Follow Matt on Twitter: @IdahoSportsMatt
As soon as the calendar flipped to February, I knew it was coming.
"I'm gonna beat you at Game Picks again this year" read the text message from IdahoSports.com colleague Sven Alskog (whom we are glad to have back in the fray after a short stint in Texas).
Of course, it wouldn't be the Real Dairy Shootout without a little good-natured ribbing from friends and fans alike when it comes to my 'Shootout Selections' at the state tournament. Sven beat me in the boys version of 'Shootout Selections' last year... and he's reminded me of it ever since. Although, I have to wonder if Sven had amnesia for the first five state tournaments in which I crushed his will to pick games by dominating him in our Game Picks contest, which you can play for FREE (and win prizes too!).
All of that friendly banter aside, welcome to the 2017 Real Dairy Shootout! It's always a favorite time of the year for us here at IdahoSports.com - having the opportunity to watch high school athletes showcase their talents and abilities in their quest for state glory. Sixty-six games over three days makes for a jam packed schedule... and a lot of quality basketball to be played. Myself and longtime broadcast partner Lance Taylor will be covering the 3A tournament at Middleton High School and we are very excited to be able to bring you the coverage of it LIVE & FREE here on IdahoSports.com!
Every night, a few of us here at IdahoSports.com will make our picks for who we think will win each matchup in all six classifications. It's about as likely for the earth to get struck by a giant asteroid ala the movie 'Armageddon' as it is for any of us to get all of our picks correct, but it's still fun nonetheless (even when we are wrong). So join in with us! Play 'State Tournament Game Picks' with us and post your thoughts on our picks below too.
As I always say each year, there are two things to remember: #1 - I don't have a hometown team (I'm from Canada) and #2 - don't take it personally if I pick against your team. This is all for fun! (I can imagine this sounding like one of those fast-talking disclaimers at the end of a 3 a.m. infomercial on TV).
Alright, let's get on with the picks!
Shootout Selections - Day 1 - Thursday, Feb. 16
Class 5A
Game 1: Post Falls over Mountain View
Game 2: Eagle over Highland
Game 3: Madison over Kuna
Game 4: Centennial over Lake City
Class 4A
Game 1: Preston over Sandpoint
Game 2: Middleton over Minico
Game 3: Century over Bishop Kelly
Game 4: Twin Falls over Skyview
Class 3A
Game 1: Sugar-Salem over Priest River
Game 2: Kimberly over Weiser
Game 3: Timberlake over Teton
Game 4: Marsh Valley over Parma
Class 2A
Game 1: St. Maries over Cole Valley
Game 2: Ririe over Marsing
Game 3: Soda Springs over Declo
Game 4: Melba over Malad
Class 1AD1
Game 1: Oakley over Idaho City
Game 2: Lapwai over Troy
Game 3: Valley over Horseshoe Bend
Game 4: Prairie over Liberty Charter
Class 1AD2
Game 1: Butte County over Lakeside
Game 2: Nezperce over Carey
Game 3: Salmon River over Castleford
Game 4: Genesis Prep over Rockland
Those are my State Quarterfinal picks for 'Shootout Selections'! Best of luck to all of the teams in the tournament and I hope that you, as fans, enjoy the games as well!
|