ORDER GAME PHOTOS

A year ago, the Council girls basketball team entered Saturday's state championship game with an unblemished 18-0 record.  But on that February day, the undefeated season and the first state championship in school history both went up in smoke in a 44-26 loss to Rockland.

Fast forward to 2023, where the Lumberjacks came into the Class 1AD2 State Tournament with a 14-5 overall record and the number six seed overall.  Even though there were more bumps in the road during regular season play, the payoff arrived in the form of a 42-24 revenge win over Rockland in the semifinals, followed by a 52-42 triumph over Dietrich for the championship on Saturday morning at the Ford Idaho Center in Nampa.

The game was tight throughout, as both sides battled to a 12-12 draw at the end of the first quarter.  Council nudged ahead 25-23 at halftime, and extended the lead to 38-33 after three.  A 14-9 fourth quarter put the game on ice for the Lumberjacks, and the celebration was on from there.

Council enjoyed a 40-27 advantage on the boards, as Dietrich had no answer for six-foot-one center McKayla Hart, who tallied a double-double of 13 points and ten rebounds.  The Lumberjacks also shot 12-of-20 (60%) from the free throw line, while Dietrich was 6-of-16 (37.5%).

Hart was named IdahoSports Player of the Game for her efforts.  The junior shot 6-of-9 from the floor, and hit the lone three-point shot she attempted.  And on the defensive end of the floor, Hart blocked seven Dietrich shot attempts.

Dietrich was led by senior Hailey Astle, who finished with 19 points, five rebounds, and three steals.

COUNCIL (17-5) - McKayla Hart 13, Isabelle Eppich 12, Rhiana Iveson 9, Ava Eppich 9, Porter Hart 7, Hope Zollman 2, Cora Bingham 0

DIETRICH (22-4) - Hailey Astle 19, Saige Hubert 8, Kaitlyn Wanamaker 6, Aleigha Robertson 4, Jessika Power 3, Ellie Hoskisson 2, Abby Hendricks 0, Jazmin Van Tassell 0, Paje Van Tassell 0