Northwest Notes December 17, 2013

Hill named WAC player of the week

MOSCOW - Idaho's Connor Hill has been named Western Athletic Conference men's basketball Player of the Week for Dec. 9-15.

Hill, a junior guard and former standout from Post Falls High, had back-to-back 20-plus point performances as Idaho went 1-1 in road games at Montana and Portland State. In a 69-58 loss at Montana, Hill scored 24 points on 9-of-17 shooting from the field, and in the second half alone he gave the Vandals the lead twice and tied the game on two more occasions. He had 21 points, five rebounds and a career-high five assists in Idaho's 76-75 win at Portland State. Hill hit 6-of-10 shots from the field, including 5-of-9 from beyond the arc at PSU.

For the week, Hill averaged 22.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 0.5 steals per game with a 6.0 assist-to-turnover ratio. He shot 55.6 percent (15-of-27) from the field, 47.4 percent (9-of-19) and 60 percent (6-of-10) from the free throw line. His nine three-point field goals on the week give him 163 for his career, just six shy from breaking Idaho's career record of 168 held by Orland Lightfoot since 1994.

Eastern's Kupp given Jerry Rice Award

CHENEY - Bursting onto the scene with the best season by a freshman wide receiver in NCAA Football Championship Subdivision history, Cooper Kupp has been selected by The Sports Network as the recipient of the Jerry Rice Award given to the top freshman in FCS football.

The award will be presented Monday at The Sports Network's FCS Awards Banquet and Presentation in Philadelphia.

Kupp, a 2012 graduate of Davis High School in Yakima, Wash., has already earned first team All-America honors for a season that has included 85 catches for 1,567 yards and 21 touchdowns. All three are FCS records for a freshman, and his streak of 14 games with a touchdown catch is an overall FCS record.

Sholwer resigns from soccer post after nine seasons

MOSCOW - Pete Showler, the head coach for the Idaho women's soccer team since 2005, resigned from the position, athletic director Rob Spear announced.

"I am incredibly grateful to the University of Idaho and its tremendous Vandal family for giving me the fantastic opportunity to lead this soccer program," said Showler, who is set to become the Sporting Director of Eastside Timbers in Portland, Ore.

Idaho went 4-16-0 this season, qualifying for the Western Athletic Conference tournament for the fourth consecutive season. The Vandals featured 11 freshmen in 2013, and lose only six to graduation.

Ashley O'Brien, a third year assistant, will serve as the interim coach. The university will conduct a national search for coaching candidates to become the fourth head coach in program history.

Prior to Idaho, Showler spent time as an assistant at Portland State. While coaching at PSU, Showler also filled his time as head coach for the New Mexico Youth Soccer Association Olympic Development Program, team head coach for the Lake Oswego Soccer Club, and as a USSF License Clinician. In 2005, Showler earned a position as a Region IV under-19 girls assistant coach and has worked as a regional head coach for various age groups.

Cd'A rec dept. plans open gyms over holidays

COEUR d'ALENE - Open basketball, sponsored by the Coeur d'Alene Recreation Department, will be offered again during Christmas break at Woodland Middle School.

Dates are Dec. 23, 26, 27, 30 and 31, and Jan. 2 and 3.

Times are as follows: Grades 9-12, 10 a.m. to noon; grades 6-8, noon to 2 p.m.; and grades 3-5, 2 to 4 p.m.

NIC Booster Club presents Winter CARDnival, Auction

COEUR d'ALENE - North Idaho College athletics fans are invited to the Booster Club's Winter CARDnival and Auction Wednesday at the Best Western-Coeur d'Alene Inn.

The event begins at 5 p.m. with social hour, games and the beginning of the silent auction which includes vacation packages, resort golf outings, Gonzaga basketball tickets, special dinner packages, holiday gifts and more. Dinner starts at 6:30 and the live auction kicks off at 7 p.m. Tickets are $30 a person or $225 for a table of eight. The Best Western-Coeur d'Alene Inn is located at 506 W. Appleway Ave.

Reservations: Patty Stewart, 769-3348