I’m ready for the next.’”
This story was originally published February 22, 2025 at 10:02 PM.
