Nic May Have Lost Ryan

North Idaho College knows its postseason basketball destination, but it doesn’t know its men’s post-season roster.

NIC lost center Steven Ryan to his second concussion in less than a month during Friday’s win over Eastern Utah.

“It looks like he might be through,” NIC coach Hugh Watson said Monday. “He got hit in the jaw and is having trouble swallowing.”

NIC also played without Ryan’s backup, Casey Fisher, who has a sprained ankle. Watson is hopeful Fisher will play in Saturday’s regular-season finale against Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho.

NIC teams will stay in Rexburg because Ricks is the site of the men’s and women’s Region 18 Tournaments, beginning the following Wednesday.

Ricks’ women secured hosting rights by claiming the regular-season title. The women’s tourney will run Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; the men play Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

NIC’s men (16-12 overall, 6-11 SWAC) are seeded seventh. The Cardinals’ opponent hasn’t been determined. Southern Idaho and Dixie, each 13-3 in conference, will probably decide the title when they play Friday in St. George.

NIC’s women (21-5, 12-5) could finish second, third or fourth.

Fitzgerald to speak

Dan Fitzgerald, the former Gonzaga University athletic director and basketball coach, will be the featured speaker at the 36th annual Idaho Sports Banquet on Saturday, March 21, at the Coeur d’Alene Inn Convention Center.

Fitzgerald was 239-157 in his coaching career at GU. He recently resigned as A.D.

, DataTimes