Taking a break before getting started

The start of the 2022 spring sports calendar has been a slow burn in North Idaho.

Last week, several area teams were burdened with more postponements and cancellations, and after this week, schools will start spring break.

The area teams will return to action in the second week of April.

Some teams, had the weather and field conditions permitted, were expecting to have between five to 10 games under their belt by now.

For example, the average number of games played in 4A baseball is seven.

Sandpoint has only been able to play one game so far this season.

Luckily, for Sandpoint, it’ll be able to hit the field one more time before it goes on a spring break.

The Bulldogs will face off against Bonners Ferry in a doubleheader today at 2 p.m. The Badgers already have eight games under its belt and are currently sitting at .500 with a 4-4 record.

The game will be at Bonners Ferry High School.

Also today, Sandpoint’s tennis team, who has been the most active team during this stretch of unplayable conditions, will have its first league match of the season against Moscow.

The Bulldogs will travel to Moscow at 3 p.m. A couple key lineup changes have been made for this match, most notably, Cayden Kindred will step down from the number one boys singles slot to compete at the number one boys doubles position with Tyler Korn.

Sandpoint head tennis coach Kent Anderson had hinted at the possibility of Kindred moving to doubles this week due to Jacob Dawson, Korn’s usual partner, not being available.

Evan Wiley will take Kindred’s spot as the number one boys singles player.

The Bulldogs will also be without its number two and number three girls singles players Maise Brazill and Adrian Doty for the second meet in a row.

Sydney Webb and Aubrey Knowles will fill the void at those positions.

On Wednesday, March 30, Sandpoint's golf team will be at the Links Golf Courses in Post Falls and will be the last team from Sandpoint High School to compete before spring break.

For the rest of the week, it’s all Priest River.

On Thursday, March 31, the Spartans will have its makeup game against Newport high school at 3 p.m. at Priest River High School.

The game will be a doubleheader.

The Spartans have only been able to get two games under their belt this season, doubleheaders against St. Maries and Riverside; its other four games have been canceled or postponed.

When Priest River has been on the field, however, it has shown improvement from last year.

Finally, on April 1, Priest River track and softball will be in action.

Starting with Priest River track, which consistently has runners, jumpers, and throwers setting personal records early in the season, is traveling to Deer Park at 10:30 a.m. The Spartans are coming off a fifth place finish at the Bonners Ferry Invite.

Finally, Priest River softball will make up its postponed match against Newport at 3 p.m. at Priest River High School.

Its game against Newport will also be a doubleheader.