Eastern’S Ford Earns All-Big Sky Selection

Eastern Washington University junior Tracy Ford has been named to the Big Sky Conference women’s all-conference basketball team.

Ford, a 5-foot-10 guard/forward from University High School, had been an honorable mention selection as a sophomore.

She led the Eagles in scoring with an 11.5 points-per-game average, which ranks seventh in the Big Sky. Her .426 field goal percentage, .353 3-point average and 1.4 3-pointers per game all rank ninth in the conference.

Ford, the Eagles’ first player of the week selection in two seasons earlier, led the team by scoring in double figures in 15 games, including the last four. She had a career-high - and team season-high - 25 points in a Feb. 27 win over Montana.

Montana State senior forward Tennyson Ballek, one of three repeaters on the 11-woman team, was named the Big Sky’s most valuable player and teammate Jennifer Curl was named freshman of the year. Ballek led the league with 16.2 ppg and 8.4 rebounds per game. Best sixth player was Portland State junior Robbie Nix.

Other repeaters are three-time selection Jess LeBlanc, a senior forward at Northern Arizona, and sophomore guard Edniesha Curry of Cal State Northridge.

Nieman honored

Idaho’s Alli Nieman was named the Big West Conference women’s basketball player of the week, sharing the award with Pacific’s Selena Ho.

Nieman averaged 23.5 points and 11.5 rebounds as Idaho went 1-1 last week. She had 27 points in a win over Boise State. This is her fourth player-of-the-week award.

Governor to speak

Gov. Dirk Kempthorne will be the featured speaker at the North Idaho Sports Banquet on March 20 at the Coeur d’Alene Inn.

Tickets are $23 for adults, $9 for students. They are available at the Coeur d’Alene Inn and Les Schwab Tire Centers in Moscow, Lewiston and Coeur d’Alene.

North Idaho athletes, teams and coaches are honored at the annual banquet.

One bout canceled

The headliner is intact, but an eight-round middleweight bout on the undercard of Thursday night’s pro fights at the Coeur d’Alene Tribal Bingo/Casino was canceled Monday.

Roshii Wells is out with a fractured hand, matchmaker Moe Smith said. Wells was to fight Augustin Caballero in the Casino’s House of Fury.

A women’s fight has been added. Melissa Jeter of Rome, Ga., will take on Jeannie Martinez.

In the main event, unbeaten Olympic bronze medalist Terrence “Heat” Cauthen shoots for his 14th straight win against Wayne Boudreaux (25-12).

On the undercard, James Gonzales meets Victor Gomez, undefeated lightweight Martin O’Malley of Edmonds, Wash., tests Carlos Nevarez, Ron Cornell of Jerome, Idaho, takes on Robert Manore and Spokane’s Bill Brown debuts as a pro against Rodney Moore.

Cauthen, who won the bronze medal at the ‘96 Olympics in Atlanta, is the World Boxing Council’s 14th-ranked junior welterweight.

O’Malley, 132 pounds, goes for his ninth straight victory.

Tickets at $12.50, $25 and $50 are available at G&B outlets, including the Casino. Doors open at 5 p.m. First bout is at 7.