STATE 3A BOYS CHAMPIONSHIP: St. Maries follows the script

By MARK NELKE

Sports writer

NAMPA — This is the stuff they make movies about.

Last June, St. Maries boys basketball coach Bryan Chase was diagnosed  withpancreatic liver cancer.

But he came back to coach because this team was special, and they had some unfinished business.

The top-seeded Lumberjacks finished their business on Saturday, writing a storybook ending with a 50-43 victory over the second seed Wendell Trojans in the championship game of the state 3A tournament at the Ford Idaho Center.

“Eight months ago when I was diagnosed with cancer, I wasn’t sure if I would be here tonight, for sure,” Chase said. “I wasn’t sure if my cancer doctor would let me coach. The first thing he said was, you’ve got to get rid of stress in your life. I tried to do a lot of that, but this is such a special group of kids that I decided I wanted to come back for. I’ve had to make a few adjustments, but overall it’s so worth it to be here and enjoy this experience with those boys.”

“It’s so great to have him come back, being able to push through at every practice,” said St. Maries senior JJ Yearout, who finished with 11 points and six rebounds. “You could tell some days that he did not feel good at all. That just makes us drive even more.”

“Our coach has done so much for us,” added senior Isaiah Gustaffe, who led the Lumberjacks with 13 points. “Him coming back our last year and just pushing us was really great; it’s an honor.”

“Coach is the best,” said senior Xavier Sloper, who scored 11 points. “Being able to come back through stage 4 pancreatic cancer is a big deal. What he’s done for us over the last four years … wouldn’t want another coach.”

St. Maries (21-3) won its first state title since 2021, and third in program history. The Lumberjacks have now brought home eight trophies from state under Chase, in his 12th season. He led them to state in each of his first 10 seasons before they lost in a state play-in last year.

“It means everything,” said Sloper, who missed last season with a knee injury. “Being able to bounce back, and play with these guys, especially after having to watch us miss the tournament last year. Being able to play with my five seniors, my guys, we’ve been playing together since Day 1. It just feels great.”

For the third straight game at state, St. Maries’ calling card was defense. 

Led by senior twins Jack and Brock Barta, the Lumberjacks limited Wendell to 15 of 48 from the field, including 9 of 28 from deep.

Jonathan Swainston led Wendell (24-3) with 16 points. 

“We thought our twins were pretty quick too,” Chase said. “I don’t think they get near the credit, because our team is so balanced. Defensively those two did a great job of keeping the Swainston twins in front. We weren’t sure whether to put our bigger, stronger kids on them, or our twins. I just thought our smaller guards did a great job of keeping them in front, keeping them contained.”

“Just some really, really good athletes over there,” ninth-year Wendell coach AJ Kelsey said of St. Maries. “The two twins are strong, and 4 (Yearout) and 5 (Gustaffe) are good athletes too.”

With 2 minutes left in the first half and the score tied at 17, Jack Barta made a 3-pointer, got fouled and sank the free throw. He hit a 3 on the next possession for a personal 7-0 run. He finished with nine points.

St. Maries never trailed again.

“That was so huge,” Chase said. “It seemed like a game of runs in that first and second quarter, and that opened things up for us.”

“Jack, he’s made those plays for us all year,” Sloper said. “His ability to play defense, and still come back and shoot the rock and set up our offense really means a lot for the team.”

Wendell     11    9    6    17    —    43

St. Maries     8    16    14    12    —    50

WENDELL — Jor. Swainston 5, Kelsey 0, Jon. Swainston 16, Nava 0, Jasper 10, Borges 12, Kelsey 0, D. Prince 0. 15-48 9-28 43.

ST. MARIES — Harold 2, J. Barta 9, Yearout 11, Gustaffe 13, B. Barta 4, Riberich 0, Speakman 0, Sloper 11. Totals 16-39 15-18 50.

    JASON DUCHOW PHOTOGRAPHY St. Maries senior Jack Barta (3) passes out of a double-team by Wendell in the state 3A championship game Saturday at the Ford Idaho Center in Nampa.
  

    JASON DUCHOW PHOTOGRAPHY St. Maries senior Isaiah Gustaffe (5) soars for a rebound attempt against Wendell in the state 3A championship game Saturday at the Ford Idaho Center in Nampa.