Panhandle picks with Greg Kee

It was a loss, but it wasn’t demoralizing. A former prep standout about whom I used to write stories beat me – and there’s no shame in losing to a student-athlete I admired.

Who knows, Chad Troxel may carry on that legacy his dad has built at Lake City High. So I better be nice to him.

I may have lost last week, but I can declare a season victory over the guests with two weeks remaining. Troxel picked eight of nine correctly while I was one behind. For the season, that puts the Scribe at 51-18 (.739) while the Guests are 47-22 (.681). That gives me 10 season victories in 11 years.

My final test after this week – if it can be called a test, since I own the man – is my annual regular-season finale with co-worker Jim Meehan. I’ll save my best barbs for next week. As usual, he’ll have to pack a lunch if he hopes to have a chance.

My guest this week is second-year Coeur d’Alene High boys basketball coach Kent Leiss, who, at the youthful age of 41, is one of the most eligible bachelors in the coaching fraternity. Leiss, by way of North Dakota, landed in CdA last year after reviving the boys program at Flathead in Kalispell, Mont.

Coeur d’Alene at Lewiston: This could be more of a test than the Vikings first anticipated. After all, the Bengals must be feeling better about themselves after pushing Lake City in a 34-28 road loss last week.

But CdA appears to be peaking at the right time, and the Viks’ boat won’t be shipwrecked at Lewiston. CdA 35, Lewiston 21.

Guest: Too much Gabe Le and Kevin Ah-Hi (CdA running backs) on the ground and the Vikings’ defense is improving. CdA 37, Lewiston 24.

Moscow at Post Falls: The Bears have been outscored 132-28 in league games. The Trojans, tuning up for their showdown next week at Sandpoint, aren’t going to be in a benevolent mood. PF 42, Moscow 6.

Guest: The Trojans are well-coached and on a mission. This week’s mission is accomplished. PF 49, Moscow 7.

Sandpoint at Lakeland: This is an unfortunate bit of scheduling. The Hawks, who have struggled in their first year in 4A, face a pack of Bulldogs champing to meet Post Falls for all the 4A marbles. So Sandpoint can’t really tone down its intensity here as it might any other week. Sandpoint 44, Lakeland 7.

Guest: The Bulldogs defense is too tough and they won’t slip up before the big showdown with Post Falls. Sandpoint 44, Lakeland 6.