Greg Lee: Where has the time gone?

Where has the time gone?

I started my 33rd year at The Spokesman-Review last week. I’ve been at the newspaper longest among active full-time sports department employees (not counting the outdoors codger).

I don’t look at it as survival – although in an industry that’s creeping ever so slowly to death in regards to front door delivery – or so they tell us – I’m thankful we have some ink and newsprint still available.

Every year brings the promise of fall, winter and spring teams contending for state championships. I can’t recall a dull year. But I did just turn double nickels in mid August and I’ve noticed cobwebs collecting in the noggin.

Most of you will enjoy the 2016-17 high school athletic year. I hope to enjoy it as much as you because I’ll be able to chronicle many of the successes.

I don’t care which teams or individuals win. I just want teams/athletes from eastern Washington and North Idaho to succeed. That’s as close to being a homer as I ethically can allow.

More than writing about victories and state titles, I want to tell as many human interest stories as time affords. I’ve got a list started and that list will grow from season to season.

(I interrupt this column to shamelessly make a pitch for any and all stories about athletes who have overcome hardship, persevered and have an intriguing story to share.)

So I went down to a local thrift shop and bought a see-through globe. Hey it was all I could find in a pinch to substitute for a crystal ball.

Here are some story lines that could develop this fall:

A Greater Spokane League 4A football team could advance to the final four. Just two GSL teams move on to play-in games. The Mid-Columbia Conference will offer at least two formidable teams – Richland, led by senior quarterback Paxton Stevens, a former Coeur d’Alene resident, and traditional power Chiawana.

If you go by our preseason predictions, defending state champ Gonzaga Prep and Central Valley will be the two GSL teams to move on. But after the first week, it wouldn’t surprise me if Mead captures the league title.

This could be the year the North Central boys cross country team’s 10-year string of state titles is snapped. Could be is the operative phrase. Kamiakin and NC are probably dead even going into the season. Gone for NC are front runner and individual state champs like Tanner Anderson and Justin Janke. The Indians don’t have a front runner per se. I see tight pack bringing home an 11th consecutive title.

Mead volleyball has a chance to get back to the top of the state heap where it finished so often under former coach Judy Kight. Shawn Wilson, an assistant for 17 years with Kight, is in his second year as the Panthers’ coach, and they have the ingredients to make a run.

I was there in 2009 at the Toyota Center the last time Mead captured a state title.

It’s been said that it’s easier to stay in contention year in and year out than to try to get back into contention. We’ll see.

A 5A Inland Empire League football team (read Coeur d’Alene or Lewiston) will win a state title. When I find some glass cleaner to remove a smudge I’ll have a better idea.

Defending volleyball state champs Colfax and Oakesdale could add more state trophies to their overcrowded trophy cases.

I’m not going to say Mt. Spokane senior Hayden Dressel will capture a 3A state cross country title, but it will take a special runner to beat him to the finish line.

And there could be other similar feats around the region.

A quick look at winter. The Post Falls wrestling team will capture a third straight state title; the G-Prep boys basketball team will challenge for a state title; and the CV girls basketball team will go undefeated for a second straight year.

If I’m off base on any of these, don’t disparage the messenger. After all, the glass ball I used had a couple smudges.