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Girls basketball fans in East Idaho have been patiently waiting day after day, week after week, and finally, on Wednesday night, that patience was rewarded.

Thunder Ridge and Rigby finally faced each other on the court.  All year, fans of both squads have watched their respective teams pile up the wins.  Heading into Wednesday's High Country Conference battle, the two teams had combined for a 32-2 record.

Last night, the Titans kept their unblemished record intact with a 62-49 win.  Thunder Ridge is now 18-0 overall (3-0 in HCC play).  Rigby drops to 15-3 overall (2-1 HCC).

The Titans find themselves ranked second in Class 5A in today's Girls Basketball Top 25 Daily rankings, but they are less than a point behind top-ranked Boise according to the IdahoSports.com Power Rankings.  Rigby slid from 3rd to 4th in the 5A rankings with the respectable loss.

After a tight first quarter (10-8 Thunder Ridge), the Titans outscored Rigby 20-10 in the second frame to take a 30-18 lead into the locker room at halftime.  Despite a late push from Rigby, that halftime advantage allowed the Titans to withstand the comeback attempt.

Aspen Caldwell, a University of Idaho commit, led all scorers with 31 points.  Marley Spencer added 15 for Thunder Ridge.

Kambree Barber and Mylee Graham each scored 12 points for Rigby.

Both of these teams feature impressive size, speed and balance.  The Titans are led by point guard Caldwell, along with fellow guards Spencer and Kennedy Stenquist.  That trio doesn't only fill the stat sheet with gaudy point totals on offense, they also harass and hound opposing ballhandlers on defense.

Rigby, meanwhile, is anchored by Barber and Graham.  Both stand 6-feet tall, and they are complemented by guards Abbie Scott and Kylie Dansie.

These teams will meet again in exactly one week: Thursday, January 26th at Thunder Ridge.  Everyone in East Idaho will be watching.

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

CLASS 5A

1. Boise (16-1)
2. Thunder Ridge (18-0)
3. Timberline (15-3)
4. Rigby (15-3)
5. Lake City (14-3)
6. Post Falls (17-1)

CLASS 4A

1. Shelley (15-1)
2. Bishop Kelly (14-3)
3. Mountain Home (15-3)

CLASS 3A

1. Parma (15-2)
2. Weiser (15-2)
3. Snake River (14-3)

CLASS 2A

1. Melba (18-0)
2. North Fremont (13-2)
3. Soda Springs (14-3)
4. Cole Valley Christian (13-4)
5. Ambrose (12-6)
6. West Side (11-5)

CLASS 1AD1

1. Lapwai (16-1)
2. Raft River (14-2)
3. Carey (13-2)

CLASS 1AD2

1. Rockland (16-3)
2. Leadore (14-2)
3. Mackay (15-3)
4. Dietrich (13-3)

IN: Lake City
OUT: Murtaugh

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