LOCAL NOTES: Priest River alum Holbrook announced as NWAC East Region Coach of the Year

ONTARIO, Ore. — The Northwest Athletic Conference announced Monday that Eric Holbrook, a 2011 graduate of Priest River High, was named the conference's East Region Coach of the Year after another stellar season with the Chukars of Treasure Valley Community College.

The awards were voted upon by each of the region's coaches.

Holbrook, in his second season as head coach, has so far led his squad to 13-1 record in conference play, with a 16-9 record overall. The Chukars, led by Jeremiah Williams (East Region Player of the Year), Alain Nziza (Second Team honoree), Eddie Rodriguez (Second Team honoree), and Jouk Mayan (All-Defensive Team honoree), have won 13 of their last 14 contests by an average of 13.2 points per game. The wins have come against teams such as Columbia Basin, Big Bend, Walla Walla, Yakima Valley, Blue Mountain, Wenatchee Valley and Spokane. Most recently, the Chukars clinched the regional title for the third time in program history with a 92-83 win over Blue Mountain of Pendleton, Ore. on Feb. 25. Treasure Valley's roster includes former Bonners Ferry High standouts Thomas Bateman and Brody Rice, both freshman who are frequently reported on in the Daily Bee's College Notebook column.

Up next, Holbrook will look to keep things rolling at the 2026 NWAC Men's Basketball Championship, which begins today with 16 teams headed to Columbia Basin College in Pasco, Wash. Treasure Valley (16-9), No. 1 in the East Region, will take on Peninsula (7-22), No. 4 in the North Region, at 2 p.m. at Holden Court. The championship game is set for March 15, with one team raising the trophy after the single-elimination tournament is all said and done.