Moscow girls state bound

For the second consecutive season, the Moscow girls' basketball team is headed to the Idaho state tournament. Following a thrilling 37-34 victory Tuesday night at the Bear Den, the Bears were crowned the Inland Empire League Division Champions after they eged their way past the Lakeland Hawks.

Down 37-34 with 6.2 seconds left, the Hawks had a chance to tie the game, but senior Cieana Close's desperation 3 whipped off the backboard. When the final whistle blew the student body rushed the court in jubilation as the team celebrated mid-court.

"It was one of those games where it could have gone either way because of the will of both teams," Moscow coach Robin Barnes said. "We got some steals and got some big rebounds late, which made a big difference.

The first half was an exciting head-to-head duel for those on hand to watch as both squads went back and forth. The Bears took control of the tempo early, jumping out to a 4-0 lead by controlling the paint on both offense and defense. Lakeland wasn't ready to give up on its dreams, and tied the game three different times in the first quarter, including 11-11 as time wound down.

In the second quarter, Lakeland continued to use a 2-3 zone and full-court press, which led to a consistent amount of turnovers from the Bears, who finished with 16 on the night. With its stifling defense, Lakeland was able to take advantage and took its first lead of the game, 17-14, following a 3-point shot by Close with 3:01 left in the half.

The teams traded baskets the remainder of the period. After each team went 1 of 2 from the line in the final minute, the visiting Hawks held a 23-21 advantage headed into the break.

At halftime Barnes reminded her players that the key to regaining the lead was simple - they had to get back to the basics.

"We just went back to fundamentals," Barnes said. "I told them we have to do certain things right, whether it's execution or communication. We really tried just focusing on the little things we needed to do to finish the game."

Barnes' halftime speech worked wonders on her players. The team came out of the gate red-hot and played with passion. The Bears immediately tied up the game at 23 on the opening in-bounds pass when junior Amanda Bigler jumped in front of a pass and raced down court for an easy two. The play started a 6-0 run for the Bears, who took a 27-23 lead one minute into the third quarter. The home team picked up their defensive effort and held the Hawks to only two points in the third quarter, and Moscow went into the fourth quarter holding a 31-25 advantage after sophomore Kim Sprenger drilled a 3-point shot with 1:31 left.

Lakeland returned the favor by going on a 6-0 run to start the final quarter and tied the game at 31 with 5:49 remaining. The Bears were able to separate themselves just enough in the final minutes, however, with a key play from senior forward Taylor Anderson.

Anderson broke a full-court press, sprinted down the court and fired off a contested twisting lay-in that rattled down the net, putting the Hawks up 37-32. Anderson finished with a game-high 12 points and nine rebounds. After the game, Barnes said she couldn't have been more proud of her senior and the way she played in her final game at home.

"It's what I've always wished for her to do," Barnes said. "To play her last game here and finish with that strong of a game was just really nice to see. I just think she's so full of potential, and we have to find ways to get her the ball."

Besides Anderson, the Bears have three other seniors: Brook Sprenger, Bailee Olmstead and Abi Quinnett. Barnes said she was proud of the team for their resiliency throughout the season, but she was even more excited for the seniors who are headed to state in their final year.

"You always wish it for the seniors," Barnes said. "They work really hard and they give up a lot and sacrifice for each other so they've definitely earned it."

The Bears now wait the winner of the Middleton (22-0) and Skyline (17-5) matchup to determine who they will face in the first round of the state tournament.

Moscow - Brittnay Davis 3, Amanda Bigler 6, Kylie Gorton 4, Kendyl Landeck 0, Brook Sprenger 0, Bailee Olmstead 2, Kim Sprenger 4, Taylor Anderson 12, Chloe Quinnett 6. Lakeland - Toni Tapplin 5, Darby Murray 1, Chelsea Bayley 0, Jordan Ward 4, Josie Coder 8, Christie Wendle 0, Keelani Duffey 0, Cieana Close 11, Kacie Derby 5.

Braulio Perez can be reached at sports@dnews.com.