NORTHWEST NOTES: Thursday, May 5, 2016

Former Post Falls guard to play

basketball for

L-C State women

LEWISTON ­— Lewis-Clark State College women’s basketball coach Brian Orr announced the signing of former Post Falls High standout Sam Runkle.

A multi-sport star for the Trojans, Runkle was a member of the Trojans’ state 5A girls basketball champions in 2012, and also played on the Trojans’ state runner-up in girls soccer. She also qualified for state in the long jump as a freshman. As a senior she was named first-team Inland Empire League in basketball, appeared in the North-South and East-West All-Star games, winning the 3-point contest at the East-West event.

“She’s another long guard who can really attack the rim off the dribble,” Orr said. “She’s athletic, strong and plays with the confidence of a winner. She has a high basketball IQ and she brings a competitive spirit to the court that’s contagious.”

After Post Falls, Runkle attended Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, but did not play varsity basketball. Orr said Runkle has four years of eligibility remaining, but plans to graduate in three.

She will join former high school teammate Brooke Litalien, as well as other local players Caelyn Orlandi and Brittany Tackett of Coeur d’Alene High, on next year’s Warriors roster.

Ex-NIC hoops

assistant

takes over at

Point Loma

SAN DIEGO — Ryan Looney, who recently completed his seventh season as men’s basketball coach at NCAA Division II Seattle Pacific, has accepted the same position at Division II Point Loma Nazarene.

Looney, a Central Valley High grad and North Idaho College men’s basketball assistant under Hugh Watson in the 2001-02 season, departs as SPU’s third all-time winningest coach with a 164-51 record. His winning ratio of 76.3 percent is the best in school history.