Fast Break
Women’s basketball
Redmon has decision to make
Despite her inordinately successful freshman basketball season, the University of Washington was not a good fit for Katelan Redmon (above, left), her father said.
Chuck Redmon said that until his daughter returns home for spring break this weekend, and they have a serious discussion, he won’t know the reasons for her decision to leave the program.
“Katie was reluctant to go to Seattle in the first place, even when June Daugherty was coach and in the recruiting process,” he said on Thursday. “If you’re not happy in whatever you’re doing, and struggling, it’s not worth it.”
Redmon announced on Tuesday her decision not to return to UW after leading the Huskies in scoring and making the Pac-10 All-Freshman team.
From all indications, once released from her scholarship Katelan intends to continue her career somewhere.
By NCAA rule, an athlete who transfers from one Division I school to another must sit out a year. But if a player goes from one Pac-10 school to another, she must sit out a year and also forfeit a year of eligibility.
“If she was on scholarship at the UW, the mandatory penalty is (loss of) a redshirt year,” Erik Price, assistant commissioner for compliance in the Pac-10, wrote via e-mail. “You can’t waive that part. Also, the penalties include a ‘no aid for one year’ clause.”
The Lewis and Clark graduate signed with UW before Daugherty was fired. Daugherty was subsequently hired at Washington State and Redmon tried to get a release from UW, but that was denied.
Basketball
Sign up for 2008 Hoopfest
Hoopfest, the world’s largest 3-on-3 basketball tournament, will open registration today until May 5.
The annual street tournament will take place on downtown courts June 28 and 29. Entry forms are available at all Bruchi’s and Yoke’s Fresh Market locations. You can also register online at spokanehoopfest.net.
Hoopfest has added a few new wrinkles this year, including a college division, a chance to build your own bracket and customized Hoopfest uniforms.
Sonics
Legislature doesn’t act
Despite a last-second push, the state Legislature did not act on a proposed renovation plan for KeyArena, home of the Seattle SuperSonics, before adjourning Thursday night.
Offered up by four Seattle businessmen, the proposal called for $75 million of the $300 million renovation cost to come from the extension of current King County taxes. That would require legislative approval.
Another $75 million would come from the city and the businessmen would provide the remaining $150 million.
But Gov. Chris Gregoire said there were not enough votes to push the proposal through so late in the session. She said there is interest in looking at it next year.