The Front Row with JASON ELLIOTT Jan. 18, 2012

Two rival teams facing off on the basketball court.

That alone could pack the biggest gymnasiums in the area.

But throw in first place in a conference and bragging rights for a while - and you can see why Saturday's games between North Idaho College and the College of Southern Idaho at NIC were important.

WHILE IT may not have been anything like the Fight for the Fish a few weeks ago, NIC took on CSI in a pair of Scenic West Athletic Conference men's and women's basketball games.

Just like any other game between two rival teams, you didn't know what to expect when the Cardinals and Golden Eagles faced off.

Both the CSI men and NIC women swept the season series last year against their counterparts, both going on to win national titles.

Judging by the outcome of Saturday's games, that may not happen again this year.

In the women's game, the outcome wasn't determined until the final moments, when a pair of free throws by Katie Buskey gave NIC a 67-66 win.

CSI had a chance to hit a go-ahead shot, but was unable to connect to lose a fifth straight game to NIC in the series dating back to February of 2010.

NIC had to rally from down six at halftime of the men's game and hold on late for a 75-71 win.

And with the teams facing off two more times, once in Twin Falls and another back in Coeur d'Alene - chances are they'll both be ready to see each other again.

GAMES LIKE those played on Saturday at Rolly Williams Court are as close to must see as any other on the schedule.

While it is still a long time until the Region 18 tournament, both teams played like the outcome of both games determined the league champion.

At the high school level, it might be like watching schools like Coeur d’Alene and Lake City High play each other. And like the 5A Inland Empire League, when teams in the SWAC play each other, usually there’s never a night off once the game starts.

But unlike that Fish game, you could hear the person next to you at times on Saturday — whether they were asking about a previous play or whether Tim Tebow had scored a touchdown yet.

I’ve seen quite a few games at Rolly Williams Court in recent years, and while some have been a little less chaotic that others, you can’t substitute for a game against that rival school.

They help bring out the best in both teams.

Neither wants to lose — especially in an already crowded conference.

The true winners in both cases on Saturday were the fans, because they got to see two great games.

Just like it should have been.

Jason Elliott is a sports writer for the Coeur d’Alene Press. He can be reached by telephone at 664-8176, Ext. 2020 or via email at [email protected].