Bulldogs down Kavemen in state opener
BOISE — When they needed it, the players on the Sandpoint Bulldog girls basketball team stepped up when necessary, much like they’ve done throughout the season.
But this one, it’s a little special.
Junior guard Madi Schoening, the 4A Inland Empire League Most Valuable Player, scored 15 of her game-high 20 points in the second half as the Bulldogs beat the Kuna Kavemen 49-41 in the opening round of the state 4A basketball tournament on Thursday at Timberline High.
It is only Sandpoint’s fourth trip to state since 1982, and they went two and out last year.
“It was definitely a big win for us,” said Ward, who returned as coach this year after Bill Bender stepped down at the end of last season. “I don’t think many expected us to get back here this year, but the kids played well and wanted to get this win. We hadn’t gotten one of these in a long time.”
Another win in tonight’s semifinal at 7 p.m. PST against Century High of Pocatello will put the Bulldogs (14-8) in Saturday’s state 4A championship game at the Ford Idaho Center.
Century beat Minico in the final opening round game 52-34 on Thursday.
Kuna is 16-8. It is the Kavemen’s first appearance at state since 1995.
Schoening finished the game 7 of 16 shooting with four rebounds and two steals for Sandpoint, which also got 12 points from freshman post Grace Kirscher.
“They were a hard-earned 20 too,” said Ward of Schoening. “Grace, a freshman, played well for us and drove to the basket really well. Her offense is really coming around and she’s doing a good job for us.”
Sandpoint finished the game 17 of 42 from the floor, compared to 15 of 44 for Kuna.
“We knew at halftime, that we weren’t producing well on offense, so I started to do my driving stuff and trying to get to the basket and kick the ball out and try to get some open shots,” Schoening said. “Once our offense gets moving, we really click together and it gets everyone going.”
Kuna post Allison Law scored 14 points, 10 in the first half.
“One of the big keys for us was we tightened up the defense and decided to shut down the inside,” Ward said. “They were really hurting us on the inside game, so we kind of decided to make them beat us from the outside.”
Kuna shot 6 of 23 in the second half.
Taylor Ward — the coach’s granddaughter — scored all seven of Sandpoint’s points off the bench. She also tallied four rebounds, three steals and two assists, as her best game of the season came at an opportune time.
“All of our kids stepped up,” Ward said. “Taylor, who doesn’t get to play much, had a great game. All the kids, Morgan Bluemer (two rebounds, one steal) and Riley Couch (six points, two rebounds) had a big game for us.”
Kirscher finished the game 2 for 4 on 3-point attempts.
“It was incredible,” Kirscher said. “I’m so proud of everyone. It’s a great feeling.”
Kuna 10 12 6 13 — 41
Sandpoint 11 11 17 10 — 49
KUNA — Arizana 8, Rose 5, VanCampen 1, Thurston 1, Shreeve 0, Law 14, Hengel 0, Holloman 12, Brower 0. Totals 15-44 7-10 41.
SANDPOINT — Williams 4, Schoening 20, Converse 0, Robertson 0, Ward 7, Couch 6, Kirscher 12, Bluemer 0. Totals 17-42 12-18 49.