The work is never over for a college basketball coach.

Especially when it comes to the final weekend of the NCAA Division I tournament.

NORTH IDAHO College men's basketball head coach Jared Phay and assistant coach Corey Symons got to see not one, but two, national title games while on a visit to Atlanta last weekend.

It just wasn't the one on Monday night.

The two were in Atlanta for some coaching clinics and workshops, held every year in conjunction with the NCAA Division I Final Four.

NIC covers part of the bill through a professional development fund, with the other money out of pocket. Free tickets to the national semifinals and finals aren't covered either.

"You don't get to go to the games unless you buy tickets," Phay said. "But you get to do all the stuff around it."

They were able to watch the teams practice on Friday, as well as watch the Division II and Division III national championship games on Sunday.

"That was kind of cool this year," Phay said. "That was the first time they've done that, and I hope they continue it. It was actually warmer here (in Idaho) the first couple of days. It's always a good way to end the season and rejuvenates you as a coach just being around those successful programs."

In 11 years as an assistant and head coach, Phay has traveled to the event seven times.

"We haven't gone to every one," Phay said. "But it's good to go and talk with some of the other coaches. For us junior college guys, we're standing in the lobby asking coaches if they've got a spot open on their staff and they're asking if we've got anyone going, or need to place a kid in our program."

As far as fan bases in the Atlanta area, it was about the Cardinals - that of national champion Louisville.

"Louisville always travels well," Phay said. "Every year is a new experience. Last year (in New Orleans), it was kind of crazy with Louisville and Kentucky both there."

WHILE THEY will have to wait until Wednesday to make it official, the NIC men's program has been busy adding to the 2013-14 roster.

A trio of Rainier Beach High athletes from Seattle have verbally committed to the school, including point guard Will Dorsey, forward Jordan King and center Wilfred Middlebrooks. Dorsey was the MVP of the Washington state 3A tournament as the Vikings won the state championship.

"It's a good start for us," Phay said. "The Rainier Beach coaches are really good to us and those players have had a good experience for us. I think it helped them feel more comfortable coming to the same place."

Middlebrooks is the younger brother of NIC sophomore, Michael.

"He's his little brother, which is kind of funny because he's 6-foot-10," Phay said. Michael Middlebrooks is 6-9.

Point guard Chris Sarbaugh, formerly of Gonzaga Prep in Spokane and Gonzaga University, has verballed to the University of San Diego and will sign with the Toreros on Wednesday.

"We're excited for him," Phay said. "We're excited for him to be playing Division I basketball. Above anything, he loves San Diego. It's a good program."

Sarbaugh was also receiving interest from Eastern Washington.

"I think he's a good fit anywhere," Phay said. "He's a competitor, a winner and can play anywhere and play three different spots. It's a real good academic school."

At San Diego, Sarbaugh will join another former Greater Spokane League player in Brett Bailey, a senior at University High this year.

Among other sophomores looking into future plans from NIC are center Kaj Sherman, Michael Middlebrooks and guards Keon Lewis and Mikey Hope.

"Both Kaj and Mike are visiting schools right now," Phay said. "Keon and Mikey have some D-1 and D-2 schools looking at them. Right now, we'll just wait out the process."

NIC forward James Webb III signed with Boise State last fall.

Jason Elliott is a sports writer for the Coeur d'Alene Press. He can be reached by telephone at 664-8176, Ext. 2020 or via email at jelliott@cdapress.com.