Lee: Dale Poffenroth piles up wins without counting

Let’s address a rumor about Dale Poffenroth right away.

Some have whispered this winter that the only reason the Coeur d’Alene girls basketball coach came back for an 11th season was to chase a 600th career victory.

Two weeks ago I mentioned to him he was closing in on the milestone. I also pointed out he didn’t have many opportunities for wins in his final games – considering the youth of his team and the stiff competition.

His response is what told me he’s not counting wins.

“Well, I can always get it next year,” he said.

Next year? Poffenroth, the former Central Valley girls coach, is 66 and should be enjoying retirement. Next year?

It’s highly likely that CdA’s run of 10 straight state appearances under Poffenroth will end in a couple of weeks.

I’ve talked to people who thought that considering the rebuilding program Poffenroth faced – his five starters from last year’s state championship team graduated – he’d just walk away.

He considered not coming back, but not because he faced the prospects of a long season. What concerned him most was the potential turnout. As it turned out, CdA didn’t field a freshman team for the first time. Not enough bodies.

So will Poffenroth be around for a 700th win?

“If they come 10 a year, probably not,” he said. “If they come 20 a year, could be. Right now, I don’t see an end.”

Nobody probably would have noticed the 600th win last night.

“It’s just a number for me, it’s not for the kids,” Poffenroth said. “The nice thing about (Tuesday) night is we adjusted some things and the kids executed well.”

CdA (10-9) will be seeded fourth and travel to top-seeded Lewiston on Feb. 6 for a 5A Region I opener.

“They’ve come a long ways without any senior leadership,” Poffenroth said. “It’s important to have that senior who has been there. The two leaders on the team missed most of last year with injuries.”

He’s enjoyed a season that’s been chock full of teaching.

“There are rewards in everything,” he said.

Competitive parity

Greater Spokane League boys basketball has been as competitive as it’s been this season.

Any of the top seven teams can beat the other at any time.

Three games remain as teams jockey for postseason position. Central Valley and Lewis and Clark should finish as the top two seeds. Four teams advance to the district tournament.

University, in its first year back in 4A, is tied with Gonzaga Prep for fourth. Mead is two games back in fifth.

U-Hi and G-Prep want to avoid finishing fourth, because the fourth and fifth teams must meet in a loser-out playoff to get into the district tourney.

• In 3A, Rogers has a one-game lead over Shadle Park. Rogers won the first meeting 76-69 in early January and they face off Friday at Rogers.

Mt. Spokane and North Central are tied for the third spot. Just three teams qualify for district. They split their league games.

• In girls, G-Prep has clinched no worse than a tie for the league title having a three-game lead with three contests left.

CV and LC are tied for second, but the Bears have the tiebreaker having defeated the Tigers twice. Mead, which is a game back, can still have a say in how the top four seeds shake out. Two of the Panthers’ remaining games are at LC and CV.

U-Hi has a three-game edge on Ferris for the fifth spot.

• In 3A, Mt. Spokane has clinched the top seed while Shadle, NC and Rogers are fighting for the next two seeds.