Panhandle picks with greg lee

I’ve never been in a hole this deep this early in the season.

I’m not punching the panic button yet, but the Scribe must start rebounding.

North Idaho College men’s basketball coach Jared Phay put a full-court press on me last week. Phay picked nine of 11 games correctly while yours truly stumbled in with just six correct.

The scoreboard reads: Lee 24-13 (.649), Guests 26-11 (.702).

My guest this week is Timberlake athletic director Tim Cronnelly. He’s in his second year at the Spirit Lake school after stops at Cascade, Horseshoe Bend and Baker (Mont.). He’s a native of Butte, Mont.

Timberlake at Lakeland: The Tigers got a large measure of revenge in this lopsided series, breaking through for their first win last year.

The 2005 Tigers are much younger and smaller than a year ago. In time, Timberlake will be a good team – perhaps by the time it hooks up with Intermountain League favorite Bonners Ferry.

But Lakeland, which fell 8-6 at Bonners Ferry two weeks ago, will get back on track Friday. LL 27, TL 13.

Guest: (Lakeland coach) Tim Kiefer has his program moving in the right direction, but the young Tigers come of age. TL 21, LL 18.

Lewiston at Post Falls: The Trojans will stay close for a while because of defense, but in the end the Bengals’ balance will be the difference.

Post Falls’ one-dimensional offense must start passing effectively or Lewiston will be able to plant 10 defenders near the line of scrimmage to stop the run. Lewiston 21, PF 12.

Guest: Lewiston coach Emmett Dougherty is a fellow alum of Butte (Mont.) Central High. Gotta go with Maroon Pride. Lewiston 28, PF 14.

Borah at Coeur d’Alene: This isn’t a bad spot on the Vikings’ schedule.

After all, Coeur d’Alene is coming off a bye. The visitors from Boise can only hope the Viks aren’t firing on all cylinders.

Vik running back Kevin Ah-Hi returns and that spells significant trouble for the 0-3 Lions. CdA 36, Borah 10.

Guest: (CdA) coach Shawn Amos and staff have built a powerhouse. Basketball practice starts in 49 days at Borah. CdA 42, Borah 3.