NORTHWEST NOTES July 12, 2011

Cates, Little shine at tennis tourney

SPOKANE - Jordan Cates, who will be a sophomore at Lake City High this fall, and incoming LC freshman Kyler Little teamed to win the 16-and-under doubles title in the challenger division at the 70th annual Inland Empire Tournament last weekend at the Spokane Racquet Club.

Cates and Little defeated Nolan Knapp and Drew Perez 7-6 (4), 6-3 in the title match.

Cates also placed second overall in the 16U singles challenger division, falling to Tyler Wilson 6-0, 6-2 in the finals.

Shock offer ticket discount to Saturday's game

SPOKANE - The Spokane Shock announced a ticket special for Saturday's Arena Football League home game against the San Jose SaberCats.

A ticket stub from last week's Joe Albi Stadium Summer Classic can be used to receive a $3 discount on any available ticket to this Saturday's game against San Jose. The discount will only be honored at the Spokane Arena box office which is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on game day.

A win for Spokane (8-8) this weekend, in its final home game of the regular season, will keep the Shock in playoff contention, with Utah (7-9) and San Jose (7-9) close behind.

EWU's Mitchell, Kaufman named to Payton watch list

Eastern Washington senior quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell and junior wide receiver Brandon Kaufman were named as two of the 20 players on the watch list for the 2011 Walter Payton Award given annually by The Sports Network to the top player in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision.

Mitchell and Kaufman hooked up nine times for 120 yards and two touchdowns in the FCS championship game, including the game-winning TD with 2:47 left. Kaufman finished the 2010 season with 76 receptions for 1,214 yards and 15 scores, and all but one of his grabs (a non-scoring 11-yard completion) came from Mitchell.

Mitchell, a transfer from SMU, completed 59 percent of his passes last season for 3,496 yards, a school-record 37 touchdown passes and 15 interceptions as a junior.