NAMPA, Idaho — The No. 1-seeded St. Maries Lumberjacks defeated the No. 2-seeded Wendell Trojans 50-43 in the 3A Boys Basketball State Championship Game on Saturday.

The Lumberjacks outscored the Trojans 20-8 in the paint on their way to capturing the third state title in school history.

In an early defensive battle, both teams went back and forth throughout the opening quarter with three lead changes, as St. Maries held a narrow 11-8 lead after the first period. A 7-0 run by the Lumberjacks in the second quarter helped them build momentum and take a 24-20 lead into halftime. St. Maries continued to extend the advantage in the third quarter, outscoring Wendell 14-6 in the period. The Trojans attempted to claw their way back in the fourth, but the Lumberjacks held them off to secure the 50-43 victory.

St. Maries head coach Bryan Chase reflected on the championship performance.

“All three games we had to play down here were tough,” Chase said. “This 3A classification was tough, and we knew it was wide open for anybody to win. We just needed to give ourselves a chance every game.”

Isaiah Gustaffe was named the IdahoSports.com Player of the Game, finishing with 13 points and four rebounds to lead the Lumberjacks. JJ Yearout added 11 points and six rebounds, while Xavier Sloper also scored 11 points and Jack Barta contributed nine points for St. Maries.

“For me, I was just focused on the defensive side,” Gustaffe said. “I feel like the offense just came to me as the game progressed.”

For Wendell, Jonathan Swainston led the Trojans with 16 points and five rebounds, while Jarret Borges added 12 points and six rebounds.

“It took a lot to get here, and we put in so much hard work,” Swainston said. “That’s just the way it goes sometimes.”