The Front Row with MARK NELKE March 22, 2012

If you watched the 5A games in the state high school boys basketball tournament at the Idaho Center in Nampa earlier this month and thought the free-throw shooting didn’t look very good, well, you were right.

In the nine games played at the Idaho Center, the teams combined to shoot 56.8 percent (166 of 292) from the line. To be fair, the Idaho Center is an arena, with a shooting background unlike most high school gyms, where the walls are right behind the baskets.

At the Idaho Center, one end has lots of open space followed by seating; the other end has some open space followed by a big black curtain for a background.

Borah, which won the state title, shot 66.1 percent (39 of 59) from the line. Post Falls shot 50 percent (22 of 44), and that was after going 6 for 9 in the title game. After two games, the Trojans were 16 of 35 from the line.

Centennial shot the best, going 21 of 31 (67.7 percent) in two games. Eagle was the worst, going 6 for 17 (35.3 percent). Coeur d’Alene, which as a team shot 57 percent from the line heading into state, shot 61.9 percent (13 of 21) in two games in Nampa.

“I personally don’t think the big arena should affect foul shooting,” Coeur d’Alene coach Kent Leiss said. “Maybe a 3-point shooter may have problems with depth perception in a big arena. Poor free-throw shooting is seen at all levels. Pros and college players struggle just like high school kids. Everybody wants to drive and dunk or shoot 3s. Players in America don’t seem to want to put the time in to become good foul shooters or mid-range jump shooters. Blame the 3-point line and ESPN for some of those problems.”

The other teams at state, and their free-throw shooting: Highland 29 of 47 (61.7 percent), Timberline 22 of 37 (59.4 percent), Mountain View 14 of 26 (53.8 percent).

BY COMPARISON, at the 2010 state tournament, the 5A teams shot 70.8 percent (238 of 336) in the nine games at the Idaho Center — a whopping 14 percentage points better than this year.

“I do believe shooting in the Idaho Center is a lot different than a standard high school gym, but this was our fourth year in there and this was the first year we had a significant free-throw issue,” Post Falls coach Mike McLean said. “I anticipate us shooting free throws a little lower than normal because of the backdrop, but usually the other team does also, so it does not matter.”

IN THE 10 state 4A games at Borah High in Boise this year, the teams combined to shoot 66.7 percent (240 of 360) from the line. In the 4A state title game, at the Idaho Center, Rigby and Madison combined to shoot 16 of 28 (57.1 percent) from the line.

“I know talking to the other 5A coaches at the tournament, we all would like the chance to have a short practice/shootaround on Wednesday to allow players to adjust a little to shooting in there (the Idaho Center),” McLean said. “Talking to both the Centennial and Borah coaches, it seems to make sense to allow that on Wednesday. The floor is already set up by Wednesday, and the Boise Valley teams could use it Wednesday in the morning and afternoon and East and North teams could use it when they arrive in the afternoon and evening. I think that would really help the quality of shooting at the tournament.”

Mark Nelke is sports editor of The Press. He can be reached at 664-8176, Ext. 2019, or via email at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at CdAPressSports.