Sugar Salem defeats Spartans

NAMPA — The Priest River girls hopes of back-to-back state titles were cut short Thursday night after Sugar Salem defeated the Spartans 50-40 to open the 3A state tournament Thursday at Skyview High School in Nampa.

Senior Morgan Stewart went 3 of 4 from the 3-point line and scored a team-high 10 points for Priest River (13-11), which closed the game to within three points late in the fourth period.

Liz Halcro grabbed 10 rebounds to go along with eight points and Steffie Pavey scored seven points to add to five assists and two steals in defeat.

“Other than the loss, I was happy with our effort,” Priest River coach Gary Stewart said. “We were outmatched inside and got out-rebounded, but competed hard and kept the game close right until the end. Morgan did a great job keeping us in the game in the first half.”

Georgia Brown and Kimber Choffin combined for 25 points for the Diggers (16-5), who outscored Priest River 22-8 in points off turnovers and 14-5 on second chance points.

The Spartans, who now can earn as high as a fifth place finish, play again today at 2 p.m. against the winner of the late Thursday game between Marsh valley and Weiser.