Injuries, funding take

Shine out of playoffs

Due to injuries and personal commitments of different players, balanced with costs of transporting an incomplete roster to San Diego this weekend, the Spokane Shine will not be going to the Women's Premier Soccer League playoffs, after qualifying to do so last weekend.

"We would rather take pride in knowing we're the best in the Northwest," Spokane coach Jason Quintero said. "I'm really super proud of the girls. They battled hard and went through a lot. This season, it would have been easier to fold up shop than continue to fight through it and get better like our girls did. (It's a) credit to all of our team. The defense played well and the team saw continuous improvement throughout the season. At the beginning, players would get a lead and give it up, but they got better."

Spokane ended the regular season with a 6-0 win over the Oregon Rush on Saturday at Joe Albi Stadium to finish 6-2-2. The Issaquah (Wash.) Soccer Club, which finished second, will go instead.

The Shine claimed the Northwest Division championship on Sunday after Issaquah and Emerald City played to a 1-1 draw in Issaquah.

"I told the girls that I think we're going to be the best team in the Northwest, and I wasn't just blowing smoke, I believed it," Quintero said. "With the talent on the team and depth on the bench, I told the girls there was no reason we shouldn't win this division."

Former Coeur d'Alene High player Whitney Wood played midfielder for the Shine this season.

Quintero added the Shine accomplished something special this year.

"We're not going to rest on our laurels right now," Quintero said. "We want to be not just the best in the northwest, but the best in the country. Right now, we're just in our second year of existence and who knows what the future holds."

Team CEO Linda Davis and the ownership group agree.

"Only two years young and look what the Shine team, owners, coaches, trainers, players, advisory board and fans have accomplished," Davis said. "We could not be more proud to be the WPSL Northwest Division champions. Now we look forward to year three when funding will allow us to fulfill our second dream - a trip to the playoffs."

Eastern picked to finish

second in Big Sky football

Despite coming off a 6-5 season, the Eastern Washington football team has been picked to finish second in the Big Sky Conference, announced Tuesday at the Summer Kickoff in Park City, Utah.

Two-time defending Big Sky co-champion Montana State was selected first by the media and coaches in the polls.

2012 PRESEASON FOOTBALL POLLS

First-place votes in parentheses

Media Poll

1, Montana State (30) 502. 2, Eastern Washington (3) 453. 3, Montana (5) 442. 4, Portland 334. 5, Cal Poly (1) 323. 6, North Dakota 295. 7, Weber State (1) 284. 8, Southern Utah 258. 9, Northern Arizona 242. 10, Sacramento State 191. 11, UC Davis 135. 12, Idaho State 115. 13, Northern Colorado 63.

Coaches Poll

1, Montana State (7) 136. 2, Eastern Washington (4) 131. 3, Montana (1) 126. 4, Portland State 90. 5, Cal Poly 86. 6, Weber State 81. 7, Northern Arizona 75. 8, Southern Utah (1) 74. 9, Sacramento State 71. 10, North Dakota 68. 11, Idaho State 31. 12, UC Davis 30. 13, Northern Colorado 14.

Silver Hoops 3-on-3 tourney

accepting team entries

KELLOGG - The 19th annual Silver Hoops 3-on-3 basketball tournament returns July 28-29 at Teeters Field, and the registration deadline is nearing.

Courts will be in the parking lot at the field, as well as along Hill Street.

Divisions will be for teams entering third through 12th grade, as well as adult divisions. If Silver Hoops does not have enough teams in any division, officials have the right to combine divisions into a single bracket.

Cost is $100 for youth teams up to eighth grade and $120 for high school and up. A $20 late fee will apply to team registering past Friday's deadline.

The final date to register is July 25 at 5 p.m.

Information: www.silverhoops3on3.com