SPOKANE VALLEY — On Wednesday night, North Idaho’s elite in girls basketball wasn’t quite enough against those top-notch athletes from the Greater Spokane League.

Central Valley sophomore Lexie Hall scored a game-high 22 points, 14 coming in the first half as the Metro All-Stars, made up of players from the Greater Spokane League, beat the Region 81-72 in the 23rd annual Jack Blair Memorial AAU Girls Basketball Classic on Wednesday night at University High.

It is the 13th win for the Metro team since 2001.

The Region was highlighted by locals Melody Kempton (Post Falls High), Allison Kirby (Timberlake), Keelie Lawler (Timberlake), Nina Carlson (Lake City), all of which play on the North Idaho Elite AAU basketball team.

“It’s the best experience in the world,” said Kempton, a sophomore. “Any extra game I can play with them is a great thing.”

Kempton finished with 12 points for the Region, which was led by Jessie Loera of Moses Lake with 18. Loera, who was named Most Inspirational Player following the game, has signed with Gonzaga.

“It was awesome,” said Kirby, a junior. “It was a great chance to get to play against some really talented players and teammates.”

Kempton, who won the 5A title in the triple jump and high jump at the recent state track and field meet, admitted she hadn’t played much basketball in recent weeks.

“I’ve been doing to open gyms and morning practices,” Kempton said. “But this is the first time I’ve been actually running up and down the floor. I felt all right, but it was a good game.”

Kirby scored six points, all coming in the first half for The Region.

“It’s fun,” said Kirby, who won a state 3A title with Timberlake in February. “It definitely adds to our little trio for sure. Most of us know what we’re going to do at the same time.”

The Metro jumped out to a 12-0 lead and built a 35-14 lead on a 3-pointer by Riley Lupfer of Lewis and Clark with five minutes remaining in the first half.

The Region (Idaho and smaller Washington schools) closed the first half on a 15-6 run to make it 41-29 at halftime

Jamie Loera of Moses Lake finished with 12 points — nine in the second half — for the Region, which pulled as close as nine late in the game.

Lupfer, who has signed with Boise State, finished with 14 points.

Region 29 43 — 72

Metro 41 40 — 81

METRO — Tayler Drynan (Gonzaga Prep) 0, Lexie Hull (Central Valley) 22, Payton Douglass (Mead) 6, Jaidyn Lyman (Mt. Spokane) 2, Jordan Smith (Mt. Spokane) 7, Riley Lupfer (Lewis and Clark) 14, Brooke Bailey (University) 4, Lacie Hull (Central Valley) 0, Hailey Christopher (Central Valley) DNP, injury, Kaiti Pannell (University) 3, Taylor Cunningham (Lewis and Clark) 9, Aaliyah Pauling (Mead) 14, Megan Dean (North Central), DNP, injury.

REGION — Jamie Loera (Moses Lake) 11, Jessie Loera (Moses Lake) 18, Madi Schoening (Sandpoint) 4, Shaye Swannack (Lakeside) 0, Allison Kirby (Timberlake) 6, Hailey Higashi (Saint George’s), DNP, injury, Keelie Lawler (Timberlake) 4, Sienna Swannack (Lakeside) 2, Nina Carlson (Lake City) 4, Melody Kempton (Post Falls) 12, Kelly Horning (Coeur d’Alene) 8, Hannah Burland (East Valley) 8, Lauren Rewers (Lake City) 1.