Northwest Notes July 20, 2012

| July 20, 2012 9:00 PM

ASA regional softball tourney starts today at Ramsey Park

COEUR d'ALENE - Softball teams from three states will hit the field at Ramsey Park starting today for a girls 16-and under "A" regional tournament and a berth in a national tournament next year.

The Northwest Wildfire of Hayden is the lone area team competing in the 12-team, double-elimination tournament, with the winner advancing to the Hall of Fame tournament in Oklahoma City next June.

The Wildfire will play at 5:30 p.m. vs. the winner between the Tigard (Ore.) Blast and Capital Lady Outlaws of Olympia, Wash., who play at 3:30.

Other opening-round games today at 3:30 are: Ellensburg (Wash.) Synergy vs. Portland Cardinals, Washington Force (Othello) vs. Washington Synergy (Enumclaw) and Canes Fastpitch (Ellensburg) vs. Newberg (Ore.) Nitro.

The Washington Angels of the Tri-Cities, Intensity Fastpitch of Ridgefield, Wash., and the Acers Orange of Auburn, Wash., will play their opening games in the second round.

Games resume Saturday starting with the consolation round at 8:30 a.m. and continue all day, with the championship game scheduled for 11 a.m. on Sunday.

WSU to face Buffalo in Cougar Hardwood Classic

SEATTLE - The Washington State men's basketball team will face the University of Buffalo in the eighth annual Cougar Hardwood Classic on Dec. 21 at KeyArena.

Last season, Washington State finished runner-up in the College Basketball Invitational, falling just short to tournament champion Pittsburgh and ended the season with 19 wins.

The game will be the first for Buffalo in the state of Washington and the schools haven't faced each other since Dec. 16, 1950, when the Cougars beat the Bulls 70-49.

Washington State is 7-0 all-time in Cougar Hardwood Classic games after beating Pepperdine 67-56 in last season's game.

Tickets for the game will go on sale on Monday, Sept. 17 at all Ticketmaster outlets, including www.ticketmaster.com.

Information: www.cougarsinseattle.com