Men’s basketball: James Watson, a 6-foot-7 forward who played in 29 games last season for Washington State University, has left the program and has transferred to Cowley County Community College in Arkansas City, Kan.

Watson, who averaged 1.8 points and 1.8 rebounds in a reserve role as redshirt freshman last season, learned recently he would not be eligible in the fall semester.

“He needed 18 credits (to play) and he had 17, so he wasn’t going to be eligible until January at least,” said Annette Watson, James’ mother, when reached at home in Atoka, Okla.

“To be honest, he always struggled academically there. The jump from a small school to Washington State was a big jump for him and I don’t think we got his best effort (academically).”

Watson’s departure brings to four the number of scholarship players who have transferred since the end of the coach Ken Bone’s first season, joining Xavier Thames, Michael Harthun and Anthony Brown. Two other walk-ons have also left.

“We wish James nothing but the best,” Bone said.

Vince Grippi

EWU extends

Schuller’s pact

Women’s basketball: Another academic year is coming to a close at Eastern Washington and it will be a year to remember for women’s basketball coach Wendy Schuller.

The Eagles won their first Big Sky Conference regular-season championship, hosting the league tournament for the first time, and Schuller was named Coach of the Year.

After the Eagles played in the WNIT, their first postseason appearance since their lone berth in the NCAA Tournament, Schuller was rewarded with a four-year contract extension.

And to top it off, Schuller and her husband Mark had their third child, Brandon Maximus, on Thursday.

Dave Trimmer

Gray returns with big win

Rodeo: Cheney native Ryan Gray ended a five-week layoff because of knee surgery to win the bareback riding at the Clovis, N.M., Pioneer Days Rodeo.

Gray won more than $1,300 for his 90-point ride on Pinball Wizard. That bumped his season total to $81,365, about $20,000 ahead of second place in the PRCA standings.