Quick hits
Looking ahead
There are pork and fish odors in Post Falls and Coeur d’Alene this week. It must mean it’s time for the annual spirit doubleheaders.
Lakeland’s boys (4-8 overall, 0-4 Inland Empire League) and girls (12-4, 4-4) visit The Arena at Post Falls High School tonight when they take on Post Falls’ boys (7-4, 1-2) and girls (7-7, 4-3) in the Battle for the Prairie Pig. The fun begins at 6 when the girls square off, followed by the boys at about 8. Both games count in the Inland Empire League standings and are key to postseason seeding. Tickets are still available for the games.
Then on Friday, Lake City’s boys (5-7) and girls (8-7) invade Elmer Jordan Court at Coeur d’Alene High School to take on Coeur d’Alene’s boys (5-6) and girls (11-4) in the Fight for the Fish. The teams have already played their two league games so the spirit games are non-league. The girls tip off the festivities at 6, with the boys following at about 8. An overflow crowd of 1,700 is expected. The event is sold out and no state passes will be honored.
Looking around
The ninth annual Badger Building Center River City Duals wrestling tournament will be held Friday and Saturday at Post Falls High School.
Action begins in the 22-team tourney at 3 p.m. Friday, with each team having two matches. The meet resumes Saturday morning at 9. Duals to decide places 11 through 22 will begin at 3 p.m., followed by duals to decide first through 10th at 5. Defending champ Skyview of Nampa, the 4A state champ, returns.
A timely loss?
Joey Fio moved from the Sacramento, Calif., area to Sandpoint last year after placing eighth as a freshman at 103 pounds at the state tournament. He was 52-4.
He didn’t figure he’d be challenged much in Idaho, and he was right. A sophomore, he captured a title at the prestigious Tri-State tournament and cruised to a state championship, finishing 28-0 overall.
Fio was humbled at Tri-State last month when sophomore Michael Mangrum of Auburn Riverside prevailed 5-4 in the final at 125.
“It’s kind of funny saying this, but I’ve been looking for a loss because I know in California, every time I did lose I always got twice as better from it,” Fio said. “I was wondering last year and this year when I’d ever lose. At least I lost to one of the top 10 kids in the nation. I have a lot to work on right now to get back to full force.”
It appears he’s on track. Fio (14-1) has won nine straight since the loss.
Nice debut
Coeur d’Alene High grad Jenna Griffitts has adapted well in her true freshman season at Weber State University. The 6-foot guard has started all 13 games, averaging 26.5 minutes, 6.1 points and 5.0 rebounds.
“She’s just really a player that’s fearless and very athletic,” Weber coach Carla Taylor said in a Big Sky Conference media conference call Wednesday. “She gives us solid play and has just been thrown into the mix and has really, really contributed and developed into a nice player early. I think she’s going to be a late bloomer skillwise. But mentality- and effort-wise, she gives you 100 percent every day and every game.”
This ‘n’ that
Lakeland’s boys got an up-close look at Inland Empire League-leading Lewiston (12-0, 4-0) when the Bengals hammered the visiting Hawks 78-53 last Friday. “They’ve got all the tools,” Lakeland coach Trent Derrick told the Lewiston Tribune newspaper. “They’ve got height, they’ve got good guard play, they’ve got good shooters. It’s going to be a dogfight for anybody to beat them.”
“Coeur d’Alene’s boys had Lewiston all but beat Tuesday before the Bengals rallied for an 80-74 win in overtime. All six of the Vikings’ losses have been decided late, including two overtime setbacks. “We’re just not having much luck,” CdA coach Kent Leiss said. “All six (defeats) have come down to the final possession. I didn’t think that was possible for one season. We’re 0 for 6.”