Williams Throws Farewell Tourney At Nic Cardinals, Canadian Opponent, Big Bend, Napa Valley Participate In Two-Day Event

There are not many firsts left for Rolly Williams to accomplish after 35 years as North Idaho College men’s basketball coach.

But here’s one: NIC is hosting its first tournament - the Cardinal Classic - tonight and Saturday.

“It’s just something some people thought they might like to see and they always ask me about it,” said Williams, who will retire after this season. “It’s a nice occasion to bring people together.”

NIC (6-0) battles Mount Royal (9-6), of Calgary, Alberta, at 7:30 tonight in Christianson Gym. Big Bend (2-0) faces Napa (Calif.) Valley (2-5) at 5:30.

The losers tangle at 5:30 on Saturday; winners duel for the championship at 7:30. NIC’s women (7-0) play a non-conference game against Big Bend at 3 p.m.

Basketball junkies can view all three games for $6, but won’t be permitted to leave the gym and return at that price.

Mount Royal’s offense is guard-powered, with point guard Troy Gedlaman averaging 18 points per game and off-guard Tyler McVicor getting 17.

Big Bend, 17-11 last year, is just the opposite, with returning starters in 6-foot-8 center Abdean Smith (Spokane’s Rogers High) and 6-5 forward Micah Sullivan.

Napa Valley has just three sophomores and figures to take its lumps. Guard Antonio Bates averages a team-best 12 points.

“It’s wine country - it’s not exactly a basketball hotbed,” said Napa coach Kermit Young, who dips into northern Nevada for about half of his players.

NIC is humming along with double-digit wins in every game.

An intriguing matchup looms on Saturday, if NIC and Big Bend win tonight. NIC won Big Bend’s tournament last year, then lost to the Vikings a week later in Coeur d’Alene.

Williams isn’t sure of the availability of emerging guard David Cunningham (ill) and bulldog forward Eric Sanchez (sprained ankle).

“We’re playing all right,” Williams said. “Our defense is generating a lot of our offense. I’m not really excited about our half-court stuff right now.”

, DataTimes