Vikings Should Be Re-Energized

So what’s wrong with the Coeur d’Alene High girls basketball team?

It’s more of a rhetorical question than a serious query. Are the Vikings, winners of 18 straight since a 44-43 overtime loss at Capital in their second game, limping into the postseason?

Coeur d’Alene (19-1 overall) capped an 18-0 Border League record with wins Thursday over Lake City (49-45) and Saturday at Colville (47-40).

Actually, whatever is ailing CdA is something that a few extra days of rest should cure.

The Viks, after four days off, play host to crosstown rival Lake City (10-11) tonight as the A-1 Region I tournament moves into double-elimination action. Tipoff is at 7.

“I think we’re really tired,” CdA coach Bill Pratt explained. “Before last weekend, we went through a stretch where we played six games in nine days. It was a brutal stretch. I don’t think we’ve recovered.”

Pratt expects to see fresher legs tonight. In the other tourney game, Post Falls (15-6) is at Moscow (15-5). The teams split their league games.

In two close games in recent weeks - both against Lake City - the Vikings have had problems against full-court pressure.

Early in the season, CdA seemed to handle pressure fine. But LC’s quickness and athleticism has exposed a weakness.

The other concern is scoring - the lack of it from players other than post Shaylia Davis. Especially from the perimeter.

Davis will carry CdA a long way in postseason. But it’s doubtful that the 6-footer can carry the Viks all the way to a state title without some assistance.

CdA has capable perimeter shooters. But the Viks have become hesitant for no apparent reason in recent weeks. No other team member averages more than five points a game.

But that doesn’t bother Pratt. He points out that he has six players averaging about five points - which adds up to another 30 to combine with Davis’ 17 ppg.

About the apparent drop in scoring from the perimeter, Pratt isn’t concerned.

“Part of it is my fault probably,” he said. “My comment to them is be patient, don’t take the first shot that comes. When you’ve got somebody inside who’s shooting 56 percent (Davis), you’d be an idiot not to get the ball to her. So I might have them a little gun-shy at times.”

Lake City coach Darren Taylor believes his team took a big step in a 49-47 win at Lewiston in a loser-out regional opener. It was LC’s second straight two-point win.

LC has had several close games. Nine of its 11 losses are by a combined 27 points.

“We’re starting to find ways to win close games now,” Taylor said. “The final piece of the puzzle is in place. We’re going to have to have a great effort against Coeur d’Alene. But I think we’re up to the task. We’ve proved we can play with anybody.”

Intermountain League girls teams conclude regular-season play tonight and begin their district Saturday.

Tonight’s final two league games - Bonners Ferry (9-10, 4-5) at Priest River (14-5, 6-3) and Timberlake (8-9, 1-8) at Kellogg (9-10, 2-7) - will decide seeding for the four teams which will meet in first-round loser-out games. League champ Lakeland (17-1, 10-0) and runner-up Priest River have first-round byes.

If Bonners Ferry knocks off Priest River, the Badgers will secure the third seed by virtue of a coin flip with St. Maries. If Bonners Ferry loses, St. Maries will be No. 3.

Kellogg will earn the fourth seed with a win over Timberlake.

In district openers Saturday, No. 6 goes to No. 3 and No. 5 goes to No. 4.

The tourney moves to double-elimination play Tuesday when the 4-5 winner is at Lakeland and the 3-6 winner is at Priest River.

The district concludes at North Idaho College. Tuesday’s winners meet in the title game Wednesday, with the winner advancing to state. That game is preceded by a loser-out contest between Tuesday’s losers.

The two remaining teams square off Thursday in an elimination game. The winner will meet the District II winner (Grangeville or Orofino) Saturday to decide a state berth.

The North Star League girls season is down to one game. League-leading Clark Fork (11-8, 5-0) goes to Kootenai (5-13, 4-1) Friday with the league title and top seeding to district up for grabs.

The four NSL teams will decide two state berths when their district tourney begins Thursday at Lakeland High School. The No. 1 seed will meet No. 4 Falls Christian (0-19) at 6 p.m., followed by No. 2 taking on No. 3 Mullan (3-16).

The district title game will be the following night at 6. An if-necessary game would be played Saturday only if the top seed loses the first night.