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BOISE 45, LAKE CITY 25: The No. 5 Brave (21-3) picked the right time to have arguably their best defensive effort of the season. 

The Timberwolves (21-4) had their worst offensive outing by a mile. Their previous worst was 44 points just a day earlier against Rocky Mountain in the quarterfinals. Lake City scored just three field goals over the final three quarters, had only one point in the second and finished 4-of-23 (17.4%) from the field.

Boise will play Timberline (24-2) at 8 p.m. Saturday right back inside the Ford Idaho Center in an all Boise school and Southern Idaho Conference final.

“We knew that Lake City didn’t have the game that they wanted to in that first game. So we were expecting a lot of firepower from them,” Boise coach Kim Brydges said. “I thought the girls really locked in and paid attention to the scout(ing report). We talked a ton about personnel and their actions, and they just did a tremendous job defensively.”

Sophomore forward Avery Howell was a big reason why with 19 rebounds, 18 of them on the defensive end.

“Honestly, I didn’t know I had 19 until someone told me after the game,” Howell said. “I think it’s helpful for our team because it just stops possessions and it doesn’t let them get second-chance opportunities. I think that’s what I needed to do tonight to help the team win and I executed that.”

This will be the Brave’s first time playing in a final since 2015 when they lost 66-53 to Mountain View led by Destiny Slocum of the WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces. Boise will try for its first state championship in 17 years.

“To be able to be playing in the state championship is just such a dream for me,” siad Ella Nelson who finished with a game-high 16 points. “I’m just so excited for our team and ... our coaches. I’m just so excited for everyone.”

It will be the fourth time Boise and Timberline play this season. The Wolves swept the Brave in the regular season before getting them back at last week’s district championship game.

Sophomore Kamryn Pickford came off the bench to lead Lake City, which will play Rigby Saturday at noon at Ridgevue High School in the third-place game.

(Photo by Loren Orr)

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TIMBERLINE 56, RIGBY 49: Andy Jones had to think for a moment when asked how many state championship appearances this will be for him now.

The headman of the Timberline High School girls basketball team will coach in his ninth final Saturday evening. He’s 6-2 in title games and will look to win with his third different program after winning with Caldwell (2001) and Middleton (2008, 10, 11, 12, 17).

The Wolves will also play in their second state championship game in three years. They lost to Mountain View 55-49 in 2020.

“Obviously, we’re all really excited,” said senior guard Audrey Taylor who finished with 14 points, including three 3-pointers. “It’s really just like relieving almost to be back here.

“We know how we felt after losing the last one. So we just have a lot of fire in us right now.”

But Timberline looked like it was going to experience that same heartbreak again - only a round earlier. It trailed by eight points with two minutes and 32 seconds remaining in the third and five with 5:37 to play.

However, for the second straight night, the Wolves stayed composed. They ended the game on a 15-5 run that was jump started by a 3-pointer from Taylor, who struggled the nine before with only five points.

“She doesn’t give up,” said senior post Sophie Glancey who finished with a game-high 16 points and eight rebounds. “If you watched any of her games. Even if she misses, that doesn’t deter Audrey. She’s just going to keep shooting, keep shooting, keep shooting cause she knows she has a great shot. So there’s no reason ever to tell her to stop shooting. Everyone has off nights. That happens.”

Timberline then just salted the game away at the free throw line. It made 9-of-10 free throws down the stretch, led by junior guard Lauren McCall who went a perfect 6-of-6.

“It doesn’t get any bigger than those moments,” Jones said. “The kids in their driveway when they’re 10-years-old and saying, ‘Hey, state championship, gotta make a free throw.' 

“If it were me, I’d airball the damn thing, so I’m proud of them for coming through in the clutch.”

Sophomore forward Aly Cox also reached double figures with 12 points for the Wolves, who are looking for their first banner since 2003.