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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

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Some warm thoughts on a short and cold day

A GRIP ON SPORTS • Are Sunday mornings any different when it doesn’t get light until after 7? Sure they are. But we have a consolation prize: NFL games. Read on.

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• If you like to rise with the sun, as some of us do, then summer Sundays are the best. There is like four hours or so before everyone gets going, time to walk or read the paper or just laze around the house, enjoying the calm before the Sunday storm. But there is no football to watch. Golf, sure. And baseball. And, occasionally, a tennis or soccer match. But football has to wait until it begins to cool down. And important NFL games usually wait until there is snow on the ground. Like now. And when the days are so short the sun is hardly up before it begins to fall back toward the horizon. Oh well, it’s only a few weeks now and the days will begin to get longer. Christmas will pass and we’ll begin the slow climb back to daily sunshine and warmth.

• Speaking of big football games, the Hawks have one today in CenturyLink. They are 5-5 and though the rest of the NFC is also mired in mediocrity (other than Carolina and Arizona), Seattle has a chance to still be in the playoff mix. But they have to beat a good team sooner or later. Today seems like the time. If they don’t, who is going to believe they ever will, either down the stretch or, if they make it, during the playoffs?

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• WSU: The bowls are beckoning, but which one? Jacob Thorpe takes a look at the possibilities. (Stefanie Loh, in the Times, believes the Apple Cup loss took some of the luster off the Cougars.) Jacob also has a morning post with Pac-12 links. ... The basketball team was in action at Beasley last night and got past Texas Southern. ... UW swept the Cougars in volleyball and claimed a share of the Pac-12 title.

• Gonzaga: Jim Meehan caught up with a Gonzaga alum in the Bahamas, Quentin Hall (pictured), and found out what the former guard is up to. ... Portland missed a couple chances at the buzzer and fell to Southern Illinois. ... BYU rediscovered its offense in a 95-81 win over Belmont.

• EWU: The Eagles are playing in a tournament in Sacramento and they sent the University of the Pacific to a 70-63 defeat with a late rally – and some impressive outside shooting. ... The host team, Sacramento State, lost to South Dakota, Eastern’s opponent today. ... Montana held off South Dakota State 24-17 to win its first-round NCAA playoff game while Southern Utah couldn’t do the same with Sam Houston State, losing 42-39.

• Idaho: The Vandals ended the season on a winning note, getting past Texas State 38-31 on Senior Day. Sean Kramer has the story. ... The women’s basketball team earned another win in Mexico.

• Whitworth: The Pirates finished up non-conference play perfect after a 73-66 win at Colorado College.

• Chiefs: In another high-scoring affair, Spokane’s six goals were enough to get past Tri-City in the Arena. Tom Clouse has the story of the 6-4 victory. ... Vancouver shut out Portland 2-0.

• Preps: For the first time since 1987, the Gonzaga Prep Bullpups are headed back to the State football championship game. Prep earned the trip with a hard-fought 31-17 win over Richland in Pasco. Greg Lee has the story. ... Greg also has the story of ACH avenging its lone loss of the season, getting past Liberty Christian 82-70 in 1B semifinal play. ... Okanogan pummeled Northwest Christian 37-10 to move into the 2B final.

• Seahawks: Today’s home game against the Steelers will tell us a lot about the Hawks and their fortunes here on in. The Pittsburgh defense will be a struggle for the offense to penetrate and the Steeler passing game will test the secondary. ... Jeremy Lane is back, activated yesterday and expected to play some today. ... Here are five Hawks to focus your gaze upon.

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• We are officially into the Christmas season. Let the music commence. Until later ...



Vince Grippi
Vince Grippi is a freelance local sports blogger for spokesman.com. He also contributes to the SportsLink Blog.

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