Girls basketball state recap: Five Boise-area teams keep seasons alive
Ambrose sophomore Bryley Tadman corralled Baylie Mecham along the sideline, forcing the Firth junior guard to step out of bounds as she attempted to bring the ball up the court.
The turnover with 16.1 seconds left allowed Ambrose to convert 1-of-2 free throws on its ensuing possession, and the Archers fended off two potential game-tying 3-pointers to defeat Firth 57-54 in the 3A state tournament semifinals Friday night at Kuna High School.
Making just their third state tournament appearance in program history, the Christian-based private school in Meridian won its first state game in program history on Thursday and now will play for its first state title.
What a magical 24 hours.
“Our coach’s big theme was ‘Perfectly One’ throughout the whole year, and we really demonstrated that,” Tadman said. “We fought to the very end. Each and every person on the team, on the bench, on the court, our crowd, our parents, our coaches, it was everyone. It was a collective effort.
“… We’ve made it this far, and we didn’t give up. We knew that we wanted this. But ultimately, it was Jesus.”
No. 3 seed Ambrose (20-5) will face top-seeded Malad (23-2), last year’s state runner-up, in the championship game at 1:40 p.m. Saturday at the Ford Idaho Center in Nampa. The two teams have played once this season, with the Dragons winning 65-48 at a tournament on Dec. 5 in Ririe.
“With that tournament, we traveled four hours. We had three girls on our team sick,” Ambrose coach Kirk Crager said. “They’re a great team. I’m not making any excuses. They beat us fair and square, but I’m hoping that our girls with full health, full strength and a little bit of momentum, can make it a really good game. Who knows what can happen.”
Ambrose trailed 30-28 at halftime after Firth junior Shelbie Perry sank a 3-pointer at the buzzer. The Cougars extended their lead to 39-33 about midway through the third quarter before the Archers closed the quarter on a 10-0 run for a 43-39 lead.
In a game that featured nine lead changes and six ties, Firth took a 51-50 lead with 1:42 remaining in the fourth quarter on a triple from senior Adyson Park.
But junior point guard Annelise Curran responded with a 3-pointer of her own for a 53-51 lead, and the Archers survived a wild final minute to advance to the championship.
Sophomore guard Amelia Alexander was Ambrose’s top scorer with 20 points, while Tadman had 18 points — highlighted by a 4-for-5 performance from 3-point range — and Curran contributed nine points, two steals and one assist.
“From the first day, our one goal was go to state,” Tadman said. “Now we’re here, we’re going to the championship. … Throughout this week, we knew that no matter the team, we had prepared for this — mentally and physically. It was just all the preparation that paid off.”
WEST SIDE 53, NEW PLYMOUTH 50: The Pirates rallied from as much as a seven-point deficit in the fourth quarter to oust the Pilgrims (16-10) in an elimination game Friday at Kuna High School.
Seniors Hope Hailey and Maycee Christensen each scored 17 points for New Plymouth, and sophomore Josie Johnson also reached double figures with 10 points.
IDAHO 5A GIRLS BASKETBALL STATE TOURNAMENT
JEROME 56, COLUMBIA 25: The Wildcats (14-10) were limited to just three points in both the second and fourth quarters, falling to the Tigers in an elimination game Friday at Mountain View High School in Meridian.
Senior Gabby Nabors was the top scorer for Columbia, notching nine points on three 3-pointers.
BISHOP KELLY 47, HILLCREST 43, OT: Bishop Kelly avenged a loss to Hillcrest earlier this season to advance to the consolation championship.
BK (16-8) draws Jerome at 10 a.m. Saturday at Mountain View with a chance to bring home hardware for the third time in the last four seasons.
Junior forward Reagan Williams contributed a double-double of 17 points and 11 boards to lead Bishop Kelly. Junior point guard Alaina Stiffler added 11 points and three rebounds for the Knights.
IDAHO 4A GIRLS BASKETBALL STATE TOURNAMENT
WEISER 55, FILER 39: The Wolverines held the Wildcats scoreless in the first quarter and knocked down seven 3-pointers to advance to the consolation championship for the third time in the last five seasons.
Weiser (15-7) takes on Kimberly (13-12) at 10 a.m. Saturday at Skyview High School in Nampa with a chance to take home hardware.
Senior Ellie Shirts notched a game-leading 20 points with seven steals, five assists and four rebounds to lead Weiser, while sophomore Alyvia Goff totaled 13 points, eight rebounds, two assists and one steal. Senior Evie Dolton pulled down a game-best 14 boards to go with six points, five steals and two assists.
KIMBERLY 77, FRUITLAND 43: The Grizzlies (17-8) were plagued by 38 turnovers in an elimination loss to the Bulldogs on Friday at Skyview High School in Nampa.
Sophomore guard Payson Bratcher was a bright spot for Fruitland, finishing 4-for-5 from the field for 11 points with three rebounds, three assists and three steals.
IDAHO 2A GIRLS BASKETBALL STATE TOURNAMENT
LIBERTY CHARTER 46, VICTORY CHARTER 43: After two previous losses to the Vipers earlier this season, the Patriots prevailed in an elimination game Friday at Columbia High School in Nampa.
Liberty Charter (17-9) plays Lakeside (12-12) for the consolation trophy at 10 a.m. Saturday.
In a game that featured 11 lead changes and eight ties, sophomore guard Maci Nicley led Liberty Charter with 11 points, five rebounds and two assists. Junior guard Rylee Camarillo chipped in 10 points, four steals and three rebounds, and junior guard Aveyah Flores totaled eight points, six boards and four steals.
Sophomore forward Tamaya Rogers notched a double-double of 16 points and 17 rebounds for Victory Charter (15-8).
LAKESIDE 61, VISION CHARTER 42: The Golden Eagles (16-8) took a five-point lead after the first quarter, but were outscored 32-14 in the middle two frames of an elimination game Friday at Columbia High School in Nampa.
Junior Aubrie Parrish led the way for Vision Charter with a double-double of 18 points and 16 rebounds.
IDAHO 1A GIRLS BASKETBALL STATE TOURNAMENT
DEARY 44, SALMON RIVER 41: The Savages held a 30-27 advantage after three quarters before the Mustangs secured a fourth-quarter comeback in the semifinals Friday at Owyhee High School in Meridian.
Salmon River (24-1), which suffered its first loss of the season, will play Mackay (20-3) for the third-place trophy at noon Saturday.
Reigning All-Idaho first-team guard Rylee Walters paced the Savages with 20 points, four rebounds, five assists and four steals. Sophomore Kennedy Wilson added 10 points in the loss.
