Chad John gets a pick at SVU

With the holiday break upon us many area athletes have returned home from their respective colleges and universities.
Here is a list of the fall participants, their sport, school and any statistical information available.  This certainly not every athlete, but as many as could be recollected.

Blackfoot standout J.C. Percy heads the list.  Playing linebacker as a red shirt freshman for the Boise State Broncos, Percy has been a key member of a 13-0 squad that will be playing TCU in the Fiesta Bowl January 4.
Percy is currently number two in tackles on the team with 64, including 31 solo tackles, 1/2 sack, 1 forced fumble and 1 fumble recovery for the WAC champions.

Josh Hill (Blackfoot) transfered from Boise State to Idaho State for this past season helping the Bengals from his tight end position through a difficult 1-10 season.  Despite the despariging record, which included losses at Oklahoma and Arizona State, Hill and the Bengals made solid progress throughout the season, culminating with a narrow defeat to national runner up Montana.  Hill started every game for the Bengals, finishing with 8 receptions for 68 yards.

Chad John (Blackfoot) took his talents to Southern Virginia University where the freshman started ten games at the strong safety position.  John collected 44 tackles, 1 interception, 2 forced fumbles and 3 fumble recoveries for the Knights who concluded their season with a win in the Oyster Bowl, played in Newport Virginia.

Eric Torgerson (Blackfoot) finished his sophomore season at Dordt College in Sioux Center, Iowa.  Torgerson played in all 11 games for the Defenders this season as Dordt completed its second season of varsity play.  Playing at the defensive end position, Torgerson collected 47 tackles, 20 solo along with 2 1/2 quarterback sacks.

Matt Anthony (Blackfoot) just completed his junior campaign at Mesa State College in Colorado.  Anthony was named to the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Academic Honor Roll while playing wide receiver for the Mavericks.  Mesa State finished 5-6 on the year.

Trevor Spence (Aberdeen) wrapped up his freshman season with the Idaho State Bengals.  Playing linebacker for the Bengals no statistical information was available as Spence lent his considerable talents to an Idaho State program looking to build for the future.

Jordan Peterson (Snake River) also finished up his freshman season in Pocatello with the Idaho State Bengals.  Peterson is an offensive lineman that coaches are excited about having for the next few seasons.

Mason Higham (Shelley) is a freshman at Brigham Young University.  Higham, a defensive lineman was seen suited up on the sideline for several Cougar games this season in a year that BYU finished 11-2 including a win over Oregon State in the Las Vegas Bowl.

On the basketball court, Jordan Bjornberg (Blackfoot) is currently working his way through his freshman season at Westminster.  The Griffins are currently 8-4 with Bjornberg averaging 12.8 minutes per ball game.  In limited minutes, Bjornberg is averaging 4.3 points and 2.5 rebounds per outing.

Raimee Beck (Blackfoot) is in the midst of her junior season at the Air Force Academy.  Beck continues to impress on the court, leading the Lady Falcons in scoring 8 of their 11 outings this season while also leading the Lady Falcons in rebounding from the guard position 10 of the 11 games played.  Beck leads the team in scoring 14.9 and rebounding 7.7 coming off of her honorable mention selection to the Mountain West Conference team last season.

On the wrestling mat, Alfonso Hernandez (Blackfoot) is entering his sophomore season at the University of Wyoming.  Wrestling at 197 for the Cowboys, Hernandez has impressed on and off the mat, having been named to the WWC coaches honor roll while finishing third at the West Regional Tournament last season as a freshman.
Hernandez looks to improve on last seasons 23-19 record and is expected to compete for a spot at the national tournament later this year.

On the volleyball court several area athletes are doing well.  Alicia Kersley (Blackfoot) just finished her sophomore season at Western Wyoming Community College.  Kersley had a fine season collecting 212 kills, 29 aces, 145 digs and 116 assist for the Mustangs.

Sister, Rachael Kersley just completed her freshman stint with the Mustangs, only getting six sets under her belt for the Mustangs while the team finished 16-27 on the season.

Jacalyn Hone (Shelley) finished up a highly successful sophomore campaign for the Idaho State Bengals.  Hone, playing outside hitter was third on the team with 237 kills.  Third on the team with 275 digs and collected 26 blocks on a Bengal team that narrowly missed the Big Sky tournament.

Savanah Leckington (Shelley) transfered to Idaho State this season after a stellar pair of seasons at Casper College.  At Casper, Leckington was named to the all-region team, won a regional championship and placed thirteenth at nationals.  For the Bengals, the junior saw limited action, only entering seven sets for Idaho State.

On the golf course, Blackfoot’s Abbie Archibald had a great fall season for Utah Valley University.  Playing her junior season, Archibald help lead the Wolverines to 3 second place and a third place finish in seven fall tournaments.  Archibald will compete in five more tournaments from now till April.

Thad Truman (Snake River) is a senior at Utah State University.  Truman helped lead the Aggies to a first place finish at the Utah Collegiate shootout and is currently averaging 75.14 on the season.

Tanner Higham (Shelley) is a freshman at Utah State University.  Higham’s best finish is a tenth place finish and he helped the Aggies finish first in the Utah Collegiate shootout.  Currently he is averaging 75.64.

All told, area athletes are making a mark on universities and colleges around the country.  Big school to small it is good to see these fine men and women reaching their full potential on and off the playing fields.
Look for a round up of the winter/spring sports in early June and for those of you with any information on area athletes who are participating at the next level, please let the Morning News know about them by emailing their name, sport and college attending to sports@cableone.net

All is right with the world, well almost.  On Tuesday night the Blackfoot Broncos and Snake River Panthers renewed their timeless rivalry.  For those of you that were in attendance, you will understand the sheer magnitude of the game.
To say that it was standing room only could be a gross understatement as Blackfoot’s gym was literally overflowing.
This is not an oddity, however, as most graduates from Blackfoot and Snake River remember the overflowing gyms, thrilling finishes and emotional celebrations of years past.  READER OPINION:  WHAT ARE YOUR MEMORIES OF BHS VS SRHS?  IS IT TIME FOR THE TWO SCHOOLS TO RENEW THEIR RIVALRY ON THE FOOTBALL FIELD?
I for one remember riding the victory bell, painted green, down Shilling Street during the fair parade, after a hard fought victory over my Panther rivals the night before on the grid iron.
I also remember the agony of watching Cody Shelley and the rest of the Panthers celebrating at half court during our loss on the basketball court to the Panthers.
Memories that are etched in my mind forever and I am sure many other lifelong residents of the greater Blackfoot area.
That said, as much as I enjoy and applaud the renewal of the boys basketball rivalry, I must confess that I am disappointed that the two schools don’t match up in every sport carried by the two athletic programs.
From just a monetary stance, I am sure that Tuesday nights event drew a huge gate as well as the concession stands take for whatever school club was running it.
It seems to me that including a Snake River/Blackfoot game or games on every sports schedule could muster the same economic benefit.
The community spirit and pride involved in each of these events is readily apparent and I have yet to find a person that I have talked to that doesn’t agree that these two great schools should be playing each other, especially on the football field.
Lets face it, football is king in this area and I can only imagine the crowd that would gather for a Blackfoot/Snake River game.
Rest assured that portable bleachers would be required at either venue for a game that would rival the annual Black and Blue game to the south and the Emotion Bowl to the north.
Nay sayers point to the fact that Blackfoot has nothing to gain with a game against a 3A school and everything to lose.
I say hogwash.  This is not the NCAA where a loss can knock you out of some random computer poll, thereby costing you a shot at a national title.  This is one game that has no bearing on your conference, where you win to get into the playoffs and a chance at a state title.
Now a football game would be nice but I propose that the two schools take this one step further.
How about a rivalry week in the fall?  On Tuesday the volleyball squads could kick off the week.  For anyone who has been to volleyball matches, sell outs are rare despite the frenetic action on the court.  I am sure that a Blackfoot/Snake River match would be the highest selling attendance game of the year.
On Wednesday afternoon the boys and girls soccer squads could take to the pitch.  Sell advertising for team rosters so your everyday soccer novice can get into the action with a team roster of the event.
Wednesday evening fill the football stadium for a powder puff game between the two schools.  Hold that game at the opposite stadium as the Friday night game.
Thursday the two cross-country squads can hold a race.  Invite our fellow Bingham County brethren, Firth, Shelley, Aberdeen and Sho-Ban for the race.
That evening, the Junior Varsity squads can wet the communities whistle with a football game in preparation for Friday’s B-Town Brawl.
In these economic times I can’t think of an athletic budget that couldn’t benefit from the added revenue of 2000 or more fans at a game.
Monetary benefits aside, however, I think that the community benefits alone are worth more than a cursory look at renewing these rivalries and I hope that the powers that be will revisit this idea.
Local businesses painted green and purple for the week leading up to the game.  Tailgate parties and pep rallies in support of the local hero’s all lend to a feeling of community pride while strengthening our bonds.
Until then, I will treasure the boys basketball games this season and relive the past glories with my long time friends, many of whom I competed against while they were dressed in purple.

Here are the last polls for both boys and girls basketball for the 2009 year.  The next poll will be second week in January.  READER OPIONION:  Who should be number one?  Who is over rated?  Does it even matter?

Idaho Boys basketball rankings
First-place votes in parentheses.
Records are through Tuesday.

5A
1-Eagle (7) 5-0 35
2-Madison 4-1 22
3-Timberline 5-0 13
4-Post Falls 3-1 12
5-Vallivue 4-1 7
Others receiving votes: Highland 5, Lake City 5, Centennial 4, Coeur d’Alene 1.

4A
1-Skyview (7) 6-1 35
2-Twin Falls 4-1 25
3-Moscow 6-1 16
4-Bishop Kelly 4-1 11
5-Middleton 6-1 10
Others receiving votes: Hillcrest 5, Blackfoot 3.

3A
1-Fruitland (4) 4-0 32
2-Sugar-Salem (2) 3-0 28
3-Priest River (1) 3-1 19
4., tie, Shelley 2-3 7
Snake River 2-1 7
Others receiving votes: Buhl 4, McCall-Donnelly 4, St. Maries 2, Marsh Valley 2.

2A
1-Glenns Ferry (6) 7-0 34
2-West Side (1) 4-0 26
3-Firth 3-2 21
4-Kamiah 4-1 8
5-West Jefferson 3-1 7
Others receiving votes: Soda Springs 5, Declo 3, Melba 1.

1A Division I
1-Troy (6) 5-0 33
2-Prairie (1) 4-1 28
3-Castleford 3-1 13
4-Genesee 3-1 12
5-Raft River 3-1 7
Others receiving votes: Shoshone 6, Wilder 6.

1A Division II
1-Mackay (4) 3-0 31
2-Carey (3) 3-1 28
3-Nezperce 4-1 22
4-Richfield 3-0 14
5-Clark County 5-1 11
Others receiving votes: Garden Valley 1.

Voters:
Greg Lee, Spokesman-Review
Mark Nelke, Coeur d’Alene Press
David Bashore, Times-News
Mike Lycklama, Post Register
Ryan Collingwood, Lewiston Tribune
Paul Kingsbury, editor Idahosports.com
Mark High, Blackfoot Morning News

Idaho Girls prep basketball rankings
5A Pts.
1. Coeur d’Alene (5) 8-0 32
2. Boise (2) 11-0 30
3. Centennial 10-1 20
4. (tie) Highland 9-1 7
Post Falls 5-3 7
Others receiving votes: Lake City 6, Lewiston 1, Eagle 1, Meridian 1.

4A
1. Bonneville (7) 9-0 35
2. Jerome 9-1 25
3. Middleton 7-1 21
4. Preston 9-2 8
5. Bishop Kelly 5-2 6
Others receiving votes: Mountain Home 5, Wood River 3, Minico 2.

3A
1. Sugar-Salem (5) 7-1 33
2. Fruitland (2) 7-0 30
3. Timberlake 8-1 17
4. Priest River 6-0 10
5. Kimberly 6-1 8
Others receiving votes: Snake River 6, Marsh Valley 1.

2A
1. Soda Springs (4) 6-1 25
2. Parma 8-0 22
3. North Fremont (2) 8-0 16
4. West Jefferson 7-1 14
5. Ririe (1) 9-0 10
Others receiving votes: Grangeville 6, Firth 5, Butte County 4, Kamiah 1, Melba 1, Marsing 1.

1A Division I
1. Lapwai (7) 7-0 35
2. Challis 8-0 24
3. Clearwater Valley 6-2 19
4. Troy 9-1 14
5. (tie) Kendrick 6-3 6
Liberty Charter 8-1 6

Others receiving votes: Shoshone 1.

1A Division II
1. Richfield (7) 7-0 35
2. Dietrich 7-1 27
3. Summit Academy 7-1 19
4. Carey 5-2 14
5. Greenleaf Friends 4-3 6
Others receiving votes: Clark Fork 2, Lewis County 1, North Gem 1.

Voters

Mark Nelke, Coeur d’Alene Press
Greg Lee, Spokesman-Review
Matt Baney, Lewiston Tribune
Paul Kingsbury, Idahosports.com
David Bashore, Twin Falls Times-News
Zach Kyle, Idaho Falls Post Register
Mark High, Blackfoot Morning News

BOISE — The Idaho High School football season has long been over but the post season awards continue to spew forth for Bingham County athletes.  READER OPINION:  Was there anyone left off of the teams that should have been considered?  If so who?Yesterday, the Idaho Statesman released the All-Idaho Players of the year and a pair of Bingham County signal callers won the prestigious award.
Anthony Clarke, Blackfoot’s do it all quarterback was named the 4A All-Idaho Player of the Year while Chase Richins, at Shelley High School was named the 3A All-Idaho Player of the Year.
Both seniors were well deserving as each played pivotal roles in their respective schools state championship runs.
Also named to the 4A All-Idaho first team were Nate Walker, TE & DL; Julio Flores, WR & P; Dakota Bitton, OL; Logan Chidester, DL;  Garrett Buck, LB.
4A All-Idaho second team honors went to Chris Percy, RB and Beau Hoskins, DB.
Richins, who also garnered first team honors as a defensive back was joined on the 3A All-Idaho first team by Aaron Adams, RB; Cody Anderson, DL and Kody Fellows, LB.
Second team members included Kasey Kilpack, OL; Cody Anderson, TE, Chase Hanson, OL and Snake River Panthers, Taylor Merrill, DB and Cooper Peterson, K.
In the 2A ranks, Aberdeen senior Wade Wahlen was the lone first team selection at DB.
On the second team, fellow Tigers Antonio Medina at OL and Austin George at LB were selected to the team.

I must apologize for the lack of new material on the Blog this week.  Tomorrow, (Saturday) the Winter sports preview hits the stands so in addition to the normal work day load, I have been busy putting that all together.  That said, here are some observations from the past couple of weeks as the local teams jump into their respective seasons.  READER OPINION: What have you noticed early on this season?  What has jumped out at you? What has been a surprise?  What has been a disappointment?First of all the Firth Lady Cougars are the real deal!  They have a great blend of inside outside players right now and teams will have to pick their poison when playing the Lady Cougars.

Micahlyn Jolley and Kylie Johnson are looking like the twin towers of the Nuclear Conference and Emily Fielding is getting better and better at the point.  That said, Kayla Berg has impressed me tremendously so far when she enters the game.  She must have eyes in the back of her head because the assists portion of my stat sheet starts to fill up immediately with her insertion into the game.

Oh, and she and Johnson are doing double duty at the games.  On one night, the Lady Cougars sang the anthem, then played the game, at halftime Berg and Johnson changed into their cheerleading uniforms and performed the half time entertainment and then changed back into basketball mode, blowing out their opponent.  I am waiting for one of them to start serving drinks at the concession stand soon.

Secondly, the Lady Broncos are better than anyone was expecting them to be this year.  Just ask Bonneville, whom the Lady Broncos nearly upset in their own gym.  Bailey Brown and Olivia Yancey are taking that senior attitude to the court with them and it shows on the court.

And I absolutely love the defensive intensity with which they are playing with.  Mike Kirkham and Jarad Arave, while they will never admit it, are doing a sensational job of game planning for their opponents and I am thrilled with the effort that I am seeing every night on the court.

On the boys side of the ledger, I can’t get a feel for the Blackfoot boys as of yet.  The roster is as talented and as deep as I can remember but the intensity level has been sporadic.  Coach Packer called them gamers when I talked to him for the preview and I wonder if they aren’t suffering from a bit of a hang over from the football season.

The spurts that I have seen have been impressive and if the boys put forth four quarters of that kind of play, there isn’t a team in the state that they can’t play with.

Shelley is struggling to find a leader right now, but Coach Hadley will figure it out sooner rather than later and Firth, once again is pouncing on opponents.

To early really to make any bold predictions of where teams will finish, but right now most of the teams are making their way through the non-conference season in fine fashion.

A couple of days late, sorry bout that but here is the most recent prep basketball polls.
Idaho
Boys basketball rankings

First-place votes in parentheses.
Records are through Tuesday.

5A
1.    Madison (6) 3-0 35
2.    Post Falls 2-1 27
3.    Eagle 4-0 15
4.    Lewiston (1) 2-1 10
5.    tie, Vallivue 3-1 9
Timberline (1) 4-0 9
Others receiving votes: Lake City 4, Highland 3, Rocky Mountain 3, Coeur
d’Alene 2, Centennial 2, Skyline 1.

4A
1.    Skyview (6) 3-1 38
2.    Twin Falls (2) 2-0 27
3.    Bishop Kelly 3-1 15
4.    Blackfoot 2-1 12
5.    Jerome 2-1 10
Others receiving votes: Moscow 5, Hillcrest 5, Burley 3, Preston 3,
Sandpoint 2.

3A
1.    Fruitland (4) 1-0 36
2.    tie, Sugar-Salem (2) 2-0 20
Priest River (2) 1-1 20
4.    Shelley 1-2 19
5.    St. Maries 2-1 8
Others receiving votes: Snake River 6, Marsh Valley 5, McCall-Donnelly
3, Timberlake 2, Buhl 1.

2A
1.    Firth (6) 2-0 38
2.    Glenns Ferry (2) 4-0 34
3.    West Side 2-0 19
4.    Melba 1-2 11
5.    Declo 2-1 9
Others receiving votes: Kamiah 6, Aberdeen 2, North Fremont 1.

1A Division I
1.    Prairie (2) 2-1 33
2.    Genesee (4) 1-1 26
3.    Castleford 2-1 15
4.    Wilder 1-1 14
5.    Troy (2) 3-0 10
Others receiving votes: Cascade 5, Raft River 5, Lighthouse Christian 4,
Hagerman 4, Wallace 2, Shoshone 2.

1A Division II
1.    Carey (3) 3-0 32
2.    Mackay (2) 1-0 28
3.    Richfield (2) 3-0 21
4.    Nezperce (1) 3-0 17
5.    Clark County 2-0 9
Others receiving votes: Garden Valley 4, Summit Academy 4, North Gem 2,
Murtaugh 2, Dietrich 1.

Voters:

-    Greg Lee
-    Mark Nelke
-    David Bashore
-    Mike Lycklama
-    John Wustrow

-    Ryan Collingwood

-    Paul Kingsbury

-    Mark High

Idaho prep girls basketball poll
Records are through Tuesday
First-place votes in parentheses

5A Pts.
1. Coeur d’Alene (5) 6-0 31
2. Boise (2) 8-0 30
3. Centennial 8-1 19
4. Highland 6-1 9
5. Capital 6-2 7
Others receiving votes: Post Falls 5, Lake City 4.
4A
1. Bonneville (7) 6-0 35
2. Jerome 6-1 27
3. Middleton 6-1 19
4. Mountain Home 5-2 8
5. Bishop Kelly 5-0 5
Others receiving votes: Wood River 3, Preston 3, Nampa 2, Rigby 1, Minico 1, Lakeland 1.
3A
1. Sugar-Salem (6) 6-1 34
2. Fruitland 6-0 22
3. (tie) Timberlake (1) 7-0 14
Kimberly 3-1 14
5. Snake River 4-2 12
Others receiving votes: Marsh Valley 5, Bonners Ferry 2, Priest River 1, Shelley 1.
2A
1. Soda Springs (2) 5-1 22
2. (tie) West Jefferson (2) 5-1 20
Parma (1) 6-0 20
4. North Fremont (2) 5-0 15
5. (tie) Grangeville 5-2 9
Firth 5-1 9
Others receiving votes: Ririe 7, Marsing 2, Butte County 1.
1A Division I
1. Lapwai (7) 6-0 35
2. Challis 5-0 23
3. Clearwater Valley 5-1 19
4. Troy 7-1 10
5. Kendrick 5-2 7
Others receiving votes: Liberty Charter 6, Raft River 2, Shoshone 2, Hansen 1.
1A Division II
1. Richfield (6) 5-0 34
2. Dietrich 5-1 22
3. (tie) Summit Academy (1) 4-1 17
Carey 5-1 17
5. Greenleaf Friends 4-0 10
Others receiving votes: Clark Fork 4, Camas County 1.

Voters
Mark Nelke, Coeur d’Alene Press
Greg Lee, Spokesman-Review
Paul Kingsbury, Idahosports.com
John Wustrow, Idaho Press-Tribune
David Bashore, Twin Falls Times-News
Zach Kyle, Idaho Falls Post Register
Mark High, Blackfoot Morning News

Here you go gang.  The State basketball media polls for the first week of December.  READER OPINION:  Who’s missing? Who’s over rated? What will happen in the next week to affect the polls?Boys state media poll

5A
1. Madison (4) 0-0 34
2. Post Falls (1) 0-0 24
3. tie, Lewiston (3) 0-0 21
Eagle 1-0 21
5. Vallivue (1) 1-1 16
Others receiving votes: Highland 7, Capital 5, Centennial 3, Coeur d’Alene 2, Timberline 2.

4A
1. Skyview (6) 1-1 41
2. tie, Blackfoot (2) 0-0 20
Twin Falls 0-0 20
4. Jerome (1) 0-0 15
5. Pocatello 0-0 9
Others receiving votes: Bishop Kelly 6, Sandpoint 6, Hillcrest 5, Moscow 5, Minico 3, Preston 2, Middleton 2, Mountain Home 1.

3A
1. Fruitland (4) 0-0 38
2. Shelley (3) 0-0 34
3. Priest River (1) 1-0 23
4. Sugar-Salem 1-0 16
5. St. Maries (1) 0-0 9
Others receiving votes: Kimberley 5, Snake River 5, Marsh Valley 4, Buhl 2, Filer 1.

2A
1. Firth (7) 0-0 40
2. Glenns Ferry (2) 1-0 33
3. Aberdeen 0-1 16
4. tie, Melba 1-0 14
West Side 0-0 14
Others receiving votes: Declo 7, Kamiah 5, Cole Valley Christian 5, North Fremont 1.

1A Division I
1. tie, Prairie (6) 0-0 35
Genesee (3) 0-0 35
3. Hagerman 0-0 19
4. Castleford 0-1 15
5. Wilder 0-0 14
Others receiving votes: Cascade 5, Troy 4, Wallace 4, Sho-Ban 2, Notus 1, Shoshone 1.

1A Division II
1. Mackay (6) 0-0 42
2. Carey (1) 1-0 26
3. tie, Nezperce 0-0 20
Garden Valley 0-0 20
5. Richfield (1) 0-0 9
Others receiving votes: Summit Academy 8, Murtaugh (1) 5, Clark County 3, Dietrich 2.

Girls Media poll

5A   Pts.
1. Coeur d’Alene (6) 4-0 36
2. Boise (1) 7-0 32
3. Centennial (1) 6-1 26
4. Highland 5-0 11
5. (tie) Lake City 4-1 5
Post Falls 3-2 5
Others receiving votes: Lewiston 3, Eagle 1, Capital 1.

4A
1. Bonneville (7) 5-0 39
2. (tie) Jerome 5-1 26
Middleton (1) 4-1 26
4. Mountain Home 3-2 12
5. Burley 4-2 8
Others receiving votes: Wood River 2, Rigby 2, Bishop Kelly 2, Moscow 1, Century 1, Lakeland 1.

3A
1. Sugar-Salem (7) 4-1 39
2. Fruitland 4-0 24
3. Timberlake (1) 4-0 18
4. Kimberly 1-1 15
5. Snake River 3-2 13
Others receiving votes: Marsh Valley 5, Bonners Ferry 4, Shelley 2.

2A
1. West Jefferson (5) 2-0 35
2. Soda Springs (1) 4-1 27
3. Parma 4-0 23
4. (tie) Grangeville (1) 3-1 14
North Fremont (1) 4-0 14
Others receiving votes: Firth 6, Valley 1.

1A Division I
1. Lapwai (8) 5-0 40
2. Clearwater Valley 4-1 29
3. Challis 3-0 25
4. Troy 4-1 15
5. Kendrick 2-1 7
Others receiving votes: Rimrock 2, Raft River 1, Shoshone 1.

1A Division II
1. Richfield (8) 4-0 40
2. Dietrich 4-0 31
3. (tie) Summit Academy 4-0 20
Carey 2-0 20
5. Garden Valley 0-1 3
Others receiving votes: Clark Fork 2, Camas County 2, Greenleaf Friends 2.

Voters
Mark Nelke, Coeur d’Alene Press
Greg Lee, Spokesman-Review
Matt Baney, Lewiston Tribune
Jesse Zentz, Idaho Statesman
John Wustrow, Idaho Press-Tribune
David Bashore, Twin Falls Times-News
Zach Kyle, Idaho Falls Post Register
Mark High, Blackfoot Morning News

Spent a lovely Monday evening at Bonneville High School, catching a pair of Bingham County basketball teams at the Bonneville Jamboree.  READER OPINION:  First basketball poll of the season comes out on Wednesday, who would you vote for???It was good to see some boys prep action on Monday night, much funner than sitting in the office to be sure, but I am a little dissapointed with how this years jamboree was run.

The biggest issue I had was that they had both the JV and Varsity in the main gym.  Needlesss to say, the varsity match ups didnt even commence until after 8 P.M. and the match up I went to see, Snake against Firth, didn’t tip off until after nine.

Ridonkulous if you as me.  Had to take a text for the final scores.  Snake vs Bonneville probably didn’t even tip off until around 9:30 or so.

Oh well, regular season kicks off on Wednesday evening and wouldn’t you know it.  Everybody is on the road for opening night of the boys season.  GRRRRR.  Closest game will be the Russets at the Bees.  Guess I’ll be driving I-15 north.

Also saw my first technical foul of the year as Firth’s head coach was tagged for leaving the coaches box after he had called a time out.  Apparently, none of the five referees heard him call the time out, although I heard it plain as day from the baseline.

Good to get into the swing of things though, I’ll give the officiating crew a pass, since it is pre-season for them as well.

Look for the Winter Sports preview, coming out on December 12th!  Also, on the morning news website, I will be posting video from the games that I hit during the week.  (assuming that my computer illiteracy stays under control)

Just a quick note to say Happy Thanksgiving to all you sports nuts.

Locally, not much will be happening over then next six days or so, but starting December 1st local prep basketball stars will reign supreme.  About a week and a half later, the wrestlers will take to the mats, other than practice time so take a break and I will see you all next week!!

mark

Now that the Championship game is in the books and the Broncos are preparing to hang their second banner in three years it’s time to look back at the game and point out some key points that just didn’t get an opportunity to be printed on Saturday.  READER OPINION:  What are your thoughts on the State Champion Broncos?
The first thing that jumps out in my mind is that Julio Flores is a stud.  Period.  No question that this kid is Division I material and it will be a crying shame if he doesn’t get a serious look by the area big boys.
Julio was the best player on the field on Friday night, catching seven balls for 141-yards.  Oh, and the kid can play a little defense as well.  On three separate occasions, Flores sniffed out the ball carrier coming around the end and either tacked the ball carrier for a loss or held him up enough for the rest of the pursuit to finish them off.
Next up, Anthony Clarke.  This kid is just a phenomenal athlete.  In the biggest game of his career, Clarke silenced his critics with a 10-16, 182-yard performance with no interceptions.
Add in 111-rushing yards on just 11-carries and Clarke finished with just under 300-total yards on the night.  Defensively, Clarke showed that he is not afraid of contact as well, coming up and laying the lumber on crossing receivers, including the big pass defense late in the fourth quarter.
There was some other guy in the back field Friday night as well.  Oh yeah, that Chris Percy kid.  Arguably the MVP of the season for the Broncos and certainly throughout the playoffs as Percy got his bum ankle healed up at just the right time.
Percy literally carried the Broncos through the playoffs, scoring 8-touchowns in the last three games including a pair on Friday night.  Coach Buck showered glowing praise on Percy after the game and couldn’t stress enough what Chris meant to the Broncos.
Speaking of Coach Buck, how special a moment it must have been to capture a state title with his son Garrett leading the way from the middle linebacker position.
Garrett is a hitting machine, actually breaking his helmet on a crushing hit late in the fourth quarter.
Also on the defensive side of the ball was the play of Logan Chidester and the rest of the defensive line.  Constant pressure was applied all evening long with Chidester turning in a huge sack of the Sandpoint quarterback on the games final drive.
That sack set the Sandpoint offense back to third and long, eventually leading to fourth and long where the Blackfoot defense stopped the potential game winning drive.
Yes, Blackfoot had their moments of doubt.  13-penalties for 125-yards continually placed the Broncos behind the chains but as Coach Buck said afterwards, echoing a statement made in the preseason, “Big time players make big plays.”
That they did.