ORDER GAME PHOTOS

Ahead of the 2023 Class 1AD1 Girls Basketball State Tournament, many fans predicted that a pair of district rivals would face off for the championship.

But instead of the Lapwai vs. Prairie matchup everyone anticipated, it was District 4 rivals Raft River and Oakley meeting for the fourth time this season in the ultimate game.

After splitting their regular season contests, Oakley defeated Raft River in the District 4 championship game by a narrow 31-26 margin, setting the stage for another close finish.  This time, though, the Trojans emerged victorious in a 38-34 nail-biter.

Trailing 23-19 entering the fourth quarter of play, Raft River outscored Oakley 19-11 in the fourth quarter to earn the come-from-behind win.  

Both defeneses shined in this contest.  Raft River finished with a shooting percentage of 36.7%, while Oakley shot 27.5% from the field.  The two sides comebined to shoot just 7-of-27 from three-point range, as well.  The one area where Raft River exceled was at the free throw line, where the Trojans made 14-of-20 (70%) compared to Oakley's 7-of-12 mark (58.3%).

IdahoSports Player of the Game Caroline Schumann led all scorers with 18 points on 6-of-8 shooting.  She also pulled down six rebounds, dished out three assists and came away with three steals.  Reagan Jones added 11 points, seven boards and five assists.

Oakley was led by Kylan Jones' nine points.

OAKLEY (21-5) - Kylan Jones 9, Jentry Hawker 6, Lacee Power 5, Hope Payton 4, Falon Bedke 3, Addie Mitton 3, Bentley Cranney 2, Kaymbri Beck 2, Julia Magana 0

RAFT RIVER (24-3) - Caroline Schumann 18, Reagan Jones 11, Libby Boden 4, Jessi Knudsen 3, Logan Jones 1, Ryan Udy 1, Sadee Knudsen 0