Remember that dastardly monkey, that stretch of futility stretching back with long, unforgiving arms to December 2004—an era filled with disappointments and many 30-point drubbings?
Fugetaboutit.
The monkey is off the back.
It's history, Wood River High School's endless league losing streak that reached 39 games over five seasons but didn't get a day older Wednesday night, thanks to a ferocious defensive effort by the Wolverines of coach Mendy Benson.
Wood River, minute by minute gaining the belief that it could beat the Twin Falls Bruins, did just that on sophomore Kaitana Martinez's game-winning dipsy-doodle drive with 42 seconds left. The Wolverines held on to win 37-35.
Martinez (a team-high 15 points, 4 rebounds, 6 steals, 6 assists, 7-for-8 free throws) was everywhere when it counted for Wood River (7-1, 1-1 league). Not only were the Wolverines playing a good team in Twin Falls (5-3, 1-1), they played and won against their bad history.
Since joining the 4A ranks in 2004, the Wolverines entering Wednesday's game owned a 3-62 record against 4A teams. The first 4A win, and Wood River's last league victory, came at home over Jerome Dec. 9, 2004 by a 32-23 score—exactly five years ago Wednesday. They also beat Pocatello last year and Hillcrest on Dec. 1.
On Wednesday, the Wolverines never let go of their intensity against Twin Falls, a team that came to Hailey after 29- and 24-point wins last week.
Wood River coach Mendy Benson said, "I knew if we played well defensively we could be in the game—and that we could win the game."
Played incredibly hard by both teams, the Great Basin Conference match-up was as tight as the Wood River Drum Line that banged away at half. There were seven ties and 12 lead changes, six coming in the thrilling fourth quarter.
Wood River's biggest lead was three points, just 20 seconds into the game. Twin Falls' biggest lead was five points, 22-17, coming with six minutes left in the third quarter on the second of two old-fashioned 3-point plays made by tough junior post Jazlyn Nielsen (16 points, 11 rebounds, 2 blocked shots).
Besides confidence, the biggest difference for Benson's team is the toughness of its frontcourt players. Nielsen got her points, but as the minutes ticked away she was worn down by the defense of two 6-0 Hailey sophs, Cheyenne Swanson and Haylee Thompson.
In addition, junior Jade Glenn (5 rebounds) came off the bench for some big minutes.
< Swanson (1 point, 3 rebounds, 2 steals, 2 blocks) was in foul trouble in the middle quarters, at which point Thompson (4 points, 7 rebounds) sparked the post defense. Wood River also wore down Twin Falls all game with a full-court defensive press led by Martinez, senior Alex Lindbloom (2 points, 5 rebounds) and soph Tristin Bowers.
Indeed, it may have helped that Swanson got considerable bench time. She was fresh and moving her feet well in Wood River's man-to-man defense after Nielsen of Twin Falls put her team ahead 30-27 with two free throws at the 5:15 mark.
On defense Swanson stepped in and made a steal, then made a quick outlet pass to Martinez who swept the ball ahead to Bowers (6 points, 5 rebounds) for a fast-break bucket and a 30-29 game. Again, Twin Falls tried a lob pass to Nielsen. Again, Swanson was too quick and grabbed the ball. Benson grabbed a quick time at 4:21.
Back on offense for a set play, Martinez made a great lob pass that senior Monica Garceau (9 points, 3 rebounds, 3 steals) softly laid off the glass for a 31-30 lead. Erin Grubbs-Imhoff of Twin Falls (7 points) drilled a 3-pointer, but Swanson came up big again—finding an offensive rebound and tipping it over to Martinez, who scored with her left hand, 33-33.
Benson said, "Cheyenne made a huge difference at a crucial point in the game."
Garceau's quickness came up with another steal. Wood River worked the inbounds pass around the perimeter until finding Garceau down low. She was fouled and made the second of two charities at 2:42 for a 34-33 Wolverine lead.
Showing no nerves whatsoever, Bruins junior guard Allie Kelsey (8 points) put her team ahead for the last time making two charities after being fouled by Swanson on a drive to the hoop. Twin Falls led 35-34 and had a chance for a four-point lead, but Josie Jordan missed a 3-pointer. Martinez rebounded.
It's hard to describe the Martinez dipsy-doodle drive to the hoop. It's like she has the ball on the perimeter, confronted by a seemingly impenetrable object, and somehow K.T. circles around that defensive player with a step and a jump and works herself open and much closer to the basket.
That's what she did with 42 seconds left. The little move flabbergasted and briefly silenced the Twin Falls fans, who had been pretty vocal all game about the injustice of calls made against their players. But, after Martinez made the basket for a 36-35 lead, they were back in the swing, yelling, "No way! She can't do that!"
But Martinez did. And when Swanson made a free throw with 16 seconds left for the 37-35 lead, Wood River finished something very special as well.
Coach Benson said, "It felt awesome. It was probably the most fun game I've coached in 10 years. You rarely get to coach such a battle. I think we were the more composed team at the end of the game.
"I don't think there's been a happier group of girls in the Wood River locker room in a long time. Hopefully we can keep it up."
Wood River visits Filer (2-3) Saturday, Dec. 12 for a 4 p.m. matinee, then the Wolverines have a Tuesday, Dec. 15 home league tussle with Burley (5-3, 0-1). Burley beat Century of Pocatello 41-30 Wednesday, while Minico (6-2, 2-0) handled Pocatello 60-39 and Jerome (7-1, 2-0) outscored Canyon Ridge (0-9, 0-3) by a score of 55-27.
Battling for the ball and showing the intensity of Wednesday night’s game—one of the best girls’ basketball games ever seen in Hailey—are, from left, Twin Falls players Josie Jordan, Jazlyn Nielsen and Wood River players Kaitana Martinez (with the ball) and Jade Glenn. Photo by David N. Seelig
