Panhandle Picks with Greg Lee

I’ve had better starts, but I’m not complaining – especially considering the lead I’ve opened.

I picked eight of 12 games correctly, topping new Post Falls boys basketball coach Mike McLean, who stumbled in at five of 12.

My guest this week is Ryan Collingwood, the Idahosports.com/North editor who launched the now-defunct Panhandlepreps.com last year. Collingwood has bragged that he was actually the ghost picker for his friend, North Idaho College men’s basketball coach Jared Bligh, when he beat me a few years back. So Collingwood agreed to take me on straight up.

Time for him to put up or shut up.

Mountain View at Coeur d’Alene: This is, without question, the longest road trip in the four-year history of the Meridian school. The Mavericks aren’t going to like it, either.

The Mavericks opened with an impressive 58-0 victory over 4A Skyview. Even though the Vikings aren’t the Vikings of last year – at least not yet – they have enough to handle the Mavs. CdA will rebound from a lesson-learning loss at University. CdA 21, MV 17.

Guest: The young Vikings are getting better every week. Yes, they fell at U-Hi, but that team is seasoned and will win a few games in the GSL. Mountain View’s defense is one of the finest in the Southern Idaho Conference (Boise area), but CdA will be ready in its home debut. CdA 17, MV 13.

Caldwell at Post Falls: The visiting Cougars expect to challenge for a 5A state berth in the SIC. The Trojans expect to contend as well in the Inland Empire League. So this presents an interesting showdown. For PF to show it’s a contender and not a pretender, it must win – and the Trojans will. PF 21, Caldwell 13.

Guest: The new-look Trojans are ready to show glimpses of the 2004 PF squad that took the IEL by storm. Both PF and Caldwell will push for state berths, but my heart is with the Orange and Black in this 5A clash. PF 27, Caldwell 24.

Lake City at Madison: Before the season started, I thought this might be a game to test the Timberwolves, especially since LC is facing a nine-hour trip. The only thing that will test LC is the long bus ride, not the Bobcats of Rexburg. Many things could make this a difficult game for LC. For one, the T-Wolves could be understandably flat. But LC should win and could do so rather handedly. LC 28, Madison 13.

Guest: In their previous two meetings, LC handled Madison in the 4A state title game in 2002 and last year at home. The nine-hour trip to Rexburg won’t halt the trend. LC 44, Madison 19.