Northwest Notes: Thursday, August 14

Arena Football League names defensive teams

CHICAGO - A total of 18 players earned 2014 First and Second Tam All-Arena Defense honors, the league office announced.

Headlining the first team at defensive end were James Ruffin, who led the league with 14 sacks as a member of the Spokane Shock, and Ted Jennings, who collected 11 sacks of his own with the Philadelphia Soul. San Jose SaberCats nose guard Jason Stewart earned First Team recognition as well with 12.5 sacks.

Spokane Shock defensive back Terrance Sanders also earned First Team All-Arena honors as a kick return specialist, leading the league with 1,687 kickoff return yards and five combined kick return touchdowns.

For the full list, visit www.arenafootball.com.

Eastern releases

men's hoops schedule

Highlighted by five early season home games, the experienced Eastern Washington men's basketball team hopes for a fast start to the 2014-15 season, as coach Jim Hayford announced his team's schedule.

The Eagles open with a trio of home games versus Texas Southern (Nov. 14), Utah Valley (Nov. 17) and Walla Walla (Nov. 19). Then, after a road trip to play SMU and Indiana, the Eagles play two more home games against Northern Kentucky (Nov. 26) and Eastern Oregon (Nov. 30).

A six-game road stretch follows, however, and includes games against Pac-12 Conference foes Washington (Dec. 14) and California (Dec. 19). The Eagles open Big Sky Conference play with a New Year's Day matchup against defending champion Weber State.

The league schedule will include normal Thursday-Saturday games with the return of Idaho to the 50-year old conference. Now with 10 league members competing in men's basketball, previously there was an odd amount of teams which resulted in some difficult travel schedules and several Monday games.