Fealko Has Plenty Of Numbers To Admire

Lake City High School girls basketball coach Dave Fealko has a career record that’s second to none among the top coaches in the state.

Fealko reached the 300-win milestone recently. But consider a few other noteworthy feats as the state tournaments begin today in the Boise area:

This is the 10th straight year - and 12th in the last 13 - that Fealko has taken a team to state.

Three of his last four CdA teams won state titles. His first state title came in 1983-84. The streak of state appearances began after his 1984-85 team, comprised of several players off the state championship team the year before, failed to return to state.

Including the 19-10 record of his first state winner, Fealko’s teams have posted a 253-52 record (.830 winning percentage) the past 12 years, 21-8 (.724) at state.

Other trophies Fealko teams have captured include one second, two thirds and one consolation title.

Stellar prep careers end

Lake City seniors Melissa Dodge, a four-year starter for Fealko, and Jennifer Kerns, a three-year starter and key reserve as a freshman, are 88-10 during their careers.

They expect to conclude their careers with a state championship and 91 victories.

Miscellaneous

The Lake City-Highland matchup is considered the toughest among opening-day games.

The winner will meet the BorahBlackfoot winner in the semifinals.

In the other bracket, Centennial and Pocatello are expected to meet in the semifinals. Coaches envision an LC-Centennial state final. LC beat Centennial 66-57 in a season-opening game at Centennial.

In four hotly contested meetings between the crosstown rivals, Pocatello defeated Highland three times.

Centennial and Borah split during the regular season before Centennial defeated Borah 45-38 in the District III title game last week. Centennial and Borah each defeated Madison in early games.

District VI qualifiers Blackfoot and Madison appear to be the weakest teams in the field, coaches say. That’s why why Borah and Centennial aren’t expected to be pushed in their openers. Madison has essentially the same team that lost to CdA 60-18 in a state opener last year.

Coeur d’Alene radio station KVNI (1080 AM) will broadcast all Lake City games at state.

All state championship games will be played at Albertson College on Saturday. The A-4 final will tipoff at 1:30 p.m. PST, followed by the A-3 game at 3:40, the A-2 contest at 5:50 and the A-1 showdown at 7.