Hout commits to BSU

Byron Hout, who led the Lake City High football team to a 12-0 season and State 5A championship last fall and was later named the state’s player of the year, has given Boise State University an oral commitment.

The 6-foot, 215-pound Hout said BSU was one of five schools to offer a scholarship this spring. The others were the University of Washington, Idaho, Eastern Washington and Idaho State.

Hout, a starter last year at defensive end and offensive tackle, will switch defensive positions this fall. He spent the two days at BSU’s camp learning his new position, middle linebacker. It’s the same position the Broncos plan to play him at, he said.

Baseball

Kelowna’s four-run third inning proved to be the difference as the visiting Spokane RiverHawks dropped the opening game of a three-game series with a 5-3 West Coast Collegiate Baseball League loss to the Falcons (2-5).

Starting pitcher Luke Farden (0-2) took the loss for the RiverHawks (3-4), who were led on offense by Shawn Wayt (two hits, including a double).

Hockey

As expected, Steve Pleau was named head coach of the Western Hockey League expansion team Edmonton Oil Kings. Pleau was assistant coach of the Spokane Chiefs last season.

Women’s basketball

Tara Holgate, a 6-foot-4 center who played last season as a redshirt freshman at Eastern Washington University, has enrolled at Western Washington and will play for the Vikings, according to WWU women’s basketball coach Carmen Dolfo. Holgate, from Everett, averaged 3.4 points and 3.6 rebounds per game for the Eagles, playing in all 29 games.