Post Falls Reaches No. 2 In State Rankings

Teams in the Associated Press high school basketball rankings continued to take a beating last week as the regular season came to a close.

Teams now are competing in district tournaments which will decide which eight will qualify for the state tournament in the top three divisions. The state tournaments begin March 5-6 in the Treasure Valley. The A-4 tourney is under way.

The top three teams in the large-school A-1 division all lost last week, as eastern Idaho schools continued to dominate voting by the state’s sportswriters and broadcasters in the season’s final poll.

Two-time state runner-up Rigby retained its No. 1 billing despite a two-point loss to then-No. 5 Madison of Rexburg. The Trojans followed with a 63-59 victory over one of the division’s hottest teams, Blackfoot, which had been ranked second.

The loss by the Broncos allowed Post Falls to continue its steady climb in the polls to second after a pair of double-digit victories. Madison climbs to third while Blackfoot settles at fourth, followed by defending state champion Highland of Pocatello.

The Rams lost to Skyline for their third loss in four games.

In A-2, once-beaten Bishop Kelly stayed atop the rankings with solid victories over Middleton and Payette. No. 2 Snake River narrowed the gap, however, with a two-point decision over American Falls and a 19-point thrashing of Marsh Valley.

Moscow and Salmon were the only climbers in the division. The Bears improved a spot to third and Salmon moved up to fourth.

Declo was unchallenged in two games last week to continue as the A-3 leader.