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It wasn't long ago that the Dietrich Blue Devils were the toast of 1AD2 girls basketball.  Under veteran coach Acey Shaw, Dietrich claimed four consecutive state championships from 2011 to 2014.  They played for a fifth consecutive title in 2015, but fell to Richfield 48-41 in the championship game that year.  

Following the string of five consecutive championship game appearances, Dietrich continued to be in the mix, qualifying for state in three of four seasons from 2016-19.

But from 2019 on, there's been a mini-drought, as teams like Carey, Camas County and Richfield have taken turns representing the Sawtooth Conference at state.

But 2023 is shaping up to be Dietrich's grand return to the ball.  The Blue Devils have amassed a 15-3 record this season, with all three losses coming against 1AD1 competition (Murtaugh, Oakley and Raft River).  

The loss to Raft River occurred on December 17th.  To date, it's the last time that Dietrich tasted defeat.  The Devils have quietly won nine in a row, by an average margin of 24 points per game.

It's been a complete team effort.  Take for example, the past week, which saw Dietrich go 3-0 with lopsided wins over Camas County, Hagerman and Butte County. 

Each game saw a different player lead the team in scoring. Sophomore Paje Van Tassell (12 points against Camas County), junior Saige Hubert (17 points against Hagerman) and senior Hailey Astle (21 points against Butte County) all took turns leading the charge.

Senior Abby Hendricks, juniors Jessika Power, Rylie Hoskisson and Ellie Hoskisson, and sophomore Aleigha Robertson are all key contributors as well.

It's a deep and diverse unit that has given most opponents fits this year.  The Blue Devils thrive on solid defense, using turnovers to ignite their fast break attack.

And after lurking on the periphery of the 1AD2 rankings all year, the Blue Devils are firmly entrenched as the classification's second ranked team in our Monday update of the Idaho Girls Basketball Top 25 Daily rankings.  

Dietrich still has a couple of hurdles to clear before they make their triumphant return to state, though.  A matchup tomorrow night with Richfield looms.  A win would give Dietrich the outright regular season Sawtooth Conference crown.  A loss would create a tie for first place.

And a district tournament that only rewards one bid to state also lies ahead.  One bad night at districts, and Dietrich's dream season could go up in smoke.

But with a veteran coach in Rick Astle leading the way, the Blue Devils are in great shape to return to state after a three-year layoff.

Here's the rest of the Top 25 Daily Girls Basketball Rankings:

CLASS 5A

1. Boise (17-2)
2. Thunder Ridge (19-0)
3. Timberline (16-3)
4. Rigby (16-3)
5. Lake City (15-3)
6. Coeur d'Alene (15-3)

CLASS 4A

1. Shelley (16-2)
2. Bishop Kelly (15-3)
3. Mountain Home (16-3)

CLASS 3A

1. Parma (17-2)
2. Snake River (16-3)
3. Weiser (16-3)

CLASS 2A

1. Melba (19-0)
2. North Fremont (15-3)
3. Soda Springs (15-3)
4. Cole Valley Christian (15-4)

CLASS 1AD1

1. Lapwai (17-1)
2. Raft River (16-2)
3. Carey (13-3)
4. Murtaugh (13-5)

CLASS 1AD2

1. Rockland (17-3)
2. Dietrich (15-3)
3. Leadore (14-2)
4. Mackay (15-3)
5. Deary (11-1)

IN: Coeur d'Alene, 
OUT: Ambrose

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