Quick hits
The Lakeland High boys basketball team, which last year captured its first Intermountain League title since 1971, will make its debut in the Inland Empire League tonight when the Hawks (2-2) play host to Lake City (1-1).
Tipoff is at 7:45. The LC girls (5-2, 3-0) take on Lakeland (4-2, 0-1) at 6 as part of a doubleheader.
Lakeland’s girls turn around and travel to Lewiston (4-3, 1-2) on Friday while LC is at Moscow (4-3, 1-2). In other league play, Coeur d’Alene (6-1, 3-0), which is off to a fast start under former Central Valley coach Dale Poffenroth, plays host to Sandpoint (3-2, 1-1).
The CdA and LC girls are tied atop the IEL standings and will play their first game next Thursday in a doubleheader with the boys teams at CdA.
Coaching change at Mullan
Mullan athletic director and boys basketball coach Bruce Bailey will add head football coaching duties to his list of responsibilities next year.
Bailey will take over for Norbert Lane, who resigned after four seasons because he’s moving to Nampa.
Bailey resigned as boys basketball coach last spring, but took the job back when school officials couldn’t find a replacement. He’s not sure if he’ll continue to coach basketball after this season.
Lane’s teams were a combined 25-13 in four years. His best team was in 2003, when the Tigers finished 9-2 and advanced to the state semifinals.
Former Badger an All-American
Bonners Ferry High graduate and Boise State University cross country standout Forest Braden earned All-American honors after finishing 24th in the NCAA Division I championships in Terre Haute, Ind., late last month.
Braden, a junior, finished the 10,000-meter course in 31 minutes, 31.7 seconds, 54 seconds behind the winner. Braden, the top finisher from the Western Athletic Conference, finished 124th at the meet in 2003.
Prep basketball polls
Boys
5A
1. Eagle (2-0)
2. tie, Borah (2-0)
Twin Falls (2-0)
4. Centennial (3-0)
5. Mountain View (2-0)
Also receiving votes: Boise, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho Falls, Lewiston.
4A
1. Bishop Kelly (3-0)
2. Century (2-0)
3. tie, Sandpoint (3-1)
Bonneville (1-1)
5. tie, Post Falls (1-1)
Madison (2-1)
Also receiving votes: Minico, Moscow.
3A
1. Fruitland (4-0)
2. Shelley (3-1)
3. Declo (2-0)
4. Sugar-Salem (2-0)
5. Marsh Valley (1-1)
Also receiving votes: Filer, Homedale, Salmon, Snake River, South Fremont.
2A
1. Wendell (3-0)
2. tie, Malad (3-0)
Ririe (1-0)
4. Grangeville (2-1)
5. West Jefferson (1-1)
Also receiving votes: Potlatch.
1A
1. Troy (1-0)
2. Lakeside (3-0)
3. Council (1-0)
4. tie, Idaho City (2-1)
Nezperce (3-0)
Also receiving votes: Cole Valley, Gem State, Genesee, Lapwai, Mackay, Notus, Raft River, Richfield.
Girls
5A
1. Borah (8-0)
2. Twin Falls (8-0)
3. Boise (7-1)
4. Coeur d’Alene (6-1)
5. Centennial (6-2)
Also receiving votes: Highland.
4A
1. Hillcrest (9-0)
2. Emmett (6-1)
3. Bonneville (8-1)
4. Minico (7-1)
5. Skyview (7-1)
Also receiving votes: Sandpoint.
3A
1. Marsh Valley (4-0)
2. Salmon (7-0)
3. Gooding (6-1)
4. South Fremont (5-1)
5. Filer (6-1)
Also receiving votes: Kellogg.
2A
1. Grangeville (4-0)
2. Melba (6-0)
3. Butte County (6-0)
4. New Plymouth (5-1)
5. Nampa Christian (5-2)
Also receiving votes: Firth, West Jefferson.
1A
1. Shoshone (7-0)
2. Rimrock (6-1)
3. Leadore (6-1)
4. tie, Gem State (5-2)
Richfield (7-1)
Also receiving votes: Carey, Dietrich, Garden Valley, Hagerman, Mackay.
NOTE: A panel of sports writers statewide votes for the polls.