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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Coeur d’Alene girls rout Meridian at state, 68-27

Jason Chatraw Special to The Spokesman-Review

In case anyone thought that Coeur d’Alene’s rule in Idaho 5A girls basketball was over after losing in the finals a year ago, the Vikings proved those notions foolish with a 68-27 thrashing of Meridian on Thursday evening in the opening round of the state tournament at the Idaho Center in Nampa.

After sitting his starters for the entire fourth quarter, CdA head coach Dale Poffenroth will have a fresh five for tonight’s semifinal against Centennial at 7 PST.

“This team is very balanced and you were able to see that tonight,” Poffenroth said. “This is how they’ve played all year.”

Kyeli Parker led the Vikings with 11 points along with three rebounds and two assists, while Sydney Williams added 10 points with three boards. Brittany Tackett came off the bench to score nine, while Caelyn Orlandi and Erin Legel added eight each.

In all, 10 of the 11 players who saw playing time scored at least three points.

“It really frees you up when you can come out and play each night knowing that you don’t have to carry the whole load,” Parker said. “If you’re having a rough night, there’s always someone to pick you up.”

And when no one has a rough night, the outcome can be frightening for CdA’s opponents.

Staked to a 28-15 halftime lead, the Vikings went on a tear in the third quarter, outscoring Meridian 27-4 and leaving only the final margin of victory in doubt.

“The real turning point was how we were able to get going in the third quarter,” Poffenroth said. “You’ve got to be able to run when you don’t have height – and we’ve been able to do that successfully all year long.”

Trailing 7-6 with 2:25 left in the opening quarter, the Vikings hit a pair of 3-pointers to close on an 8-3 run and build a 14-10 lead.

CdA carried that momentum over into the second quarter, using precision outside shooting and stifling defense to take over the game and take a 28-15 halftime lead. Parker and Madison Sumner both knocked down 3-pointers as the Vikings held Meridian without a field goal until the 30-second mark.

Once the third quarter arrived, CdA’s suffocating defense and fast-break style had the Vikings up by 24 points midway through the period.

Lewiston 47, Vallivue 40: Tisha Phillips hit 18 of 19 free throws on the way to a game-high 28 points as the Bengals (20-4) opened with a win over the Falcons (16-8). Lewiston will play Highland (22-1) at 5:15 tonight in the semifinals.

4A

Moscow 40, Skyview 32: Taylor Anderson had 12 rebounds and the Bears (12-10) overcame 7-for-21 shooting from the line by building a 19-point lead and holding off the Hawks (17-7) at Timberline High in Boise. Moscow will meet Rigby at 7 tonight in the semifinals.

3A

Timberlake 59, Salmon 41: Kelly Madsen scored a game-high 22 points, hitting 8 of 15 field goals, as the Tigers (14-10) built a 25-point lead and cruised past the Savages (13-9) in an opener at Middleton High. Timberlake will meet Snake River (15-4) at 5:15 tonight in the semifinals.

Priest River 50, Fruitland 48 (2OT): Steffie Pavey hit 4 of 6 3-pointers on the way to 20 points and Liz Halcro had 11 rebounds as the Spartans (17-5) held off the Grizzlies (16-8). PR will meet Filer at 7 tonight in the semifinals.

1A Division II

Dietrich 62, Clark Fork 32: Moriah Dill had 22 points and nine rebounds as the Blue Devils (22-0) strolled past the Wampus Cats (12-8) at Nampa High. CF will meet Richfield at 2 this afternoon in a loser-out game.