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We witnessed great basketball at the 2A Girls Real Dairy Shootout this past weekend at Kuna High School. Eight teams from all around the state came together to try to determine who was Idaho's best at the 2A level. Certainly, the games lived up to the hype.
In the end, it was Firth snagging their second state championship over Nuclear Conference foe Ririe on Saturday afternoon at the Ford Idaho Center in Nampa. Third place went to Melba, who edged their Western Idaho Conference opponent Cole Valley. The Consolation Title went to Grangeville who, after a slow start against Melba, were able to finish strong with wins over New Plymouth and Valley.
Tyler Belnap and I certainly enjoyed covering this event. We also appreciated those who came up to us in between broadcasts to thank us for broadcasting these games online, so that friends and family could watch from afar.
We also needed to say thanks to the staff at Kuna for their hospitality, with everything from getting our broadcast area set-up to bringing us delicious food throughout the tournament (those cinnamon rolls from Saturday morning were AWESOME!), we certainly appreciated everything that was done so that we could be successful in bringing the tournament to you online.
The 2A Girls Real Dairy Shootout All-Tournament Teams were selected based on outstanding individual performances that we saw throughout the duration of the tournament. These are NOT official awards handed out by the IHSAA, but just a way in which we can recognize great individual accomplishments from student-athletes.
2A Girls All-Tournament First Team
Bailey Nelson, Firth
Kayla Jensen, Firth
Janey Reeves, Melba
Sicilee Williams, Ririe
Chantel Key, Grangeville
2A Girls All-Tournament Second Team
Madeleine Connaughton, Ririe
Madison Holly, Cole Valley
Marlee Mussman, Valley
Anndee Neuman, Soda Springs
Kylee Garrick, New Plymouth
2A Girls All-Tournament Third Team
Katie Buschhorn, Valley
Brittana Spencer, Firth
Jacee Jensen, Firth
Addie Lutz, Grangeville
Kara Leavitt, Melba
2A Girls All-Tournament Honorable Mention
Savanna Gamett, Ririe
Kaila Sanders, Cole Valley
Kynsee Mussman, Valley
Ashby Lewis, Soda Springs
Sierra Manzer, Melba
I would like to note that we witnessed a great moment of sportsmanship during the State Semi-Final game between Firth and Melba. On one play in the first half, Firth's Jacee Jensen had the basketball go off of her hands and out-of-bounds along the sideline. She was close to a Melba defender when it happened, and the official on the game called it Firth ball. Jensen went up to the official and told them that she was the last one to touch it and that it should be Melba ball. The official paused for a moment before reversing the call and giving possession back to Melba. It was very cool to see that happen during an important game. Props to you, Jacee!
During each tournament game, we also handed out the IdahoSports.com Player of the Game. This award went to the player who had the biggest impact on the game itself.
Game 1: Cole Valley vs. Valley
Player of the Game: Madison Holly, Cole Valley
Stats: 12 pts, 4 rebs, 1 steal
Game 2: Soda Springs vs. Ririe
Player of the Game: Madeleine Connaughton, Ririe
Stats: 6 pts, 12 rebs, 2 blocks, 2 steals
Game 3: Firth vs. New Plymouth
Player of the Game: Kayla Jensen, Firth
Stats: 14 pts, 3 rebs, 1 ast
Game 4: Grangeville vs. Melba
Player of the Game: Janey Reeves, Melba
Stats: 18 pts, 8 rebs, 2 blocks, 2 steals, 1 ast
Game 5: Valley vs. Soda Springs
Player of the Game: Marlee Mussman, Valley
Stats: 13 pts, 2 rebs, 1 steal
Game 6: Grangeville vs. New Plymouth
Player of the Game: Chantel Key, Grangeville
Stats: 21 pts, 6 rebs, 1 steal
Game 7: Ririe vs. Cole Valley
Player of the Game: Sicilee Williams, Ririe
Stats: 15 pts, 8 rebs, 4 steals
Game 8: Firth vs. Melba
Player of the Game: Kayla Jensen, Firth
Stats: 19 pts, 6 rebs, 4 steals
Game 9 (Consolation Final): Valley vs. Grangeville
Player of the Game: Chantel Key, Grangeville
Stats: 10 pts, 6 rebs, 1 steal
Game 10 (Third Place Game): Cole Valley vs. Melba
Player of the Game: Kara Leavitt, Melba
Stats: 4 pts, 11 rebs, 4 blocks, 1 steal
Game 13 (State Championship): Firth vs. Ririe
Player of the Game: Bailey Nelson, Firth
Stats: 14 pts, 7 rebs, 2 steals, 1 block
Thanks to everyone who tuned in to the 2A Girls Real Dairy Shootout this past weekend! We certainly hope that you enjoyed our coverage. Don't miss out on the State Wrestling coverage this weekend followed by the boys edition of the 2014 Real Dairy Shootout.
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