Four defending champions return to state

Two of the four returning champions will be favored to repeat when the 2004-05 state girls basketball tournaments are held this week in the Boise area.

It’s not likely that any of the five qualifiers from North Idaho, however, will be considered contenders for state championships. Most of the area state-bound teams can capture trophies, though.

Final seeds were decided Saturday for the five state tourneys. The defending state champions are: Centennial (5A), Marsh Valley (3A), Grangeville (2A) and Rimrock (1A). Jerome, the 4A champ a year ago, will not be back.

All state finals will be held Saturday at the Idaho Center in Nampa. Here’s a look at first-round matchups in each tourney:

5A

Inland Empire League and Region I champ Coeur d’Alene returns for the first time since 2001. The Vikings (19-4), a year removed from a 2-19 season, hope their quick turnaround continues when state begins Thursday for the largest schools at the Idaho Center.

CdA will take on District IV-V-VI runner-up Twin Falls (20-4) in the first of four games, beginning at 12:15 PST.

In the other opener in the Viks’ half of the bracket, District III champ Borah (21-2), the heavy favorite, meets Mountain View of Meridian (13-12). In the other bracket, District IV-V-VI champ Highland of Pocatello (21-2) faces Boise (21-4), a play-in winner over Lake City, and District III runner-up Timberline (13-10) takes on District III third-place finisher Centennial (17-6).

4A

Region I champ Lakeland, which finished third at state in 3A last year, should be able to compete immediately at state in 4A.

The Hawks (15-6) of Rathdrum will meet District III runner-up Emmett (20-3) in the tourney’s final game Thursday at Mountain View High School in Meridian. Tipoff is at 7 PST.

In the other openers, District IV-V champ Minico (20-3) faces Bishop Kelly (16-9), a 51-45 play-in winner over Sandpoint; District III champ and favorite Skyview of Nampa (19-3) goes against Blackfoot (16-10); and District VI champ Bonneville (18-5) takes on District IV-V runner-up Century (9-13).

3A

While it’s not likely to happen, the tourney is seeded such that a rematch of last year’s state final – Marsh Valley and Priest River – could occur.

Intermountain League and District I champ Priest River (13-9) will take on Shelley (13-14), a play-in qualifier, when the tourney begins Thursday at Kuna High School. Tipoff is at 2 PST.

District I runner-up Bonners Ferry (12-9) draws heavily favored Marsh Valley (20-0) in the final game at 7.

In the other games, District III champ Middleton (16-6) faces District VI champ Salmon (21-4) and District IV champ Filer (19-2) goes against District III runner-up Fruitland (16-8).

2A

Grangeville is heavily favored to repeat when the tourney begins Thursday at Middleton High School.

In openers, Valley (11-12) takes on Nampa Christian (15-8); Grangeville (20-3) faces West Side (9-9); Butte County (20-2) goes against Soda Springs (11-12); and New Plymouth (18-4) meets Firth (16-6).

1A

The 16-team field, double the size of the other tourneys, begins a day earlier on Wednesday at two high schools in Nampa.

In openers at Skyview, District I champ Wallace (19-3), making its first state appearance in 26 years, takes on District IV fourth-place finisher Hagerman (18-6) at 5:15 PST, while Shoshone (22-1) faces Greenleaf Friends (16-8); North Gem (14-5) goes against Cambridge (15-5); and Lapwai (15-9) meets Garden Valley (19-1).

In openers at Nampa, District I runner-up Kootenai (11-12) meets District V runner-up Mackay (16-5) at 2, while Kendrick (21-2) goes against Richfield (19-5); Rimrock (20-2) takes on Genesee (14-9); and Oakley (15-5) faces Cascade (13-7).