Bulldogs off to state

| February 13, 2014 6:00 AM

COEUR d’ALENE — After a 10 year hiatus the Bulldogs are finally heading back to state, earning their trip with a 63-47 win over Lakeland on Wednesday night in the 4A Region 1 girls basketball championship game at North Idaho College.

Sophomore guard Madi Schoening erupted for 22 points, including 13 in a big first half for the No. 1 seed Bulldogs (13-7), who led from start to finish.

Nikole Alamillo added 15 points for Sandpoint, which will open the state tournament on Thursday, against the No. 2 seed from District 5-6, at Mountain View High School in Meridian.

After a few lean years that saw the girls program win just a handful of games, second year head coach Bill Bender has completely turned the program around, giving a deserving bunch of seniors a chance to experience the state tournament.

Kelly Ramus led No. 3 seed Lakeland (4-18) with 13 points.

Lakeland 10 11 12 14 — 47

Sandpoint 16 15 14 18 — 63

SANDPOINT — Schoening 22, Delgado 7, Alamillo 15, Olin 8, Chatburn 8, Williams 2, Martin 2.