BOISE — The Bulldogs of Sandpoint took a few big steps during the 2019-20 season.

Back to state for the first time since 2018 after advancing the previous five seasons.

Notching an opening round win, something that hadn’t been done since 2016.

“A lot of people weren’t expecting it from this group, especially coming off a 5-15 season,” second-year Sandpoint head coach Will Love said following the Bulldogs’ 44-29 loss to Caldwell in the state 4A third-place game Saturday at Timberline High. “But the girls worked hard in the summer and each day in practice. They grew as players and as a result, they came together as a team. When we went on that run, it was really impressive. In most cases, we were undersized and a bit slower, but you can’t measure their heart and they played with a lot of heart.”

Caldwell took a 25-10 halftime lead, limiting the Bulldogs to two second-quarter points. Sandpoint was 0 for 8 from the free-throw line in the first half.

“Caldwell’s a good team, and we struggled with the pressure they put on us in the first half,” said Love, a Bulldog assistant before taking over as head coach. “We were kind of slow out of the gate, which is bound to happen on Saturday morning at state, and we couldn’t catch up. At halftime, we put together a nice run and cut the deficit down. We just had too many turnovers and were 0 for 13 from the 3-point line. Our free-throw shooting has bugged us all weekend, and we finished 5 of 15 at the line. But I’m proud of the effort the girls put forth this weekend. They represented Sandpoint and North Idaho really well.”

Senior Maddie Morgan had eight points, junior Hattie Larson seven points and 11 rebounds for Sandpoint, which finishes 17-9.

“It’s a crazy feeling,” Morgan said. “We had two D-1 players (Madi Schoening, now at Montana, and Grace Kirscher, now at Eastern Washington) and we didn’t even win our first game. So my freshman (2017) and sophomore year (2018), we didn’t win our first game and to do that, it’s an incredible feeling. It’s been amazing and I couldn’t think of a better way to end of the season.”

Sandpoint returns three starters next year.

“The future looks bright for Sandpoint next year,” Love said. “Kelsey Cessna, as a freshman, played a lot of minutes this year. We’re starting to develop more depth, and starting to see it come up. Our depth just keeps growing and growing, and I’m really excited about the future. I know Moscow and Lakeland are going to work hard, but we’re going to do everything we can next year to come away with a trophy next year.”

Jade Martinez scored 15 points for Caldwell (23-4), which won the state 4A title in 2019.

Sandpoint 8 2 13 6 — 29

Caldwell 14 11 15 4 — 44

SANDPOINT — K. Cessna 3, Lish 2 Day. Driggs 0, Morgan 8, Daw. Driggs 1, Edwards 0, Gammon 0, Steiger 2, Lyons 0, Phillips 4, Larson 7, Platte 0, Banks 2, R. Cessna 0. Totals 12-37 5-15 29.

CALDWELL — De La Cruz 3, Bower 2, Coffin 0, Campos 4, Ruiz 0, Williams 2, Dennett 0, Martinez 15, Vallejo 3, Schatz 0, Kennedy 7, Moore 8. Totals 16-48 8-14 44.