Northwest Notes February 21, 2012
Shock continue to fine tune roster
SPOKANE - The Spokane Shock announced that LB Freddie Harris, WR Chaz Rodriguez, WR Cortez Smith and Chad Peppars have been added to the 2012 roster. In other roster moves, OL Collin Cardell and DB Jose Perez have been placed on re-assignment while WR Joe Hills and BJ Dennard have been placed on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list.
Harris, 6-2 230, was in camp with the NFL's St. Louis Rams in 2010 after his collegiate career at the University of Central Oklahoma. At UCO, Harris played in 31 games and recorded 135 tackles - including 24.5 for loss - and racked up 15.5 sacks.
Rodriguez, 6-2 185, spent his collegiate career at the University of Houston. As a Cougar, Rodriguez played in 37 games and collected 84 receptions for 975 yards with five touchdowns. This will be his first-year in the AFL.
As a Boilermaker, Smith played in 24 games and hauled in 50 receptions for 611 yards with six touchdowns at Purdue. Prior to transferring to Purdue, Smith collected 32 receptions for 536 yards with five touchdowns at Kilgore College.
Peppars will also enter his first season in the AFL. Prior to his professional career, Peppars played at the University of Oregon where he collected 16 tackles and five passes defended in 25 games.
"We added some players who have a lot of upside," General Manager Ryan Rigmaiden explained. "They are young and they are hungry. When you combine that with their football skills, it can make for a good Arena Football player."
Spokane opens the 2012 season on March 12th with the Iowa Barnstormers at the Spokane Arena. In honor of Opening Night, fans will be offered sodas, hot dogs, and popcorn for just a dollar each. Tickets for Opening Night are on sale now and can be purchased by contacting TicketsWest.
WCC recognizes Barone again
DENVER - Kyle Barone's strong play is a big part of Idaho's five-game winning streak and on Monday, he was honored again by the Western Athletic Conference as its Verizon Men's Basketball Player of the Week.
Barone, a junior center from Garden Grove, Calif. (Pacifica HS), led Idaho to a 77-68 win in its BracketBusters game against Portland State at the Cowan Spectrum on Saturday. He led all players with 25 points on 10-of-11 shooting - both of which are career bests - and added eight rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block.
The 10-of-11 field goal percentage is tied as the third-best single-game shooting performance by a Vandal and is the best since Mike Hall equaled the tally in a win over San Jose State on Jan. 24, 2008. It's also the second-best single-game shooting effort in the WAC this year.
In addition to his hot shooting from the field, Barone also went 5-of-5 from the free throw line.
The honor is Barone's second in a row this season and the second of his career.
Postseason births on the line for EWU
CHENEY - The EWU Coaches Show featuring head men's basketball coach Jim Hayford takes place live tonight at 6 p.m. at the Q Sports Bar and Restaurant at Northern Quest Resort & Casino. Hayford will discuss the last trio of regular-season games for the Eagles.
Tonight's special guests are Track & Field Coaches Chris Zeller and Jon Hill as EWU prepares for the Big Sky Conference Indoor Championships this week in Flagstaff, Ariz. The show may be heard on ESPN 700 and www.700espn.com. Fans are invited to attend the show live and food service is available. Remaining live shows take place at the Q on 2/20, 2/27, 3/5.