Northwest Notes: Wednesday, December 3

Winter Sports preview to publish Thursday

'Tis the season for previews.

The Press' annual winter sports special section previews the area's high school boys and girls basketball and wrestling teams, as well as North Idaho College men's and women's basketball and wrestling.

Look for the special section in Thursday's newspaper.

Eastern's Adams, ISU's Arias finalists for Payton Award

Eastern Washington's Vernon Adams Jr. and Idaho State's Justin Arias waged quite a battle at Roos Field on Oct. 4.

Now, their battle is with Villanova's John Robertson for the coveted Walter Payton Award, given annually by The Sports Network to the top player in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision.

That trio of quarterbacks are the three finalists for the award, which will be announced at The Sports Network's FCS Awards Banquet and Presentation on Dec. 15 in Philadelphia. Winners of the Buck Buchanan Award (FCS outstanding defensive player), Jerry Rice Award (FCS freshman of the year) and Eddie Robinson Award (FCS coach of the year) will also be announced that night.

Last year, on a night on which teammate Cooper Kupp won the Jerry Rice Award, Adams was the runner-up for the Payton Award. Previously, Eastern's Bo Levi Mitchell (2011) and Erik Meyer (2005) have won the Payton Award, and J.C. Sherritt (2010) and Greg Peach (2008) have won the Buchanan Award.

NIC Booster Club to host Winter CARDnival Auction

COEUR d'ALENE - The North Idaho College Booster Club will hold its winter CARDnival and Auction on Dec. 10 beginning at 5 p.m. at the Best Western-Coeur d'Alene Inn.

Tickets are $30 each, or $225 for a table of eight. The social hours, games and auction begin at 5. Dinner is served at 6:30 and live auction kicks off at 7.

Items include: vacation packages, resort golf outings, Gonzaga basketball tickets, ski packages, custom jewelry/art, special dinner packages, holiday gifts and more.

Tickets can be purchased by calling Patty Stewart at 769-3348.