MERIDIAN - What happens when a star player goes out with foul trouble in the first quarter with everything on the line in a state tournament game?

The Kellogg Wildcats had the answer.

Enter freshman Chase Jerome, who played a big role in the kind of game that ninth graders don't typically play. It was business as usual for the Wildcats when senior Gus Colburn went out of the game with two quick fouls. Then it was time for Jerome to make his mark, which helped give Kellogg the boost it needed in defeating Fruitland 46-31 in the state 3A tournament consolation championship game on Saturday at Meridian High.

In the early stages of the second period, Jerome knocked down a pair of three-pointers and hit on a brilliant driving lay-in to give the 'Cats a 17-7 lead. Kellogg never looked back after that. (Note to Wildcat fans: You're going to like this kid).

"He came out hot, came ready to play and he was on," said senior forward Tucker Gust, who had his share of highlights. "We had our doubts when our best point guard went to the bench. But Ryan Martin and Chase definitely picked it up and kept the energy going."

Kellogg finishes 21-4. Fruitland 9-18.

Gust also contributed to the high-octane energy, scoring 10 of his game-high 13 points in the first half and providing constant intimidation on defense. The starring cast also included Heath Waechter and Toby Colburn - Gus' 6-foot-4 "little" brother - who made big plays both offensively and defensively. And, by the way, Gus Colburn was a factor for the short time he played. In the third quarter, he hit a field goal, two free throws and a big three-pointer to keep the Wildcats in command. But nine points and 13 minutes of play is not his normal production.

"That's not the way we wanted Gus to finish his career in Kellogg, but ultimately it was fitting because everybody stepped up and it was a total team win. That's as good as it gets - a team victory to win a banner," KHS coach Jeff Lambert said. "We started quickly and hit some big shots. In the first half, we played outstanding defense, holding them to 10 points with Gus on the bench. Our defense won this game."

Gust called his team's performance "our best team effort all year. It wasn't just one player; it was all players, including the bench players. The coaches make us work every day and we get after each other. The bench makes us work so hard. So we can rely on our teammates, that's for sure."

If it had not been for one bad half of basketball in the opener with Weiser, Kellogg might have been playing for the 3A championship. But Lambert won't hear talk about what could have been.

"We finished at 21-4 and we're taking home a banner. This was a great season," Lambert said.

"We came down here saying we wanted a banner," Gust said. "We were hungry for it."

Fruitland was not your dollar-store 9-17 team entering the game. The Grizzlies defeated Weiser twice during the regular season and earned a spot in the consolation finals by whipping a good Marsh Valley team, 68-53. A basketball "expert" from Idaho Sports predicted Fruitland would beat Kellogg by 17 points - which goes to show what the media know.

Before the game, Lambert wrote down this word on the board - RESPECT. No, he was not singing like Aretha Franklin - only demonstrating the importance of taking every game seriously in a state tournament.

"In the end, we were the ones who were not getting a lot of respect," Lambert said.

Looking at Kellogg in warmups is far from imposing, with a couple players who are 5-foot-5 and a couple of others who are 6-foot.

But in state tournament games, Fruitland learned an important lesson. Be careful of teams that look small during warmup drills, for they may be quick ... and they might fight like hungry wildcats.

Fruitland 7 3 12 9 - 31

Kellogg 9 15 13 9 - 46

FRUITLAND - Seamons 4, Rodriguez 1, Benear 7, Bones 4, Eiguren 2, Richins 2, Dennison 6. Totals 8-31 15-20 31

KELLOGG - G. Colburn 9, Jerome 8, Waechter 7, Gust 13, Easley 2, T. Colburn 6, Caleb McDonald 1. Totals 16-41 11-19 46