So What’s The Comparison? Two State Titles Instead Of One

Yes. No. Maybe. We don’t know.

The question had to be asked. Is coach Dave Fealko’s Lake City High School girls basketball team, with three starters and two key reserves off the 1993-94 State A-1 campion Coeur d’Alene Vikings, better than the coach’s final CdA team?

Knowing full well that Fealko would diplomatically dance around the question, we asked the coach whose team lost to the Viks in the state final last year, and then fell to the T-Wolves in the opener Thursday.

Highland coach Randy Rehrer paused.

“It’s a good team; my hesitation is in comparison to last year’s team,” Rehrer said. “They’re probably not as quick, but they probably shoot better from the perimeter with a few more people than they’ve had in the past.”

The inconsistent play of his team also made it difficult for Rehrer to evaluate the T-Wolves.

“If we played two halves like we played the second half, I think we’re in there with them,” Rehrer said. “They’re still the favorite, but I think they’re beatable. If we’d gone out and played our best basketball and lost I’d be more complimentary to them. It’s hard to gauge. I’ll say it this way: They’re the best team we’ve played this season.”

Rehrer had particular praise, though, for LC post Melissa Dodge.

“She’s stepped up her play,” he said. “She’s not just going one way, taking the one power dribble and going to the basket. She’s going both ways now.”

Fealko’s final team at CdA and his first LC squad have secured places in history.

The Viks’ 25 victories and no defeats were firsts in school history, and it was the final title before the school split.

And the LC team will always be remembered for capturing the new school’s first state crown.

Just glad to be here

Bonners Ferry Principal Dan Meeker, who resigned as the school’s head girls basketball coach after his Badgers claimed second at the State A-2 tournament last year, missed coaching this year.

At least the coaching at the games. He didn’t miss practices, didn’t miss the long bus rides and he particularly didn’t miss dealing with Mr. Dad Of The Greatest Basketball Player Ever or Mrs. Mom of The Greatest Basketball Player Ever.

And there was no way he was going to miss this year’s state tournament - even if his duties as principal essentially required that he tag along.

Meeker was smiling Friday following the Badgers’ 59-54 semifinal win over Sugar-Salem. He was especially pleased with the 29-point, 12-rebound performance of senior Jana Nearing, who was a two-year starter for Meeker.

“That’s the best I’ve seen her play - ever,” Meeker said. “In past years she was a lot more immature and would get into foul trouble. (Tonight) she backed off well and didn’t get into foul trouble. And her points weren’t easy points. She really had to work.”

Improbable

It was either the Comeback of the Year or the Choke of the Year.

State A-1 runner-up Pocatello was 12 points behind and 2 minutes away from being bounced into the consolation bracket Thursday by Nampa.

But Nampa would miss five front ends of one-and-ones in the final 1:37, allowing Pocatello to tie the game and force overtime. Pocatello prevailed 51-50.

Nampa had a final chance to win in regulation when usually dependable shooter Tonna Woolery stepped to the free-throw line for a one-and-one with 2 seconds remaining. But her shot rolled off the rim and time expired.

Leading the Pocatello comeback was senior Ann Radmall, a 5-foot-4 transfer guard from Marsh Valley.

She buried two 3-pointers and had two huge assists during the comeback. Radmall started overtime by hitting a 3-pointer that gave Pocatello the lead for good.