Soda Springs finally got its day.

After multiple times of being the bridesmaid, the Cardinalswon their first state championship in girls basketball, beating Ririe 53-43 towin the 2A Girls Real Dairy Shootout on Saturday.

Markee Kimball scored 14 points and pulled in eight reboundsfor Soda Springs, who cruised to the title after escaping with last-secondheroics in Thursday.

“We heard about how we were the easier game, how thechampionship game was really Firth and Ririe … that was our fire,” said seniorKadee Jo Simmons. “

Simmons added 12 points and Callie Gronning scored 10 forthe Cardinals, who took the lead on Gronning’s 3-pointer at the first-quarterhorn and never looked back.

The Cardinals were up five at the half and doubled it bystarting on a 5-0 run in the third quarter. That pushed the lead to 10 andRirie never got closer than six points the rest of the way.

Every time the Bulldogs pushed Soda Springs had an answer.

“Our coach said it’s like a boulder rolling downhill. Wenever want to let up,” said Kimball. “This is such an amazing feeling; this isfor all the alumni, the people back at Soda Springs before us, the fans and thecommunity.”

For Ririe, Haddi Williams scored 10 points and had sevenrebounds. The Bulldogs finished second for the second year in a row.

The game was delayed with a minute remaining as Soda Springsforward Harper Gibbs was knocked unconscious when she hit her head on the courttrying to draw a charge. She eventually was able to walk off the court withassistance.

Box score:http://www.idhsaa.org/sports/stats/1415/gbb/2A/2Agirlsgame13.html

Idaho Sports Player of the Game: Markee Kimball, SodaSprings.