It's been quite a ride the past five years for the North Fremont boys basketball team.  Don't believe me?  Just look at their records from the past four completed seasons:

2021-22: 22-3
2020-21: 22-1
2019-20: 22-2
2018-19: 20-6

That's a combined record of 86-12.  So when North Fremont scuffled their way to an 8-10 record this year (including 3-5 in the Nuclear Conference), it raised a few eyebrows.

But like they have so often, North Fremont has risen to the occasion when it matters most.  Following a 56-46 setback to Firth in the 2A District 6 Tournament semifinals last Wednesday, the fourth-seeded Huskies eliminated third-seeded West Jefferson (67-60) on Saturday night.

Then, on Monday, the Huskies returned to Firth and knocked out the second-seeded Cougars by a 56-52 margin.

The game was tied at 26-26 at halftime, and in the third quarter, North Fremont nudged ahead 39-38.  The two sides continued to trade blows, and with 42 seconds remaining, Firth's Kyle Jacobsen sank a free throw to put the Cougars ahead 50-48.

On North Fremont's ensuing possession, Brady Allen was whistled for an offensive foul, giving the ball back to Firth with 28 seconds to play.  Forced to foul, North Fremont sent Firth's Alex Vasquez to the line for two free throws.  Vasquez sank both, and the Firth lead stood at 52-48.  The Cougars wouldn't score again.

Working quickly, North Fremont's Jed Hill sank a three from the right corner with 17 seconds to play to bring the Huskies to within one at 52-51.  After a timeout, North Fremont came out with full-court pressure.  Firth tried a long pass down court to beat the press, but North Fremont's Dax Cherry intercepted the pass.  Cherry found Hill, who scored on a scoop shot in the lane with 10 seconds remaining.  Hill was also fouled on the play, and sank his subsequent free throw to give the Huskies a 54-52 lead.

Firth called timeout with seven seconds to play, and had a good look at a game-winning three from Strider Perry.  His shot fell short, Cherry grabbed the rebound and was fouled, and with eight-tenths of a second remaining, Cherry sank two more free throws to clinch the wild come-from-behind win.

With the victory, North Fremont advances to play top-seeded Ririe for the district championship on Wednesday.  The winner of that game automatically heads to state; the loser will play the loser of the District 5 championship in a 2A State Tournament Play-In Game.  Bear Lake hosts West Side in the District 5 championship tonight at Preston High School. 

Here is our latest Bracketology.  As a reminder, you can follow all of the district tournament action here.  Teams will be seeded according to their MaxPreps rating.  Teams in bold font have officially clinched state tournament bids.  Until official bids are clinched, we will project the highest seeded teams in each district tournament to claim the automatic bids available.  In the case of potential Play-In Games, the team with the highest MaxPreps ranking will be projected to win.

CLASS 5A

District 1-2 1.5 bids
District 3 4.5, .5 bids (potentially could be 6 with play-in wins)
District 5-6 1.5 bids

#1 Lake City (22-0) vs. #8 Highland (13-11)
#4 Madison (17-6) vs. #5 Coeur d'Alene (15-6)
#3 Mountain View (18-4) vs. #6 Timberline (16-7)
#2 Owyhee (17-5) vs. #7 Meridian (13-9)
 
CLASS 4A

District 1-2 1 bid
District 3 2 bids
District 4 2 bids
District 5 1 bid
District 6 2 bids

#1 Hillcrest (21-1) vs. #8 Sandpoint (8-13)
#4 Skyview (17-5) vs. #5 Twin Falls (14-8)
#3 Blackfoot (14-7) vs. #6 Minico (14-9)
#2 Preston (17-6) vs. #7 Bishop Kelly (13-9)

CLASS 3A

District 1 1 bid
District 3 2.5 bids
District 4 2 bids
District 5 1.25 bids
District 6 1.25 bids

#1 Bonners Ferry (19-1) vs. #8 Buhl (8-14)
#4 Snake River (17-6) vs. #5 Homedale (14-7)
#3 Teton (19-6) vs. #6 Fruitland (14-9)
#2 Sugar-Salem (20-3) vs. #7 Kimberly (9-13)

CLASS 2A

District 1-2 1.5 bids
District 3 2.5 bids
District 4 1 bid
District 5 1.5 bids
District 6 1.5 bids

#1 Melba (22-0) vs. #8 Declo (13-9)
#4 St. Maries (16-5) vs. #5 Ririe (19-4)
#3 Cole Valley Christian (19-4) vs. #6 New Plymouth (18-6)
#2 Bear Lake (21-2) vs. #7 West Side (12-12)

CLASS 1AD1

District 1 1 bid
District 2 2 bids
District 3 2.5 bids
District 4 2 bids
District 5-6 .5 bid

#1 Lapwai (23-0) vs. #8 Liberty Charter (17-6)
#4 Lakeside (13-3) vs, #5 Castleford (15-4)
#3 Kamiah (20-4) vs. #6 Carey (16-7)
#2 Grace (18-4) vs. #7 Victory Charter (20-3)

CLASS 1AD2

District 1 1 bid
District 2 2 bids
District 3 2 bids
District 4 1 bid
District 5-6 2 bids

#1 Rockland (20-2) vs. #8 Clark Fork (12-8)
#3 Kendrick (15-3) vs. #6 Deary (11-8)
#4 Watersprings (20-3) vs. #5 Garden Valley (15-6) 
#2 Camas County (15-5) vs. #7 Cascade (15-7)