Jim Allen

At Whitworth, the cup is always half-full, even when the NCAA turns it upside-down. Instead of a first-round bye and a home game, the 10th-ranked Pirates will open the Division III national men’s basketball tournament Friday in Belton, Texas.

Defending the home court takes on a new meaning tonight for Eastern Washington. By defeating Idaho State at Reese Court, the Eagles will stay at home for a rematch Saturday with even bigger stakes – a spot in the Big Sky Conference men’s basketball semifinals. A loss would mean that the first-round tournament game would be played in Pocatello, Idaho. The Eagles won there 85-78 just four days ago, but head coach Jim Hayford would rather not make another trip to eastern Idaho. “It’s great that we’re playing for an opportunity to host a playoff game,” said Hayford. “This was one of the goals the guys set out to achieve.”

At Whitworth, the cup is always half-full, even when the NCAA turns it upside-down. Instead of a first-round bye and a home game, the 10th-ranked Pirates will open the Division III national men’s basketball tournament Friday in Belton, Texas. But instead of crying about it, Whitworth athletic director Aaron Leetch and head basketball coach Matt Logie see a possible payoff down the road – apart from the frequent-flier miles. “I don’t know if it’s much of a surprise, but we were hopeful (of hosting),” said Leetch, who still hopes Whitworth may host third- and fourth-round games on March 8-9, depending on this weekend’s outcomes.

There is still plenty of women’s basketball left for Eastern Washington this season, but it won’t be played at Reese Court. Idaho State’s Ashleigh Vella scored all 21 of her points in the second half to lead the Bengals to a 63-50 Big Sky Conference women’s basketball victory Saturday afternoon in Cheney.

Whitworth played one of its cleanest games of the season Saturay night. The Pirates turned it over just seven times in a 86-71 victory over Puget Sound in the Northwest Conference championship game at Whitworth Fieldhouse.

The Whitworth Pirates win the Northwest Conference men's basketball tournament title and the NCAA Division III that comes with it.

There is still plenty of women’s basketball left for Eastern Washington this season, but it won’t be played at Reese Court.

After securing a berth in the Big Sky Conference tournament Thursday night, the Eastern Washington men’s basketball team wants more – a home game in the quarterfinals on March 3. “I hope we can translate this win to our remaining home game,” Eastern head coach Jim Hayford said of the Eagles’ 85-78 win at Idaho State – their fourth win in seven conference road games.

Lewis & Clark was in a zone early Thursday night, but so was Idris Lasisi. When Whitworth fell behind early, Lasisi kept the Pirates in the game in a 79-61 win over the Pioneers in a Northwest Conference men’s basketball semifinal tournament game at Whitworth Fieldhouse.

Lewis & Clark was in a zone early Thursday night, but so was Idris Lasisi.

Matt Logie and his players were on the same page from the beginning, and that made for a successful new chapter of basketball at Whitworth University. “Our goals were the same, and it was really easy to start on a path and take it from there,” said Logie, who on Tuesday was named Northwest Conference coach of the year in his first season.

Athletes take it one step at a time. That’s what they say, anyway. Three years ago, Jack Loofburrow couldn’t even do that. The former high school basketball star “had lost all my confidence” after two serious left foot injuries at Eastern Washington. He was working at a pizza joint in Cheney and “taking a year off” from everything. “Sometimes I kind of gave up on myself,” said Loofburrow, who played 14 games at EWU before the second injury. But two coaches didn’t give up, and Loofburrow has become a key part of a Whitworth team that is poised for a sixth straight run in the Division III national tournament.

Saturday was Senior Night at Whitworth. The problem – a nice one to have – is that the seniors aren’t quite ready to leave the Whitworth Fieldhouse, and they made that clear after the Pirates’ 93-65 men’s basketball win over Willamette in the regular-season finale.

Saturday was Senior Night at Whitworth. The problem – a nice one to have – is that the seniors aren’t quite ready to leave the Whitworth Fieldhouse, and they made that clear after the Pirates’ 93-65 men’s basketball win over Willamette in the regular-season finale.

Back in high school, recalls Preston Wynne, “The drive-and-fadeaway was my bread and butter.” But if basketball is a metaphor for life, he soon forgot where his bread was buttered. He lost his drive and dropped out of high school. Then came the inevitable fadeaway as dreams yielded to the reality of two children and an ailing mother on the Spokane Indian Reservation. That was in 2005. Today, at 24, the former Wellpinit High School star is in his second year as a starting guard at the Community Colleges of Spokane, setting records – and goals.

Parker Kelly knows he has the green light.

Childhood taught Cliff Ederaine the virtues of Patience.

Whitworth coach Matt Logie had no trouble rolling the credits Monday for the Pirates’ third straight Northwest Conference men’s basketball championship. “The most pleasing thing is the way many different guys stepped up when they were needed most,” said Logie, who had to juggle his lineup for most of December and January as regulars Jack Loofburrow and Mack Larkin were injured. “The players, the coaches, everybody stepped up.”