The top local sports stories of 2021

State champs, a local baseball player drafted in the second round, and an NIC sports year affected by COVID-19

Don Haynes • 1930-2021: A legend remembered

Coeur d'Alene High grad, former Viking boys basketball coach won 510 games, four state titles

“He’d open the doors to his home to many kids,” former Coeur d'Alene High player and current Viking boys basketball coach Jon Adams said. “I had Thanksgiving dinner at his house once. As a kid, I’d keep losing my winter coat, so he and his wife Shirley would go out and buy me one, or they’d find me one. He used basketball to give some purpose. In a lot of ways, for me personally, I can’t think of anyone that had more influence on me.”

Don Haynes • 1930-2021: A legend remembered

Coeur d'Alene High grad, former Viking boys basketball coach won 510 games, four state titles

“He’d open the doors to his home to many kids,” former Coeur d'Alene High player and current Viking boys basketball coach Jon Adams said. “I had Thanksgiving dinner at his house once. As a kid, I’d keep losing my winter coat, so he and his wife Shirley would go out and buy me one, or they’d find me one. He used basketball to give some purpose. In a lot of ways, for me personally, I can’t think of anyone that had more influence on me.”