ORDER GAME PHOTOS

Idaho's Snake River Conference (located in District 4 at the 1AD1 level) has been a hot mess this season, but in a good way.

Take a look at the standings for the league's top six teams:

Oakley (11-4, 4-0)
Carey (11-2, 3-1)
Raft River (11-2, 3-1)
Murtaugh (10-4, 3-1)
Lighthouse Christian (10-4, 3-1)
Shoshone (11-3, 2-2)

That's a combined record of 64-19 for a league that only gets two bids to the state tournament.  On any given night, any of those top six teams are capable of beating anyone else, and a lot of the contests this year have been down-to-the wire finishes.

Take, for example, last night's duel between Raft River and Murtaugh.  It took an extra session, but the Trojans slipped past Murtaugh 63-61 in overtime.

The contest was tied at 56-all with just under three minutes to play in overtime.  From there, Murtaugh pushed the lead to 60-56 on a layup from Ashlee Stanger and a pair of free throws from Giselle Gil.

Raft River's Logan Jones sank one-of-two free throws with two minutes to play to bring the Trojans to within 60-57.  Jessi Knudsen did the same with 47 seconds to play, leaving Murtaugh with a 60-58 lead.

Murtaugh's Bryleigh Widmier then sank another free throw, extending the Red Devils' lead to 61-58 with 37 seconds remaining.

On Raft River's next possession, Caroline Schumann posted up on the block and scored, making the score 61-60 with 33 seconds to play.

Murtaugh again turned the ball over, this time on a traveling violation, and Raft River got the ball back with 21 seconds to play, trailing 61-60.  

From there, Libby Boden calmly sank a three from the right wing with 19 seconds remaining.  It turned out to be the game-winner, as Stanger missed a layup with six seconds to play.  Murtaugh fans wanted a foul called on the attempt, but didn't get it.

Four Trojans reached double figures in score.  Jones led the way with 19 points, while Reagan Jones added 13.  Schumann finished with 12, and Boden, the hero, scored 10.

Murtaugh also had four players in double figures.  Addy Stanger scored 17, Widmier added 15, Courtney Jensen had 12 and Ashley Stanger finished with 10.

With the win, Raft River moved into the Idaho Girls Basketball Top 25 Daily rankings.  They are currently ranked as the second-best team in 1AD1 hoops.  

There's no rest for the weary, though.  The Trojans return to action on Friday, January 13th, when they host Lighthouse Christian.  That's followed by a non-conference showdown with Richfield, a league game at Castleford, and then the biggie: a road trip to Carey (our third-ranked 1AD1 team) on January 19th.

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

CLASS 5A

1. Boise (14-1)
2. Thunder Ridge (15-0)
3. Timberline (15-2)
4. Rigby (14-2)
5. Lake City (13-2)
6. Post Falls (16-0)

CLASS 4A

1. Shelley (13-1)
2. Bishop Kelly (12-3)
3. Mountain Home (12-3)

CLASS 3A

1. Parma (14-2)
2. Weiser (15-1)
3. Snake River (13-3)
4. Kimberly (11-5)

CLASS 2A

1. Melba (17-0)
2. Cole Valley Christian (13-4)
3. North Fremont (11-2)
4. Soda Springs (12-3)
5. West Side (11-4)
6. Ambrose (11-6)

CLASS 1AD1

1. Lapwai (13-1)
2. Raft River (11-2)
3. Carey (11-2)

CLASS 1AD2

1. Mackay (14-1)
2. Rockland (13-3)
3. Deary (9-0)

IN: Raft River, Carey
OUT: St. Maries, Dietrich

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