Lakeland advances, Sandpoint hosts Hawks in Game 1 Wednesday

RATHDRUM — Lakeland will have a chance to defend their league title after defeating Moscow 67-43 on Monday night in the 4A Region 1 loser-out game.

With the win, the Hawks advance to face Sandpoint girls basketball in the best-of-3 championship series that starts 6 p.m. Wednesday.

In a pair of regular season games this year, the Bulldogs swept Lakeland but both matchups were tightly contested.

The first game between these league rivals came on Jan. 17 during Battle for the Paddle.

In that contest, the Bulldogs trailed early but then seniors Maddie Morgan and Dawson Driggs took over and helped Sandpoint outscore the Hawks 18-7 in the fourth quarter to capture a 55-43 win.

In the second game, Sandpoint jumped on the Hawks early in Rathdrum and fended off Lakeland the rest of the way. Ten fourth quarter free throws from Driggs helped the Bulldogs seal the 62-50 win.

Lakeland won the league and district title last year and will look to prevent Sandpoint from getting back to state this season.

Game 2 is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday and if Game 3 is necessary it will be played 6 p.m. Saturday. All of the games will be played at Les Rogers Court.