STATE 6A GIRLS SEMIFINALS: Stormy finish for Vikings ... Coeur d'Alene leads late, but falls to top-seeded Storm in OT in 6A semifinal despite 36 points from Colvin

By JASON ELLIOTT

Sports writer

NAMPA – At this point in the season, it’s survive and advance.

On Friday, fifth-seeded Coeur d’Alene survived regulation against top-seeded Owyhee, after leading by seven points with just under 6 minutes left.

But it was the Storm from Meridian that is advancing to their first state title game in program history.

Sophomore Brookeslee Colvin scored a game-high 36 points, 32 in the final three quarters before fouling out with 24.2 seconds remaining in overtime in a 61-58 loss to the Storm in a state 6A girls basketball semifinal game at the Ford Idaho Center.

“It was a great environment and we were playing against great competition,” Colvin said. “I think we knew we had to step up. It didn’t go our way today, but I’m proud of our fight and how we played.”

Coeur d’Alene (17-8) will play Madison (17-9) of Rexburg today at 11 a.m. PST at Timberline High in Boise in the third-place game. The Vikings were trying to become the first team to three-peat at the highest classification since Coeur d'Alene won three straight from 2008-10.

“We knew we were up against the No. 1 team in Owyhee,” first-year Coeur d’Alene coach Stacy Boyd said. “They’ve been playing good all year, and our ultimate goal was to play aggressive and compete with them and I think we did that, even in overtime. We were right there. I told the players that as long as you play hard all four quarters and lose this way, there’s nothing to be ashamed of.”

“We’ve still got one more game,” Boyd said. “And they’re excited for the next game. They’re a little sad, but excited for the next one.”

Junior Natalie Semprimoznik hit a 3-pointer to give Coeur d’Alene a 58-57 lead with 47 seconds remaining in overtime. Owyhee senior Josie Davis, who scored 18 of her 20 points in the second half and overtime, drew Colvin's fifth foul and gave the Storm the lead for good with two free throws with 24.2 seconds remaining.

“It’s big, especially that late in the game,” said Semprimoznik, who transferred from Freeman High in Rockford, Wash. “It was good to make an impact on the game late. It was good to see us come together and compete in a game like this.”

Coeur d’Alene attempted a go-ahead basket, but was deflected, allowing Maiya Hardy to go for the deciding layup for Owyhee.

“Tomorrow we go for third,” Colvin said. “Hopefully we can come home with a win.”

Colvin, whose older sister Teagan, now a freshman at UNLV, and who helped Coeur d'Alene win the last two state titles, scored 13 of the Vikings’ 15 points in the second quarter to give Coeur d’Alene a 26-24 halftime lead.

“She’s wired for this,” Boyd said. “She’s been here before and she’s been on a state championship team. She did take the lead and did great. She fouled out, and still had an opportunity when she fouled out. We got the last shot, and it didn’t fall.”

“I’ve known the Colvins for a very long time,” first-year Owyhee coach George Rodriguez said. “She’s a super talented kid and really aggressive. Very smart and high IQ basketball player. We didn’t do a good job of keeping her contained, but in that last moment, we did just enough.”

Owyhee, which opened in 2021, won its first opening round game on Thursday against Capital of Boise 45-33.

“Hats off to Owyhee,” Boyd said. “They’re a good team. They gave us all we could get so far.”

Riley Beck added 16 points for Owyhee, which faces Boise in the title game tonight.

“The girls capitalized on a great opportunity,” Rodriguez said. “I’m proud of their resilience and they earned the right to play in the last game of the season tomorrow night. It’s been something we’ve talked about since April when I took this job. The coaches that we’ve had in the four years have really made this happen.”

Coeur d’Alene    11    15    16    10    6    –    58

Owyhee    10    14    11    17    9    –    61

COEUR d’ALENE – Bridge 0, Wheeler 0, Semprimoznik 14, Wallis 6, Colvin 36, Shafer 0, Carroll 2. Totals 18-44 14-17 58.

OWYHEE – Davis 20, Brooks 2, McKenna 0, Wright 9, Roy 7, Beck 16, Brooks 0, Hardy 7. Totals 22-56 15-19 61. 

    JASON DUCHOW PHOTOGRAPHY Coeur d'Alene guard Kyndal Bridge reaches for a loose ball during the second half of Friday's state 6A girls basketball semifinal game against Owyhee at the Ford Idaho Center in Nampa.
  

    JASON DUCHOW PHOTOGRAPHY Coeur d'Alene sophomore guard Brookeslee Colvin puts up a 3-pointer during the second half of Friday's state 6A girls basketball semifinal game at the Ford Idaho Center in Nampa.