Panhandle picks with Greg Lee
After my first-week loss, I got to thinking about the possibility. Nine losses multiplied by a $10 gift certificate to Hudson’s Hamburgers that a guest receives for beating the Scribe. This could be a costly venture. But I bounced back last week. I picked eight of 12 games correctly, topping my guest, new Wallace Superintendent Bob Ranells, who stumbled in with just six correct.
My guest this week is Rusty Reyes, a Coeur d’Alene High booster and one of the top 1,200 real estate agents in North Idaho. His claim to fame is being a close friend of University of Washington men’s basketball coach Lorenzo Romar. They’ve been tight since their junior high days.
Reyes, you may recall, organized a local golf tournament five years ago as a fund-raiser for victim relief of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The tourney raised more than $53,000.
Coeur d’Alene at Centennial (tiebreaker): This is the Vikings’ first test of the season. CdA is the real deal, but the Vikings will come up short on the road. Centennial 21, CdA 14.
Guest: Centennial is coming off a big win against Bishop Kelly. BK wasn’t happy and neither was the Pope. CdA is heading out of town for the first time and must keep pace with its cross-town rival. CdA 34, Centennial 28.
Madison at Lake City: Bobcats moved up to 5A this year, and the T-Wolves are poised to give them a friendly welcome. LC 35, Madison 20.
Guest: After LC’s trashing of Meridian and the T-Wolves’ lackluster performance against Kennewick, LC must step up and prove that its first win was no fluke. The last time these teams met was in 2002 for a state title. LC won then and will win this one as well. LC 28, Madison 20.
Post Falls at Capital: Speaking of a move to 5A, the Trojans will find their first matchup against a 5A foe a tad difficult. Capital 30, PF 13.
Guest: I’m going with the odds here. I’m guessing that Capital will win at home. Sorry, (PF coach Jeff) Hinz. I love you like a brother, but I have to go with my BIG GUT feeling. Just don’t let John Beutler (my boss and a huge Trojans booster) know I picked Capital. Capital 28, PF 24.