Kellogg enters state with experience

The temptation is to put defending State 3A girls basketball champion Shelley and runner-up Kellogg in the title game before the tournament begins Thursday because they’re the only state qualifiers returning from last year.

Come Saturday, they could be poised for a rematch. But in the back of Kellogg coach Steve Bourgard’s mind, he knows there’s probably a Cinderella team lurking. After all, his team fit the bill last year.

Kellogg had to win a play-in game to earn a state berth last year. Then it surprised many by advancing to the state championship game. The District I champion and third-ranked Wildcats (20-2) will open state at Middleton High School as a known commodity when they meet No. 2-ranked Sugar-Salem (21-5) at 2 p.m. PST.

District I runner-up Bonners Ferry (16-8) returns to state for the first time in two years. The Badgers, on the same side of the bracket as Kellogg, meet District IV champ Filer (11-9) in the tourney’s first game at 12:15.

With the nucleus of its team back this year, Kellogg got off to a 16-0 start and was ranked No. 1 in the poll for the first time in school history. Then the Wildcats lost back-to-back games to Bonners Ferry (30-23) and Priest River (52-51).

“We lost a little bit of focus and were living a little bit large, getting the big head a little,” Bourgard said. “The losses brought us back down to earth.”

Kellogg rebounded to win its first district title with decisive victories over Priest River (63-35) and Bonners Ferry (53-43).

“Those were character builders for us,” Bourgard said of the wins at district. “Both teams made runs at us and we answered the runs and played with composure.”

The Wildcats want to add another first this week – a state title.

“I think our experience will be huge for us at state,” Bourgard said. “It will win us a couple of games.”

Defense has been Kellogg’s strength the last two seasons. The Wildcats allowed an average of 37 points a game at state last year.

Kellogg’s defense has been just as stifling this year, if not more so. The offense has improved measurably.

“We’re starting to peak at the right time,” Bourgard said. “If we can score in the 50s, nobody will touch us. Nobody works harder than us. That’s why our defense always gets the job done.”

Bonners Ferry coach Travis Hinthorn breathed a super-sized sigh of relief after the Badgers handled Weiser 55-34 to earn a state berth Saturday.

The Badgers went 8-0 in Intermountain League play last year, but their season ended abruptly with back-to-back losses at district.

Seniors Becky Lowther and Kaitie Poston, both four-year starters, carried the Badgers in the play-in game, combining for 41 points to outscore Weiser by themselves. Poston had 25 points on 9-of-11 shooting in the post.

“They’ve been with us for four years and they didn’t want their season to end,” Hinthorn said. “I think we’ve got a chance to get a trophy.”

Hinthorn welcomes the possibility of a semifinal matchup with Kellogg.

“It could be a good thing, because if we play them then it probably means we won our state opener,” Hinthorn said.