In her first year at the helm of Sandpoint High girls basketball, Madi Schoening and six juniors took the Bulldogs to the State Championship game last year. 

Sandpoint fell just short of claiming a state title and dropped the title game 62-49 to Pocatello. With Schoening and those six juniors now returning as seniors, getting back to the title game and bringing a trophy back to Sandpoint is the only thing on the mind of the Bulldogs ahead of this season.

"As juniors last year, they were hungry for it, knew what it took, had been there, done that, and just to get so close, they were obviously heartbroken over it," Schoening said. "I think the theme this year is unfinished. We had unfinished business down there, and we want to get back in that position for sure." 

With the bar set sky high, Sandpoint will lean on those seniors, Siena Todd-Murray, Jaylah Butler, Carly Laybourne, Jordyn Tomco, Brecken Mire and Livia Driggs, to raise them up to meet those expectations. Most of the players are entering their fifth year in the Bulldogs' concept-based offense, giving them loads of experience playing together. 

Four of the six seniors are set to start this season, but Schoening said they will all bring critical leadership to the team. 

"They kind of fight like sisters, which is kind of funny, but then love each other like sisters on and off the court, which is hilarious," Schoening said. "They bring a competitive nature that I feel like I don't really usually have to instill. They're so competitive that they raise the level." 

The team's two returning all-league players, guards Mire and Tomco, should be key pieces for the Bulldogs' offense. Mire averaged 16.6 points, five rebounds, four assists and three steals per game last year while Tomco added another 15 points, four rebounds and two steals per game. 

Driggs scored the third most points on the team last year and should serve as a solid third scoring option for Sandpoint. 

Schoening said junior Willow Betz will round out the starting lineup, bringing quality post play on both ends of the court. The Bulldogs head coach said she should have around eight to nine players on varsity this season. 

"They're being brought up, and we'll see how that goes," Schoening said of the team's depth pieces. 

On the defensive side, expect to see the same intense full-court press that Schoening brought to the Bulldogs last year. Sandpoint will rely heavily on their defensive pressure, which helped them to a 21-6 record and a +278-point differential last season. 

While much may look the same, Schoening said she knows she needs to push the team out of their comfort zone if they want to achieve their lofty goals. 

"It seems to be comfortable when you run the same players, same coaches, and they've seen what it takes to get there, and now they know that they have to take that extra step to be able to make it happen," Schoening said. 

Sandpoint won't have nearly as many home games as last year, as they will travel to several 6A teams, like Coeur d'Alene, and several tournaments this year. Schoening said she hopes that the community will pack the gym when they are home and away to support the team. 

"We're gonna need people, even in travel games, if they're willing to travel," Schoening said. "Come support; it'll be fun to watch." 

Players to watch: Brecken Mire, sr., G; Jordyn Tomco, sr., SF; Willow Betz, jr., F.  

Most anticipated matchup: Lakeland, Jan. 5 and Jan. 15. 

Schedule: 

- Nov. 20 vs. Bonners Ferry - 7 p.m. 

- Dec. 1 @ Moscow - 7 p.m. 

- Dec. 4 @ West Valley (Spokane) - 5:30 p.m. 

- Dec. 8 @ Timberlake - 7 p.m. 

- Dec. 10-12 @ TitleOne Tip Off 

- Dec. 16 vs. Timberlake - 7 p.m. 

- Dec. 22 @ Glacier (MT) - 3 p.m. 

- Dec. 26 vs. Lewis & Clark - 7 p.m. 

- Dec. 29 @ Ridgeline - 3:30 p.m. 

- Dec. 30 @ Mt. Spokane - 6:30 p.m. 

- Jan. 5 @ Lakeland - 7 p.m. 

- Jan. 9 @ Post Falls - 3 p.m. 

- Jan. 12 @ Coeur d'Alene - 7 p.m. 

- Jan. 14 vs. Moscow - 7 p.m. 

- Jan. 15 vs. Lakeland - 6 p.m. 

- Jan. 19 @ Lake City - 7 p.m. 

- Jan. 21 @ Lewiston - 5:30 p.m. 

- Feb. 2 vs. Lewiston - 7 p.m. 

*Schedule as of 11/13, subject to change