West Coast bias
Back with a notebook from today's media day at Gonzaga. It contains the WCC's impressive start, GU's improving zone defense, the players' Thanksgiving Day in Maui and a short note on Bol Kong. Read on for the unedited version.
MONDAY, NOV. 30, 2009
Here's the initial classification breakdown
The preliminary WIAA classifications are out and based upon current numbers 4 Greater Spokane League teams will be 4A - Lewis and Clark, Central Valley, Ferris and Rogers -, 6 3A and Gonzaga Prep 2A. In the CBBN, 8 teams are 4A and 7 are…
Idaho a lock for H-Bowl?
WAC commissioner Karl Benson this morning detailed possibilities for bowl-eligible teams in the WAC, and it appears Idaho is a near-lock to go to the Humanitarian Bowl on Dec. 30 in Boise. If Hawaii loses to Wisconsin, Fresno State and Nevada will either go to…
Gonzaga 17th in AP poll
Gonzaga is back in the polls -- 17th in the A.P, 16th in the ESPN/USA Today. WCC rival Portland made the A.P. poll at No. 25. UPDATE: It's the Pilots first time in the rankings in 50 years. Portland was just outside the Top 25…
Chiefs hot in November
Hockey central is back. I'd say it was after a much-needed vacation but the boss might question that with all that was going on over the Thanksgiving weekend. Still, it had to be done for peace at home (not to be confused with peace on…
SUNDAY, NOV. 29, 2009
Here are stories of prep state grid foes
Ferris gets a rematch with last year's semifinal foe and defending state champion Skyline in the 4A title match next week at Gridiron Classic in the Tacoma Dome. Here is another the story of the Spartans 31-26 win over Bothell in the game between the…
Recapping WSU's weekend
COUGARS We have a couple of stories for you, and a couple of notes as well. It's Sunday night, you're probably tired after the long holiday weekend, so let's get right to it. Read on.
Look back at Idaho's loss
Four losses in five games to finish the season definitely leaves a bad taste. That was the universal reaction by the Vandals after their 52-49 loss to Utah State yesterday. But there was plenty more that deserves some attention. We've got lots of links, postgame…
Apple Cup defeat, the day after
COUGARS We have a dozen or so Apple Cup stories. We have a couple stories from the other rivalry games. And we even have two stories from last night's basketball game. So read on for your morning post, post-Apple Cup version.
SATURDAY, NOV. 28, 2009
WSU loses Apple Cup, wins tourney
COUGARS Well, reading the comments it seems like football season has been forgotten and everyone is moving into basketball mode already. Well, not so fast my friends. We still have our Apple Cup game story and notebook to offer. So read on and check back…
Vandal men rock Eastern
Idaho played superbly in stretches in polishing off Eastern Washington 76-54 at Memorial Gym tonight. The Vandals were plagued yet again by turnovers (21 this time) but it didn't matter with Steffan Johnson's lights-out shooting. Click below for my game story that will appear in…
Three for Gridiron Classic
Three out of four teams have made it to the State football championship games.4A - Ferris defeated Skyview in an offensive shootout 46-41, thanks to a huge defensive play when the Storm, trailing 20-14, elected to pass rather than run out the clock at intermission.…
Vandals succumb to Utah State
While watching the Idaho men's basketball team pour it on versus Eastern Washington (it's 59-31 as I write this), I thought I would post my game story of Idaho's 52-49 loss to Utah State. Crazy football game to end UI's regular season. Read on for…
Eagles fall in playoff opener
For the second week in a row, Eastern Washington's defense had no answer to their opponent's passing game. This time, however, the offense failed to make up for that glaring defensive deficiency, and the Eagles saw their season come to end with a 44-33 loss…
UW leads 13-0 at half
COUGARSAre you loose? Think you might be available to play quarterback in the second half? Peter Roberts, are you at the game? Well, the way WSU quarterbacks are falling right and left - Kevin Lopina has left twice and Marshall Lobbestael once - anyone would…
Vandals down 31-21 at half
The Vandals once again got off to a bumbling start this afternoon, falling behind 31-7 to Utah State before rallying to make it 31-21 at the half. Max Komar has caught two touchdown scores to help the Vandals stabilize after USU sliced through the UI…
Last thoughts before WSU-UW
COUGARS I've got a suggestion for future Apple Cups. Instead of holding them at Qwest Field, let's move them to Phoenix, or LA or Honolulu. True fans will show up and we can all be warm. It's a win-win for everybody. This cold crud has…
'Real' playoffs begin for Eagles
The coaches and players at Eastern Washington University like to say the playoffs began -- for them, at least -- back in mid-October when they lost to Montana and saw their record drop to 4-3.Read on.
Last game day in Moscow
The Vandals wrap up the regular season this afternoon at 2 against Utah State, and there's plenty riding on the result for Idaho. Click below for my preview.
It's Apple Cup day
COUGARS Took it easy last night just so I could be up early and have this Apple Cup post waiting for you. You don't know how big a sacrifice it really was. But it is Apple Cup day, a day that comes only once a…
FRIDAY, NOV. 27, 2009
WSU defeats Nicholls State
COUGARS Watched the Cougars win tonight to move into the finals of the Great Alaska Shootout. We put together a short writeup of the game for tomorrow's paper – and this blog. Read on.
Only a few more hours to Apple Cup
COUGARS As I wait for the box score from WSU's 78-69 win over Nicholls State in the Great Alaska Shootout, I guess I can pass along the unedited versions of my Apple Cup game advance and the game-day items. To think, these are the final…
Zags growing up in a hurry
Good morning from sunny Portland. It's exactly the same here as it was in Maui - minus 35 degrees or so. I'm on the final leg of my trip home for a day-after Thanksgiving Day with my family.On the Zag front, last I saw there…
Seniors end career at Idaho
For the Idaho football team, Saturday's game with Utah State is full of implications. And for the Idaho seniors, it means even more. Click below for my story on the seniors.
Your views on the Apple Cup
COUGARS One more day to Apple Cup 2009. It's now your turn to weigh in with thoughts about the outcome. Most people I talk with are resigned to a loss, but how do you feel about? After you check out the morning post, share your…
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