Nic’S Watson Dismisses Hines

Rashaad Hines’ turbulent career on the North Idaho College men’s basketball team is over.

The standout sophomore point guard was booted from the team after being arrested and charged with unlawful entry and malicious injury to property Sunday night at a Coeur d’Alene apartment complex. Both charges are misdemeanors.

Hines allegedly kicked in the front door to Malissa Hall’s apartment and accused the 19-year-old woman and two others of burglarizing his apartment, according to a police report. Hall, a member of the NIC volleyball team, and her friends told Hines they had been burglarized, too, but Hines was too irate to listen, police said.

Hines also got into a shoving match with a man inside the Borah Avenue apartment, police said. Hall and Hines live in the same apartment complex.

Hines, 21, was released from jail after posting $300 bail on each charge. He will be arraigned March 22 by a 1st District Court magistrate.

Hines had just returned with the team from a tournament in Las Vegas.

“When you’re on a string, you have to watch yourself anyway,” NIC coach Hugh Watson said. “He didn’t meet my expectations and he’s no longer with the team.”

Hines had been in Watson’s doghouse prior to Sunday’s incident. Watson dismissed Hines in mid-December after an accumulation of problems, some academicrelated and some Watson wouldn’t specify. After a tearful Hines and several teammates convinced Watson to relent, Hines was allowed back on the team.

“I’m probably going to take a pounding (for giving Hines a second chance),”Watson said. “You feel like you do everything you can. Some respond, some don’t.”

Hines scored 62 points in three games in Las Vegas, including 30 against fourth-ranked Utah Valley. He was averaging 18.9 points, 6.1 assists and 2.9 steals, third in each category in the Scenic West Athletic Conference.

Hines’ departure leaves NIC thin at the point. Lake City High grad Chad Cheeley, who has played sparingly, might be pressed into duty because Jerry Petty is slowed by a foot injury and might not be ready when NIC visits undefeated Snow on Friday and sixth-ranked Dixie on Saturday.

Hines has left for his home in Kingsland, Ga., Watson said.

Ticket deal

Adults purchasing a ticket for the Idaho-UC Santa Barbara women’s basketball game on Friday will receive a complimentary second ticket.

The Gauchos are the defending Big West Conference champions. Tipoff is at 7 p.m. in Memorial Gym.

Tennis clinic

University of Idaho tennis coach Greg South will conduct a one-day clinic for Idaho and Washington high school coaches Saturday at the Kibbie Dome.

South will be joined by assistant coaches Suzi Hayes and Scott Petersen and former Moscow High coach Dan Peterson in providing coaching and playing tips.

The clinic will be from 9 a.m.-3 a.m. and costs $49. Info: (208) 885-0247.