Girls basketball

Cusick came back from a three-point halftime deficit Wednesday and almost saw a nine-point, fourth-quarter lead disappear, but the Panthers survived with a 44-43 win over Republic in the first round of the Panorama League Tournament.

Amanda Smith totaled 13 points and 13 rebounds for the host Panthers (16-5). Ann Hover hit five 3-pointers in the first half and scored 15 points for the Tigers (8-13), but was held scoreless the rest of the way. Cusick hosts Inchelium on Saturday.

Also in the tourney, Wellpinit (16-5) capitalized on 22 turnovers and received a 19-point night from Chanel Ford in a 60-50 win over host St. George’s. Titi Ala led the Dragons (14-7) with 27 points, 10 rebounds, and five steals. The Redskins play at Curlew on Saturday. … Amanda Grumbach had 14 steals and 11 rebounds to go with 16 points, and Mackenzie Wilson scored a game-high 20 points, as Curlew steamed by visiting Selkirk 60-39. Kady Kirkendall added 10 rebounds for the Cougars (18-2). The Rangers (6-14) play at St. George’s on Saturday in a loser-out game. … Amanda Burch shot 6 for 6 from the line on her way to 14 points, as Inchelium (18-3) cruised past visiting Springdale 58-36. The Chargers (10-11) host Republic on Saturday in a loser-out game.

Idaho Class 3A

3A District I playoffs: Lacey Hopkins scored a game-high 22 points as Priest River (14-9) routed host Bonners Ferry (15-7) 65-43 in a winner-to-state game in the tournament at Timberlake High in Spirit Lake. … Elsewhere, Amanda Seeling scored 11 points in Kellogg’s (12-10) 48-33 loser-out win over St. Maries (8-14). Kellogg will play Bonners Ferry in a loser-out game tonight, with the winner advancing to a state play-in game.