Hobbs commits to play for Griz

Tyler Hobbs, a first-team All-Greater Spokane League defensive lineman from West Valley High, has decided to attend the University of Montana.

“I really like their football program, obviously,” said Hobbs, a 6-foot-4-inch, 240-pounder who also starts on the Eagles’ basketball team. “They have a good history, they’ve always been considered national contenders in 1-AA. You can always expect good things out of them.

“It’s far enough away from home, but it’s close enough as well. I’ll be able to be on my own, become my own man, but, at the same time, if I’m anxious to get home, it’s not like it’s too much of a hassle to get back here.”

Besides Montana, Hobbs was recruited by Wyoming, Montana State and Eastern Washington in football. Hobbs, who was a first-team All-GSL basketball selection last year, said he also was recruited by several NCAA Division II and Division III schools for basketball.

“I think I’ll be more successful in football,” Hobbs said. “I’ve really developed a love for the game of football as well.”

Verbal commitments are not binding. Football letter of intents can not be signed until February.

Eastern to add defensive back

With the graduation of two starting cornerbacks from the Tacoma area, Eastern Washington University has gone back to the same area for a replacement.

Will Edge, an All-Area defensive back from Mt. Tahoma, committed to the Eagles over the weekend.

“The coaches, from the first day I met them, seemed to like me,” said Edge, who is 6-foot, 190 pounds. “My coach is an Eastern alum. It seemed like a good fit.”

Edge, who played for Leon Hatch, also returned kicks for 5-5 Mt. Tahoma, scoring four touchdowns. He also had 69 tackles, two interceptions and broke up six passes.

“I hope to play immediately,” said Edge, who was also being recruited by Montana, Idaho and Portland State.

He will help fill void with the graduation of Isaiah Trufant, who played at Wilson, and Jesse Hendrix, who played at Lakes.

He is the fifth player to commit to the Eagles.

Akognon gets Pac-10 honor

Washington State University sophomore guard Josh Akognon has been named the U.S. Bank Pacific-10 Conference Player of the Week.

Akognon tallied a career high 27 points, including a crucial 3-pointer with 16 seconds left to lead the Cougars to a 78-71 upset victory over then-10th ranked University of Washington on Saturday.

The win over Washington was the first Cougar win against a top-10 opponent on the road in 57 games and snapped a 34-game losing streak overall against top-10 teams.

CCS, NIC to resume suspended game

The Jan. 17 non-conference men’s basketball game between North Idaho College and the Community Colleges of Spokane at NIC’s Christianson Gym will now be resumed from the point of suspension, rather than replayed in its entirety.

The game began Dec. 13 at Post Falls High School but was canceled during the first half due to slippery conditions on the court caused by spectators tracking in melting snow.

After deliberation between the two schools, it has been decided that the game will continue from the point of cancellation with 12:42 remaining in the first half and CC Spokane leading 18-11.

Admission to the game will be free.

Livi won’t return to Eastern

Reserve freshman guard Nick Livi, who left the Eastern Washington men’s basketball team at the end of fall quarter, will not return for winter quarter.

“He’s got a family situation and he needs to be there,” Eagles coach Mike Burns said.

Livi, a 6-foot-1 guard from Sammamish, played in five of seven games before he left, averaging five minutes and 2.6 points.

Livi, who sat our last year because of NCAA eligibility requirements after graduating from Eastlake High School, did not have academic issues, Burns said.

“Right now the family is the most important thing,” Burns said. “I always tell the kids its faith, family and school before basketball.”

The Eagles are 5-10 after five straight losses, the last two giving them an 0-2 start in the Big Sky Conference.

“From Dec. 16 through Saturday night we knew it would be tough,” Burns said. “And it was.”

The Eagles lost seven of eight in that three week stretch, including all six road games. The current record of the seven teams that beat Eastern, including Top 10 teams Washington and Gonzaga, is 71-29.

NIC wrestling match postponed

North Idaho College’s wrestling match tonight at Yakima Valley has been postponed.

Yakima Valley requested the postponement because of numerous injuries, NIC coach Pat Whitcomb said.

The teams will attempt to reschedule at a later date.

Sophomore Nick Wright, ranked No. 6 nationally at 174 pounds, will likely miss the rest of the season with a neck injury, Whitcomb said.

Whitcomb said Josh Edmondson, No. 2 at 184 pounds, will drop to 174. Kyle Sand and David Johnson will compete for the starting spot at 184.