In the swing, but not here quite yet

At this point in the spring, coaches often have a pretty good idea just who can do what.

This isn’t that year, at least not quite yet.

While some have played, others are still waiting to get the season into full swing — hopefully soon.

AFTER HAVING the first few tournaments of the year postponed due to weather early on, area girls golf teams finally hit the course for the first time on Thursday, competing in the rescheduled Lewiston Invitational at Bryden Canyon Golf Course.

And while a few have been in the program for a couple of years, it’s still a learning experience for Coeur d’Alene coach Bryan Duncan this spring.

“We’ve got 13 kids out for the girls team this year,” said Duncan, whose team — like many others — had matches at The Links (March 11) and Bryden Canyon (March 18) postponed to start the season. “I’m kind of excited to see that many kids out. The kids have a lot of potential.”

On Thursday, Coeur d’Alene was paced by Martina Hicks, who shot an 89.

“I think she’ll be in the mix for the regional title if she can get her putting down,” Duncan said. “We should be there at the end of the season.”

As of Thursday, Prairie Falls, The Links and Avondale in the local area were playable. Only Avondale’s front nine holes were opened as of Thursday, according to Duncan.

To get some course time, Coeur d’Alene has moved practices to The Links and even had an intersquad match at Bryden Canyon a few weeks ago.

“It’s kind of like our home away from home,” Duncan said. “We’re scheduled to play April 15th at the Coeur d’Alene Golf Club, but that’s doubtful as they’re not ready yet.”

Coeur d’Alene originally was not going to play in the Palouse Invitational next Thursday, but will now after The Coeur d’Alene Resort Shootout, scheduled for April 16, was canceled.

“We kind of have to do it now,” Duncan said. “We need to get some tournaments in before regionals to get ready, and that’s one that we know we can play in. At this rate, we might have to go to Boise just to get some tournaments.”

Regionals in the 5A classification is scheduled for Monday, May 6 at the Coeur d’Alene Golf Club.

THE LEWISTON area has been pretty good for the Coeur d’Alene High baseball team.

Prior to a win at Ferris and a victory over visiting Lakeland earlier this week, the Vikings went 4-1 in the Lewiston area, including a 2-1 record in last weekend’s North/South Tournament. Coeur d’Alene moved a nonleague game with Moscow to Church Field in Lewiston, and won its season opener at Asotin, roughly 8 miles south of Lewiston, on March 21.

“They’re a really good group and are really good about holding each other accountable,” Coeur d’Alene coach Nick Mahin said.

Coeur d’Alene’s only setback was an 8-7 loss to Rocky Mountain of Meridian last weekend.

“We talked about having one bad inning against Rocky, but came back and had the bases loaded with a chance to tie the game in the seventh,” Mahin said. “That really speaks volumes to the kind of club we’ve got.”

Now only if they can get on the field a few more times ...

Jason Elliott is a sports writer for the Coeur d’Alene Press. He can be reached by telephone at (208) 664-8176, Ext. 2020 or via email at jelliott@cdapress.com. Follow him on Twitter @JECdAPress.