Northwest Notes

North Idaho to face

in-state rival Saturday

The North Idaho College volleyball team, ranked 15th in this week's NJCAA poll, will only have one Scenic West Athletic Conference match this week, but it is a big one.

NIC (10-6, 3-1 SWAC) will travel to Twin Falls on Saturday at 1 p.m. to face defending national champion Southern Idaho (15-6, 3-1), ranked seventh in this week's poll.

Both teams beat 16th ranked Snow (12-7, 0-3) and lost to Salt Lake (15-5, 3-0) - which climbed to sixth this week - in home matches last week.

A link to live stats from the match is available at athletics.csi.edu.

Fitchett takes over helm

of Sandpoint baseball

New Sandpoint head baseball coach Scott Fitchett has one important thing in mind when he takes over the program this spring - W.I.N.

Fitchett, 27, was named the new baseball coach, succeeding Chris Young, who stepped down last year after four seasons. Fitchett, who currently teaches social studies at Sandpoint High, played baseball for the Bulldogs, graduating in 2003.

Fitchett played under Al Beard, Tom Miles and Derek Dickinson while at Sandpoint, and eventually played in college at what is now Corbin University in Salem, Oregon. With deep ties to Sandpoint, it was an easy decision to take over the program he once played for.

Palacio joins staff

of Idaho men's hoops

MOSCOW - After wrapping up a 14-year professional playing career, including eight NBA seasons, Milt Palacio has joined the Idaho men's basketball coaching staff as Director of Player Development.

Palacio, who began his professional career with the Vancouver Grizzlies in 1999 and played in the NBA until 2006, spent the previous six seasons playing in Europe.

The former point guard is reunited with Idaho coach Don Verlin, who was an assistant at Colorado State during part of Palacio's collegiate career with the Rams.

Palacio's duties will include helping with academics and mentoring Idaho's players off the court, while also assisting Verlin with breaking down film and game preparation.

"He'll do a number of things, but probably most importantly is mentoring our young guys," Verlin said. "Because it's a non-coaching position, his impact will be more off the court. Teaching kids first and foremost about taking care of academics, and helping guys with the finer points of the game of basketball from a mental standpoint."