Northwest Notes April 13, 2012
Spangler granted release from Gonzaga men's hoop program
Gonzaga freshman Ryan Spangler has been granted his release from the men's basketball team, coach Mark Few announced.
"Ryan indicated a desire to get back closer to home to further his career," Few said. "He did a great job both on and off the court and was an excellent teammate. He gave us a lot of solid minutes this past season."
Spangler, a 6-foot-8, 232-pound forward from Blanchard, Okla., appeared in 22 games off the bench this past season, averaging 6.6 minutes per game.
Spangler said the decision was a tough one to make and was something he has been contemplating for some time.
"I've made a lot of great friends this year at Gonzaga and love it here. But I want to see my family more, and I want my family to see me play more," he said. "I've been thinking about it for the last month or two. It was tough, but I'm doing the right thing," Spangler said.
Vogt signs letter of intent to play volleyball at Montana
North Idaho College sophomore Janele Vogt, a 6-foot middle blocker, has signed a letter of intent to play volleyball at the University of Montana, the school announced.
"What attracted me to Montana is the amazing school pride and spirit and the commitment to athletic excellence," Vogt said. "When I had a chance to spend time with the coaches and the girls on the team, I knew that I would be able to play my heart out for them. I am very excited for the opportunity to put on a Griz uniform and get down to business."
Vogt, a native of Spokane and a 2010 graduate of Lewis and Clark High, completed her second season with the Cardinals last fall and played for two coaches with ties to the Montana program.
NIC went 29-8 in Vogt's freshman season and advanced to the NJCAA tournament with then coach Colleen Frohlich, a former Grizzly assistant under Dick Scott and the team's interim coach for the second half of the 1999 season. NIC finished 25-10 last season under first-year coach Kandice Kelly, who was an assistant at Montana from 2007 to 2009.
"I cannot speak highly enough of Janele," Kelly said. "She is a coach's dream and a natural leader, and those are traits that are hard to come by. She believes in team chemistry and knows how far it can take a team. "She is going to be missed by me, her teammates and our fans, but having been involved in Montana's program, I know she is going to be a perfect fit with the Grizzlies and loved by her new teammates. She is an amazing player and an even better person."
Vogt averaged 2.54 kills on .327 hitting and 0.55 blocks per set as a sophomore and earned first-team All-Region 18 honors.
Vandals add scorer to basketball team
MOSCOW - The Idaho men's basketball team got a scoring boost with the signing of junior guard Antwan Scott to a national letter of intent on the first day of the spring signing period, coach Don Verlin announced.
Scott (6-foot-1, 170 pounds), from Wylie, Texas, joins the Vandals after two seasons at NJCAA Ranger College and a prep career in the Dallas/Forth Worth Metroplex area.
He averaged 15.9 points per game on 43.7 shooting and led the league with 69 3-pointers on 37.3 percent shooting from beyond the 3-point line. He led Ranger College to a 20-10 overall record and the school's first conference crown in 40 years.
"Antwan is a winner who has proven he can be productive at every level he has played," Idaho coach Don Verlin said. "He can play multiple positions in the backcourt and he shoots the ball very well."
Idaho announces fourth class for athletics Hall of Fame
Former Idaho Vandals of legendary status will be honored this fall during the fourth Vandal Athletics Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Sept. 21.
The 2012 class includes:
Longtime supporter Jim Anderson in the lifetime contributions category; baseball and football standout Dick Mooney, who is also recognized for lifetime contributions; tennis standouts Patty Shanander and Cathy Shanander-Law; basketball standout Riley Smith and the 1966 baseball team.
In the legacy category, track and field star Vic Dyrgall will be honored, along with composer Morey O'Donnell, who wrote the Idaho fight song "Go Vandals Go." Track and field star Pat Perrine and boxing coach Frank Young round out the legacy honorees.
The Hall of Fame football game will be the following day against Wyoming.
Robb Akey golf tourney set for next Saturday
MOSCOW - Idaho head football coach Robb Akey and the rest of the staff will compete in the sixth annual Robb Akey Vandal Golf Tournament and VSF Dinner Auction, presented by the Latah County Vandal Boosters on Saturday, April 21 at the University of Idaho Golf Course.
Cost is $175, with $25 off with registration before Sunday.
The four person scramble will start with a shotgun start at 10 a.m.
A social and silent auction begins at 5:30 p.m. with dinner at 6:30 at the University Inn Best Western.
Information: (208) 885-0200 or email [email protected].
Dorsey signs with EWU hoops, reunites with JUCO teammate
Ivan Dorsey, a former teammate of current Eastern Washington Eagle Collin Chiverton, has signed a letter of intent to attend the school and play for the Eagles in the 2012-13 season, coach Jim Hayford announced.
Dorsey (6-foot, 180 pounds), a City College of San Francisco all-state guard, averaged 12.9 points per game in leading the Rams to a 27-3 record in the 2011-12 season. As a freshman, Dorsey and Chiverton helped San Francisco to the California Community Colleges Athletic Association title and 32-1 finish.
"We need winning players, great shooters and quickness," Hayford said. "Ivan brings all three on the court. Off the court he is a solid person and dedicated student. I look forward to coaching Ivan the next two years."