After a second consecutive run to the state tournament, the SHS Lady Bulldogs capped off a stellar season by claiming 3rd place in the 4A state tourney and finishing with a 15-9 record.

The 3 day tourney kicked off on Thursday, as the Lady Bulldogs matched up against Kuna. Sandpoint excelled in a 49-41 victory, lead by IEL MVP Madi Schoening with 20 points. Grace Kirscher poured in 12 points, and Taylor Ward contributed a valuable 7 points off the bench.

With that victory, Sandpoint advanced to the semi final, matched up against Century. Trailing only 25-23 at the half, Sandpoint went cold, finishing the game 14 of 45 from the field in a crushing 60-44 defeat. Schoening scored 24, and senior Lily Martin added in 8 points. Century proceeded to win against Skyview in the state championship.

Even in the face of adversity, the Lady Bulldogs prevailed. On Saturday morning, they competed fiercely in the 3rd place game against the Rigby Trojans. Yet again, Schoening lead the way, with 23 points in a 45-39 victory. Williams and Couch added in 6 and 5 points, respectively.

Not surprisingly, Schoening broke yet another scoring record. She scored 67 points, breaking the previous state tournament record of 65.

“I’m really proud of the way the team pulled through to bring home a trophy,” said Schoening. “It really was an accomplishment that the whole community, school, and players worked together to achieve. We had so much support from the parents, the pep band, and cheer team, and we wouldn’t have been able to do it without them.”

Showing more and more improvement each year, the Bulldogs are very pleased with 3rd place, but not quite satisfied.

With Schoening and Couch’s final season of high school ahead of them, they have their eyes on the ultimate prize: a state championship.