Like Father, Like Son Nic Coaches May Be In-Laws, But Their Records Are Twins

Rolly Williams is coach of the 9-0 North Idaho College men’s basketball team. His son-in-law, Greg Crimp, coaches NIC’s 9-0 women’s squad.

So, who’s going to lose first?

“I don’t think I’d like to bet him,” said Williams, whose Cards open Scenic West Athletic Conference play tonight against Utah Valley in Orem. “He’s a guy who truly loves his players and does a great job.”

Feeling’s mutual. “I don’t think I’d like to bet him, either,” said Crimp, whose team also faces Utah Valley tonight.

NIC’s teams move on to Salt Lake on Saturday night.

Though impressive, NIC’s glistening preconference records mean zilch now. The competitive SWAC usually acts as gravity to high-flying teams. Take tonight’s opener, for example: Utah Valley’s men’s and women’s teams rate as conference contenders.

But this season seems full of promise for NIC. SWAC coaches list the NIC men and women as title candidates. There’s validity, too, as even Williams, who will retire after this his 35th season at NIC, and Crimp acknowledge they expect to be in the chase.

On the men’s side, Southern Idaho, already ranked No. 1 nationally, is the favorite. But the Golden Eagles are not alone.

“I see three teams, North Idaho, Dixie and Utah Valley,” said CSI coach Steve Irons, listing the teams he most fears. “I’m pumped that North Idaho is strong because the stronger we are in the North (Division), the better we are going to be in the tourney.”

Snow and Eastern Utah merit long-shot consideration.

CSI beat Treasure Valley on Wednesday, freeing Irons and his assistants to filter out and scout every SWAC team this weekend. Utah Valley coach Jeff Reinert, who watched NIC last weekend, and his assistants have spared no expense on the scouting circuit.

“I look at any of the four teams (NIC, CSI, Dixie and Utah Valley) and whoever gets lucky and doesn’t get hurt probably wins the league,” Reinert said.

The men’s and women’s Region 18 tournaments are at the site of the South Division men’s champion, likely ninth-ranked Dixie or Utah Valley.

Ricks College’s women’s team is down from last year, a group that placed fifth at nationals. But the Vikings still have two of the SWAC’s premier players in Kris Packer and Barbie Riley.

Cathy Nixon has replaced Tom Perkins as Utah Valley’s coach, but the Wolverines figure to be strong, per usual.

“The top eight are going to be people who can beat each other,” said Crimp, who sees a potential sleeper in CSI. “CSI has an inside game and an outside game.”

Crimp wouldn’t mind having a healthy team at NIC. Sophomore guard Angie Dickson (knee) is probably out for the year. Freshmen wings Julie Grohs (sprained knee ligament) and Jana Nearing (sprained ankle) might return for tonight’s game.

“When we’re healthy, we’ll compete with anyone,” Crimp said.

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