Short-Handed Nic Holds Tournament

The North Idaho College men’s basketball team opens the season tonight. Most of the team, anyway.

NIC entertains Miles City (Mont.) at 7:30 in the inaugural Coeur d’Alene Resort Classic at Christianson Gym. NIC’s Region 18 rival Snow College faces Western Montana at 5:30.

On Saturday, NIC takes on Western Montana at 7:30 and Snow plays Miles City in the preliminary.

NIC center Steven Ryan’s bothersome Achilles’ tendon injury has resurfaced. Ryan played sparingly in an exhibition victory over Silute last week.

Guard Shawn Myrick will complete a two-game suspension for violating team rules.

Miles City, a two-year school, recently lost 75-63 to Ricks, one of NIC’s Region 18 foes. Former Cardinal Eric Allen is a reserve for Western Montana (0-1), an NAIA school in Dillon.

Vandals tip off

Idaho’s men and women have exhibition games Saturday night in Memorial Gym.

The Vandals women, who lost their first exhibition last week, will face an alumni team at 6 p.m. The men will meet Global Sports All-Stars at 8 p.m.

Global went into a Thursday night game with a 1-3 record, including a victory over UC Irvine and losses to Utah State, Northern Arizona and Loyola Marymount.

Boxing investigation

Idaho state athletic commissioner Jon Vestal said his organization might suspend four boxers whose failure to appear nearly forced cancellation of Wednesday night’s fight card at the Coeur d’Alene Tribal Bingo/Casino.

“If they don’t have a legitimate reason (for withdrawing), we would probably suspend them from fighting in Idaho,” Vestal said.

A suspension would prohibit the four from boxing in 37 other commissioned states, he said.

Four fights went on Wednesday night after a late scramble filled out the undercard. One bout was canceled. The main event - Kenny Keene vs. Gary Steiger - wasn’t affected.

The four no-shows, who had signed contracts, all called on Monday night “within 20 minutes,” said tribal official Jerry Krieg. Some of the no-shows were used to help promote the fights.

Vestal said he’s been pleased with the Worley fights.

“They’re really trying hard and they’re doing an excellent job,” Vestal said. “They want to put on a good show because if they do the people will come back.”

, DataTimes