ARIMO – By the time Malad took a couple steps after inbounding, Soda Springs already had the Dragons pinned oftentimes.

The Cardinals, who used a 1-2-2 press, made it difficult to even cross half-court. The result was 18 costly turnovers. Oh, and Soda Springs clinching its sixth-consecutive league title, defeating Malad 50-28 in the 2A District 5 title game Wednesday at Marsh Valley High School.

Twelve of Malad’s turnovers came in the first half, when it watched its deficit grow to 25-5. It took nine minutes before the Cardinals allowed a field goal.

Soda Springs was doing more than enough too on offense as it was prepared to face Malad’s triangle-and-two defense, even though the Dragons didn’t deploy it for a significant portion of any of the previous three matchups between the teams.

‘We spent a little bit of time in practice preparing just for that,” Soda Springs coach Wade Schvaneveldt said. “We were watching the Super Bowl. We were like, ‘What’s Malad going to do to beat us?’ We thought they’re going to do a triangle-and-two.”

It’s the same story, but a different season for Soda Springs. Succeeding is not the only thing that is familiar. There is a Gronning wearing No. 2. While 2016 Soda Springs graduate Callie Gronning is playing basketball at Big Bend Community College, her sister, Sadie Gronning, has stepped in as a freshman to make major contributions, scoring a game-high 17 points in the title matchup.

“I just wanted to wear it for her,” said Sadie regarding her number choice. “She just represented leadership and she was just a good teammate to everyone and I want to be just like her.”

While Soda Springs (21-3) is on to state where it can win it all for the second time in three years, Malad (16-8) has a step in between, playing Firth for a spot at state Saturday at Highland High School.

There is one thing the Dragons have going for them entering the game – they will not be playing the Cardinals, who dealt the Dragons half theirlosses.

“I compare them to like a Duke,” first-year Malad coach Jeremy Jones said. “Everybody wants to be Duke. Everybody wants to beat Duke and that’s what Soda is. They’re well-coached. He has his program in place and they’re the team to beat.”

Unlike Soda, everything is new for Malad when it comes to big games, Jones said. If Malad rebounds from one big-game loss and gets past Firth, it will be the Dragons’ first state tournament appearance since 2012. Malad split the season series with the Cougars, falling 33-30 before winning the second matchup 68-31.

“My girls are mentally tough,” Jones said. “We’re going to be ready for Firth and we’re going to give everything we have. We’re not going to go home without a fight.”

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