Kimberly, Timberlake Claim Hardware on Final Day at State

NAMPA, ID – Saturday morning at Skyview High School delivered two competitive battles as Kimberly and Timberlake each claimed hardware at the 4A State Girls Basketball Tournament.

Consolation Championship: Kimberly 62, Weiser 56

If you blinked, you missed a lead change.

The Consolation Championship between Kimberly and Weiser was an instant classic — 15 lead changes, 7 ties, and neither team leading by more than six points throughout the contest. In the end, it was Kimberly’s Taya Plew who made the difference.

Plew was simply sensational, finishing with 29 points and 11 rebounds for her second double-double of the tournament. The junior guard shot 11-of-22 from the field, including a pair of three-pointers, and added 5-of-6 from the free throw line. When the Bulldogs needed a bucket, Plew delivered.

“She’s a special player,” was the sentiment echoing through the gym as Plew carried Kimberly on her back.

The Wolverines struck first, taking a 15-14 lead after the opening quarter. Alyvia Goff caught fire early, knocking down shots from beyond the arc to keep Weiser in front. But Kimberly responded with a 19-12 second quarter advantage to take a 33-27 lead into halftime.

The third quarter belonged to Weiser. The Wolverines outscored Kimberly 20-16 behind balanced scoring and hustle plays, cutting the deficit to just one point heading into the fourth. The stage was set for a dramatic finish.

But the Bulldogs locked in defensively when it mattered most. Kimberly held Weiser to just 9 fourth-quarter points while Brooklyn VerWey provided crucial support with 14 points and 8 rebounds. Adyson Osborne added 9 points and 6 boards off the bench as the Bulldogs pulled away.

Goff led Weiser with 17 points, hitting 5-of-8 from three-point range. Porter Hart battled for 13 points, while Ellie Shirts added 10 points, 5 rebounds, and played tough defense throughout. Evie Dolton grabbed a team-high 9 rebounds in her final game as a Wolverine.

Despite the loss, Weiser left the tournament with the IHSAA Sportsmanship Award — recognition of the program’s character and class throughout the event.

Final: Kimberly 62, Weiser 56

Kimberly Stats:

• Taya Plew: 29 PTS (11-22 FG, 2-8 3PT, 5-6 FT), 11 REB, 3 AST, 2 BLK

• Brooklyn VerWey: 14 PTS (6-10 FG), 8 REB

• Adyson Osborne: 9 PTS, 6 REB

• Team: 22-50 FG (44%), 2-15 3PT (13.3%), 16-24 FT (66.7%)

Weiser Stats:

• Alyvia Goff: 17 PTS (6-11 FG, 5-8 3PT), 3 REB

• Porter Hart: 13 PTS (4-13 FG, 5-8 FT), 4 REB

• Ellie Shirts: 10 PTS (3-13 FG, 2-5 3PT), 5 REB

• Evie Dolton: 5 PTS, 9 REB

• Team: 19-53 FG (35.8%), 10-20 3PT (50%), 8-18 FT (44.4%)

Third Place Game: Timberlake 56, Marsh Valley 50

The battle for bronze was a wire-to-wire effort from Timberlake.

The White Tigers came out with purpose, taking a 16-13 first quarter lead and maintaining control throughout. Unlike the back-and-forth Consolation Championship, this one featured just a single lead change as Timberlake’s balanced attack and defensive intensity proved to be the difference.

Three White Tigers reached double figures, led by Macy Murphey’s 16 points. Murphey struggled from three-point range (0-11) but attacked the basket relentlessly, going 8-of-12 from the free throw line and finishing with 6 rebounds.

Shae Jones provided a huge lift with 13 points on efficient 5-of-7 shooting, including 3-of-3 from beyond the arc. Sophie Holecek matched with 13 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for the double-double, controlling the paint on both ends.

Marsh Valley’s Zayli Merzlock refused to go quietly. The standout post player poured in a game-high 24 points on 9-of-15 shooting, adding 7 rebounds. Merzlock was virtually unstoppable inside, going 8-of-12 on two-point attempts while also knocking down a three and going 5-of-5 from the charity stripe.

But Merzlock couldn’t do it alone. Tayzlee Belnap added 9 points but struggled from deep (3-13 from three), and the Eagles shot just 14.3% from beyond the arc as a team (3-21). Timberlake’s length and activity disrupted Marsh Valley’s offense throughout.

The White Tigers outrebounded the Eagles 39-34 and committed just 16 turnovers compared to Marsh Valley’s 19, taking care of the ball when it mattered most.

Final: Timberlake 56, Marsh Valley 50

Timberlake Stats:

• Macy Murphey: 16 PTS (4-19 FG, 0-11 3PT, 8-12 FT), 6 REB

• Shae Jones: 13 PTS (5-7 FG, 3-3 3PT), 7 REB

• Sophie Holecek: 13 PTS (5-11 FG, 2-6 3PT), 10 REB

• Addie Archer: 4 PTS, 6 REB

• Team: 19-50 FG (38%), 5-21 3PT (23.8%), 13-23 FT (56.5%)

Marsh Valley Stats:

• Zayli Merzlock: 24 PTS (9-15 FG, 1-3 3PT, 5-5 FT), 7 REB

• Tayzlee Belnap: 9 PTS (3-16 FG, 3-13 3PT), 2 REB

• Olivia Campbell: 4 PTS, 5 REB

• Team: 18-49 FG (36.7%), 3-21 3PT (14.3%), 11-22 FT (50%)

Final Standings Update

• 6th Place: Weiser Wolverines
• 5th Place: Kimberly Bulldogs (Consolation Champions)
• 4th Place: Marsh Valley Eagles
• 3rd Place: Timberlake Tigers (3rd Place Game Winner)
• CHAMPIONSHIP GAME: #1 Sugar-Salem Diggers vs #2 Bear Lake Bears

The stage is now set for the 4A State Championship at Ford Idaho Center. Top-seeded Sugar-Salem will face second-seeded Bear Lake in a rematch of last year’s title game. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:50 PM.