NAMPA - After a decisive victory over the team that knocked them out of their only other state 3A tournament appearance two years ago, there were no midcourt celebrations or hugs exchanged as the starters came to the bench.

For the second-ranked Timberlake Tigers, this trip isn't just about getting to the state tournament - this time they want to leave with nothing short of a championship.

Cassie Thompson, Timberlake's 6-foot-3 senior post, scored a game-high 27 points in a 53-27 rout of Fruitland in the first round of the state 3A girls basketball tournament Thursday at Skyview High.

"I think those three players that were here before were ready for them today," Thompson said. "Now that we're here, it's time to win."

Timberlake (19-4) advances to play Snake River (16-5) in a semifinal game tonight at 5:15 p.m. (PST).

Snake River defeated Filer 37-17 earlier Thursday.

"Their inside game looked good against Filer," Timberlake coach Matt Miller said. "They play a good man-to-man defense. We'll have to figure out a way to attack it tomorrow night."

Thompson had nine rebounds as the Tigers held the Grizzlies to three points in both the second and fourth quarters in posting their first state tournament win in school history.

"I'm really happy for the entire team right now," Miller said. "To come into an environment like this and play well was big for us. We've only got three players that were with us two years ago; everyone else was new."

Timberlake shot 9 of 32 from the floor in the first half as the Tigers held a 21-12 halftime lead before blowing the game open in the second half on 13-of-18 shooting from the field.

"I told our players to slow it down on offense," Miller said. "We were making passes to where someone thought they'd be instead of just playing our game. After we calmed down and ran our stuff, it allowed for Cassie to do what she does best."

Timberlake junior Kara Wenstrom scored 14 points to go along with six assists and two steals. Senior Caitlyn Nichols, who picked up her third foul with 5:48 remaining in the second quarter, finished with seven points.

"Kara's our biggest outside threat," Miller said. "It's a huge advantage for us when she can do that. When she can hit her outside shots, it really changes the game."

Thompson, Nichols and Wenstrom are the Tigers with previous state experience.

"She (Thompson) is a big presence inside for them," Fruitland coach Beth Holt said. "We haven't faced a player like her all season. We got up against her and started rushing shots."

Wenstrom said once the Tigers shook their nerves, they knew they'd compete.

"We were all a little shaken from the bus ride," Wenstrom said. "We're excited to be down here and once Caitlyn got into foul trouble, Cassie and I knew we'd have to step up."

Sophomore Sadie Stutzman had 10 points and five rebounds for Fruitland (13-9), which faces Filer in a loser-out game today.

Fruitland shot 10 of 36 from the floor for 27.8 percent.

"I felt like we came out passive today," Holt said. "Playing like that, you're not going to get many looks at the basket. We got intimidated early and couldn't battle back."

Fruitland 9 3 12 3 - 27

Timberlake 9 12 19 13 - 53

FRUITLAND - Carlson 0, Rayo 0, Rule 0, Pennecard 0, Barger 4, Tesnohlidek 0, Clinton 8, Edwards 0, Martarano 5, Stutzman 10, Cueller 0. Totals 10-36 6-10 27.

TIMBERLAKE - Wenstrom 14, Gibson 0, Malloy 5, Mason 0, Hoffman 0, Nichols 7, Thompson 27, Peters 0, George 0, Norlander 0. Totals 22-50 5-13 53.