Spartans fall at state

NAMPA — When Gary Stewart was a student at Priest River High, trips to state tournaments were just a dream.

Though this year’s trip to the state tournament — the Spartans girls sixth straight — came to an end with Friday’s 51-35 loss to the Fruitland Grizzlies in the state 3A basketball tournament at Skyview High, Stewart couldn’t have been any more proud of his group.

“It’s really hard to put into words,” Stewart said. “Everyone claims to be a family, but we really are. I’m the biggest cry baby of them all. After every district game — win or lose — I’m right in the middle of it. It’s been a great season. I’m a Priest River guy. When I went to school, nobody went to state or did anything. For these girls to have a streak like that, 15-win seasons, I consider that to be the benchmark of a high school program.”

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