The Front Row with JASON ELLIOTT Jan. 26, 2013

Games like Thursday's Scenic West Athletic Conference men's basketball game can either make or break you.

For both the North Idaho College and Snow College teams, it's early enough in the season that they'll see each other again in a few weeks.

But for a few players, it could have been the break they've been waiting for.

NOT ONLY was the crowd treated to an overtime thriller, won by the Cardinals 82-77 against the Badgers, but a few coaches from the Division I level got a chance to see some players that will be looking for new schools soon.

Coaches from Washington, Eastern Washington, Boise State and Stephen F. Austin were in town for the game, whether it be to scout a player or watch someone they've already signed.

For NIC men's basketball coach Jared Phay, having the Division I coaches at the games can affect some players, depending on the situation.

"I think it all depends on the kid," Phay said. "Some are able to block it out, some use it as motivation and probably play harder. Some play terrible because all they are thinking about is the coach in the stands and they forget about the team and doing their immediate job."

For a player like James Webb, who signed with Boise State in November, all he did was play his game, which included a steal and tying slam dunk in the final 11 seconds, and scoring 12 points in 32 minutes.

Coaches from BSU watched Webb play when NIC won at Treasure Valley on Nov. 16.

"I always tell our guys that the players that are thinking about next year are not doing their current job," Phay said. "And therefore, not playing as well and the coach that is there to see them won't want them."

Point guard Chris Sarbaugh - who transferred from Gonzaga last summer - was seen talking to the head coach of Eastern Washington after a nine-point, four-rebound game against Snow.

BOTH PHAY and NIC women’s coach Chris Carlson had worried Thursday about their teams looking ahead to what awaits them later today — a rematch with the Salt Lake Bruins.

Earlier this month, both NIC teams lost in Salt Lake City to the Bruins for their only conference losses of the season. In the women’s game, Salt Lake outlasted NIC 55-49 and the Bruin men edged the Cardinals 75-74.

“We’ve got (Friday) to get ready for Salt Lake,” Carlson said. “I know the girls are excited to have them here. You really don’t want to look ahead, but it’s human nature. They gave us our loss down there and I know the girls are excited.”

Tipoff of today’s women’s game is scheduled for 3 p.m., followed by the men’s game at 5.

Jason Elliott is a sports writer for the Coeur d’Alene Press. He can be reached by telephone at 664-8176, Ext. 2020 or via email at jelliott@cdapress.com.