THE FRONT ROW WITH JASON ELLIOTT: Saturday, February 28, 2015

For the record, I'm not a big fan of all-star games at the professional level.

High school, sure, some of those players actually want to be there.

But in watching the latest entry in the NBA All-Star Game - or at least the first few minutes - I couldn't turn the channel fast enough.

FANS OF good offense might have even cringed a little bit watching the opening moments of the NBA All-Star Game, which saw players taking 30-foot 3-pointers, or slamming the ball on uncontested runs to the basket.

As far as fixing it where the game was a little more competitive, I don't know that with the NBA game at least, it can.

The league could take a page from the NFL's book, have players like Kobe Bryant and LeBron James be captains and pick players selected to the game by the fans.

At least there's a chance that game might be a little more competitive throughout.

Then again, you might find the same trick shots and lack of defense that has plagued the game since the likes of Karl Malone, John Stockton and Michael Jordan retired.

Of late - at least - the NFL's Pro Bowl has been a little more watchable with the league selecting captains to put teams together, instead of splitting the two conferences.

Baseball has long been the best of the all-star games, because those players selected are fighting for something - albeit not the best idea - in determining home field advantage in the World Series.

It's not great, but it's something that still is worth watching.

BEFORE THE sports landscape gets turned to the high school spring sports of baseball, softball, track and field, golf, tennis and lacrosse, the area will host two all-star games with the annual District 1 games in Mullan on March 12 and the North vs. South All-Star Games at North Idaho College on March 14.

Players and coaches will be announced in the coming weeks as far as who will represent each team.

Regardless of who does, you can expect a lot more than that of the NBA All-Star Game as far as competitiveness.

WITH TWO of the four state tournaments sanctioned by the Idaho High School Activities Association coming to Kootenai County in May, it might be a good thing that we've enjoyed a mild winter this year.

The softball tournaments in the 5A, 4A and 3A classifications will be here, with Ramsey Park hosting both the 4A and 3A tournaments. The 5A tournament is scheduled at Post Falls.

Golf will also be played out in the area, with the state 5A tournament at Avondale Golf Club in Hayden, 4A hosted by Lakeland High at Prairie Falls Golf Club and the 3A tournament at Twin Lakes Village Golf Club.

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 jelliott@cdapress.com. Follow him on Twitter at JEPressSports.