Mountain Iron-Buhl girls basketball wins program first Class A State Tournament

There was a goal and a mission when the MountainIron Buhl girl’s basketball team won their section title and that was to not only make it to the state tournament but to win it all. That mission was accomplished as they beat the BOLD Warriors 52-21 to earn the program’s first state tournament.

The Rangers started the first two minutes of the game on the hills of the Warriors until Junior Jordan Zubich knocked down to foul shots and the Rangers electrified the floor taking the lead throughout the entire first half.

“Oh theme for this tournament was kind of just basketball is a game of runs. We’re going to get down, and we’re going to get up; but he was just telling us that we can’t get too high, we can’t get too low. We just have to stay focused and stay calm,” said junior guard Jordan Zubich.

Head Coach Jeff Buffetta added that he had a good feeling about his team after their first two state games. “These girls after they handed that adverted yesterday, I saw the way they reacted to preparing last night and the losses that they had in the gym this morning, cause we prepare. We knew they were ready, and it was a difference in watching them, and it was fun to see.”

The Warriors kept their pace only tallying behind a few points while the Rangers continued to increase their lead. Their tear continued as they opened up the second half heavy with points after points. The girls made their mark on the court, shooting from different areas and knocking down everything from a three-pointer, layups, jumpers, and more.

“We kind of just went on a run, and we just keep going, going, going, and soon it was like fifteen points. We were just like this is our game, and there’s no going back,” senior guard Sage Ganyo expressed.

Zubich led the Rangers in points with 15 followed by Hali Savela and Gabby Lira with ten points. 

MIB came out on top, winning 52-21 and finally got over that mountain that they’ve been trying ti knock down for more than a decade.

“For me now, it’s been a long run. I’m very proud of the success of our program, very proud of what everyone has, I just think back to the last 13 years and our 12 trips here of all the assistant coaches we’ve had and all the players we’ve had that dedicated all the time and showed these guys about what its like to show up everyday and been in the work it was just awesome to see them finish it off,” Buffetta shared.

Mountain Iron-Buhl finished its season with a record of 30-3 and a State Class A championship.