Jim Meehan

North Idaho College men's basketball coach Hugh Watson thought the wrong videotape had arrived in the mail. "It said Oral Roberts on the side," Watson said. "I thought that meant Oral Roberts University, until I looked at their roster." Oral Roberts is the starting center for Bossier Parish, NIC's first-round assignment today at 11:45 a.m. PST at the NJCAA Tournament. Roberts, a 6-foot-7, 245-pound space-eater averaging 18 points and 7.7 rebounds, is being recruited by Mississippi State, USC, Iowa State and Tulane, among others. He is the southern equivalent of NIC's regional rival K'Zell Wesson, from College of Eastern Utah. "The first thing on the tape is Oral Roberts two-handed dunking," Watson said. Roberts' sidekick is Michael Smith, a 6-8 stringbean who plays anywhere from shooting guard to power forward. He's in the mold of CEU's Harold Arceneaux, only slightly taller. NIC hopes it can duplicate the success it had defending CEU in a 19-point win nine days ago when it meets up against the Louisiana-based Cavaliers (25-8), champions of Region 23, in today's tournament opener. NIC (28-4) captured Region 18 with the win over CEU, but the Cardinals suffered some ill fortune during practice Tuesday when leading scorer Shawn Myrick twisted his knee. "He's limping around," Watson said. "I think he'll play. They've been working on him all day." Once again, the Cards will rely on their pressure defense to offset a height disadvantage. "Our thing is to make the other team start its offense two steps farther out than they want to," assistant coach Mark White said. "If they catch the ball on the wing, the two steps makes it that much longer of a pass to get it inside." Northeast Mississippi, coached by Mike Lewis, lost to Bossier Parish in its regional tourney. Lewis described Roberts and Smith as difficult to defend.

On his first full day at the national tournament, North Idaho College men's basketball coach Hugh Watson saw a great sign, a good sign and a daunting sign. The great: NIC players were sharp-shooters during Monday's workout at the Hutchinson (Kan.) Sports Arena, where the Cardinals (28-4) will face Bossier Parish (25-8) on Wednesday at 11:45 a.m. PST in the first round.

Some budget-strapped schools offer pay-to-play sports. North Idaho College baseball prefers shovel-to-play. "We've had ice augers, axes, picks and heavy-duty shovels on the field," coach Jack Bloxom was saying - BEFORE Saturday's snow storm. "The mayor ought to get a hold of us because we know how to remove snow."

From ragtag to riches 1. Hugh Watson's North Idaho College basketball has responded well to his direction and is headed for the national tournament in Hutchinson, Kan. Photo by Jesse Tinsley/The Spokesman-Review 2. North Idaho coach Hugh Watson applauds flat-out hustle of two of his Cardianl players who were floored during heated scramble for a loose ball at a recent practice. Photo by Jesse Tinsley/The Spokesman-Review 3. As part of his duties as Watson's assistant, Mark White keeps a close watch on Cardinals' defense. Photo by Jesse Tinsley/The Spokesman-Review

Finalists have been announced for awards to be doled out at the Idaho Sports Banquet on March 22 at The Coeur d'Alene Inn. Former Sandpoint High star Alli Nieman is one of five finalists for North Idaho Female Athlete of the Year. Others include Wallace's Dana Streeter, Troy's Jessica Johnson and Moscow's Jeanne Korus and Melissa Mills.

Idaho's bid to get its hands on a winning season in 1997-98 will rely on the improvement of John Harris, among others. Photo by Associated Press

John Owen steps down as NIC wrestling coach to give time to family. Photo by Jesse Tinsley/The Spokesman-Review

Bossier Parish College men's basketball coach Mike McConathy knows a lot about his team and a little about North Idaho College. They sound virtually one in the same.

North Idaho's Chris Harrison, left, measures up against K'Zell Wesson. Photo by Craig Buck/The Spokesman-Review

North Idaho's Cameron Banks sails over Utah Valley's Nathan Hallows for a first-half basket. Photo by Craig Buck/The Spokesman-Review

NIC's Jaime Richards (23) battles Dixie's Betsy Fowler for first-half rebound in Region 18 Tournament opener. Photo by Jesse Tinsley/The Spokesman-Review

Facing an uncertain future, the Seattle Seahawks are taking it one training camp at a time. The Hawks' selection of Cheney as site of their preseason training camp was made official Wednesday at a press conference on the Eastern Washington University campus.

Isaac Sojourner of Salt Lake Community College tries to find his way past North Idaho's Chris Harrison in the Region 18 championships. Photo by Craig Buck/The Spokesman-Review

Chris Harrison has had a ball playing for North Idaho College. Photo by Jesse Tinsley/The Spokesman-Review

The Seattle Seahawks are getting a new stadium. For training camp, that is. The Seahawks will announce their return to Cheney at a press conference at noon today in the Pence Union Building on the Eastern Washington University campus, officials from the NFL team and EWU confirmed.

Jana Nearing of Bonners Ferry, shooting over the Cardinals' Shawn Myrick, has had an uplifting experience this season at NIC. Photo by Jesse Tinsley/The Spokesman-Review

A-2 District I-II A relative of a Moscow High player approached Bears coach Don Dudley with some praise. "You coach the best man-to-man defense I've seen in 25 years of watching basketball," the man told Dudley.

Rypien

The St. Louis Rams and Mark Rypien are moving closer to a reunion. The Rams have offered Rypien a contract, said Ken Staninger, Rypien's Missoula-based agent.

Idaho's pregame checklist: Work the shot clock, don't shoot unless you're close enough to see scratches on the rim and contain Long Beach State wings James Cotton and Brandon Titus. Postgame review: Well-done on all accounts.

Wrestler Josh Morton is ready for nationals. Photo by Jesse Tinsley/The Spokesman-Review

A-2 District I-II Follow the bouncing basketball: Lakeland High's Scott Rothrock, who beat Lake City with a 3-pointer earlier this season, beat St. Maries with a trey on Tuesday. At Lake City's Gym.

Tournament passes for the Region 18 basketball championships at North Idaho College's Christianson Gym will go on sale to the public on Friday. Passes cost $30 - reserved seats and general admission - for the four-day event March 5-8.

University of Idaho basketball player Reggie Rose, whose all-out style led to numerous floor burns and injuries, apparently will finish his career sitting on the bench. It's become an all-too-familiar seat. Rose reinjured his knee last week. At the time, the injury didn't seem too serious, but he didn't play in two road games last week and he'll likely miss the final two games this week.