BOISE - Trailing by three points with seven seconds to play, sophomore Bryant Asbury launched a shot from the top of the key that looked like it would hit nothing but net.

That was the difference between heartbreak and euphoria for the St. Maries Lumberjacks, which lost a 59-55 thriller to Soda Springs in the semifinals of the state 2A basketball tournament at Capital High in Boise.

"There was nothing wrong with that shot. I thought it was going in," said St. Maries senior forward AJ Becktel. "The teams were so evenly matched and I think we knew on both sides that it would come down to one shot, one turnover, or one play that made the difference. But everybody played their hearts out, and that's what really matters."

St. Maries coach Bryan Chase had similar sentiments.

"When you get to the end of the game, the kids are drenching in sweat and they gave it everything they had, there's no reason to hang your head," Chase said. "There's nothing to be upset about, because the kids gave it everything they had."

The turning point - if there was one - was the Lumberjacks' difficulty handling Soda Springs' trapping defense.

"There were a couple of runs they made that were bigger than our runs, and that was the difference," Chase said.

A very slight difference, because this game was in doubt the whole way.

St. Maries forward Jacob Greer got off to a hot start, canning a trio of three-pointers to send St. Maries to an 18-12 lead after the first quarter. The Lumberjacks then went on a nine-point run early in the second period, making the score 25-14. But the Cardinals rallied with a run of their own, closing the half with a 32-30 lead. St. Maries grabbed a 46-44 lead after three quarters, then stretched it to 53-49 lead midway into the fourth. Then Soda Springs' trapping defense took over, leading to timely baskets inside.

"They were quick and played good defense, but every team here has a good defense," said St. Maries guard Matt Smith. "We gave it all we had, but they made a few more plays than we did."

Smith led the Lumberjacks with 16 points and nine rebounds and Becktel followed with 16 points. Josh Bowman had 18 points for Soda Springs with and Riley Yamauchi checked in with 16.

St. Maries now plays for third place, going against West Jefferson at 10 a.m. PST. The state championship game will have a tough time matching this one for excitement.

Soda Springs (22-6) will face Firth (23-2) in the state title game today at 12:40 p.m. at the Ford Idaho Center in Nampa.

"We wish we were there, but we're looking forward to playing for a trophy," Chase said.

"Taking third place would mean a ton for this program," said Logan Feasline. "The seniors will be gone, but the program can build off whatever we do."

St. Maries has not won a state championship since 1960, and there have not been many success stories since then. Becktel said a strong finish "would be great for our community. The community has given us a lot of support, and I think it would be good to bring something home.

St. Maries 18 12 16 9 - 55

Soda Springs 12 20 12 15 - 59

ST. MARIES - Greer 9, Wilson 5, Asbury 3, Smith 16, Feasline 9, Becktel 13. Totals 20-55 9-17 55.

SODA SPRINGS - Meyers 4, Bowman 18, Yamauchi 16, Thompson 3, W. Sims 4, Balls 6, Schvaneveldt 4, K. Sims 3. Totals 22-51 11-24 59.