Sports

There was no shortage of tributes for Gonzaga’s lone senior, Anton Watson, on Senior Night. One of the coolest happened long before 6,000 filled the McCarthey Athletic Center to witness Gonzaga’s 94-81 victory over Santa Clara on Saturday. More than an hour before tip-off, Watson had one basket all to himself, putting up shots and free throws with his teammates watching from in seats along the sideline. "Just watching greatness,” Graham Ike said.

A GRIP ON SPORTS • Not all weekends can be ones that include plopping down on the couch and ingesting sports on TV hour after hour. They should, but not all are. Life isn’t fair.

It was probably just a coincidence that Friday evening’s final race was finishing before Egypt Simmons took the stage in earnest. Or maybe it wasn’t.

BELLEVUE – Great results, no complaints.

From staff reports

From staff reports

TEMPE, Ariz. – Jaylen Wells had to laugh when he looked at the iPhone. It was showing a picture of Wells, face down with his torso in the first row of the McKale Center crowd, which looked stunned to watch him knock down the winning 3-pointer while getting fouled in WSU’s win over Arizona Thursday night.

TEMPE, Ariz. – Washington State’s offensive line coach search lasted about a week.

The two-word phrase was rarely mentioned during last year's spring training. As if the mere mention of it might mutter it into existence. And when the struggles came early in the season, it was said in hushed tones and cautious conversations as if publicly acknowledging it as a growing possibility might make it worse. "Sophomore slump" was not something anyone in the Mariners organization or fan base wanted to or considered associating with Julio Rodriguez going into last season.

From staff reports

From staff reports

EWU players and coaches from that team will be honored at Eastern's season-ending game on March 2 against Montana State at Reese Court. 

TEMPE, Ariz. – Kyle Smith took a moment to point out something meaningful about his team’s path forward. No. 21 Washington State had just wrapped up a road win over No. 4 Arizona Thursday night, one’s of the program’s biggest wins, when Smith made a point about the Cougars’ postseason outlook.

PEORIA, Ariz. – Matt Brash knows his disposition has been sour the past few days. But the frustration of being a spectator and not a participant isn’t something he handles well.

RENTON, Wash. – The quickest way to erase a smile from Raul Ruidiaz’s face is to ask him about last season.

The first shooter shouldered her gun and said “pull” into a microphone at her hip. A clay pigeon flew out of the trap house. The report of a shotgun rang out. There was a pause, and then the next shooter said “pull.”

Injuries are part of sports, but athletes are trained to pick up their teammates and carry on. It’s the nature of the business.

This time of year, defense and teamwork can go a long way. It’s what Gonzaga Prep coach Matty McIntyre preaches – and with good results.

Gonzaga will rightfully devote much of its attention to Adama Bal after the Santa Clara wing hurt the Bulldogs for 17 points, including the winning basket, during a 77-76 loss to the Broncos last month at the Leavey Center.