A few random thoughts and observations after the first day of the Idaho state girls basketball tournaments in the Boise area.

Click the tab below for more.

-- I watched all four games and was very impressed with the freshman twin guards from Highland and Meridian. The Warriors had Centennial on the ropes but didn't finish.Overall, I thought Lewiston played the best Thursday. But Lewiston should have since it was essentially playing the fifth place team from District III - which, after seeing the games Thursday, seems to be getting weaker and weaker. Post Falls and Lake City, two teams left home in the Inland Empire League, were better than at least two if not three of the teams I saw Thursday. Still, District III continues to dominate state berths. I understand it is based on number of schools, but it certainly isn't based on quality.

-- I heard Thursday that the Idaho High School Activities Association is considering seeding the state tournament next year. Talk about coming out of the dark ages. That would be a move that would ensure that the best teams had a chance to play in the state final.

-- The 2A and 1A Division I and II teams from District II (Lewiston area) continue to dominate at state. That's a tribute to the Central Idaho and Whitepine Leagues.

-- At the 5A tournament, underclassmen ruled the first day, especially the freshmen. Freshmen like Kendalyn Brainard of Coeur d'Alene, Karlee Wilson of Lewiston and the Gonzalez twins of Highland.

-- A scary thought. If Coeur d'Alene captures a third straight state championship, you can go ahead and pencil the Vikings in for a fourth straight title. Their best players will return and they will just be better. And you can pencil Lewiston in on a return trip. The Bengals return a solid nucleus next year.

-- How about the Intermountain League? Priest River and Kellogg won Thursday, and I thought the IML was weak. Perhaps the rest of the 3A landscape is weak. We'll find out tonight in the semifinals.

---

---