State softball
5A
When: Today through Saturday
Where: Ramsey Park, Coeur d’Alene, today and Friday; Coeur d’Alene High School, Saturday
2004 state champ: Eagle
Schedule: Game 1 – Twin Falls (24-3) vs. Meridian (13-11), 3 p.m.; G2 – Timberline (24-3) vs. Eagle (16-10), 5; G3 – Coeur d’Alene (19-6) vs. Idaho Falls (18-9), 3; G4 – Borah (23-4) vs. Mountain View (13-16), 5.
Noteworthy: Eagle, which has won three consecutive state titles and four of the last five, had to win a play-in game for a state berth. The Mustangs finished fifth in the District III tournament. Five of the eight teams are from District III.
4A
When: Today through Saturday
Where: Post Falls High School
2004 state champ: Madison (did not qualify)
Schedule: Game 1 – Blackfoot (17-5) vs. Kuna (16-11), 3 p.m.; G2 – Minico (15-11) vs. Lakeland (13-12), 5; G3 – Bishop Kelly (13-13) vs. Pocatello (17-9), 3; G4 – Moscow (9-14) vs. Jerome (21-10), 5.
Noteworthy: Perennial power Bishop Kelly, which didn’t qualify last year, is back. The Knights captured state titles in 2003 and 2001, their first year in 4A. BK won three consecutive 3A titles before moving up.
3A
When: Today through Saturday
Where: Buhl High School
2004 state champ: Middleton
Schedule: Game 1 – Teton (19-4) vs. St. Maries (21-4); G2 – Payette (17-9) vs. Bear Lake (15-9); G3 – Timberlake (22-3) vs. Buhl (18-5); G4 – Marsh Valley (20-5) vs. Middleton (19-6).
Noteworthy: Timberlake is making its sixth straight trip to state and is seeking its first state trophy since capturing third in 1999, the year the streak began. St. Maries is making its second trip to state. The Lumberjacks last went to state in 1998, the year after the Idaho High School Activities Association took over management of the tourneys. Fastpitch came on the scene in 1995. … Defending champ Middleton and runner-up Buhl are back after earning the only trophies awarded a year ago in the rain-shortened tourney held at Coeur d’Alene. Buhl’s last state title came two years ago when it played host to the tourney.