Nic Signer’s Prep Number Hangs On Wall

North Idaho College’s latest men’s basketball recruit, Jovann Johnson, already has had his uniform retired. In high school, that is.

The Cardinals continued their stockpile of talent when Johnson, a 6-foot, 2-1/2-inch forward from Science Hill High in Johnson City, Tenn., signed a letter of intent after a weekend visit.

“He can play, I’m telling you,” NIC coach Hugh Watson said.

Johnson was Science Hill’s all-time leading scorer (2,188 points) and rebounder (800). His team won two state championships during Johnson’s four years.

Johnson played last season at Milford Academy, a prep school in Connecticut. He’ll have one season of eligibility at NIC. He’s from the same high school as NIC recruit Nathaniel Bailey, who is transferring from Odessa (Texas) College.

“Jovann’s a really physical kid and plays inside,” Watson said. “I saw two uniforms at his high school that were retired - his and Steve Spurrier’s.”

Track and field

Eight area athletes brought home 11 medals from the USA Track & Field National Youth Athletics Championships at the Disney World Sports Complex in Orlando, Fla., that ended Sunday.

The Pardun siblings of the Cheney Track Club led the showing. Lewis won the shot put in the intermediate (ages 15-16) boys division at 47 feet, 1 inch. Sister Ashley earned three medals in youth (13-14) girls - third in the discus (90-3), seventh in the javelin (78-10) and eighth in the shot (34-6-3/4).

Other area medal winners:

Young women (17-18): April Gallagher, Spokane, sixth discus (123-2).

Intermediate (15-16): Seth Burkett, Comets Track Club (Pullman), fourth boys decathlon (4,349 points); Jeff Colby, Connell Track Club, fourth boys shot (43-1-3/4) and fifth discus (127-11); Heather Harding, Spokane, third girls shot (35-2-1/2).

Youth boys (13-14): Rory Buckley, Connell Track Club, seventh 1,500 (4:31.80).

Midget boys (11-12): Ben Green, Spokane, fifth 1,500 (4:53.71).

Softball

Spokane Speed overcame injuries and a tenacious opponent to win the 18U division of the Shootout Fourth of July girls softball tournament Sunday at Franklin Park.

In three of the best games of the 35-team tournament, just two runs separated Speed and the Lady Mavericks of Missoula.

The Mavs won 6-5 when the two met in the winners-bracket final, then Speed prevailed 4-3 in eight innings in the championship game to force an extra game, which it won 9-7 in nine.

The Helena Bearcats finished third and Trail, British Columbia, Steelers fourth.

In 16U, the Spokane Cougars went unbeaten, beating Big Bear of Great Falls, Mont., 3-1 in the championship game. Lady Electric, also of Great Falls, was third and Boise Golden Gloves fourth.

AAA Legion baseball

Nate Bartlett pitched a two-hit shutout and Ben Miller drove in three runs as the Cannons blanked the Bandits 10-0 in five innings in AAA American Legion baseball.

Pro-Am golf

Fittingly, a professional and an amateur shared honors in the Athletic Round Table Pro-Am on Monday at Stoneridge.

Pro Chris Curran of MeadowWood and amateur Dick Bingham of the Spokane Country Club matched 3-under-par 69s. Curran shot 36-33. Bingham, the only amateur under par, went 32-27.

Mark Rohde of Liberty Lake was third with a 70, followed by pros Dave Christenson of Indian Canyon and Mark Gardner, The Creek at Qualchan, with 71s.

, DataTimes