SANDPOINT — Down one game to none in a best-of-3 series for the 4A Region 1 title, the second-seeded Lakeland Hawks fell behind 17-2 to the top-seeded Sandpoint Bulldogs in Game 2 on Friday night.

But …

“I know the team I have,” second-year Lakeland coach Tyrel Derrick said, after the Hawks rallied for a 47-43 victory at Les Rogers Court to force a deciding game tonight. “I know I have a team that will compete every minute they're out there. It may not look pretty, but they’ll fight.”

Lakeland (12-9) and Sandpoint (19-4) will play for a trip to state tonight in Game 3 at 6 in Sandpoint. The winner advances to state starting next Thursday at Timberline High in Boise; the loser’s season is over.

“Lakeland did a good job when they were down early and stuck to their game plan,” Sandpoint coach Will Love said. “They were able to make plays down the stretch, and I just have to give credit to them. They have been playing hard. Lakeland’s up to No. 7 in the MaxPreps rankings; they’re a good team. Whatever team comes from the North is going to be a great representative at the state tournament.”

Junior Landree Simon scored 20 points and senior Lila Kiefer added 16 points and eight rebounds for Lakeland, which lost Game 1 48-39 in overtime on Wednesday, then scored just two points in the first quarter Friday.

“Sandpoint came out ready to play. They came out punching hard and we didn’t respond,” Derrick said. “I sat two of our starters, and they came back and played one of the better games.”

Simon hit a 3-pointer just before the half to pull Lakeland within 22-21. After being down 15 early, the Hawks used a 26-5 run that stretched into the third quarter to go up 28-22. Simon then sank another 3 at the third-quarter buzzer to make it 37-28.

Sandpoint, the defending state champs, and winners of the last four regional tournaments, battled back for a 40-39 lead with less than 3 minutes remaining. 

Sophomore Karstyn Kiefer drove down the lane for a left-handed layup to put Lakeland back on top at 41-40 with 2 minutes left. 

“Huge,” Derrick said. “For a sophomore to make that play in crunch time, her growth has been big for Lakeland basketball.”

Simon drove from the top of the key and dumped the ball to Kyla Holte for a layup and a three-point lead. 

Sandpoint pulled to within 44-43 on a 3-pointer by Karlie Banks with 30 seconds left.

Kiefer sank two free throws with 17.6 seconds remaining. 

With the Bulldogs needing a 3, Lakeland senior Payton Sterling kept Banks from getting a good look, and Demi Driggs missed from deep in the closing seconds, and Kiefer sealed it with a free throw with 4.7 left.

“Payton did a good job being disciplined,” Derrick said. “Driggs still had a good opportunity. But we’ll live with someone else taking the 3.”

Banks finished with 18 points, 13 rebounds and three blocked shots for Sandpoint. Freshman Jordyn Tomco added 14 points.

“We just turned the basketball over too much,” Love said. “That’s back-to-back games that we have had a high number. When we look at some of the metrics, that’s the difference right there. We’re getting less shots than Lakeland is. We have to be able to take care of the basketball, and if we do, I think we have a good chance at getting the job done tomorrow.”

“To play just six, they’re just warriors,” Derrick said of his team. “The job’s not done, I know Sandpoint will give us everything they have; they’re competitors.”

Lakeland     2     19     16     10    —    47

Sandpoint     15     7     6     15    —    43

LAKELAND — Simon 20, L. Kiefer 16, K. Kiefer 4, Holte 4, Sterling 3, Bretveld 0, H. McMurray 0.

SANDPOINT — Banks 18, Tomco 14, B. Mire 7, D. Driggs 4, Laybourne 0, Richardson 0, L. Driggs 0, Thaete 0. 

    JASON DUCHOW PHOTOGRAPHY Kyla Holte, left, of Lakeland, and Jordyn Tomco (4) of Sandpoint fight for the ball Friday night in Sandpoint.

    JASON DUCHOW PHOTOGRAPHY Lakeland girls celebrate after beating Sandpoint in Game 2 of the best-of-3 series for the 4A Region 1 girls basketball title Friday in Sandpoint. Game 3 is tonight at 6 in Sandpoint.