Cardinals Hope To Land Role Of Region 18 Hosts
Consider these basketball seasons: 1969-70, 1984-85 and 1987-88.
They’re all relevant tonight. The Vietnam War was raging the last time Ricks beat the North Idaho College men in Coeur d’Alene.
“We haven’t won up there in 27 years,” Ricks coach Clyde Nelson said. “That’s what everybody keeps telling me.”
It’s true. And tonight’s 7:30 matchup at Christianson Gym is one of the most meaningful in series history.
If NIC wins, it will play host to the Region 18 tournaments - men’s and women’s - in early March. The last time the Region 18 Tournament stopped at Christianson Gym was 1985, when Dixie upended Sven Meyer-led NIC 78-74. Dixie eventually won the national championship.
NIC’s women entertained regionals in 1988 and defeated Utah Valley to advance to nationals.
Hosting rights are important, coach Greg Crimp said. “We’re not easy to beat at home.”
Men
The Cardinals (22-3 overall, 12-3 Scenic West) are coming off a shaky three-point road win over Western Montana on Wednesday.
NIC played without guard Todd Myles, who had complications after having a tooth removed. “He had blood running out of his ears,” coach Hugh Watson said. “I told him, ‘No way you’re going on this trip.”’ Watson said Myles should play tonight.
NIC beat Ricks (22-5, 10-5) in Rexburg last month, mainly with defensive pressure that bottled up the Vikings’ perimeter shooters.
Ricks has been dealing with distractions. Wings Danny Bower, who originally signed at Idaho before serving a Mormon mission, and Jared Peterson, reportedly made oral commitments to Brigham Young. Or so it seemed.
“They say they didn’t,” Nelson said. “Utah called Danny up and yelled at him. He came to practice 15 minutes late and was pretty shaken up by everything.”
Women
Shawna Rainer, NIC’s leading scorer, had another bout with tonsillitis earlier this week when she ran out of medication. She’s back on antibiotics and practiced Thursday night.
Depending on Rainer’s endurance, NIC could be vulnerable on the boards. That’s the statistic Ricks (17-8, 11-4) dominated in downing the Cards last month.
But NIC backup pivots Erin Dowhy and Ann Shepard have been solid, and forward Jana Nearing has been on a rebounding roll.
The Cards (23-2, 13-2) must slow 5-foot-11 forward Cady Williams, who topped the 40-point mark in a game a couple weeks ago.
, DataTimes