Troy Gash-es Wallace for state berth

ST. MARIES - Steffen Gash made three 3-point baskets in the first quarter and finished with 16 points as the Troy Trojans beat the Wallace Miners 55-32 in a play-in game to the state 1A Division I boys basketball tournament Saturday at St. Maries High.

Clay Schultz scored eight of his 13 points in the third quarter for Troy (19-6), which turned an eight-point halftime lead into an 18-point advantage after three quarters.

"We were trying to collapse on Schultz (in the first quarter); he's a 6-5 big guy, and Gash hit those 3s," Wallace coach Bruce Bailey said. "They're a pretty good basketball team all the way around."

Troy will face Raft River (18-6) of Malta in its state opener Thursday night at Vallivue High in Caldwell.

Clancy Drews scored nine points for Wallace (11-11), which will lose eight seniors.

"Overall, we're disappointed we didn't make it back to state," Bailey said, "but I'm proud of the boys, winning league for the second straight year."

n In the 1A Division II state tournament, Kootenai (12-9) will open vs. Dietrich (18-8) on Thursday at 12:15 p.m. PST at Caldwell High. Dietrich defeated Meadows Valley 56-43 on Saturday in a play-in game at Glenns Ferry.

Troy 15 11 19 9 - 55

Wallace 5 13 9 5 - 32

TROY - Kanikkeberg 2, Haskins 2, McGraw 9, Malm 4, Williams 7, Gash 16, Schultz 13, Bull 2.

WALLACE - Bennett 0, Vester 4, Needles 0, Drews 9, Montano 0, Arthun 0, Hill 5, Legard 2, Heinig 7, Brackebusch 2, St. Clair 3.