Northwest Notes April 5, 2022

Stanford, former Central Valley star Lexie Hull declares for WNBA Draft

STANFORD, Calif. — Stanford senior Lexie Hull on Monday announced her decision to enter the 2022 WNBA Draft, the school said.

Hull, who with her twin sister Lacie starred at Central Valley High in Spokane Valley, finishes her time with the Cardinal as one of only 15 players in program history to be named All-Pac-12 three times, while also picking up two All-Defensive Team honors. She is just the second in program history to be named a two-time first-team Academic All-American. She was recently named the winner of the NCAA Elite 90 Award, given to the player at the sport's championship site with the highest GPA, and also became Stanford's third winner all-time of the Senior CLASS Award.

Hull, who helped Stanford win the NCAA title in 2021, wraps her career with 1,402 points, ranking 24th in program history, with 191 career 3-pointers, good for 11th all-time at Stanford. Her 78 steals this season ranked 30th nationally and are the eighth most in a single season in program history. She scored a career-high 36 points vs. Kansas in a second-round NCAA tourney game last month.

"You truly could not ask for someone to do more for a team than Lexie Hull has done," Stanford coach Tara VanDerveer said. "She has been the engine that's made us run, while excelling at such a high level in every facet of her life. With her hard work ethic and drive, Lexie is sure to find success."

Starting every game in which she was available since her sophomore year, Hull helped lead the Cardinal to one national championship, two Final Fours, two Pac-12 regular season championships and three Pac-12 Tournament championships. She was top three on the team in scoring and rebounding each of the last three seasons, leading the squad in rebounds as a sophomore.

Pickleball playing, coaching lessons coming up

COEUR d'ALENE — Pickleball lessons, hosted by the Inland Northwest Pickleball Club, are coming up at Cherry Hill Park, 1718 N. 15th St.

Fee is $30 for a three-week clinic.

Registration will be in person at the recreation department at Coeur d’Alene City Hall.

Beginner-level lessons (for those who have never played) are Mondays on May 9, 16 and 23 from 1 to 3 p.m.; Mondays on Aug. 1, 8 and 15 from 9 to 11 a.m.; or Mondays on Sept. 12, 19 and 26 from 1 to 3 p.m.

Lessons for Level 2.0 to 2.5 (players who have just started) are scheduled for Tuesdays on May 10, 17 and 24 from 1 to 3 p.m.; Mondays on Aug. 1 ,8 and 15 from 9 to 11 a.m.; and Tuesdays on Sept. 13, 20 and 27 from 1 to 3 p.m.

Lessons for Level 2.5 to 3.0 (players who know basic rules and developing dinking and drop shot skills) are slated for Wednesdays on May 11, 18 and 25 from 1 to 3 p.m.; Thursdays on Aug. 4, 11 and 18 from 9 to 11 a.m.; and Wednesdays on Sept. 14, 21 and 28 from 1 to 3 p.m.

Lessons for Level 3.0 to 3.5 (players attempting to consistently dink and executing drop shots from transition area) are set for Thursdays on May 12, 19 and 26 from 1 to 3 p.m.; Saturdays on Aug. 6, 13 and 20 from 9 to 11 a.m. and Thursdays on Sept. 15, 22 and 29 from 1 to 3 p.m.

Players are asked to bring a paddle, water bottle and court shoes. INWPC provides lesson plans, balls, nets, and coaching. Paddles are available upon request during lessons.

Info: inwpc.com/coaching

Rockies assign 30 players to Indians; season opener Friday

The Colorado Rockies assigned 30 players to Spokane on Monday for the start of the 2022 Northwest League season, which opens Friday at Avista Stadium at 6:30 p.m. against the Vancouver Canadians.

Spokane’s roster includes 10 returning players from 2021, a pair of highly-touted prospects, and five of Colorado’s top 30 minor league players.

The roster is highlighted by Rockies top prospect Zac Veen, who was the ninth overall selection in the 2020 MLB First-Year Draft out of Spruce Creek High in Port Orange, Fla. The 20-year-old hit .301 with 15 home runs and 36 stolen bases in 106 games with the Fresno Grizzlies last season and was named Colorado’s MiLB Player of the Year. Veen is considered among the game’s elite outfield prospects, with ESPN (No. 20), Baseball America (22), Keith Law of The Athletic (23), Baseball Prospectus (25) and MLB Pipeline (36) all ranking him among their top 50 prospects.

Joining Veen in Spokane will be Fresno teammate and Rockies No. 2 overall prospect Drew Romo. The switch-hitting catcher was drafted 35th overall by Colorado in 2020 out of The Woodlands High in Woodlands, Texas, and hit .314 with 17 doubles and 23 stolen bases in his debut season last year. The 20-year-old is listed among the game’s top 100 prospects by ESPN (No. 85) and Keith Law of The Athletic (97).

Fellow top 30 Colorado prospects on the roster include southpaw Joe Rock (No. 15), first baseman Grant Lavigne (22), and infielder Julio Carreras (25).

Along with Lavigne, other returning players from 2021 include pitchers Jared Biddy, Fineas Del Bonta-Smith, Will Ethridge, Boby Johnson and Shelby Lackey, while returning hitters include Eddy Diaz, AJ Lewis, Cristopher Navarro, and Daniel Montano.

A Fan Fest is scheduled for Wednesday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Avista Stadium. This free community event includes a Home Run Derby, concessions available for purchase, a chance to shop the team store, plus a player poster giveaway.

Ulrich named EWU defensive line coach

CHENEY — Eastern Washington University football coach Aaron Best announced the addition of Matt Ulrich to his staff Monday as defensive line coach, taking over for Jeff Copp, who is now EWU's defensive coordinator.

Ulrich comes to Cheney after completing his co-defensive coordinator duties at his alma mater, Winona State University. He has had previous stops at Notre Dame College and UC Davis.

Ulrich has served as the co-defensive coordinator at Winona State University since January of 2018 before joining the Eagles.

During his playing days at Winona State, he twice earned first team All-NSIC honors, was a two-time Defensive Lineman of the Year, and was the conference's preseason Defensive Player of the Year in 2010. He participated in the Minnesota Vikings' Rookie Camp in 2012.

The Eagles start spring practices today. Eastern will practice 15 times throughout the month of April, capped by the Red-White game on Saturday, April 30.