Northern Teams Again Small-School Favorites

A-3/A-4

Northern Idaho teams have had strangleholds on small-school girls basketball state titles in recent years.

In fact, A-4 teams in the region have captured state championships the last six years, while the last two A-3 titles have been won by Central Idaho League teams.

So it comes as no surprise that region teams are favored to take home the top hardware in both tournaments when they are held in the Twin Falls area beginning this afternoon.

At the A-3 tournament at Twin Falls High School, defending champion Clearwater Valley is favored.

In first-round games today, Teton (17-5) takes on Valley (19-7) at 12:45 p.m. PST, Glenns Ferry (19-4) goes against West Side (18-6) at 2:15, Clearwater Valley (15-6) meets Challis (17-6) at 5:30 and Fruitland (14-9) battles Grangeville (19-5) in the 7 p.m. game.

At the A-4 tournament at Jerome High School, Troy, which has won three state titles in the past five years, is given the nod to keep the region’s streak alive.

In first-round games today, Lakeside (15-6) of Plummer takes on Cambridge (13-11) at 12:45, Troy (19-4) meets Carey (15-6) at 2:15, Leadore (15-6) goes against Raft River (17-8) at 5:30 and Dietrich (23-1) squares off against Nampa Christian (20-3) at 7.

It’s a repeat opener for Lakeside and Cambridge. The Knights fell to Cambridge 31-30 last year, then were eliminated the next day by North Gem (45-42) in another tight contest.

Cambridge finished fifth in its eight-team league, coming on strong at the end of the season.

, DataTimes