NIC basketball champs

to be honored at lunch today

COEUR d’ALENE — The North Idaho College men’s and women’s basketball teams will be honored at a special NIC Booster Club luncheon today at noon at The Coeur d’Alene Resort.

The Cardinal men won their second straight NWAC Championship on Sunday, defeating Walla Walla Community College 104-73. The Cardinal women had a 20-win season, and lost to the eventual NWAC runner-up, Umpqua, in the first round of the postseason tournament.

The luncheon is open to the public, with a special NIC Booster Club luncheon menu. A special video tribute will be shown as well. The luncheon will be held at the Shore Room, by the Dockside Restaurant at the CDA Resort.

Information: NIC athletic department, (208) 769-3348; or Patty Stewart, mpstewart@nic.edu

Press spring sports preview

slated for Thursday’s paper

Teams still aren’t close to getting outside for competitions, but that won’t stop The Press from publishing its spring sports preview on Thursday.

Look for information on local high school baseball, softball, track and field, golf and tennis teams, as well as North Idaho College’s softball and golf teams.

A multiple state champion graces the cover.

WSU spring football

practice starts Thursday

PULLMAN — The Washington State football team will begin its spring practice schedule Thursday, the first of 15 practice dates that conclude April 23.

The annual Crimson and Gray Game will be April 20 at Martin Stadium at 1 p.m. The game will be televised by the Pac-12 Networks.

This spring marks the eighth under head coach Mike Leach as the Cougars return 46 lettermen from last season’s Alamo Bowl-winning team — 21 on offense, 22 on the defense and three on special teams.

Offensively, the Cougars return seven starters from 2018, including four on the offensive line. For the sixth time in seven years under Leach, the Cougars led the Pac-12 in passing offense at 380.0 ypg in 2017, which also led the nation. WSU also led the nation in receptions with 478.

Another strength of the offense will be the returning depth at wide receiver, where nine of the 13 receivers who caught a pass last year return. That group combined for 323 receptions, 3,590 yards and 28 touchdowns in 2018. Running back Max Borghi, who posted 705 all-purpose yards and 11 touchdowns in his freshman campaign, will lead a running back unit that saw James Williams leave early for the NFL Draft. At quarterback, the Cougars will have a host of arms competing for time, led by seniors Anthony Gordon and Trey Tinsley, graduate transfer Gage Gubrud, sophomore John Bledsoe and freshmen Cammon Cooper and Gunner Cruz.

Defensively, the Cougars look to replace five starters from last year’s squad, including linebacker and defensive leader Peyton Pelluer, who led the team in tackles with 87. Last season under first-year defensive coordinator Tracy Claeys, the Cougars held opponents to 23.1 ppg, fourth in the Pac-12 and 39th nationally. The WSU defense also ranked in the top 50 nationally and top 5 in the Pac-12 in rushing, passing and total defense, and tied for the Pac-12 lead in sacks with 35.

Senior safety Jalen Thompson, a two-time All-Pac-12 honoree, and redshirt junior linebacker Jahad Woods return to lead the Cougar defense.

The Cougars will practice Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at Martin Stadium and Rogers Field.