South Fremont has had the style all season with high-flyingCon Bauer and Co.

On Saturday, substance won the Cougars their first boysbasketball championship.

South Fremont wore down defending champion Buhl, separatingfor good in the final minute to beat the Indians 47-42 for the 3A championship.

Alec Pope scored 17 points and four assists, and Bauer added13 points, 15 rebounds and five blocks for the Cougars, who lulled Buhl into apatient half-court game that favored the bigger, more physical bunch from St.Anthony.

“Words can’t describe it,” Bauer said. “It’s been eightyears since we even went to state, and then we finished second. There are nobanners at our school but we’re bringing one back.”

The teams traded runs early in the game. South Fremont heldthe largest lead at 10 after a 13-0 run in the first and second quarters, butBuhl countered with 13 straight of its own to go back in front at the break.

The third quarter was more balanced and open, as each teamsought to attack the rim with guards, running in amongst much taller forwards.

That opened the door for Bauer and South Fremont’s length totake over the game.

“Buhl is a tremendous team and we knew they wanted to run alittle bit,” Pope said. “We just wanted to slow it down and take our time onoffense, and it worked out.”

South Fremont carried the lead for the balance of the secondhalf and found a way to finish.

Buhl got within two in the final minute and had a chance totie when it earned a defensive 5-second call in the final minute, but theIndians missed a short turnaround jumper and they weren’t within one possessionagain.

Buhl shot 26 percent from the floor, compared to 39.5percent for South Fremont.

The Indians proved a worthy defending champion, though –Buhl lost all-state guard Kasey Crossland to a knee injury during footballseason, then lost starting forward Matt DeKruyf to a knee injury during theseason. Their bus nearly crashed on the way to the state tournament, but theteam escaped unharmed.

Tegon Tonge scored a game-high 18 points and added 13rebounds for Buhl, while Michael Lively had nine points and 14 rebounds.

Box Score

Webcast Replay

Idaho Sports Playerof the Game: Alec Pope, South Fremont.