At state, it will be quality vs. quantity

Before the season began, Lewiston coach Dan Maurer predicted that his team, along with Post Falls and Coeur d’Alene, could capture trophies at the State 5A tournament.

Maurer isn’t backing down from that statement. In fact, he sees his team contending for the state championship.

“We’re going to be in the hunt for a state title if our kids perform to their ability,” Maurer said. “They have performed all year. And I know Post Falls and Coeur d’Alene will be there.”

The big question is whether the quality of the Inland Empire League teams can overcome the quantity of the southern Idaho teams. State tournaments are about quality and quantity – with a big emphasis on quantity. Lewiston qualified 16, Coeur d’Alene 13 and Post Falls 12. Favorites Mountain View and Highland qualified 18 and 22, respectively.

The IEL teams haven’t fared well at state. The Bengals have captured just one state trophy – fourth in 1991. Post Falls also has just one state trophy and that was fourth in 4A in 2004. CdA has two state trophies. The Vikings were fourth in 1986 and third in 2005.

The Bengals expected to capture a trophy last year, but Lewiston slipped to a disappointing eighth.

The 5A, 4A, 3A and 2A state tournaments begin today and conclude Saturday afternoon at the Idaho Center in Nampa. The quarterfinals are Friday morning and the semifinals Friday evening. The top six in each weight earn medals.

Here’s a look at each classification:

5A

Defending champion: Centennial

Favorites: Mountain View, Highland, Lewiston

Individual title contenders: Casey George, Lewiston, 103 pounds; Derrick Booth, Post Falls, 112; Braden Mowry, Coeur d’Alene, 112; Seth Wright, PF, 119; Tracey Huffman, Lewiston, 125; D.J. Skelton, Lewiston, 130; Garrett Rodgers, Lewiston, 135; Danny Booth, PF, 145; Ryan Booth, PF, 152; Mark Hobson, Lewiston, 152; Jesse Nielsen, CdA, 160; Jeremy Zabel, PF, 160; Cole Amende, PF, 215; Spencer Miles, Lewiston, 215.

Returning state placers: Derrick Booth; Huffman, state champ at 112 last year; Wright placed third at 112 in 4A at Lakeland; Skelton; Nick Hobson, Lewiston; Nielsen, a state runner-up at 152; Zabel, a two-time state at CdA before he transferred to PF; Amende; Grant Turner, CdA, heayweight.

Local outlook: Area teams secured several top seeds. George (40-1), a freshman, is seeded first. His one loss was in the finals at Tri-State. Derrick Booth (18-1), a sophomore, is seeded first. He’s been bit by the injury bug lately. Other No. 1 seeds are: Huffman (35-7), Ryan Booth (42-1) and Nielsen (41-1). Second-seeded wrestlers include: Wright (39-4), Skelton (28-9), Rodgers (32-7), Danny Booth (41-3) and Zabel (4-2), who transferred to PF and didn’t gain eligibility until late January.

4A

Defending champion: Blackfoot

Favorites: Blackfoot, Pocatello, Minico

Individual title contenders: Garrett Belgrade, Sandpoint, 103; Tim Pepperdine, Sandpoint, 112; Kyle McCrite, Lakeland, 125; Brandon Richardson, Lakeland, 130; Tristan Storrs, Lakeland, 135; Sid Winter, Sandpoint, 135; Paul Marineau, Sandpoint, 160.

Returning state placers: Pepperdine state champ at 103 last year; Richardson state champ at 119; Kyle McCrite state runner-up at 119.

Local outlook: Sandpoint and Lakeland waged a spirited battle for a state title last year before they wound up finishing second and third, respectively. Both teams are hopeful of challenging for a trophy, but they won’t be in the hunt for a state title. Pepperdine is favored to repeat as a state champ. Richardson may be in the toughest weight class in the tournament. A defending state champ, he is seeded sixth largely because of losing some matches early in the season when he was battling through a back injury. Lakeland coach Rob Edeblute knows he has the possibility of three champs in McCrite, Richardson and Storrs. “They know what the state tournament is like,” Edelbute said. “They can handle it.” Pepperdine (18-2) and McCrite (34-3) are the lone No. 1 seeds.

3A

Defending champion: Shelley

Favorites: Shelley, American Falls

Individual title contenders: Bryan Walker, Timberlake, 119; Jeremiah Solt, Bonners Ferry, 125; Dayne Swisher, BF, 140; Preston O’Neill, Kellogg, 145; Wayde Rabidue, Priest River, 145; Josh Goodman, Timberlake, 189; Mike Peterson, PR, 189.

Returning state placers: Solt; Swisher; O’Neill; Peterson; Doug Yearout, St. Maries.

Local outlook: Priest River will contend for its first state trophy. The Spartans don’t have the numbers to challenge for a state title, though. Overall, the Intermountain League is light on challengers for individual state titles. The league is without a No. 1 seed. Swisher (35-4), Rabidue (30-6) and Goodman (30-4) are No. 2 seeds.