Jerome 50, Sandpoint 35

MERIDIAN — Jordyn Tomco did everything she could to will the No. 6 Lady Bulldogs to a win, but the No. 7 Lady Tigers' hot start was too much to overcome in a 5A state tournament consolation loser-out game held Friday at Mountain View High.

Tomco, a sophomore, had 12 of her team-high 17 points in the fourth quarter, drained three 3-pointers and came away with two steals while fellow sophomore Brecken Mire tallied eight points for Sandpoint, which trailed 16-2 early in the second quarter before cutting the deficit to 23-20 midway through the third.

"We got that bucket (a layup by Demi Driggs) right off the bat and from then on just had a hard time scoring," Sandpoint High head coach Will Love said. "You put yourself in a hole of double-digits — obviously, teams have earned their way here, so it's not going to be easy to come back. Our girls did a great job of cutting that lead down, but between the game yesterday and today with all the expended energy, Jerome was able to counter and we just didn't have anything left."

Junior Jensen Cook had 22 points and nine rebounds, freshman Sawyer Garrard seven points for Jerome, which used a 6-0 run to close the game out.

"Ultimately, injuries, illness, and just being worn down from the season caught up to us," Love said. "We did some good things, but just couldn't find that consistency needed to win games down here at the state tournament."

Love said that his Lady Bulldogs have learned a lot throughout the season, and after this experience, realize that it's going to take a lot of work to bring home a trophy at state next year.

"Disappointed with the way the season ended, but it was a season with so many great memories, so many great moments," Love said. "I'm super proud and it's a big honor to coach this team."

Sandpoint finishes the season with an overall record of 14-12.

Jerome 11 10 10 19 — 50

Sandpoint 2 9 9 15 — 35

PTS: SPT — Tomco 17, Mire 8, Ch. Laybourne 3, D. Driggs 3, Thaete 2, M. Driggs 2. JER — Cook 22, Garrard 7, Holtzen 6, Sedano 6, Allen 4, Helmer 3, Thompson 2.

REB: SPT — Thaete 5, Tomco 4, M. Driggs 4, D. Driggs 2, Ca. Laybourne 2, Ch. Laybourne 1, M. Driggs 1. JER — Cook 9, Allen 8, Thompson 4, Helmer 3, Garrard 3.

AST: SPT — Mire 2, L. Driggs 2, Ch. Laybourne 2, Tomco 1, D. Driggs 1. JER — Holtzen 2, Garrard 2, Cook 2, Thompson 1, Sedano 1.

STL: SPT — Tomco 2, L. Driggs 1, Thaete 1. JER — Cook 2, Garrard 1, Holtzen 1.

BLK: SPT — M. Driggs 1, L. Driggs 1, Thaete 1. JER — Allen 1.