5A State Champs:  Lewiston Bengals (22-4)  37-24
The Bengals were the returning champions from last year, and this year’s field had several very good teams that Lewiston would have to go through to repeat this year.  They played well from the beginning of the tourney, and in the end they were they only team left standing.  This is their 3^rd title, with their first coming way back in 1976 under Coach Jim Wicks.  This is Pat Teichmer’s second title. 

Runner-up  Centennial Patriots
3^rd Place   Coeur d’Alene Vikings
Consolation  Meridian Warriors
Sportsmanship  Rocky Mountain Grizzlies
Academic  Highland Rams  3.863 GPA 

4A  State Champs:  Middleton Vikings  (26-0)  51-35
The Vikings were trying to complete a perfect season and join Meridian, Coeur d’Alene, Highland, Madison, and Moscow as the only Idaho high schools to have won 3 championships in a row.  To do it, they would have to get by a talented Wood River squad in the semis, and a very good Rigby team in the finals. This is the 4^th title for the Vikes (2008, 2010, 2011, 2012), having won all of them under Coach Andy Jones, who has five with his first coming with Caldwell in 2001.

Runner-up   Rigby Trojans
3^rd Place  Wood River Wolverines
Consolation   Madison Bobcats
Sportsmanship   Madison Bobcats
Academic    Shelley Russets  3.883 GPA 

3A  State Champs:  Marsh Valley Eagles  (25-0)  64-47
The Eagles secured a perfect season and won their 3^rd title in the school’s history with a victory over Timberlake.  Their 3 titles have come under 3 different coaches: Stan Hales in 2004, Todd Jensen in 2005, and now Kyle McQuivey.

Runner-up  Timberlake Tigers  
3^rd Place   Snake River Panthers
Consolation   Filer Wildcats
Sportsmanship   Fruitland Grizzlies
Academic   Salmon Savages  3.821 GPA 

2A  State Champs:   Butte County Pirates  (23-3)  52-48
The Pirates won their first two games at state by double digits, but the title game proved to be more difficult.  In the end, they had secured their 3^rd state title over the Kubs.  Jason Hansen, who is now the A.D., won back to back titles in 2006 and 2007, and now Jesse Lettington has his first championship.  What was most impressive about this title is that Butte County is actually a 1A school but has elected to play up in the 2A’s.  The smallest 2A school has 161 kids, while the Pirates have around 131.  Nice job, Butte County!

Runner-up   Kamiah Kubs
3^rd Place   Declo Hornets
Consolation  Malad Dragons
Sportsmanship   North Fremont Huskies
Academic  Valley Vikings  3.899 GPA 

1A  Div 1 State Champs:    Prairie Pirates  (21-4)  61-51
The Pirates from Prairie have a rich girl’s basketball history.  They had won 7 titles overall and a win this year would tie them for first with Coeur d’Alene and Grangeville with 8.  In the end, they weren’t to be denied.  In 1977 and 1978 they won under Art Dorval.  In 1981 and 1982 they won under Don Hoffman.  In 1988 and 1992 it was Chris Wren, and their 7^th was under Gordon Heath in 1997.  Now Lori Mader can add her name to the distinguished list. 

Runner-up  Troy Trojans  
3^rd Place  Lapwai Wilcats   
Consolation  Liberty Chapter Patriots
Sportsmanship   Prairie Pirates
Academic  Genessee Bulldogs  3.732 GPA

 1A Div 2 State Champs:  Dietrich Blue Devils  (24-0)  53-52 (OT)
The Blue Devils were playing for many things this year at state:  A perfect season, back to back titles, and more importantly, a win for their coach, Acey Shaw.  Acey had fallen ill since the title last year, and he was back again this year in a wheelchair to lead his girls to the title.  They had to beat a good Summit Academy team in who got to the title game via a triple overtime win over Carey.  It was Acey Shaw’s second title and the Blue Devils 3^rd title, with their first coming in 1999 under Gene Shaw.   

Runner-up  Summit Academy Patriots
3^rd Place   Carey Panthers
Consolation   Richfield Tigers
Sportsmanship   Summit Academy Patriots
Academic   Summit Academy Bulldogs  3.88O GPA

The Idahosports.com Players of the State Championship Games:

5A:  Tisha Phillips  (Senior, Lewiston Bengals):  In the title game, Phillips was unstoppable.  She ended the game with 16 pts on 4/10 shots from 2 pt range, and 0/1 from three land.  She was a perfect 8/8 from the foul line, had 4 rebounds, 2 blocked shots, 3 assists, and 5 steals.  She played more minutes in the title game, 30:07, than any other Bengal.  In her other two state games she was 18/19 and 8/9 from the foul line.  That’s an amazing 34/36 from the charity stripe in the biggest games of her life.  She set records in foul shots in a game and tourney, and they might last for quite awhile 

4A:  D’Rae Tullock  (Sophomore,  Middleton Vikings): It’s pretty nice when your player of the game is just a sophomore and has two more years to play for the Vikings.  The Rigby Trojans had no answer for the inside game of Tullock.  She ended the game with 11 pts on 4/6 shooting.  She had 7 rebounds, 1 blocked shot, 3 steals, and she was 3 out of 4 from the foul line.  She and Taylor Simmons played 31:15 out of 32 minutes in the game.

3A:  Sarah Viehweg  (Senior, Marsh Valley Eagles):  Sarah came up huge in the title game for her Eagles.  She had 23 pts on 11/15 shooting.  She was 1 for 2 from the foul line, had 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and only 1 turnover. She had 17 pts at the half which help give her team a 15 point lead at intermission.  My only question is what college is she playing at next year?

2A:  Korbin Traughber (Junior, Butte County Pirates):  The big three from Butte County, Traughber, Hansen, and Isham had 17, 16, and 15 pts respectively.  We went with Korbin as our MVP.  She also played all 32 minutes with 6 rebounds, 1 assist, and only 1 turnover.  13 of her points came in the second half and she was 4/6 from the foul line in the 4^th quarter.  And she is back next year for her Pirates.  With only 2 seniors, Isham and Pope, Butte looks to be strong again next year.

1A D1:  MeShel Rad  (Senior, Prairie Pirates):  This young lady was simply ever where the ball was.  She led her team with 19 pts on 6/13 shooting and she was 7/10 from the foul line.  She also had 12 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block, and 3 steals.  13 of her points came in the second half.  I remember thinking during the game that Rad had unlimited energy for the championship game because she was going full speed all the time and never seemed to tire out.  In a word, her title game was rad!

1A D2:  Charley Bingham (Junior, Dietrich):  Charley led her team with 15 pts on 5/15 from 2 pt land and 4/13 from three.  She isn’t afraid to shoot, is she?  She also had 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and only 1 turnover.  Her 4 three pointers in the second half led her team to their inspirational win for their coach, Acey Shaw.

The Idahosports.com All State Tournament Team  (5A Only)
One requirement we have- we will pick at least one player from each of the 8 teams at state for this all state team.

First Team
Dylan Gonzalez (Junior, Highland Rams)
Holly Blades (Junior, MeridianWarriors)
Sydney Williams (Sophomore, Coeur d’Alene Vikings)
Sherise Porchia (Junior, Centennial Patriots)
Siernna Short (Senior, Centennial Patriots)

Second team
Dakota Gonzalez (Junior, Highland Rams)
McClain Williams (Junior, Eagle Mustangs)
Kendalyn Brainard (Junior, Coeur d’Alene Vikings)
Emily Stickney (Senior, Centennial Patriots)
Karlee Wilson (Junior, Lewiston Bengals) 

Honorable Mention
Gabby Barker (Sophomore, Vallivue Falcons)
Joanna Stevens (Senior, Eagle Mustangs)
Adrianna Lutu (Senior. Meridian Warriors)
Caelyn Orlandi, Junior, Coeur d’Alene Vikings)
Carson Pickett (Sophomore, Rocky Mountain Grizzlies)

MVP

Tisha Phillips (Senior, Lewiston Bengals)
Tisha Phillips did something I don’t think any player has done since we have been announcing the state tourney games.  She was our idahosports.com player of the game for each of the 3 games they played at state. It was quite a tourney for the all around basketball star from Lewiston.  She stood out on the floor during the title game with her scoring, hustle, ball handling, and all around play.  Congrats, Tisha, and good luck at the next level.

The Idahosports.com “Coolest Names” of the Tournament
You can find out how many people in the U.S. have your name by clicking here.  There are lots of people named Gary Jones, but these cool names in the tourney are unique and that’s what we like about them.  We also come up with “Awesome Alliterations”.

“Coolest Names”

First Team
Timmie Bowie (Highland)
Morning Star Andrew (Lapwai)
Markee Kimball (Soda Springs)
Timberly Flick (Dietrich)
Cookie Benson (Wood River) 

Second Team
Iridian Guillen (Notus)
Daliss Pickup (Declo)
Chandler Beard (North Freemont)
Dassia May (Marsh Valley)
Whitney Dance (Snake River) 

Honorable Mention
Ebony Norman (Meridian)
Stormy Collins (Butte County)
Life Ilunga (Nampa Christian)
Justice Skeem (North Gem)
Keely Lance (Rigby)

 Awesome Alliterations”

 First Team
Brittany Bitton (Grace)
Hillary Hollon (Tri-Valley)
McKayla McClain (North Gem)
Sadie Shirts (Weiser)
Karli Kelly (Rigby) 

Second Team
Beka Bruner (Prairie)
Savannah Salazar (Hagerman)
Macy Martin (Snake River)
Henny Hearn (Century)
Veti Vasi (Skyview)

 Honorable Mention
Hunter Hubbard (Malad)
Brylie Bair (Snake River)
Hailey Hanson (Middleton)
Sam Sutton (Wood River)
Sadie Stutzman (Fruitland) 

Idahosports.com Pep Band of the State Tournament 
Dressed in purple, the Lewiston Pep Band stood out to all of us and it wasn’t just the bright colors.  They played music wonderfully, and they had fun doing it.  They danced, moved around, laughed a lot, and generally had a great time at the title tourney.  Their rendition of the National Anthem was outstanding, and they are the 2012 Pep Band of the Tourney. 

The Idahosports.com Mascots of the Tournament
OK, I need to get something off of my chest.  Here at idahosports.com we just love mascots dressed up for their schools.  We always see some in the boy’s tourney, but here is my gripe:  we don’t see as many at girl’s state and I do not know why.  This year there was exactly ZERO!  At least zero who made it to the Idaho Center. For that reason, we will not be giving this award out this year.  Get with it, would you schools?! DRESS UP A MASCOT FOR STATE TOURNAMENTS!!!!

States That Shouted Us Out  As many of our viewers know by now, we read “shout out” emails on the air.  We get hundreds of emails before it is all said and done, and I thought you might like to see a list of the states and countries we heard from during the girl’s state tournaments.  Keep those shout outs coming!

Idaho/Oregon/NewMexico/Texas/Vermont/California/Washington/Arizona/Nevraska/

Florida/Georgia/Wyoming/North Carolina/Virginia/Germany/France/Argentina.

Our number of viewers for the state games in all divisions topped out at over 182,000 people.  A big THANK YOU to all those that tuned us in.

 A Special Shout-out From Idahosports.com

What makes sports special is when something inspirational happens.  It happened in the first state title game on Saturday in the 1AD2 Division.  Dietrich had won state in 2011 under Coach Acey Shaw, but he fell ill when he contracted a disease from a calf he had put in his truck to stay warm.  Good people shouldn’t have to endure what Acey did, but he didn’t let it deter him from what he loves-coaching his Dietrich girls’ team.  And when the 2012 girls’ state championships rolled around, the Blue Devils were back to defend their title with Acey Shaw coaching from a wheel chair.  Their remarkable story became complete only after an overtime victory over Summit Academy in the championship game.  They never lost a single game this year. With all the bad stories that come from sports, such as PED, spoiled athletes etc., it’s nice when we see a true role model in front of us.  Acey showed us what kind of character he has in him, and he showed that with perseverance, courage, and a never quit attitude, you can accomplish anything.  You are an inspiration to us all, Acey, and for all of us here at Idahosports.com, we wish you God’s speed on your road to recovery.