Plot Thick For District Tournament

The Idaho District I American Legion baseball tournament begins Saturday with three teams challenging for the title, three hoping to pull off a monumental miracle and one already state bound.

Lewis-Clark, which will play host to the district and state tournaments, has an automatic state berth as the host. The two highest finishing district teams other than L-C also earn state invitations.

The teams with the best chance of joining L-C at state are North Idaho league champ Alliance Title (Coeur d’Alene) and Prairie (Post Falls-Rathdrum-St. Maries), the defending district champ.

Prairie finished tied for second with L-C in league, but Prairie won a coin flip for the second seed. Alliance and Prairie both receive first-round byes.

Trail (British Columbia), Riley Creek (Sandpoint) and Cranbrook (B.C.) are the three teams hoping to upset the top seeds.

In openers Saturday at Lewis-Clark State College’s Harris Field, No. 4 Trail takes on No. 5 Riley Creek at 9 a.m., followed by No. 3 L-C taking on Cranbrook at noon.

The Trail/Riley Creek winner takes on Alliance Title at 3 and the L-C/Cranbrook winner goes against Prairie at 6.

Prairie is seeking its sixth trip to state in seven years under coach Darren Taylor.

The double-elimination tourney continues Sunday with four games. The championship game is Monday at 6 p.m.

Moscow’s Dudley resigns

Don Dudley, who guided the Moscow High boys basketball team to three straight State A-2 finals and one state title in five years, has resigned.

He cited a desire to expand his business (horseshoer) and spend more time with his three sons as his reasons for stepping down.

“He’s been thinking about it for six months,” Moscow athletic director Dave Lavender said. “He talked about (resigning) in May and I told him I didn’t want to see him until July 15. He came in July 15 and resigned.”

Moscow has no teaching openings, Lavender said, which will make filling the position difficult.

None of Dudley’s assistants and no in-district teachers have expressed an interest in the job, Lavender said.

“Right now, it’s open until filled,” Lavender said.

Dudley leaves a healthy program. Prior to moving up to the A-1 classification last year, Moscow finished second at state twice and captured a state title in 1997.

Moscow returns several players off a competitive team. Leading the way is junior-to-be wing Darnell Williams, believed to be one of the top returners in the conference.

“The cupboard is stocked; it’s a great job,” Lavender said.

Lavender said because of the late resignation he may have to hire an interim coach. He hopes to name a replacement no later than Oct. 1, he said.

Moscow girls head coach Sam Hoogsteen, who coached for Dudley prior to taking the girls job last year, said he’s not interested in the position.

“I’m looking for somebody with varsity experience with the type of kids we have and the competition we’ll face,” Lavender said.

Golfer Williams advances

Pete Williams of Moscow, Idaho, has gained a spot in the Big I national golf tournament after winning the boys championship at the Independent Insurance Agents Junior Classic Tuesday in Boise.

Williams put together rounds of 69 and 68 to win the 36-hole, two-day tournament. Brad Arnn of Coeur d’Alene was second with a total of 138. Cameron Chestnut of Coeur d’Alene was fourth at 142.

Angela Naylor of Moscow finished second in the girls competition, shooting 80-85-165.

The Big I will be played Aug. 16-20 at Northgate Country Club in Houston.

Tournament scheduled

Spokane’s 8th annual Spike & Dig Volleyball Tournament presented by Action Sportswear is scheduled for Aug. 7-8 at Spokane Falls Community College.