NIC ROUNDUP: Cardinals get inside, roll in Arizona opener

THATCHER, Ariz. — Even inside surrounded by warmer temperatures, taking it inside had its benefits for North Idaho College on Thursday afternoon. 

Ajayi Simmons, a sophomore forward from Garfield High in Seattle, had a season-high 25 points and nine rebounds for the Cardinals (5-1), who beat the Central Arizona Vaqueros of Coolidge, Ariz., 85-71 in the opening game of the Eastern Arizona Gila Monster Shootout. 

Simmons had three of NIC’s 13 offensive rebounds, while the Cardinals limited Central Arizona to four. 

“Ajayi played really well,” NIC coach Corey Symons said. “Of his nine rebounds, the three on offense were all putbacks. He’s really starting to feel like he’s getting into the swing of things.” 

NIC shot 4 of 10 from the 3-point line, but finished 35 of 67. Central Arizona shot 10 of 27 in the first half and 24 of 60 for the game. 

“We did a really good job of mixing some things up in the first half,” Symons said. “We kept them confused defensively and did a really good job of eliminating the second shots.” 

Central Arizona is 2-3. 

NIC faces tournament host Eastern Arizona tonight at 6:30 PST.

NORTH IDAHO 

Ne’quan Brown 7-14 2-8 17, Nyale Robinson 2-6 3-3 7, Ajayi Simmons 11-13 2-4 25, Austin Ouko 3-8 3-4 10, Jacori Ervin 4-8 0-2 8, Ace Arnold 0-1 1-2 1, Cason Miller 1-1 0-0 3, Sawyr Hansen 0-0 0-0 0, Gage Ontiveros 3-4 0-0 6, Justin Haseley 2-8 0-2 4, Aly Toure 2-4 0-0 4. Totals 35-67 11-25 85. 

CENTRAL ARIZONA 

Luke Leatherwood 1-8 1-3 4, Tayshaun Jackson 3-8 –3 9, Shawn Spencer 3-6 4-5 11, Brayden Gant 6-13 3-4 17, Reuben Booth 0-1 0-0 0, Deng Deng 3-10 0-0 9, Majak Deng 0-0 0-0 0, Nathan Wanjohi 3-7 2-4 9, Ja’Kwan Jordan 5-6 2-2 12, Longar Alor 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 24-60 15-21 71. 

Halftime — NIC 39-30. 3-point goals — NIC 4-10 (Brown 1-2, Robinson 0-1, Simmons 1-2, Ouko 1-2, Arnold 0-1, Miller 1-1, Haseley 0-1), CAC 8-26 (Leatherwood 1-6, Jackson 0-3, Spencer 1-2, Gant 2-3, Booth 0-1, D. Deng 3-9, Wanjohi 1-2). Rebounds — NIC 41 (Ervin 10), CAC 24 (Gant 9). Assists — NIC 17 (Brown, Robinson 4), CAC 15 (Spencer 5). Team fouls — NIC 19, CAC 19. Fouled out — none. Technical fouls — North Idaho College. 

NIC's Ferrin named to  

All-Region 18 volleyball team 

North Idaho College sophomore Allie Ferrin was named to the All-Region 18 volleyball first team, the school announced. 

Ferrin, a 5-foot-10 outside hitter from University High in Spokane, led the conference in kills with 334. 

The full list can be found at www.scenicwestsports.com.