ORDER GAME PHOTOS

For most of the regular season, Mackay and Rockland (in that order) have been ranked one and two in the 1AD2 classification at IdahoSports.com.

That officially changed on Wednesday night after the Bulldogs held off Mackay 45-38.  The win pushed Rockland to 14-3 overall and 7-0 in the Rocky Mountain Conference.  Mackay dropped to 14-2 and 7-1.  The two teams have officially swapped spots as well in the Idaho Girls Basketball Top 25 Daily rankings.

So how did Rockland earn the win?  "Defense and rebounding have been our keys all year long, and we did a good job in those areas again," said veteran coach Vern Nelson.  "We dug it out on defense and scored enough to get the job done."

6-foot sophomore post Autumn Farr finished a rebound shy of a double-double, registering 11 points and nine boards.  Taylor Wilson led Rockland with 12 rebounds overall, and her twin sister Addie Wilson picked up five steals on defense.

If those names sound familiar, it's because they should.  The Wilson sisters have been varsity regulars since their sophomore season, while Autumn's older sister Ember Farr was a two-time All-State selection down low before graduating last year.  There's also Taylie Boyer, the younger sister of Kiersley Boyer, the scoring phenom who was the 1AD2 Player of the Year in 2022.

Those four are joined in the starting lineup by senior Heather Libberton, who is finally getting back into the groove after missing her entire sophomore season with an ACL tear.

"We brought back five juniors from last year's team, and four of them are in the starting lineup," said Nelson.  "But this is a different team than last year."

"I told them on the first day of practice, those seniors (like Kiersley Boyer and Ember Farr) aren't going to walk in," Nelson added.  "I told them 'It's your program, make your mark.'  They've set their own identity."

The Rockland bench is fortified by a pair of sophomore cousins, Alexa and Calyn Permann.  Calyn's older brother Braden Permann was one of Rockland's most acclaimed players ever.

Add it all up, and this is a Rockland program filled with championship pedigree.  The reigning 1AD2 champs have scheduled aggressively this year, playing in a holiday tournament in Carey and participating in the Small School Showcase in Boise.

But what about Mackay?  The Miners have to be encouraged by Thursday's close contest.  "I tip my hat to Mackay," Nelson said.  "They defended us as well in the half court as anyone we've played this year."

Megan Moore and Kaydence Seefried each scored nine points for the Miners, while Rylee Teichert added eight.

Rockland has one final conference game Friday night when they host Taylor's Crossing.  But regardless of what happens, the Bulldogs have clinched first place in the Rocky Mountain Conference standings.  Mackay's conference run is complete with a 7-1 league mark.

The two rivals will face off again in Mackay on Tuesday, January 17th.  The game won't count towards the league standings, but it won't be any less important.

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

CLASS 5A

1. Boise (14-1)
2. Thunder Ridge (16-0)
3. Timberline (15-2)
4. Rigby (14-2)
5. Post Falls (17-0)
6. Lake City (13-2)

CLASS 4A

1. Shelley (14-1)
2. Bishop Kelly (13-3)
3. Mountain Home (13-3)

CLASS 3A

1. Parma (15-2)
2. Weiser (15-2)
3. Snake River (13-3)

CLASS 2A

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

CLASS 1AD1

1. Lapwai (14-1)
2. Raft River (11-2)
3. Carey (11-2)

CLASS 1AD2

1. Rockland (14-3)
2. Mackay (14-2)
3. Dietrich (12-3)
4. Deary (9-1)

IN: Dietrich
OUT: Kimberly

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