Northwest Notes: Thursday, Feb. 20, 2014
Orlandi sparks Warriors
in NAIA tourney opener
FRANKFORT, Ky. - A game-high 25 points from freshman guard Caelyn Orlandi led No. 15 and fourth-seeded Lewis-Clark State College past fifth-seeded Wayland Baptist 85-79 in the opening round of the NAIA women's basketball tournament on Wednesday at the Frankfort Convention Center.
Orlandi, a former Coeur d'Alene High standout, shot 8-for-18 from the field, including three 3-pointers and the Warriors (27-5) made 30-of-34 free throw attempts to hold off the Flying Queens (20-12).
Lewis-Clark State will face No. 2 Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.) in the second round on Friday.
"They just couldn't guard her, and they couldn't stop her from penetrating," Lewis-Clark State coach Brian Orr said of Orlandi, who had 14 first half points and finished with a season-high 25 points. "She came out so confident, and I think that spread to our whole team. I can't remember seeing a freshman play like that at the national tournament."
Cox resigns after one season
at helm of Southern Idaho
College of Southern Idaho men's basketball coach Jeremy Cox has resigned, the school announced.
Cox, who also coached at Kentucky, Nebraska and Texas Tech, took over as coach last summer when he replaced Steve Gosar.
Southern Idaho finished 27-5 and won the regular season Scenic West Athletic Conference title, but failed to receive an at-large bid to the NJCAA tournament after finishing second in the Region 18 tournament.
Tyson Helgesen to join
Spokane Chief roster
The Spokane Chiefs announced the addition of Tyson Helgesen to the club's active roster.
Helgesen, a 16-year old defenseman from Fairview, Alberta, spent the regular season with the Whitecourt Wolverines of the Alberta Junior Hockey League.
The Wolverines were eliminated in the AJHL playoffs last week.
Helgesen, 6-foot-2 185 pounds, was the Chiefs' fifth round (102 overall) Western Hockey League Draft Selection in 2012. He appeared in 55 games for Whitecourt his season, scoring five assists.
Helgesen's older brother, Kenton, was a 7th Round 2012 NHL Draft Selection of the Aneheim Ducks and currently plays for the WHL's Calgary Hitmen.
He will be available in the Chiefs' first round series starting Saturday at the Victoria Royals.