Oct. 29—As the NCAA battles roster churn unseen in Division I, junior colleges across the country are accustomed to turnover.
That forces coaches to quickly implement their culture while force-feeding their program's message to players.
For Spokane men's basketball, that means recruiting the right players who don't need much molding.
"They figure out real quick how we do things and how things are run and set up," head coach Jeremy Groth said. "We set that tone and everyone definitely understands right away what it's all about."
Last season, Spokane missed the NWAC Tournament for the first time in 10 years and for the second time under Groth. The previous time Spokane responded with a Northwest Athletic Conference **** le.

#spokane #time #right #things

Sep. 10—The opening week of the season was rough for the upper divisions of the Greater Spokane League as the 4A and 3A teams went a combined 3-7 in Week 1. Both No. 1 seeds to the postseason in 2025 — Gonzaga Prep and Cheney — suffered multiple-touchdown losses, and Week 2 won't get any easier for them.
But that's the beauty/danger of the league opening up its schedule to nonleague games early in the season. It allows teams with postseason aspirations to play tougher opponents to bulk up their schedules — but it also means the risk of psyche-busting early-season losses.
In the grand scheme of things, nothing that happened last Friday has any impact on which teams might reach the postseason. But no one wants to start the season 0-2, either.
Let's go around the league and take a closer look at the matchups for Week 2.
All games nonleague and Friday at 6 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

#season #postseason #opening #nonleague

Sep. 6—While many people across the state were paying attention to a certain college football game in Seattle, fans of the Spokane Indians had one last chance to see their "boys of summer" play at Avista Stadium on Sunday.
And though the chance at a postseason appearance evaporated a while ago, that didn't damper anyone's enthusiasm on "fan appreciation day" at the ballpark — not the 4,974 in the stands nor the players on the field.
Robert Calaz clubbed two long home runs to continue his torrid late-season hitting prowess and the Indians handled the Everett AquaSox 10-4 in the finale of the 2026 Northwest League regular season.
"(Starting pitcher Yuma) Herrera did a great job on the mound," manager Tom Sutaris said. "We came out swinging the bats. It was a really, really good start. We got good pitching, and it was a fun one."
Calaz, a 20-year-old prospect from Dominican Republic, hit just .208 over the first four months of the season. But in 24 games since Aug. 1, he's hit .333/.414/.663 with eight of his 12 homers this season.

#season #indians #chance #really

The Slipper Still Fits sat down with the former leader of the Gonzaga Bulldogs from 1997-99, the man who helped orchestrate the name of this website through that magical 1999 Elite Eight run.
Dan Monson is now the head coach of the Eastern Washington Eagles. The 2026-27 group in nearby Cheney, Washington, plays a stacked non-conference slate on the road at the Stanford Cardinals, Oregon Ducks, Oregon State Beavers, Utah Utes, UNLV Runnin' Rebels, Loyola Marymount Lions, and Wyoming Cowboys. Plus, a neutral-site game with the Washington State Cougars in the Spokane Arena for the 509 Classic on Dec. 22. It feels like Monson was taking a page right out of Gonzaga's playbook to schedule heavily in the first half of the season.
He spoke about his recent trip to Springfield, Massachusetts, for Mark Few's Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame induction, leaving Spokane, Washington, for the Minnesota Golden Gophers job, the current messy state of the NCAA, and learning from his dad, the late great Don Monson, in the Tri Cities.
Arden Cravalho is a Gonzaga University graduate from the Bay Area… Follow him on X a_cravalho

#gonzaga #oregon #still #fits

Aug. 24—It's crunch time for the Spokane Indians.
Just 12 games remain in the regular season, and if they are going to play meaningful games the last week of the season — at least relative to the standings — they are going to have to make some headway this week.
To do so, they are going to have to get some better pitching. The Indians (25-28) dropped four of six to last-place Hillsboro last week, giving up 54 runs and a whopping 73 hits with 31 walks in 54 innings in the process.
Losing the series to Hillsboro didn't eliminate the Indians from postseason contention — but it won't be an easy challenge.
Entering play Tuesday, they sit five games behind first-place Eugene (30-23), but if the first-half champion Emeralds win the second half, the Indians can qualify for the playoff series by finishing second.

#indians #going #series

With the continuous disaster that the NCAA created and put on itself, some more bad news on the Gonzaga Bulldogs'front.
According to court documents from the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals, all Class of 2022 athletes from the state of Colorado ruling, except for those who have their own temporary restraining order or injunction until further state court order, are now ineligible after the NCAA stay was granted in the Ohio case.
That includes Gonzaga point guard Javon Bennett with the injunction now pending. He can attempt to join an existing state lawsuit or file a separate lawsuit, but there's no guarantee a judge will allow that.
The Zags technically have four open roster spots with all this fifth-year college eligibility nonsense going on in college athletics. They still await the outcome for point guard Nathan De Sousa of France's Cholet Basket and power forward/center Izan Almansa of Spain's Real Madrid.
To make the day even worse, Gonzaga is out of the lead guard Donovan Dent sweepstakes. The UCLA Bruins transfer guard will be joining coach Will Wade and the LSU Tigers, he told On3. After announcing his retirement from basketball in May and then unretiring in July, everyone thought Dent was headed to Spokane, Washington, once Mario Saint-Supery left the program for Spain's Valencia Basket of the EuroLeague.

#gonzaga

Aug. 17—The Inland Northwest Sports Hall of Fame has released its latest class.
Legendary coaches Ken Pelo and Pat Tyson, Gonzaga and Mead High School basketball star Jeff Brown, distance running great Rick Riley and NCAA champion wrestler Jared Lawrence will be honored in an Oct. 21 ceremony at Numerica Veterans Arena, along with Scroll of Honor inductees Bill Stanley and Bob Tobiason.
Tickets for the 4 p.m. event, sponsored by Spokane Sports, can be purchased online at https://ticketswestinw.eve...
Brown was Spokane's first Washington Player of the Year after scoring a record 127 points for Mead in the 1989 State AAA tournament. He was the 1994 Player of the Year at Gonzaga, leading the Bulldogs to their first WCC ****** le and the school's first postseason appearance.
Lawrence went 133-0 in his Sandpoint wrestling career with four state championships and earning the Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award from the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.

#gonzaga

Aug. 16—SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Fifteen years before Gonzaga transformed into an undisputed college basketball power, the small Jesuit university in Spokane made a brief flicker on the national stage with a standout point guard from a high school just down the street.
Gonzaga Prep's John Stockton captured WCAC Player of the Year in 1984, earned all-conference honors in consecutive seasons and was selected 16th overall by the Utah Jazz in the 1984 NBA draft. Chances are you know the rest of the story.
Stockton's Naismith Hall of Fame induction call came in 2009, six years after the NBA's all-time ****** ists leader wrapped up a distinguished, record-setting career with the Utah Jazz and 25 years removed from his final game in a Zag uniform.
But would the point guard ever have company in Springfield, Massachusetts? The odds of another Gonzaga induction always seemed low. Lightning usually doesn't strike twice for a midmajor school in a small-market city like Spokane, but Stockton was always willing to make room if somebody else ever came along.
"It's unbelievable and special. What are the chances?" Stockton said Friday, 24 hours before Gonzaga coach Mark Few officially joined him in the pantheon of college and professional basketball as a newly enshrined Hall of Famer. "You look back 30, maybe 40 years ago and you would've never thought any of this could happen. So it's pretty exciting for all of us."

#years #spokane

Coach Mark Few put the Gonzaga Bulldogs program and the university in Spokane, Washington, on the map. An underdog who built something that was never supposed to happen at a tiny Jesuit institution in the Inland Northwest.
Forget all the wins, championships, and NBA pedigree from its alumni for a second; his presence helped the school's enrollment and finances throughout the last 27 years. Helping grow other educational disciplines, such as mine with the Department of Integrated Media, and others. This situation for both parties was a match made in heaven from the beginning.
Along with Few, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame's Class of 2026 inducted coach Doc Rivers, coach Mike D'Antoni, forward/center Amar'e Stoudemire, forward Chamique Holdsclaw, forward Candace Parker, forward Elena Delle Donne, referee Joey Crawford, and the 1996 U.S. Olympic Women's Basketball Team. The group received their "Naismith Orange" jackets the day before at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut.
In attendance for Few's ceremony were, first and foremost, his family: wife Marcy Laca, sons AJ, Joe, Colt, and daughter Julia. His presenters were Hall of Famer John Stockton, Arkansas Razorbacks coach John Calipari, and Managing Director of USA Basketball Grant Hill.
Arizona Wildcats coach Tommy Lloyd, former Villanova Wildcats coach Jay Wright, sportscaster Neil Everett showed their love for Few. As well as some of his past and current staff members like **** istant coaches Brian Michaelson, RJay Barsh, Zach Norvell, Dan Monson, Bill Grier, Ray Giacoletti, Ricky Fois, and Roger Powell.

#coach

Winning finish: Baylee DeSmit struck an 89th-minute free kick to lift Sporting Club Jacksonville women's soccer to a victorious Gainbridge Super League season opener, defeating host Fort Lauderdale United 1-0 on Aug. 15 at Amerant Bank Field.
Super strike: Sporting Jax (1-0-0), which narrowly outshot the hosts 7-6, received its chance after Fort Lauderdale's Shea Moyer fouled Andrea Fernandez barely outside the penalty area. DeSmit struck the ensuing free kick off the defensive wall and into the net.
Welcome to the club: Former Spokane Zephyr defender Ginger Fontenot made her first Sporting Jax start, playing 67 minutes at right wingback.
Quick free kicks: Sporting Jax newcomers Mya Swinton, Maci Teater and Melina Descary each received their club debuts off the bench in the second half. … Jamie Gerstenberg got the start in goal, recording two saves in the shutout. … Former Ponte Vedra High School defender Maggie Mace played all 90 minutes for Fort Lauderdale.
Up next: Sporting Jax plays its home opener at 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22, against Tampa Bay Sun FC at the University of North Florida's Hodges Stadium.

#sporting #fort #desmit #super

Aug. 10—Eugene starting pitcher Hunter Dryden had a lot of folks out to the game last week at Avista Stadium for his Spokane homecoming. They cheered so loudly when he struck out one of the hometown Indians batters that it drew looks from others in the crowd.
"I didn't get an official tally," the Deer Park High School and Whitworth University alum said. "But I think it ended up being just over 60 people, which is incredible that everybody came in and did that. That was , like , insane for them to all do that, and I'm very appreciative."
After the game, in which Dryden tossed six innings of one-run ball in an eventual 13-1 win for the Emeralds, all his visitors came down onto the field to share the moment with the 24-year-old right-hander.
"I got to give them all hugs and talked to them for a while," he said. "My little cousins wanted autographs. And then there's a few people who had left before the game ended, so I got some texts from them and talked to them and, you know, thanked them for coming."
Dryden is in the midst of his second season of professional baseball in the San Francisco Giants organization. The Giants drafted him in the 17th round of the 2024 MLB draft after his four-year career at Whitworth.

#year

LAS VEGAS – Juliana Miller met the media Saturday after her win over Ravena Oliveira at UFC Fight Night 284.
Miller (5-4 MMA, 3-3 UFC) got the first finish of the card when she submitted Oliveira (7-5-1 MMA, 0-4 UFC) in the second round on the prelims at the Meta APEX in Las Vegas. She also gave an impassioned callout for help in her new home area of Spokane, Wash., which is experiencing devastating wildfires started by a suspected arsonist.
Miller has been training with the team at SikJitsu in Spokane, which has produced the likes of Michael Chiesa, an "Ultimate Fighter" winner like Miller, and Julianna Peña, who also won "TUF" and became a UFC champion. But she said making sure everyone who's helped her to this point needs to be shouted out.
"I came from 10th Planet San Diego and they've worked with me on every ounce of my game. I will always appreciate my roots, San Diego, my home, and my new home, Spokane, Wash.," Miller said at her post-fight news conference. "Training with SikJitsu has been a life changer for me. I've learned so much, from my striking and even to my submission game."
Miller's submission of Oliveira, a rear-naked choke, was significant for lots of reasons. But chief among them, she had a choke lined up earlier this year in Houston, but couldn't finish. Carli Judice went on to take a unanimous decision.

#oliveira

Aug. 9—Simon Rosselli has gone from a state champion to a world champion in less than three months.
And he did so Sunday afternoon in the most dramatic fashion, popping an American national record discus throw of 66.39 meters (217 feet, 9 inches) to win the World Athletics Congress U20 championship at the University of Oregon's Hayward Field in Eugene.
With his gold medal around his neck and an American flag draped over his shoulders, Rosselli answered questions from the media. He was grateful to have won Sunday, but he took a few moments to express how heartbroken he was for friends and family affected by the Spokane Complex fires the past week.
The Rossellis, who live near the Autumn Lane fire off 5 Mile, were evacuated from their home Aug. 2, and they just received confirmation Sunday that their home is still standing and they can return to it when they travel back to Spokane.
"That's heavy," Rosselli said when asked about the fires. "Spokane's gone through a lot but Spokane bands together. That's what they do. We have friends who aren't out of danger yet. It's devastating.

#gone #friends

Aug. 8—PATERSON, N.J. — The Spokane Velocity's USL League One match against the New York Cosmos, which was scheduled for 4 p.m. on Saturday at Hinchliffe Stadium, has been postponed due to travel delays for Spokane, according to USL LeagueOne.com, and will be rescheduled to a date that will be announced at a later time.
This marks the second straight game in which the Velocity's contest has been postponed or delayed. Last week, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Spokane allowed a goal early in the period against the Chattanooga Red Wolves but the game was delayed later in the half and was postponed due to lightning strikes.
League rules dictate that Spokane's rescheduled match against Chattanooga — which has yet to be announced — will be replayed from the opening kickoff.
Led by Shavon John-Brown's five goals, two ******* ists and 19 chances created, fifth-ranked Spokane (10-2-6) boasts a four-game winning streak across all competition including League One and the USL Cup.
The Velocity will now prepare for their first-ever USL Cup knockout stage match at ONE Spokane Stadium at 6 p.m. Wednesday. Spokane hosts sixth-ranked USL Championship club Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC.

#chattanooga #stadium #rescheduled

Aug. 8—Spokane fighter Juliana Miller used a second-round submission to claim her third UFC win, beating Ravena Oliveira via rear-naked choke on Saturday in a UFC Fight Night flyweight bout in Las Vegas.
It was a crucial win for Miller (6-4 MMA, 3-3 UFC), who came into the event with one win in her past four UFC fights. The 2022 Ultimate Fighter winner relied on wrestling and grappling to put Oliveira (7-4-1) on the defensive, and Miller eventually worked her way to her opponent's back after a takedown, locked in a chokehold and forced a submission at the 1:38 mark of Round 2.
"We were fighting for our jobs," Miller said during her post-fight interview. "I just decided, I don't (care) what you do, I'm taking you down and choking your (expletive) out."
Miller also called attention to the Spokane Complex fires during her interview.
"For the millions of you watching at home, please, if there's anything you can do," she said.

#round

A man charged with starting one of the wildfires in Spokane, Washington, that have destroyed hundreds of buildings planned the crime for weeks and researched when the weather would be best for igniting it, police said.
Aaron Farinacci expressed that "fire is powerful, beautiful, and that things that go through fire experience a kind of rebirth," Spokane County Detective Michael Drapeau said in a court filing Wednesday, recalling his interview with him.
Farinacci, 37, is charged with starting the Old Trails Fire, one of three fires in the Spokane area that have burned more than 850 homes and forced the evacuation of tens of thousands of people. He is also charged in connection with two smaller fires ignited in the summer of 2025.
He was scheduled to be arraigned on three first-degree arson charges Thursday, but his lawyer asked for a competency evaluation before he enters a plea. Spokane Superior Court Judge Jeremy Schmidt said he would review that request. He set bond for $2 million, ruling that Farinacci was a risk to community safety, a flight risk and that there was potential for a violent offense.
Defense attorney Colin Charbonneau did not immediately return messages seeking comment.

#three

Aug. 5—LAS VEGAS − Spokane's 22-year-old poker phenom, Lucas Jumalon, is set to go heads-up against Finland's Lauri Saaskilahti starting at 6 p.m. PST for a chance to take home $10 million at the final table of the World Series of Poker's Main Event. The Spokesman-Review is providing live updates from the scene.
Since the only people who are able to see who has what cards are the players, the dealer, and a production team stationed in a trailer outside of the venue, reporting will be focused on the number of chips each respective player has at different points throughout the night. Once pokernews.com posts what hands each player had, the Spokesman-Review will update accordingly.
5 p.m. — Six men in black suits with briefcases in both hands strolled into the Main Event's final table on Wednesday, accompanied by heavily armed guards. Inside the briefcases was $10 million. The money was then dumped in the middle of the poker table and arranged into a pyramid for Saaskilahti and Jumalon to stare at during the game.
5:30 p.m. — Jumalon and his crew have arrived.
6:12 p.m. — Jumalon's support team is chanting the song "We Ready," by Archie Eversole, "Lucas, Lucas, Lucas," while Saaskilahti's supporters are chanting "ole, ole, ole." Jumalon's friends and family are all wearing black shirts, while Saaskilahti's team stand in contrast with all white apparel.

#jumalon #team #spokesman #review

Sydney Sweeney has spoken out over the devastation caused by the wildfires in her hometown of Spokane, Washington.
According to local authorities, the fires have consumed more than 8,000 acres across Spokane County, with three main blazes destroying more than 700 structures. No deaths or injuries have been reported.
Taking to her Instagram Stories on Tuesday, Sydney put a spotlight on the news, emphasising that around 65,000 people have been evacuated from their homes.
"Spokane has always been home to me. It's where I grew up, where my family still lives, and where so many of the people and places that shaped me are," she began. "The devastating fires have changed countless lives in ways that are hard to put into words. Thousands of families have lost their homes, their belongings, and places of business, including members of my own family. This devastation is something our community has never experienced on this scale."
The Euphoria actress went on to note that she is supporting organisations including Innovia Foundation, SpokAnimal, Second Harvest, and Watch Duty amid the emergency. She also shared a link to Baby2Baby, a nonprofit that provides essentials for families and children.
"Unlike larger cities that often receive an overwhelming amount of national attention and resources, Spokane doesn't have the same spotlight," the 28-year-old declared. "If you're looking for ways to help, these are four organizations I'm supporting that are on the ground right now helping this community that needs us."

#homes #family #places

It was another day of Seattle Seahawks training camp in Renton, albeit not in the best of conditions. The terrifying and deadly wildfires in Spokane have impacted and will impact the Seattle area throughout the week. Winds have blown the wildfire smoke in a westerly direction, which has decreased the air quality through thick throughout Western Washington on an otherwise very warm Tuesday. With Wednesday's forecast set to be worse in terms of air quality, there is a chance that practice could be held indoors, but we'll see how it goes. As I type this from my hotel room in Renton, the air quality index (AQI) is a moderate 99, but that's borderline unhealthy.
Our thoughts and condolences go out to everyone affected in the Spokane region.
Here are the news and notes from Day 9 of camp.
The defense barks back
If you've read previous recaps and just watched the season premiere of 'Hard Knocks', you would think the Seahawks offense was making the Seahawks defense look like it was 2023 all over again. And while there's perhaps a kernel of truth there given Mike Macdonald's palpable dissatisfaction with the defensive performances in practice (including the first padded one), the NFL's best defense was not going to just roll over.

#defense #spokane #best

Aug. 3—The 2026 Northwest League second half is becoming the **** le no one wants to win. But currently, the Spokane Indians sit in the driver's seat.
Even though the Indians merely split with fourth-place Vancouver last week, and are 4-6 over their past 10 games, they return to Avista Stadium this week in first place with a 20-16 record.
The upcoming series against second-place Eugene could set the tone for the stretch run.
Next up: The Indians host a six-game set against the Emeralds (19-17).
The Emeralds were the first-half champs. They feature Deer Park native RHP Hunter Dryden and San Francisco Giants No. 3 prospect OF Jhonny Level. The 19-year-old is hitting .299 with 15 homers, 70 RBIs and 17 stolen bases this season.

#place #second #half #northwest

(NewsNation) — Wildfires in eastern Washington state have forced tens of thousands from their homes and scorched more than 250,000 acres.
Firefighters in the Spokane area continue to battle the blaze, which has destroyed at least 600 structures so far. Damage ****** sment crews are working to collect more specific information on the destruction caused by the fires.
Eastern Washington wildfire forces evacuations and destroys homes
Cooler temperatures and higher humidity on Sunday allowed firefighters to make significant gains on the Old Trails and Fairview fires, with the Autumn Lane fire remaining active. Suppression efforts are continuing, authorities said Monday.
A temporary flight restriction has been put in place over the fires, with 26 reported drone incursions in the fire. Authorities warned that such incursions can impact firefighting efforts, with the potential to shut down aerial fire suppression for safety reasons.

#FIRE #efforts #incursions

As crews battle fast-moving wildfires that have destroyed hundreds of structures and forced thousands to evacuate in the Spokane area, one wildfire survivor is urging Americans to prepare before disaster strikes.
Former Los Angeles mayoral candidate and reality personality Spencer Pratt, whose Pacific Palisades home was destroyed in the 2025 Palisades Fire, said the devastation unfolding in Spokane is a warning for communities across the country.
"My deepest sympathies to the folks in Spokane who just lost everything in an instant," Pratt wrote in a lengthy social media post Sunday. "Nothing can really prepare you for this devastation."
Pratt, who has been outspoken about the emotional and financial toll of losing his own home, warned that communities across the country should not ****** ume they are immune from similar disasters.
Palisades Fire Suspect Allegedly Driven By 'Societal Revenge,' Behavioral ****** yst Testifies In Court

#palisades #destroyed #devastation

Aug. 2—VANCOUVER, B.C. — The Spokane Indians entered Sunday's series finale against the Vancouver Canadians on a roll, winners of three straight to retake first place in the Northwest League.
The good times did not last.
Each of the Canadians' nine hitters in the batting order drove in at least one run and the Indians fell 14-0 at Nat Bailey Stadium.
The Indians (20-16) stayed in first place by a half-game pending Eugene's late result. The fourth-place Canadians improved to 18-18.
Jack Casey, Alexis Hernandez and Ryan Sprock hit home runs. Sprock had three hits, five Canadians had two or more hits, and Tucker Toman drew four of the team's eight walks. Leading by a wide margin already, the C's batted around in the eighth inning and scored eight runs to blow it wide open.

#three #hits

Major League Baseball's trade deadline is just a few days away. On Monday, August 3rd at 4:00 PM MT, the Colorado Rockies will hopefully have had one of their most active deadlines in recent memory.
With a new front office helmed by president of baseball operations Paul DePodesta and general manager Josh Byrnes, it has been indicated that the Rockies are open for business. Many players–especially veterans and those on expiring contracts–have been designated as available and are even reportedly drawing interest from teams throughout the league.
The Rockies made their first trade last week to signal the start of the trade season. Right-handed reliever Seth Halvorsen was sent in a surprising and rare trade to the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for two prospects. Last season, the Rockies similarly made their first big move before the deadline. However, under former general manager Bill Schmidt they ended up making just three total trades. Let's take a look back at those trades and see where the bar sits for this season's deadline.
In the week preceding last year's deadline, the Rockies signaled change might be coming when they dealt long-time third baseman and face of the franchise Ryan McMahon to the New York Yankees in exchange for pitching prospects Josh Grosz and Griffin Herring.
Grosz showed off his strikeout stuff in High-A Spokane to finish the 2025 season with 41 strikeouts in 38.1 innings. However, he struggled with his command and ended the season with a 5.87 ERA. The Rockies' new front office then traded Grosz this off-season to the Arizona Diamondbacks for outfielder Jake McCarthy. McCarthy has in turn become one of the Rockies' most valuable contributors and is now potentially on the market t be traded again within the next few days.

#Rockies #season #josh #league

Jul. 30—Gonzaga's home opener against New Mexico State doesn't project to be one of the most compelling games on the team's nonconference calendar, but it just became significantly more important.
The Zags are set to host one of the top guard prospects in the recruiting class of 2027, Bremerton High's Jalen Davis, when they welcome the Aggies for the Nov. 7 game at McCarthey Athletic Center.
A 6-foot-3, 165-pound combo guard, Davis is taking four other official visits before closing his recruiting tour with a stop in Spokane, according to Brandon Jenkins of 247Sports.com.
Davis doesn't have dates scheduled for visits to Stanford and Ole Miss, but plans to see both schools in September, according to 247Sports. The top-rated prospect in Washington then will visit Iowa on Oct. 3 and UCLA on Oct. 16 before making the cross-state trip to Gonzaga for his only visit in November. Davis has already taken one official visit, making the short drive to Seattle to tour Washington's campus during a home football weekend.
Each of the three major recruiting services — On3/Rivals, 247Sports and ESPN — consider Davis the top-rated prospect in Washington and one of the nation's top five combo guards. According to 247Sports, he's the third-rated combo guard in the class of 2027 and the 16th-rated player in the country.

#according #guard #combo

Jul. 30—When 90+ Project Director of Programming and Coach Aaron Lewis asked the players at Thrive International's youth summer soccer camp how many of them weren't born in the United States, dozens of hands shot up.
Sitting in the grass at Franklin Park, those same players watched as four out of the five Spokane Velocity players who were visiting camp Thursday raised their hands, too.
"You're my GOAT," 9-year-old Mel Akon later told Velocity left-backer Moses Mensah while the kids collected autographs on soccer ****** , cleats and posters. "One day I'm gonna look like you and be like you."
"I want to see that," Mensah, originally from Ghana, answered without hesitation.
The annual youth soccer camp is run through a partnership with refugee resettlement organization Thrive International and sports-based youth development organization 90+ Project. This year, close to 200 kids, including kindergartners to 12th graders, from more than a dozen nationalities, arrived at Franklin Park to play soccer.

#Soccer #players #Youth

Back-to-back opportunities for The Slipper Still Fits to talk with some legendary point guards who have come through the Gonzaga Bulldogs program. Nigel Williams-Goss was the leader of the 2016-17 group that made its first school appearance in the national championship game.
Williams-Goss, currently playing with Zalgiris Kaunas in Kaunas, Lithuania, discussed the similarities found between college basketball and the EuroLeague, the reasoning behind transferring away from the Washington Huskies, giving back to the Inland Northwest community, and much more.
He will be hosting two youth basketball camps on August 2nd at the Spokane Club in Spokane, Washington, and August 3rd through 5th at the Hub Sports Center in Liberty Lake, Washington.
Arden Cravalho is a Gonzaga University graduate from the Bay Area… Follow him on X a_cravalho

#williams #cravalho

Jul. 14—Lucas Jumalon, the 22-year-old ace from Spokane, slid into the final table of the World Series of Poker on Monday night.
Jumalon entered Day 8 of the tournament with 40,800,000 chips, according to pokernews.com. He ended the night with a stunning 194 million chips.
His next closest competitor has 79 million chips, said Paul Burke, a spokesperson for the World Series of Poker.
On Day 8 , Jumalon won a single pot worth more than 50 million chips. Jumalon, who had a pair of jacks, bet big against Aussie Millions Main Event champion Malcom Trayner's pocket queens. The flop had a four, an ace and the jack Jumalon needed for a three-of-a-kind. With the river, came another four which gave Jumalon a full-house to easily beat Trayner's two queens.
Jumalon didn't stop there. He kept plundering chips until he eliminated Trayner. With Trayner out, Jumalon's pile of 194 million chips leaves him in an enviable position ahead of his debut at the Final Table.

Congratulations to the two-time West Coast Conference Player of the Year, redshirt senior third baseman Mikey Bell, who was picked by the San Francisco Giants with the No. 568 pick in the 19th round of the 2026 MLB Draft.
The former Gonzaga Bulldog previously announced that he's transferring to the Georgia Bulldogs in the SEC. As long as he doesn't sign the contract with San Francisco, Bell can play his final season of college eligibility.
The 6-2, 200-pound slugger hit .369 with 24 doubles, 20 home runs, 92 runs batted in, and 51 walks during his time in Spokane, Washington. Bell finished with a .448 on-base percentage, .610 slugging percentage, and 1.057 on-base plus slugging percentage across 107 games.
The Fresno, California, native started his college career on the junior college level at Cuesta College in San Luis Obispo, California. The Slipper Still Fits spoke with the 22-year-old before the start of the 2026 season, and what a treat it was.
Arden Cravalho is a Gonzaga University graduate from the Bay Area… Follow him on X a_cravalho

Jul. 12—EUGENE — Eugene's Lisbel Diaz hit two two-run home runs and the Spokane Indians lost to the Emeralds 9-5 in the finale of a six-game High-A Northwest League series at PK Park on Sunday.
Diaz finished 2-for-4 with four RBIs. The Indians (14-7) were led by Jacob Hinderleider, who had two hits, including a home run, and three RBIs.
Indians outfielder Tommy Hopfe hit the first pitch of the game for a solo home r, his 11th of the season.
Eugene (10-11) pounced on Indians starter Jordy Vargas in the bottom half. Diaz hit a two-out, two-run blast — his third of the week and 13th of the season. Zander Darby followed with a double and Jakob Christian knocked him in with a line -drive single to make it 3-1.
Diaz went deep again in the third, another two-run shot, for his second career two-home -run game in High-A.