NORTHWEST NOTES: Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2016

North Idaho College setter Gay

named Eastern Region MVP

North Idaho College sophomore and former Lake City High setter Brittany Gay was named the Northwest Athletic Conference Eastern Region Most Valuable Player, the conference announced.

NIC sophomore outside hitter Brooke Bell was named to the Eastern Region first team. Both will represent the region in Sunday’s All-Star event in conjunction with the Northwest Athletic Conference tournament starting on Thursday at the Greater Tacoma Trade and Convention Center.

NIC (19-12) opens the tournament as the No. 2 seed from the Eastern Region and will face Pierce College (15-19) in the opening round at 4:30 p.m.

Walla Walla (26-8) was the region’s top seed after taking both conference matches against NIC. They will open against Tacoma (18-14) on Thursday at 11:30 a.m.

Vandal men’s basketball team signs

Washington product Blakney

MOSCOW — The Idaho men’s basketball team announced the signing of Scott Blakney from Prosser (Wash.) High.

As a junior, Blakney averaged 15 points, 11.5 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game, earning his second consecutive first team all-league recognition. Blakney, a 6-foott-9, 222-pound forward, played AAU basketball with Friends of Hoop under coach Jeremy Eggers.

“We are excited to have Scott join our program,” Idaho coach Don Verlin said. “He has had great success both on the court and in the classroom and we look forward to his continued growth as a Vandal.”