ORDER GAME PHOTOS

When Garden Valley traveled to Council for a Saturday night boys basketball showdown, fans knew they were in for a good show.

The Long Pin Conference rivals hadn't met since December 16th, when Council went to Garden Valley and snuck away with a 61-52 win.

Saturday's rematch lived up to the hype, as the Lumberjacks earned the season sweep with an 83-76 win in overtime.  The win moved Council into the Idaho Boys Basketball Top 25 Daily rankings, while it bumped Garden Valley from the rankings entirely.

Trailing 62-60 with one minute to play in regulation, Council's Porter McLinn was fouled on a baseline drive.  McLinn calmly sank both free throws to tied the game at 62-62.

Garden Valley took the lead back on a post up by Trayson Corn with 39 seconds to play.  Again, Council answered, as Wyatt Vining was fouled on a layup attempt.  Vining made both to tie the game at 64-64 with 33 seconds to play.

Both sides had chances to win in regulation, but ultimately, the game went to the fifth session tied at 64-all.

In overtime, both teams started quickly.  Malachi Goodwin scored on a layup off the opening tip, while Corn answered with a three from the right wing.  67-66 Garden Valley, just twenty seconds into overtime.

Council answered with a Vining post up.  He was also fouled on the play, and sank the free throw for a 69-67 lead with three minutes to play.  The Lumberjacks never trailed again.

In the overtime period, Vining led the way with seven points.  McLinn and Josh Gipe each finished with five, while Goodwin scored two.

Watching Council in overtime, one word kept entering my mind: ATTACK.  Council attacked in transition, they attacked on drives to the basket, they attacked the glass defensively.  This is a quick, athletic team that is tough in transition.

Should Council win their next regular season contest, on Thursday, January 26th against Horseshoe Bend, the Lumberjacks will win the regular season Long Pin title.

That's just step number one for a Lumberjacks team that expects to contend at the 1AD2 state tournament in March.

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

CLASS 5A

1. Lake City (13-0)

CLASS 4A

1. Pocatello (17-0)
2. Hillcrest (14-1)

CLASS 3A

1. Snake River (12-4)
2. Teton (13-2)
3. Marsh Valley (11-4)

CLASS 2A

1. Melba (14-0)
2. Kellogg (12-3)
3. West Jefferson (10-5)
4. Wendell (9-3)
5. Bear Lake (13-2)
6. Nampa Christian (12-3)
7. Aberdeen (10-4)
8. St. Maries (7-3)
9. Cole Valley Christian (11-4)
10. Ririe (12-2)

CLASS 1AD1

1. Lapwai (15-0)
2. Lighthouse Christian (13-1)
3. Valley (11-2)
4. Victory Charter (12-3)

CLASS 1AD2

1. Rockland (16-1)
2. Watersprings (14-2)
3. Richfield (12-1)
4. Council (11-4)
5. Kendrick (10-1)

IN: Lake City, St. Maries, Ririe, Victory Charter
OUT: Minico, Firth, Garden Valley, Camas County

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