Cardinals Take Home More Luggage Than They Had When They Left Coeur D’Alene

North Idaho College will check in a load of extra baggage before its flight home today from the NJCAA basketball tournament.

NIC’s Shawn Myrick was named to the all-tournament team and was given the Bud Obee Most Outstanding Small Player Award, given annually to the top player 6-foot-1 or under. Spud Webb won the award in 1982 when he played for Midland College.

Cardinal sophomore forward Chris Harrison received the Sesher Sportsmanship Award.

The Cardinals also won a large trophy for taking fourth place.

The rest of the all-tournament team: Mesa’s Jeff Jacoway, Connors State’s Detrick White and John Woods, Vincennes’ Shawn Marion, Tallahassee’s Marvis ‘Bootsy’ Thornton, Bossier Parish’s Oral Roberts, San Jacinto’s Omar Sneed and Steve Francis, and Indian Hills’ C.J. Bruton, Pete Mickeal and J.J. Green.

Bruton won the MVP and Indian Hills’ Terry Carroll was voted Coach of the Tournament.

Defenseless, for a reason

How, after being a strong suit for most of the season, did NIC’s defense give up 95, 90, 112 and 121 points in four games at the tournament?

“When you play back-to-back games like that (four in four days), it wears on your body,” NIC’s Harrison said. “You get fatigued.”

Pinpointed NIC’s Myrick: “You’re playing against the best players in JC basketball.”

Recruiting news

NIC’s Myrick, Harrison and Andre McKanstry probably improved their recruiting stock with solid showings.

Myrick, a streaky shooter capable of scoring binges, is being eyed by numerous schools, including Minnesota, USC and DePaul. Though just 6 feet, Myrick is an accomplished rebounder and effective inside scorer with a habit of getting to the foul line.

Harrison, a forward, showed perimeter shooting ability. He said at least 10 new schools have entered his recruiting picture. McKanstry’s nofuss approach and determined defense impressed coaches.

Freshman Steve Ryan, a native of Australia, said he’ll probably be back at NIC next season. Ryan originally signed at Colorado, but the NCAA didn’t count his previous credits in full, forcing him to go the JC route.

Ryan became a significant contributor in the last month. At 6-foot-8, Ryan is the team’s tallest player and he’s become a key defensive substitute.

“I started playing with the confidence I had back in high school,” Ryan said. “I loved this tournament. I’ve never experienced anything like it.”

Indian Hills tops

The Ottumwa, Iowa-based Indian Hills Warriors built an eight-point halftime lead and maintained the margin to win their first national title, 89-80 over San Jacinto.

San Jacinto, of Pasadena, Texas, was trying to break a tie with Moberly (Mo.) for most NJCAA titles (four).

Rally planned

A rally for NIC’s men’s and women’s teams will be held Monday at 3 p.m. at Christianson Gym. The public is invited.

, DataTimes