2A DISTRICT 1 BOYS CHAMPIONSHIP: Lakeside on to state again ... Knights battle past Genesis Prep

COEUR d’ALENE — A lot of things have changed within the Lakeside program since last year’s state championship game, the Knights’ second straight time in the title game. 

But when it comes to districts, some things never change. 

Lakeside junior Tyson Charley scored a game-high 27 points as the top-seeded Knights beat the third-seeded Genesis Prep Jaguars 79-67 in the 2A District 1 championship game at North Idaho College on Thursday. 

It is the sixth straight district title for Lakeside and fourth appearance at state in five years. The Knights won state titles in 2020 and 2023. 

“It was hard,” Charley said. “It’s a new team, new everybody and had two normal varsity starters without Brutis (SiJohn), Blaze (Callahan) and Liam (Hendrickx) and Quincy (Hall). It was definitely hard without them, but we found a way.” 

Lakeside (15-5) advances to the state tournament, where the Knights are a projected fourth seed. Final rankings and pairings will be announced on Sunday. Genesis Prep finished 11-14.

“I think if we just play our game, we’ll win,” Charley said. “If you look at Kamiah, they’re losing now. This tournament is anyone’s at this point.” 

Junior Hallah Peone had 15 points for Lakeside, 11 coming in the second half. 

“We’ve just got to keep playing like we’ve been and continue to move the ball,” Peone said. “We can’t force shots and keep doing what we’re doing.” 

Charley scored 14 of his game-high 27 in the second half, hitting back-to-back 3-pointers to stretch the Lakeside advantage to 63-44 late in the third quarter. 

“That’s just leadership,” Lakeside coach James Twoteeth said of Charley. “He’s one of the older ones and he’s trying to bring these guys along. He’s leading by example and he’s starting to grow into it. I’ve had him since he was a freshman and he’s a junior now and maturing into that role.” 

Lakeside led 37-33 at halftime before outscoring Genesis Prep 26-16 in the third quarter. 

“It was just tough,” Twoteeth said. “It was really physical, and a lot of the calls weren’t going our way, so we had to play through it. Even at home, we’ve had to play through some things. We know to expect it and just played through it.” 

Senior Gabe Meyer scored 23 points for Genesis Prep. 

“They’re a fast team and they get out into transition really well,” first-year Genesis Prep coach Chris Mullen said. “But I thought we did a good job trying to slow that down. They just hit some tough shots, contested or not. I was really proud of the guys for fighting until the end. They never gave up.” 

Genesis Prep, which finished tied for second in the Scenic Idaho Conference with Wallace, beat the Miners twice in districts to advance to the championship game. 

“We’ve been faced with adversity a few times this season,” Mullen said. “When that happens, you can either lay down or get up and fight. And they chose to fight. And I’m really proud of that. Everyone gave it everything they had. I’m proud of how we competed until the end.” 

Genesis Prep    17    16    16    18    —    67 

Lakeside    20    17    26    16    —    79 

GENESIS PREP — Nichols 10, Tosh 9, S. Bateman 9, Early 4, Meyer 23, I. Bateman 6, Farrell 6. 

LAKESIDE — Peone 15, Louie 15, Greensky 0, SpottedHorse 10, Charley 27, Pluff 12. 

    JASON DUCHOW PHOTOGRAPHY Dylan Tosh (5) of Genesis Prep reaches for the ball in a crowd Thursday against Lakeside in the 2A District 1 championship game at North Idaho College.