Former Nic Pitcher Dies Of Brain Cancer

Former North Idaho College baseball pitcher Mark Nelson died of cancer on Monday at his home in Vernon, B.C.

Nelson, 20, had endured several surgeries during his year-long battle with brain cancer, which was discovered last November. He missed last season undergoing treatments, but remained stout in his belief that eventually he would return to school and baseball.

“He was a very nice kid,” NIC athletic director Jim Headley said. “It’s just a real tragic thing.”

Nelson was expected to be the Cards’ top pitcher last season. He was 2-6 with a 4.90 ERA as a freshman in 1995.

Nelson visited NIC, sitting in the Cardinal dugout for a doubleheader last April.

Services will be at Trinity United Church in Vernon at 11 a.m. Saturday. Memorials can be sent to the Vernon Jubilee Hospital Endowment Fund, 2101-31 St., Vernon V1T5L2.

NIC unranked

The North Idaho College basketball team fell out of the rankings in the new NJCAA women’s poll released Tuesday. NIC (11-1) had been No. 20 in a December poll.

College of Southern Idaho (14-1), which plays at NIC on Thursday night at 5:30, is rated No. 8.

NIC (11-1) and CSI (12-3) weren’t in the new men’s rankings. Those teams meet Thursday night at 7:30. Eastern Utah is No. 12 and Utah Valley No. 14 from the Scenic West Conference.

The Cardinals opened the second half of the season with a 114-83 non-league road drubbing of Walla Walla on Monday night.

Newcomer Leonard Myles scored 21 points in his first game. Myles became eligible after earning his GED in December.

“He can flat play,” NIC coach Hugh Watson said.

Andre McKanstry had 24 points, Shawn Myrick added 18 and Todd Myles, Leonard’s cousin, scored 15 points.

, DataTimes