Pacific-10 Singles Out Thomas For Award
For the first time in nearly four years, Washington State University has a Pacific-10 Conference player of the week in men’s basketball.
Junior guard Jan-Michael Thomas was honored for his performance in the Cougars’ only game last week, a 70-69 victory over Brigham Young. It’s the first weekly Pac-10 award for the Cougars since Mark Hendrickson claimed the honor on Jan. 23, 1995.
Thomas, the Pac-10’s leading 3-point shooter, scored 22 points, 17 in the second half. He clinched the victory by nailing three of his final four free throws, including the winner with 9 seconds to play. It was WSU’s third straight win that evened its record at 4-4.
Thomas, who hit 5 of 8 3-point shots while making 6 of 10 overall from the field, has made 27 of 54 3-pointers this season, the .500 mark the best in the conference.
Lunch with the Eagles
A series of three luncheons featuring Eastern Washington University basketball coaches will begin today at noon at the Bayou Brewery, 1003 E. Trent, in Spokane.
The no-host affairs will include video highlights, commentary and special giveaways. Men’s coach Steve Aggers and women’s coach Jocelyn Pfeifer are expected to be on hand.
The second luncheon will be Jan. 11 and the third Feb. 2, also at noon at the Bayou.
Card coach ponders discipline
At noon Monday, North Idaho College men’s basketball coach Hugh Watson was iron-clad in his dismissal of talented point guard Rashaad Hines.
“I’m probably one of the easiest coaches in America to play for. If a man can’t get along with me, something’s wrong,” Watson said. “I’ll take into consideration what the players say, but I’m my own boss when it comes to this stuff.”
By late afternoon, several Cardinals, including Hines, had visited Watson, trying to talk the coach into reinstating Hines. Watson’s defenses were weakening.
“I haven’t made up my mind,” Watson said. “I have to give it more thought.”
Watson booted Hines for an accumulation of problems, many centering on academics and some Watson wouldn’t divulge.Monday, Hines was in Watson’s office, asking for a second chance.
Watson said he’ll rule on Hines in the next few days.
Big Sky honors Montana junior
Montana junior Matt Williams is the Big Sky Conference men’s basketball player of the week for his efforts in the Grizzlies’ two weekend victories.
Williams, a 6-foot-7 junior, scored 27 points and grabbed 18 rebounds in wins over Saint Mary’s and Idaho in the KGVO-Montana Power Classic in Butte, Mont. The wins avenged earlier losses by the Grizzlies.
Williams had 18 points and nine rebounds against Idaho in the championship game. Idaho had beaten Montana 73-70 on Nov. 28.
NIC women win
North Idaho College charged from behind in the second half to overcome Big Bend 77-62 in a non-league women’s basketball game in Coeur d’Alene that saw a couple of former Greater Spokane League standouts in starring roles.
Sophomore Becki Huddle of Lewis and Clark, who has been a key component in NIC’s 6-1 start, kept the Cardinals in it in the first half with 13 of her game-high 24 points as Big Bend got off to a quick start.
But in the second half, when NIC tightened its defense and charged from a seven-point deficit, only former Central Valley Bear Andrea Kallas had any success for the Vikings. Kallas scored nine of her 16 after the break.
Mandy Lindhe had 17 points for the Cardinals. Courtney Warner matched Kallas with 16 for Big Bend. Heidi Schulz of Newport added 12 for the Vikings. Huddle also had four assists and five steals.
Panhandle players All-State
Lakeland senior Harrison Bertsch was a first-team pick at linebacker on the A-2 team and Clark Fork senior George Klontz was a first-selection at running back on the A-4 team when Idaho All-State high school football teams were announced by the coaches.
Five other area players were second-team picks - Lake City’s Richard Novotny (wide receiver), Justin Nipp (defensive lineman) and Keith Vedder (linebacker), A-1; St. Maries’ Derick Driggs (WR) and Kellogg’s Tim Bush (tight end), A-2. All are seniors.