STATE 4A GIRLS CHAMPIONSHIP: A first for Sandpoint ... Bulldogs win first state basketball title in school history

By JASON ELLIOTT

Sports writer

NAMPA – Well, it’s a thing now.

No, not just getting to the Ford Idaho Center.

But winning.

State championships.

Sandpoint, in its first appearance in the state title game since 1996, when the tournament was held at the College of Southern Idaho in Twin Falls, went on a 14-0 run in the third quarter, and held off the top-seeded Shelley Russets 69-65 in the state 4A championship Saturday night, the first in program history for the third-seeded Bulldogs.

“I’m still in shock,” Sandpoint senior guard Kelsey Cessna said. “I’ve got so much adrenaline going on right now. I’m so proud of this group of girls. It’s an amazing feeling.”

The Bulldogs advanced to the title game four times previously (1982, 1983, 1984, 1996), each time finishing runner-up.

“This really starts with our two senior captains in Kelsey (Cessna) and Demi Driggs,” fifth-year Sandpoint head coach Will Love said. “We did a book study last spring and we saw a lot of stuff on display of what we saw last season. Credit to them, they kept on the kids to continue to get better and come shoot after practice. I really give credit to the kids, especially the two captains, for keeping that goal in mind.”

It is the first state 4A title for a team from North Idaho since 2003, when Post Falls won the second of back-to-back titles.

It's also the first state basketball title for Sandpoint — boys or girls.

Sandpoint won its semifinal game 47-32 against Columbia of Nampa on Friday at the Ford Idaho Center. This is the second year of the state playing the 5A and 4A semifinals at the location.

“We’re 2-0 in the Idaho Center, so maybe we should schedule our home games here,” Love joked. “It’s really hard to put into words. Just the fact that Sandpoint had never won a state title, I don’t know that people thought it could be done, because it’s such a hard thing to do. To be able to be part of a team to accomplish that feat is just amazing.”

Sandpoint, at state for the ninth time in 10 years, went 0-2 at state last year. The Bulldogs last brought home a trophy in 2016.

“I’m just so honored to be part of this group,” Love said. “I want to give credit to the girls. They’ve put in so much work over the years, especially this year. We had a big talk after state (last year), and they took it to heart. As soon as we got into summer ball, they started competing. I kept telling them they could win a state title. And they believed it and achieved it.”

Kelsey Cessna and Karlie Banks scored 21 points each for the Bulldogs.

Cessna was part of a state championship team in girls soccer in 2019 at Sandpoint.

“I feel more a part of this one as far as being a leader,” Cessna said. “Demi and I definitely got this team here. I feel really grateful to have had this opportunity.”

Banks, a junior, also had 12 rebounds.

“It was a huge moment,” Banks said. “I’m still in shock, but it feels amazing. I know we had a lot of people doubt us, but it proves that we can win in this situation.”

“We’ve been playing together since the fifth grade,” Cessna said of Banks. “She really stepped it up today.”

Senior Brinley Cannon, a BYU commit, had 27 points and 16 rebounds for Shelley (22-4), which finished 22 of 52 shooting.

“Sandpoint had some great players,” fourth-year Shelley coach Jessica Carlson said. “No. 24 (Banks) and No. 1 (Cessna) were just offensive threats tonight. They were big on the boards tonight. They’re a heck of a team. We knew it was going to be a tough matchup and I really want to congratulate them.”

Lilly Richardson gave the Bulldogs the lead for good at 39-36 with a 3-pointer with 1:57 remaining in the third. Kelsey Cessna scored 10 points in the fourth quarter.

“We made some adjustments,” Love said. “Shelley’s a good team obviously. But we knew we had to weather it. We’ve been in close games with Lakeland, Timberlake and Post Falls, and they got us prepared for that moment.”

Sandpoint will receive a police escort from the end of the Long Bridge to the high school upon arriving home today around 4 p.m., according to athletic director Kris Knowles.

Sandpoint 20 12 18 19 – 69

Shelley 13 23 9 20 – 65

SANDPOINT – K. Cessna 21, De. Driggs 9, Da. Driggs 2, P. Cessna 0, Richardson 6, Strock 10, Banks 21. Totals 23-52 14-23 69.

SHELLEY – Williams 12, Dye 6, Lang 11, Stevens 3, Packer 5, Behunin 1, Cannon 27. Totals 22-52 13-18 65.