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IDAHO 1A D-I STATE TOURNAMENT: Lapwai, Prairie loom large in bracket

Wildcats, Pirates have clashed in last four state title games, and both seem capable of returning to finale in this week's 1A D-I tournament at Nampa        

By BYRON EDELMAN of the Tribune

Feb 15, 2018 Updated Feb 15, 2018

you look at some of the scores from district tournaments in southern Idaho this year, you'll think you've stepped back in time.

"But our scores from the north," Prairie coach Lori Mader said, "we're scoring 60, 70, 80 points a game - and there's a reason."

Perhaps the same reason the Lapwai and Prairie girls' basketball teams have squared off for the past four Idaho Class 1A Division I state titles: their aggressive defenses.

you look at some of the scores from district tournaments in southern Idaho this year, you'll think you've stepped back in time.

"But our scores from the north," Prairie coach Lori Mader said, "we're scoring 60, 70, 80 points a game - and there's a reason."

Perhaps the same reason the Lapwai and Prairie girls' basketball teams have squared off for the past four Idaho Class 1A Division I state titles: their aggressive defenses.

Among that crowd of new faces are Omari Mitchell, Ciahna Oatman and Glory Sobotta - all players seeing heavy minutes while making their varsity debuts as ninth-graders.

Prairie's best player, Angela Wemhoff, suffered a season-ending knee injury early in the season, forcing her team to adapt and Prairie's coach to come up with an analogy - one she hoped might inspire her team.

"When Angela went down, I used the theme before of her driving the car and everyone else being the passenger," Mader said, "and the kids, everyone else has to take ownership now - they don't get to just watch the show."

Among those steering the Pirates' ship are a trio of seniors: Sydney Bruner (the team's emotional leader), Josie Peery (a double-double machine the past few games) and Leah Higgins (the Pirates' best defender).

Though Jordyn Higgins leads the Cottonwood school in scoring, averaging 11 points per game, she gets plenty of help. Josie Peery and India Peery both average nine points apiece for Prairie (22-2).