CdA’s Chalich Player of Year

High school football: Coeur d’Alene quarterback Chad Chalich was named Idaho’s Gatorade Player of the Year on Thursday.

The 6-foot-1, 185-pound senior, who gave the University of Idaho an oral commitment Sunday, led CdA to a 12-0 record and repeat 5A state championship.

He passed for 3,636 yards and 42 touchdowns, completing 242 of 331 attempts while throwing just two interceptions. He also rushed for 471 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Chalich also has a 3.52 grade-point average.

“Chalich is a really good athlete,” said Mountain View coach Judd Benedick, whose team fell to Coeur d’Alene 27-14 in the first round of the playoffs. “He’s a very accurate passer. He’s got great feet, very mobile in the pocket and he makes all the throws he needs to make.”

Chalich is the first CdA player chosen as Gatorade Player of the Year.

Greg Lee

Whits put long streak on line

College basketball: Whitworth University will try to protect is No. 8 ranking and extend its 39-game home winning streak at Whitworth Fieldhouse tonight, when it opens Northwest Conference play against Lewis & Clark at 8 (SWX).

The Pirates (4-0) have outscored their first four opponents by an average of 16.4 points per game and have four starters – Felix Friedt, Idris Lasisi, Wade Gebbers and Jack Loofburrow – with double-figure scoring averages.

The Pioneers (3-2) are paced by senior guard PJ Taylor, who is averaging 14.8 points and 2.3 assists per game.

At halftime of tonight’s NWC opener, Whitworth will honor former head coach Jim Hayford, who won 217 games and five conference championships during his 10-year stint, and also led the Pirates to six NCAA Division III tournaments and three Sweet 16s.

Hayford resigned last winter to accept the head coaching job at Eastern Washington, where he has the Eagles off to 4-2 start.

Steve Bergum