It's hard to believe that we are almost at playoff time already.
That being said, it's the time of year that many of us yearn for (of course, we can't forget about State Basketball, but that's another topic for another time). There will be some intense playoff match-ups, great storylines, and maybe even an upset or two along the way.
One of the biggest games this week is Madison vs. Highland in the 5A High Country Conference. Many people on the east side of the state thought that last week's Buck Bowl was the game of the year (it's not too often that you get #1 in 5A vs. #1 in 4A). Now that Madison has come out on top after last week's win over Blackfoot, this week's game is now, arguably, the biggest of the year.
Whoever wins between the Rams and the Bobcats on Friday night comes that much closer to the tournament. While Highland is in the state tournament literally every year, this would be a welcome sight for Madison, which hasn't been to the playoffs since 2005.
While the Rams and Bobcats do battle at Holt Arena on Friday night, there will be another equally important 5A High Country Conference game going on at the same time: Hillcrest vs. Skyline, a game which you can watch here on IdahoSports.com by clicking on the link below:
http://www.idahosports.com/gamestreams/player/default.aspx?webcastid=3513
These teams are fighting for their playoff lives to say the least. Hillcrest enters the game with a conference record of 1-2 (losing to both Madison and Highland, while beating Idaho Falls). Skyline holds a 1-1 conference record (losing to Highland and knocking off Idaho Falls in the Emotion Bowl).
The bottom line for Hillcrest is that they need to win their final conference game on Friday against Skyline and then hope for some serious help from the other teams in the conference. They would need Madison to lose their final two games (on the road at Highland and at home vs. Skyline) to force the 3-Way Kansas City Tiebreaker into effect. Should this happen, Madison, Hillcrest, and Skyline would all have a 2-2 record. As we all know, ANYTHING can happen when it comes to the K.C. Tiebreaker.
However, should Madison win on Friday night, that's it for the Knights postseason aspirations. But Skyline has another chance at survival.
Much like Hillcrest, the Grizzlies know the playoff implications that Friday night's game at Ravsten Stadium will have on securing one of the two state tournament berths. However, their options are a little more open. I've already covered what could happen if Hillcrest wins on Friday. But what about if Skyline wins out? Should they do that (by beating Hillcrest and Madison) that would put them in one of three positions, depending on how the rest of the conference shakes out:
1. First place in the conference (if Highland loses their final two games against Madison and Idaho Falls, with Skyline earning the head-to-head tiebreaker over Madison).
2. Second place in the conference (if Madison loses to Highland and Skyline, with Highland taking first place)
3. In a 3-Way Kansas City Tiebreaker with Highland and Madison (should Madison beat Highland and lose to Skyline, along with Highland knocking off Idaho Falls).
Are you confused yet?
It's an incredibly tricky, yet wildly tantalizing subject with all of the possibilities that still remain. Much of the conference picture will be cleared up after Friday night.
So let's hear it: who do YOU think will end up taking the top two spots in the conference? Will Hillcrest sneak in? Could Skyline complete an epic standings comeback and snag a playoff berth? Or will Madison and Highland continue their domination clear into the postseason?
Don't forget that Paul Kingsbury will be wrapping up all the High School sports action on the Friday Night Flash Overtime Show at 10:35 p.m. Breaking scores, live interviews, and yes, the conference standings shakedown.
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