STATE 2A BOYS CHAMPIONSHIP: Lakeside speeds past Kendrick

By MARK NELKE

Sports writer

NAMPA — Just call them the dynasty busters.

Three years ago, Lakeside ended Lapwai’s 62-game winning streak with a victory in the state 2A title game.

On Saturday, the Knights knocked off a tradition-rich Kendrick team that had ruled whatever smaller school division it was in the past few years in nearly every team sport.

Second-seeded Lakeside turned up the pressure and eased away from top-seeded Kendrick for a 60-47 victory in the state 2A championship game at the Ford Idaho Center.

“We play against a lot of these kids growing up,” said Lakeside senior guard Hallah Peone, who finished with 18 points, five rebounds and five assists. “We know how to stop them.”

“Even though they’re good, we know we’re better,” added Knights senior Tyson Charley, who had 25 points and seven boards.

For Lakeside (22-2), it was the Knights’ fourth state title in school history, first since 2023, and third in seven seasons under James Twoteeth, in his ninth year as coach, and who played on Lakeside’s ’97 champs.

Kendrick (22-4) was in a state title game for the fourth straight season, and since fall 2024 had won consecutive state championships in football, boys basketball, baseball and football again.

Kendrick hit three 3-pointers and jumped out to a 12-3 lead after six minutes.

Twoteeth called timeout and told the Knights to speed up the tempo.

With a half-court trap, fast hands and runouts, Lakeside dictated the pace. The Knights caught up early in the second quarter, and Charley buried a 3 just before halftime to send Lakeside into the locker room with a 30-26 lead.

“That was the point, to make them uncomfortable,” Twoteeth said. 

“I was thinking, we run so much in practice, I knew they couldn’t run with us in transition,” said Peone, who had 13 of his points in the first half. 

In the third quarter, Peone hit a 3, Furyus Louie scored on the fast break, and Lakeside’s lead was up to 37-30. 

Charley, who scored 17 points in the second half, hit a 3 to make it 44-34 with 3 minutes left in the third. The Knights expanded their lead to as much as 16 points in the fourth quarter.

Ralli Roetcisoender had 14 points, seven rebounds and four assists for Kendrick. The stat sheet showed the Tigers with 13 turnovers, though it seemed like more. 

Maybe it was because of the rushed shots — Kendrick finished 15 of 40 from the field, including 6 of 19 on 3-pointers.

“Lakeside did a good job rushing us with their press,” second-year Kendrick coach Steve Kirkland said. They earned it. I think we probably turned it over more than I expected.”

Charley was a freshman starter on that 2023 team that beat Lapwai.

“I remember that feeling of winning my freshman year,” Charley said. “I wanted that feeling again. When we lost to Lapwai the next year, I never wanted to have that feeling again.”

Peone was a reserve on that senior-laden team (other than Charley). On Saturday, he shined on the big stage, especially in the first half with his spinning moves to the basket.

“It is surreal,” Peone said. “When we won last time, we got back to town and there was a parade, with fireworks.”

“Greatest moment of my life,” added freshman Teagan Brown, who finished with nine points, five rebounds and three assists.

Lakeside     10    20    17    13    —    60

Kendrick     14    12    13    8    —    47

LAKESIDE — Peone 18, Sines 2, Louie 5, Brown 9, Iron Cloud 0, Chimburas 0, Charley 25, Ramirez 3, GreenSky 0, Samuels 0, Pluff 0. Totals 22-48 9-12 60.

KENDRICK — M. Kirkland 8, Silflow 7, Roetcisoender 14, Koepp 2, Tweit 6, Sneve 0, Kimberling 2, Morgan 0, Heimgartner 0, H. Kirkland 8, Anderson 0. Totals 15-40 11-18 47.

    JASON DUCHOW PHOTOGRAPHY Lakeside sophomore Jose Ramirez (24) goes up for a layup as Maddox Kirkland (0) defends Saturday in the state 2A championship game at the Ford Idaho Center in Nampa.