Cda Champs Stir Memories Of Past Titlists
Seeing Coeur d’Alene boys basketball players Jim Rupp and Casey Hoorelbeke selected first-team all-state made us wonder when the Vikings last had two first-teamers.
The answer isn’t too surprising.
Back in 1972-73, three Vikings were picked first team. Not coincidentally, that Dean Lundblad-coached team was the last to win state before the current Viks. Those honored were Rusty Peterson, Greg Stern and Brian Bemis.
The two teams share similarities, according to Rod Colwell, a starting forward on the ‘72-‘73 club.
“We were a lot like this year’s team - big underneath, shooters,” said Colwell, a CdA banker. “They lost four games, including their opener, like we did. We had a front line of 6-foot-5, 6-5 and 6-4.
“We beat Highland in the Minidome in the title game and it was like a home game for them. This year, Coeur d’Alene beat Borah in the Boise area for the title.”
Center Peterson, who works in windshield repair in Post Falls, averaged 20 points and 14.3 rebounds. Forward Stern, who works at IFI, was good for 14.7 points and 10.8 rebounds. Point guard Bemis, who resides in Montana, averaged 11.2 points and 4.3 assists.
Several second-generation Vikings are playing on area courts. Stern’s daughter, Kellie, and Colwell’s daughter, Erin, went to state with Lake City. Bemis’ nephew is Brandon Bemis, who plays for Lake City. Ron Jacobson, who averaged four points back in ‘72-‘73, has a daughter playing youth basketball in Post Falls.
As for the whereabouts of other ‘72-‘73 players, Steve Williams lives in Spokane, Duke Johnson is a doctor in Southern California, and Jacobson is a local banker. Bill Meredith died of cancer several years ago.
“I really liked this year’s team because they had balance,” Colwell said. “They could hammer it down underneath and score outside.”
Just like ‘72-‘73.
Panhandling
New Bonners Ferry baseball coach Tim Crownover is the pastor at First Baptist Church. Crownover was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers but his career was short-circuited before it started by a rotator cuff injury.
Sandpoint wrestler Jared Lawrence won four matches before losing 10-7 to Eric Larkin of Vail, Ariz., in the 130-pound final at the high school national championships in Pittsburgh.
“Jared really handled every kid he beat,” said NIC coach Pat Whitcomb, who witnessed most of the tourney. “This was a tourney where three-time state champs weren’t placing.”
NIC shortstop Jeremy Isherwood hit a tape-measure home run against Treasure Valley last weekend. How long? So long it ranked with the longest NIC assistant baseball coach Tony Bevacqua has seen in his 30-plus years of coaching.
Bevacqua’s tale of the tape: Ex-NIC and Lakeland player Shane Blahunka’s bolt over the scoreboard at Memorial Stadium in Boise and mammoth blast over the school at Lakeland Junior High; former NIC and Post Falls first baseman Ryan Novak depositing a homer into Lake Pend Oreille at Sandpoint; and ex-Lakeland and NIC outfielder Joel Gorham’s tater at Ricks a few years ago.
Former Idaho assistant Jay McMillan has joined the staff of new Idaho State men’s basketball coach Doug Oliver.
Sandpoint’s baseball team has something the Los Angeles Dodgers crave: left-handed pitchers, six of ‘em. “Anybody that overlooks Sandpoint better watch out,” Moscow coach Mike Peterson said. “They have more left-handers on one team than you’ll see in the whole league.” Scarier still is that Dave Rust, a righty, recently pitched a no-hitter.
Grad report
Coeur d’Alene High grad Ben Johnston made an immediate impact at College of Southern Idaho. On the first pitch of his first at bat, Johnston whacked a grand slam against Citrus College.
Johnston, a freshman outfielder, is batting .308 in limited duty. He should see more time next year, coach Jim Walker said.
Last week against Ricks, Johnston hit a two-strike, two-out homer to gave CSI an 11-10 lead in the seventh.
Unfortunately, he had to read about it the next day.
“… Walker sent Ben Thompson to the plate …” the Times-News in Twin Falls reported.
Rumors de jour
Former Idaho basketball coach Tim Floyd will be Chicago-bound in June. It’ll be announced after the Bulls’ playoff run. Ex-Vandals assistant James Green, now at Southern Miss, steps in to replace Floyd at Iowa State.
Rick Majerus could leave Utah for Arizona State or possibly the Los Angeles Lakers. A prime candidate for Majerus’ Utah job would be … you guessed it, ex-Idaho coach Larry Eustachy. To make the merry-go-round complete, ex-Vandal Kermit Davis takes over Eustachy’s Utah State job.
Whew!
, DataTimes