Cold third quarter dooms Bulldogs at state

BOISE — Things were looking up for the Sandpoint Bulldogs at the end of the first half.

Sure, they trailed 25-23 to the Century Diamondbacks, but it took a buzzer beater by Sarah Holt to make it that way.

Then, as the third quarter opened, the Bulldogs went cold from the field.

And the Diamondbacks, they didn’t.

Century (21-3) shot 10 of 19 in the second half, pulling away for a 60-44 win over the Bulldogs in a state 4A semifinal game.

“They’re a good ballclub,” Sandpoint coach Duane Ward said. “They’re legitimately a good ballclub. They’re big, and I thought we battled right with them on the boards and played good basketball. We had a couple of excellent shots in the first half and they wouldn’t go down. When the ball doesn’t go in the hole, it makes everything else difficult.”

Sandpoint (14-9) was bidding for its first appearance in the state title game since 1996. They finished the game 14 of 45 from the field.

Junior guard Madi Schoening had 22 points, four steals and a blocked shot for Sandpoint.

“She’s a warrior,” Ward said. “She’s been double teamed, and teams always put their best player on her. Whoever they put on her, they get help on defense, but Madi just competes in all different areas. She’s a great defensive player, great rebounder and great slasher. She’s a team player and we’re very happy to have her.”

Sandpoint limited Haddy Hern, who has signed to play at Montana to six points, but were done in by 20 points from Rian Rawlings and 14 points from Sarah Holt.

“We fought hard,” Schoening said. “We peaked at the right time in the season, and I’m really proud of how the team played and came together at the right time. Century’s a really good team, and I was impressed with how we played them. We’re excited for tomorrow’s game.”

Sandpoint faces Rigby (16-8) in today’s third place game at 10 a.m. PST. Century advances to face defending champion Skyview (16-8) in the championship game at the Ford Idaho Center.

“We knew coming in that Sandpoint’s a great ballclub,” sixth-year Century coach Chris Shuler said. “They’ve got great shooters and great ballhandlers, and we knew it was going to be a battle. I told our girls the first two minutes of the second half was going to determine the game, and they responded.”

Shuler was also impressed with Schoening’s effort in defeat.

“She’s a phenomenal player,” Shuler said. “I wish she was a senior. She’s a great player, physical and can shoot the ball. Sandpoint’s a great team. It was a tough test for us, and I wish them luck tomorrow.”

Century    15  10  18  17 — 60

Sandpoint 11  12   3   18 — 44

CENTURY — Holt 14, Rawlings 20, Casper 8, Smoot 0, Hiller 0, Grinnell 7, Christensen 2, Packham 0, Behrend 0, Hearn 6, Hatch 3. Totals 18-38 19-24 60.

SANDPOINT — Williams 6, Schoening 22, DuMars 0, Converse 1, Robertson 0, Ward 2, Martin 8, Couch 2, Kirscher 2, Bluemer 1. Totals 14-45 14-20 44.