A GRIP ON SPORTS • There are many civic events each year in Spokane. The Lilac Parade, Bloomsday, opening day of pothole season. But one towers above all others. At least in my mind. Read on.

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• Ever since it began some 25 years ago, Hoopfest has been my favorite Spokane event. The first 15 years or so, it was as a participant, a guy who never won but who enjoyed the competition even if it each one seemed to end after three games. The last decade or so it’s been as a spectator, a guy in a floppy hat, shorts and the burgeoning sunburn. There were even a couple years when I served as the S-R’s official chronicler, the guy whose stories about the elite bracket bored readers on the following Monday. No matter what role I was in, I was sad when Sunday afternoon came and Hoopfest was over. So why am I thinking about an even that doesn’t come around for 47 more days? Well, that’s simple. It’s May 11. D-Day. Deadline day. If you want to play, you have to register today. That guarantees your team a spot. If you don’t get the form filled out – you can register online at the Hoopfest website – you will have to join me walking the sidewalks from Sprague to Boone – and everywhere in between. So quit procrastinating. Get it done.

• There is another aspect of Hoopfest I’ve never been a part of. That’s being one of the 3,000 or so volunteers that make the weekend work. I have a good friend who has served as a court monitor the past few years, joined by his son and wife, who all chip in to take care of their court. I stop by at least once a year to critique his court presence, something I’m sure he appreciates. After all, no one ever offers suggestions to the court monitors about how they are handling the players. Just doing my part. And you can do yours. There is always something to do, even if you don’t want to run a court. The behind-the-scenes needs are just as great. If you are interested, head to the website and sign up.

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• WSU: The best female athlete in the Pac-12? It just may be Washington State sophomore Alissa Brooks-Johnson, who won the conference heptathlon crown yesterday. ... Oregon took the rubber game of the three-game baseball series with the Cougars, 7-2, yesterday.

• Whitworth: Warren Friedrichs and the Pirate golf team are ready for the NCAA Division III Championships. Jim Meehan has more in this story.

• Seahawks: Bob Condotta and Jayson Jenks has some final thoughts on the Hawks’ three-day mini-camp, which wrapped up Sunday. ... The offensive linemen made a good impression.

• Mariners: Felix Hernandez continues to roll this season – he’s 6-0 – and throughout his career – he picked up his 2,000 strikeout yesterday, the fourth-youngest player to ever do that. But the bottom line, as the M’s try to get something going, is they won the game, 4-3 over Oakland. ... When the M’s face San Diego on Wednesday, it will be Roenis Elias’ turn to start. But he may not, as the Padres have been feasting on lefthanders this season. ... Chris Taylor was in the original starting lineup but his had, stepped on the night before, wouldn’t allow him to go. ... Just to make you a little, I don’t know, sad maybe, I pass along this story about Michael Pineda. Gee, wouldn’t he look good in the rotation right now?

• Sounders: Portland picked up a 2-1 win over Montreal.

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• And the work week begins again. Don’t worry, it will be Friday before you know it. Until later ...

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