MONTPELIER — For the past two years, the Bear Lake girls basketball team has ruled its conference. This season has been no different.

That was evident Tuesday night. The Bears downed Marsh Valley 54-39 to claim the Class 4A District V Championship. It was also their third consecutive title — a program first.

“Winning three straight is a testament to the girls and how hard they are willing to work and how they love to compete,” Bear Lake head coach Ken Wells said.

At first, the game looked like it was going to be another routine blowout for the Bears (20-4). They had won every league game by double digits, with an average margin of victory of nearly 31 points per game. Bear Lake jumped out to an 11-2 lead in the first few minutes. But the Eagles (19-6) responded with an 11-2 run of their own to take the lead. Bear Lake answered and stole the lead back right before halftime, and they never relinquished it again.

“We went over a lot of the basic things we need to do to be successful,” Wells said. “The focus was to come out and do all the little things involved with winning.”

Halle Wells, the coach’s daughter, led the way with a double-double of 16 points and 12 rebounds. Desiree Alleman added 10 points on 5-of-6 shooting, and Peyten Crockett chipped in eight points and six rebounds.

Tayzlee Belnap had 16 points and Madi Foster eight for the Eagles in the loss.

The Bears now head to the Class 4A state tournament, which begins Feb. 19 at Skyview High School in Nampa, on a 12-game winning streak. Bear Lake has played in back-to-back state championship games, including winning it all in 2024.

“It is a testament to how mentally tough these girls are,” Wells said. “They have to be focused every time we step on the court. We set a goal to play our best basketball the last day we play, so we are trying to improve each day.”