Trojans May Turn Up At State Battle-Tested Post Falls Has Shot
Post Falls High girls basketball coach Chris Johnson thought it would come down to this.
And after a 40-37 loss to Lewiston in an A-1 Region I tournament opener, Johnson was just hoping to play this week.
That was made possible Saturday when the Trojans won their biggest game of the year, a convincing 50-29 win over Lewiston in an elimination contest.
With nothing to lose Tuesday against Lake City, the Trojans delayed for a half the inevitable against the No. 1-ranked Timberwolves. Post Falls’ 27-24 lead after two quarters held up for one shot in the second half when Lindsay Herbert made a 3-pointer to ignite perhaps LC’s best half of the season for a 57-47 LC win.
With the Trojans now back to reality, they are preparing for the game most envisioned they’d be playing - a cross-district playoff against the District III (Boise area) fourth-place finisher for a state berth. Post Falls (16-8) will play Boise (15-9) Saturday afternoon at Grangeville. Tip off is at 1.
Not knowing which team Post Falls would play Tuesday, Johnson made a good point. The opponent can’t be as good as Lake City - period.
Don’t misunderstand Johnson, though. Neither he nor his players will be overconfident Saturday. But they should be confident.
“We have to shoot the ball well and play with the intensity we’ve been playing with the last two weeks,” Johnson said. “I know we’ll play hard and I know we’ll leave everything we have on the floor at Grangeville. Whether the shots drop is always the question.”
Post Falls is playoff-ready. The Trojans played LC respectably in two of three losses; they fell twice to Cheney; they had three battles with Lewiston; and even young-but-improving Coeur d’Alene twice played them tough.
The trip to Grangeville will be familiar for the Trojans, too. An injury-riddled and less-talented Post Falls team succumbed to Centennial 60-42 in the cross-district playoff last year.
The Trojans are much better prepared this time. First, Post Falls is a better team than last season. Second, there are four reasons why next year’s team should be even better: returning starters Janelle Ruen, Megan Billetz, Carmi Eberle and Desiree Johnson. And don’t forget returning reserves Katelynn Brown and Cindy Holland.
Johnson, in his fourth year, has been to state as an assistant under Mike Curtis but not as the head coach.
If Post Falls plays like it has in the past two games, that should change Saturday.
It would not surprise Herbert or LC coach Dave Stockwell if the Trojans join them at state.
“I have a lot of respect for Post Falls because they lay it on the line every night,” Herbert said. “They’re a tough team to play. They’re well-coached.”
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