ORDER GAME PHOTOS
All year long, Sandpoint girls basketball coach Will Love has described his team's style of attack as "conceptual", meaning, it doesn't matter who the opponent is or what they try to do. The only thing that mattered was the interchangeable pieces that comprised the Bulldogs roster.
Four different players averaged double figures in scoring this year, and that balance and versatility was on display as Sandpoint won their first championship in school history by defeating Shelley 69-65.
Sandpoint won the game by shutting down Shelley's vaunted transition offense. The Russets instead had to work for their points in a more traditional half-court setting, and the Bulldogs defense came up with just enough stops to earn the win.
Offensively, Karlie Banks and Kelsey Cessna each led Sandpoint in scoring with 21 points apiece. Banks also grabbed 12 rebounds and earned IdahoSports Player of the Game honors.
Even more impressive in Sandpoint's win was the fact that they primarily relied on just six players the entire game. Cessna and Daylee Driggs played all 32 minutes, while Banks rested for just 44 seconds. Demi Driggs logged just under 29 minutes of game action, and sixth man Lily Richardson played just under 19. Starting point guard Aliya Strock found herself in foul trouble for most of the contest and only played 16 minutes.
Shelley's Brinley Cannon also played all 32 minutes, and delivered 27 points, 16 rebounds, three assists, four blocks and a steal. Shelley shot 6-of-10 from three in the first half, but slipped to 2-of-11 in the fateful second half of play.
SANDPOINT (20-5) - Karlie Banks 21, Kelsey Cessna 21, Aliya Strock 10, Demi Driggs 9, Lily Richardson 6, Daylee Driggs 2, Peyton Cessna 0
SHELLEY (22-4) - Brinley Cannon 27, Mia Williams 12, Kaci Lang 11, Hallie Dye 6, Kaylee Packer 5, Graci Stevens 3, Hallie Behunin 1, Riley Wasden 0, Sarah Kidman 0
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