Vikings take state opener

The Coeur d’Alene High girls basketball team followed a similar pattern Thursday in its State 5A tournament opener at Nampa.

The Vikings showed glimpses of brilliance coupled with, to borrow a term from coach Dale Poffenroth, stretches of stupidity and foul trouble.

The constant for Coeur d’Alene is defense, however, and it definitely showed up as the second-ranked Vikings handled the No. 1-ranked Boise Braves 47-37 at the Idaho Center.

Coeur d’Alene (20-4) meets Highland (21-3) tonight at 5:15 PST in the semifinals.

Region I champ Lewiston, making its first trip to state since 1989, looked like a veteran as the Bengals handled Mountain View 51-34.

Lewiston (20-2) takes on Centennial (22-2) in the other semifinal at 7.

Coeur d’Alene 47, Boise 37: The Vikings have won two straight state championships and played in four consecutive state finals. But eight of CdA’s 11 players had never taken the court at the Idaho Center until Thursday.

But CdA opened up as much as a 13-point lead in the first half before settling for a 25-13 lead at halftime.

Then the Vikings overcame some mistakes against the Braves’ fullcourt pressure in the third quarter when Boise pulled within 35-30.

CdA had an answer for Boise’s run, using an 8-0 spurt to start the fourth quarter to thwart any comeback hopes.

“We survived foul trouble and survived stupidity against the press,” Poffenroth said. “You look out there in the first half and go, ‘When is the last time that group has played together?’ ”

How about never. Four CdA starters picked up two fouls in the first half. As is Poffenroth’s rule, when a player picks up two fouls she sits the rest of the half.

CdA junior 6-foot-3 post Carli Rosenthal ended up sitting just about as much as she played (16 minutes, 24 seconds). But 5-8 freshman Kendalyn Brainard stepped up. She finished with a double double – 13 points and 12 rebounds.

“She’s got the body build to play inside in high school, but she’ll play outside in college,” Poffenroth said. “She’s pretty mature for her age. She doesn’t get too flustered.”

Vikings senior guard Amanda Buttrey matched Brainard’s 13 points, playing all but 31 seconds. She was the lone starter not to get in foul trouble.

CdA 5-8 freshman reserve guard Caelyn Orlandi ended up playing more time (21:44) than usual, and she drew the assignment of guarding Boise 6-0 senior guard Jordin Juker, who is expected to play NCAA Division I ball. Juker finished with 13 points.

Lewiston 51, Mountain View 34: The Bengals used a 24-2 run over two quarters to open a 30-6 lead and never looked back. Freshman guard Karlee Wilson led with 18 points and four steals and senior Jessica Kramer had 12 points.

4A: Rigby 36, Moscow 26: The Trojans rallied in the second half to top the Bears in an opener at Mountain View High School in Meridian. Abi Quinnett led Moscow (7-16) with 11 points and seven rebounds. Moscow takes on Twin Falls (16-10) in a loser-out game.

3A: Priest River 41, Fruitland 32: Tied after three quarters, the Spartans outscored Fruitland 12-3 in the decisive quarter. Taylor Stewart led PR with 17 points and Melissa Hopkins had 13 and 12 rebounds. The Spartans take on Kimberly (20-2) tonight at 7.

3A: Kellogg 45, Marsh Valley 37: The Wildcats jumped on the Eagles in the first half, opening a 28-15 lead by halftime in the opener at Skyview. Kellogg forced 20 turnovers. Kirsten Viche led the Wildcats (17-8) with 17 points, 11 rebounds, five steals and two assists. Teammate Chelsea Morgan had 11 points, eight rebounds and four steals. Kellogg takes on Weiser (15-8) in the semifinals tonight at 5:15.

1A Division II: Richfield 57, Clark Fork 39: The Tigers (19-4) forced the Wampus Cats into 35 turnovers, and that was the telling difference in the opener at Nampa High School. Shaina Gustafson led Clark Fork (15-6) with 15 points.. CF will take on Rockland today in a loser-out game.