STATE 4A GIRLS BASKETBALL: Ready for the run ahead ... With junior Miller back from torn ACL, Timberlake has eyes on program's fifth title

By JASON ELLIOTT 

Sports writer 

As a freshman, Timberlake point guard Malia Miller was a key cog in the Tigers' run to the state 3A championship game, a setting she’d been more than familiar with watching as her father Matt coached the Tigers to four titles in 2016, 2017, 2020 and 2021. 

After Timberlake finished runner-up in 2023, Malia missed the entire season last year after suffering a torn left ACL playing AAU basketball. 

Just like that Malia, who also competed in track, soccer and golf as a freshman, was forced to the sidelines. 

“It was really hard for me personally,” Malia said. “This year, it’s been amazing. Being back on the court with the girls this year has been amazing.” 

Malia remained close with the team, sitting on the bench during Timberlake’s run to the state tournament, where they finished third. 

“I’ve been talking basketball with my dad for the last 16 years, so it was good that way to see things how he was,” Miller said. “Learning from him has been great.” 

“I know it was tough on her being out last year,” Matt Miller said. “It was a little weird wearing different hats, being her coach and having her miss out on being part of the team, and well as her father. So it was a different kind of feeling. I felt terrible for the team that they didn’t have her and as her father, I felt bad for her and missing out on the opportunity she had to play last year. I’m also really grateful that she’s been able to play this year, is healthy and feels good about it.” 

Her first venture back into sports came in the fall on the school’s cross country team, which finished third at state. Miller was also a state medalist, finishing 20th at Eagle Island State Park on Nov. 2. 

“It was great to get back out there,” Malia Miller said. “Coach (Shawn) Lawler does a great job as a coach. I’ve known him forever and he’s great about supporting his kids and helping them train.” 

“She just wanted to compete,” Matt Miller said. “And the only thing she felt that she could compete in and feel totally safe was cross country. And she loves to play soccer, but it’s kind of out of the cards now. She wanted something she could compete in and it was a good starting point. She loved the (cross country) season and her teammates and the coach and really likes Shawn. It was a great season for her to get back into that competitive spirit, even though it wasn’t a sport that’s natural to her.” 

Teammate Diana Nelson echoed coach Miller’s thoughts. 

“Having Malia back is awesome,” said Nelson, a 6-foot-2 senior post. “It feels like we’ve got a leader that isn’t just looking to make herself better, but the entire team better. She does a really, really good job of letting every player on the court know what play we’re running and how to execute it correctly.” 

With Malia Miller back in the lineup, Timberlake earned the fourth seed to the state 4A girls basketball tournament and will face fifth-seeded Kimberly (16-7) on Thursday at 6 p.m. PST at Middleton High. 

“We’ve got four seniors that have had some success down there and hopefully they’ve got some confidence from that,” Matt Miller said. “Hopefully we can use that experience to give them some confidence this week.” 

Timberlake’s three losses have came to state-bound Coeur d’Alene (6A), Sandpoint (5A) and Grangeville (3A), the latter on a buzzer beater in Grangeville.

All three losses came after losing another starting guard – junior Payton Young – to a torn ACL in December.  

“I hope they can band together and do what they’re capable of,” Matt Miller said. “They’ve definitely got it in them.” 

“I really love our grit and ability to pull through when things aren’t going our way or shots aren’t falling,” Nelson said. “Knowing we can do better and win, but it’s going to take mental focus and a drive to win.” 

Something that Matt Miller hopes comes out of Malia at the right time this week. 

“She’s always had a high basketball IQ,” Matt Miller said of Malia. “We’d like for her to take more of a leadership role, but she’s more of a shy, quiet kid. So it’s really unnatural for her to take the reins. We’re wanting her to do it, and hoping in the next week she does that. But it’s just been really good to see her back out there. I’m really happy that she’s getting to play this year because of how hard it was for her last year.” 

As for last year ... 

“I think we win the championship by 15 points,” Matt Miller said. “I think we’re the best team in the state by a long shot if Malia’s healthy.” 

Starting Thursday, we’ll see where Timberlake fits in this year’s bracket. 

“Our defense is our most consistent part of our game,” Matt Miller said. “We’ve been able to rely on that when we’ve struggled. We’ve always been able to rely on that when things aren’t going right offensively.”

    JASON ELLIOTT/Press Timberlake senior Lucy Simpson (10) attempts to grab the ball out of the hands of Bonners Ferry sophomore Taren Bateman (11) during a 4A District 1 tournament game at Timberlake High on Feb. 10. Timberlake opens the state tournament on Thursday against Kimberly at Middleton High.