State baseball
5A
When: Today through Saturday
Where: Borah High School, Boise
2005 state champ: Borah
Schedule: Game 1 – Lewiston (21-3) vs. Borah (9-19); G2 – Highland (13-10) vs. Eagle (18-9); G3 – Timberline (25-2) vs. Centennial (21-5); G4 – Twin Falls (17-11) vs. Boise (11-13).
Noteworthy: Borah is a shell of its state title team, but the Lions managed to qualify. In fact, five of the eight teams are from the deep Southern Idaho Conference. District III champ Timberline, Twin Falls, Lewiston and Centennial, which rallied to knock off Coeur d’Alene 9-6 in a play-in game, figure to challenge.
4A
When: Today through Saturday
Where: Rodeo Park, Nampa
2005 state champ: Minico
Schedule: Game 1 – Madison (13-9) vs. Minico (21-7); G2 – Sandpoint (15-8) vs. Mountain Home (9-14); G3 – Preston (20-6) vs. Hillcrest (22-2); G4 – Bishop Kelly (22-3) vs. Post Falls (15-10).
Noteworthy: Post Falls was the Cinderella story at state last year, advancing to meet Minico in the state final before the Spartans subdued the Trojans. Post Falls seems to be peaking at the right time, much like last year. Region I champ Sandpoint also should be in the hunt.
3A
When: Today through Saturday
Where: Treasure Valley Community College, Ontario, Ore.
2005 state champ: Filer, did not qualify this year
Schedule: Game 1 – Bonners Ferry (14-6) vs. Bear Lake (17-3); G2 – Buhl (21-2) vs. Middleton (15-10); G3 – American Falls (11-9) vs. St. Maries (16-4); G4 – South Fremont (17-5) vs. Fruitland (20-6).
Noteworthy: For the second year in a row, St. Maries opens against American Falls. Ever since Lakeland’s run of state success in the 1990s, this has been a tourney dominated by southern Idaho teams. Buhl, 2004 state champ South Fremont and District III champ Fruitland are considered the title contenders.