Top-ranked Vikings draw Centennial

The Coeur d’Alene High girls basketball team finds itself in the weakest of the two State 5A brackets, but the Vikings drew a familiar state opponent.

The No. 1-ranked Vikings are the lone district champ on their side of the bracket. The problem is Coeur d’Alene opens against the defending state champ Centennial.

It will be a rematch of the 2006 state final when CdA (20-2) faces Centennial (19-3) at the Idaho Center on Thursday. Tipoff is at 5:15 p.m. PST.

Lake City (20-4) also will join CdA at state. The Timberwolves won a play-in game Saturday, topping Capital 55-36.

The T-Wolves will open against District III champ Borah (20-2) in the tourney’s first game at 12:15.

In the other openers, Twin Falls takes on Boise (17-6) and Skyline (13-11) goes against Vallivue (17-6).

4A

Lakeland (10-11) will open against Hillcrest (17-8), a play-in winner Saturday, in the tourney’s first game Thursday at 12:15 p.m. PST at Timberline High School in Boise.

In other openers, District III champ Bishop Kelly (16-7) goes against Preston (14-9); District IV-V champ Burley (21-3), top-ranked in the final poll, faces Skyview (15-9); and District VI champ Bonneville (17-6) meets Middleton (19-4).

3A

District I champ Kellogg just may be the tourney favorite after previously undefeated and No. 1-ranked Kimberly was eliminated at district.

Kellogg (20-2) opens against Sugar-Salem (21-5), a play-in winner Saturday, at 2 p.m. PST on Thursday at Middleton High School.

Bonners Ferry (16-8) earned a state berth Saturday with a 55-34 play-in win over Weiser, and the Badgers face District IV champ Filer (11-9) at 12:15. The Intermountain League teams are on the same side of the bracket.

In the other openers, defending state champ Shelley (17-7) goes against District III champ Fruitland (18-4) and District V champ Marsh Valley (14-7) faces Delco (14-8).

2A

Butte County returns to try and defend its 2006 state title when the tourney begins Thursday at Kuna High School.

Butte County (19-4) opens against Parma (20-4). In other openers, traditional power Grangeville (21-2) takes on West Side (8-11); Wendell (9-13) goes against Firth (13-12); and Soda Springs (17-3) meets New Plymouth (16-7).

1A

The 16-team tourney begins Wednesday at two sites in Nampa.

District I champ Wallace (12-10) goes against Shoshone (16-8), the fourth-place team from District IV, at 5:15 p.m. PST at Nampa High School.

In other openers at Nampa High, District IV champ Richfield (22-1) goes against Council (17-7); District V champ Mackay (15-5) faces Greenleaf Friends (14-9); and District II runner-up Genesee (16-7) takes on Cascade (21-3).

District I runner-up Kootenai (18-3) takes on North Gem (14-7) at 2 at newly opened Columbia High School.

In other openers at Columbia, District II champ Lapwai (22-1) faces Hagerman (20-4); District III champ Garden Valley (18-1) goes against Prairie (15-9); and Raft River (17-5) takes on Rimrock (20-2).