Before We Bid Winter Adieu, A Few Awards

Until I see the mercury climb above 50 on the thermostat for more than a day or two, I’m boycotting spring.

I’ll check back in, say about May 1.

Actually spring seems to boycott North Idaho.

Ask any track, baseball, softball, golf or tennis coach who’s been around for a few years. I wish I were exaggerating, but I’m not.

So since the air remains crisp, allow me a few final words about the winter sports season.

If the clutter on my desk is any indication, it’s doubtful that all the basketball uniforms and wrestling singlets have been stored away.

It happened with little fanfare. Much like her basketball career.

Coeur d’Alene post Shaylia Davis broke the Vikings’ career scoring record, a mark that had stood since 1982. She finished with 1,160 points, eclipsing the previous best by 93.

And Davis did it much like she played - businesslike, no self-hype, letting her game speak for itself.

She played her best game in her final contest, scoring 26 points and grabbing 13 rebounds as CdA handled Skyview 52-38 in the state final for a 24th straight win.

A fitting touch to a 25-1 season.

Davis must share my most valuable player honor with teammate and senior point guard, Patti Stranger.

While Davis provided the fuel for the Viks’ ship, Stranger navigated the boat. Her leadership, calm under pressure and stiff upper lip in the heat of battles was immeasurable.

“In many ways, she’s our most valuable player,” CdA coach Bill Pratt said of Stranger on more than one occasion to reporters and many other times to anyone who would listen.

I’ll miss looking over at the Viks bench and seeing the 6-foot-3 Pratt bending over to chat with Stranger, 5-2 on her tiptoes.

Coach of the year in the region is a no-brainer. Pratt had all the ingredients for a state title team, but he’ll be the first to admit that it takes some good fortune, too.

Pratt is contemplating his future. He’s been coaching 30 years, and says the just-completed season was physically and mentally draining.

Going out with the seniors he coached in middle school before taking the job three years ago would be a natural break.

Here’s hoping Pratt will return. He’ll make his decision by spring break.

Post Falls freshman Aubree Johnson is my rookie of the year.

Most improved goes to CdA senior wing Kari Lenz.

Boys awards

The boys awards were difficult to choose.

I couldn’t pick a clear-cut MVP. Call it a copout if you will, but here is my list of most valuable players for the teams that were the region’s state qualifiers.

Lake City - senior point guard Jake Lenz and guard Daryl Wilder.

Lakeland - senior point guard Joe Finley.

Kellogg - senior post Ryan Mann.

Clark Fork - junior guard Brent Stutzke.

Falls Christian - sophomore Scott Jackson.

Rookie of the year in the region is LC sophomore Matt Dlouhy. If he toughens mentally and increases his strength to go with his physical potential, the sky’s the limit. Colleges are already aware of him.

The three best supporting players, in no particular order, were: junior Ryan Hansen of Lakeland, senior Luke Smith of Kellogg and senior Kevin Quinn of Lake City.

Split the coach of the year pie in three equal slices between Jim Winger of LC, Trent Derrick of Lakeland and Tony Kerfoot of Kellogg.

I was particularly impressed with Derrick, who coached the Hawks to a second straight state appearance - the first time in school history. Next winter, he expects to go to state a third consecutive year and for good reason.

Derrick has surrounded himself with quality people. Assisting him are two former head coaches - John Klingman, who coached at Lakeland in the early 1990s, and Paul Gorton, who coached NezPerce to back-to-back state titles during the peach basket days (just kiddin’, Paul!).

Wrestling

Applause for the region’s wrestlers in general and Lakeland in particular.

Last year, just two wrestlers captured state titles.

The Panhandle had quite a turnaround this year as eight athletes brought back gold medals, and Lakeland finished runner-up in A-2 under first-year coach and former Lakeland two-time state champ Rob Edelblute.