4A DISTRICT 1-2 GIRLS BASKETBALL: Lakeland erases 15-point deficit to take Game 2 from Sandpoint

Lakeland 47, Sandpoint 43

SANDPOINT — The Bulldogs started the game off on a 17-2 run, but the Hawks chipped away at the deficit, eventually winning Game 2 of the 4A District 1-2 best-of-three series at Les Rogers Court Friday night.

After a dominant first quarter by Sandpoint, Lakeland responded with a 26-5 run between the second and third quarters. Early in the fourth, Lakeland found themselves ahead 39-31. The Bulldogs rallied, and with 3-pointers from Brecken Mire and Karlie Banks, took a 40-39 lead with a couple of minutes remaining. However, the Hawks would get some clutch baskets from Lila Keifer and Landree Simon late in the game to seal the deal.

“Lakeland did a good job when they were down early and stuck to their game plan,” head coach Will Love said. “They were able to make plays down the stretch, and I just have to give credit to them. They have been playing hard. Lakeland’s up to No. 7 in the MaxPreps rankings; they’re a good team. Whatever team comes from the North is going to be a great representative at the state tournament.”

As for the game at hand, Love said turnovers were Sandpoint’s biggest issue, something the Bulldogs will need to limit Saturday in order to clinch a state bid.

“We just turned the basketball over too much,” Love said. “That’s back-to-back games that we have had a high number. When we look at some of the metrics, that’s the difference right there. We’re getting less shots than Lakeland is. We have to be able to take care of the basketball, and if we do, I think we have a good chance at getting the job done tomorrow.”

In Friday night's loss, Banks led Sandpoint with another double-double of 18 points and 13 rebounds, also adding three blocks to the stat sheet. Jordyn Tomco scored 14 points and hauled in five rebounds. Lily Richardson and Brecken Mire both dished out three assists; Mire also contributed seven points for the Bulldogs.

Pacing the hawks was Landree Simon, who scored 20 points, which included buzzer-beating 3-pointers at the end of the second and third quarters. Lila Keifer had 16 points and eight rebounds for Lakeland.

Sandpoint (19-4) will host Lakeland (12-9) Saturday at 6 p.m. for the final game of the best-of-three series. At stake is a berth to the 4A state tournament.

Lakeland 2 19 16 10 – 47

Sandpoint 15 7 6 15 – 43

PTS: SPT – Banks 18, Tomco 14, B. Mire 7, D. Driggs 4, Laybourne 0, Richardson 0, L. Driggs 0, Thaete 0. LAK – Simon 20, L. Keifer 16, K. Kiefer 4, Holte 4, Sterling 3, Bretveld 0, H. McMurray 0.

REB: SPT – Banks 13, Tomco 5, Laybourne 4, Richardson 2, D. Driggs 1, B. Mire 1, Thaete 1. LAK – L. Kiefer 8, Simon 3, K. Kiefer 3, Holte 3, Bretveld 3, Sterling 2.

AST: SPT – Richardson 3, B. Mire 3, Banks 2, Tomco 1, D. Driggs 1. LAK – K. Kiefer 4, Simon 3, L. Kiefer 2, Bretveld 1.

STL: SPT – B. Mire 1, Banks 1. LAK – Simon 2, L. Kiefer 2, K. Kiefer 1, Holte 1, Bretveld 1.

BLK: SPT – Banks 3, D. Driggs 2, Tomco 1, Richardson 1. LAK – Holte 2.