COEUR d'ALENE - With the size and home court advantage in Wednesday's 18th annual Jack Blair Memorial Girls All-Star Classic at Lake City High, the Region had all the signs of avenging last year's loss at University High in Spokane.

By the end of the night, the Metro team had used its speed to run past he Region 97-79 to win their second straight game in the series.

"We had talked about their size advantage before the game," Metro coach Gabe Medrano of North Central said. "We knew if we got a chance, we could push the ball against them. That became our focal point. We talked about helping on defense and we could run on them."

Gonzaga Prep senior and Washington State signee Tia Presley scored 23 points and earned MVP honors for the Metro team, made up of players from the Greater Spokane League.

"They were more aggressive than we were tonight," Region coach Dale Poffenroth of Coeur d'Alene said. "We'd get a rebound and they'd take it out of our hands. They played at a college level and just were more aggressive than we were. I thought we'd have a chance to win with our size, but you can't be passive in a game like this."

Lake City senior Sydney Butler scored three points for the Region in her home gymnasium.

"It was nice to play here one last time," Butler said. "I love this gym. I didn't play too hot tonight, but I'll miss this gym."

She said she wasn't sure if this was her final basketball game.

"I think it will come down to a last-minute decision," said Butler, who will attend the University of Idaho in the fall. "I'll be playing over the summer and might decide to walk on later."

Coeur d'Alene junior guard Kyeli Parker scored 11 points for the Region.

"I was really nervous coming into the game, but figured, what the heck," Parker said. "It was a lot of fun and I was happy to get to play at this level."

Coeur d'Alene post Carli Rosenthal had seven points, all from the foul line in the game.

"It was really fun. We had a lot of fun on the bench," said Rosenthal, who played with Viking teammates Parker and Caelyn Orlandi for the final time.

"It was really sad," Rosenthal said. "I know they'll do great next year."

Rosenthal will move on to Saint Mary's College in the fall, along with Haley Hendricksen of Lewis and Clark, who scored two points for the Metro team.

"We talked a lot on the court tonight," Rosenthal said. "She said it will be so much easier having me on her team next year instead of having to guard each other."

Orlandi and Timberlake senior Cassie Thompson had two points apiece for the Region.

"It was super fun to play with these girls," Orlandi said. "I thought we played well together considering we just threw a team together."

Clarkston junior Jamie Weisner scored a game-high 28 points for the Region and received Most Inspirational Player of the game.

"Weiser played pretty well for us tonight," Poffenroth said. "I wish we had a couple more like her."

Metro 45 52 - 97

Region 40 39 - 79

METRO - Devyn Galland (Lewis and Clark) 11, Haley Sieverding (Ferris) 0, Chelsea Chandler (Shadle Park) 5, Lindsay Stockton (Gonzaga Prep) 7, Amy Thornton (University) 2, Taylor Ingebritsen (Mead) 11, Tia Presley (Gonzaga Prep) 23, Riley Holsinger (North Central) 10, Hayley Hendricksen (Lewis and Clark) 2, Tara Van Weerdhuizen (North Central) 6, Aleisha Hathaway (Shadle Park) 13, Brooke Gallaway (Central Valley) 7, Nakia Arquette (Lewis and Clark) DNP, injury.

REGION - Natahnee Spencer (Lapwai) 7, Sydney Butler (Lake City) 3, Chelsea Waters (Lewiston) 5, Mackenzie Taylor (Freeman) 1, Caelyn Orlandi (Coeur d'Alene) 2, Kyeli Parker (Coeur d'Alene) 11, Tanis Fuller (Lewiston) 5, Jamie Weisner (Clarkston) 28, Shaniqua Nilles (West Valley) 5, Cassie Thompson (Timberlake) 2, Shelby Cheslek (Pullman) 3, Carli Rosenthal (Coeur d'Alene) 7.