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WSU Gives Extension To Rhodes Women’s Basketball Coach To Return For A 17th Season

By Hilary Kraus hilaryk@spokesman.com

Washington State University veteran women’s basketball coach Harold Rhodes confirmed Monday he has agreed to a one-year contract extension.

His one-year extension comes after he guided the Cougars to a 12-15 record and 6-12 mark and seventh-place tie in the Pacific-10 Conference.

Rhodes, who was in the final days of his seven-year contract, met with WSU athletic director Rick Dickson and senior associate athletic director Marcia Saneholtz last week to dicuss his future.

“I think it’s fair under the circumstances,” said Rhodes, who has coached at WSU for 16 years. “We’ve improved as a team and the kids played a lot harder. There’s a bright future with this team.”

Two years ago, the Cougars were 10-17 overall and 4-14 in the conference.

The 1998-99 season will feature 6-foot-4 forward Alke Dietel, the 1998 Pac-10 freshman player of the year. Next season’s success also will depend on forwards Yvonne Volkman and Victoria Harrod and guards guard Tricia Lamb, formerly of St. John-Endicott High; Jennifer Kerns, Coeur d’Alene; Jessica Collins; and Katie Nyseth. Center Sheri Quinton will be the only senior on the team.

Jennifer Stinson, a three-year WSU volleyball standout, also will join the team. She’s been away from the game since her senior year at Davenport High and has two years of basketball eligibility. Stinson and has been given one of three available basketball scholarships.

Romie DeAnda, a 6-foot-2 forward from Socorro High School in El Paso, Texas, also signed in November.

Rhodes said he’s looking to sign a post player during the April signing period.

In 16 years at WSU, Rhodes has compiled a 183-255 record. His team’s only NCAA Tournament appearance was in 1990-91, when WSU lost to Northwestern in the first round.

“The basis of the decision was we saw some improvement this year and we have a nucleus of young talents,” Saneholtz said. “And the team also showed some significant improvements academically.”

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