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WSU, Houston agree to

play in football in 2019

The Houston Cougars and the Washington State Cougars will meet for the seventh installment of the AdvoCare Texas Kickoff on Friday, Sept. 13, 2019, at NRG Stadium in Houston.

The game will be broadcast on an ESPN network.

The two teams will meet for the first time since the 1988 Aloha Bowl when Washington State won 24-22.

Washington State leads the all-time series, 2-1, with WSU winning 32-18 in 1959 and Houston capturing a 21-7 victory in 1966. Both of these games took place in Houston.

This season, Houston is 8-3 overall, 5-2 in the American Athletic Conference. The Cougars are bowl eligible for the sixth straight season, the best streak in program history.

Washington State ranks seventh in the Associated Press Top 25 with a 10-1 overall record and a 7-1 record in conference play.

A presale for advance tickets is underway at advocaretexaskickoff.com

WSU announces signing of

Genesis Prep’s Murekatete

PULLMAN — Genesis Prep senior Bella Murekatete was one of three players who recently signed letters of intent to play basketball at Washington State.

Murekatete, a 6-foot-5 center, is from Ngoma Huye, Rwanda.

According to WSU news release:

“An intimidating presence in the paint, Murekatete has spent the last three years playing high school basketball at Genesis Prep Academy in Post Falls. While still learning the game, Murekatete has established herself as one of the most athletic and skilled centers in the country and on the international scene. As a junior, Murekatete led the Jags to a runner-up finish at the 1A Division II state championship while averaging 28.7 points at the state tournament, including a 25-point, 30-rebound, seven-block effort in the finals. For the season, Murekatete averaged 20.6 points and 18.6 rebounds per game en route to first team all-state honors. On the international level, Murekatete led Rwanda’s U-18 women basketball team to a fourth-place finish at the FIBA U18 Women’s African Championships. The big center was dominant, earning a spot on the All-Star Five team at the end of the tournament as the tournament’s best rebounder. In all, Murekatete averaged 16.8 points and 13.7 rebounds in six games for Rwanda. She first made her debut for Rwanda at 15 when she averaged 14 rebounds per game at the FIBA U16 Women’s African Championships.

WSU coach Kamie Ethridge on Murekatete: “With the graduation of Maria Kostourkova, we knew we needed to sign a BIG. We identified Bella early and saw a real talent. Bella has size, athleticism, length, good hands and a world of potential. Bella also brings a playful and fun spirit to the team along with a bit of a ‘mean streak’ (which all great post players have). Our system is at its best when we have a dominant back to the basket post player. We envision Bella to fill that role.”

Carroll announces signing

of Genesis Prep’s Hillman

HELENA, Mont. — Carroll College men’s basketball coach Kurt Paulson on Tuesday announced the signing of guard Jonny Hillman of Genesis Prep Academy.

“Jonny is the type of person we are looking for at Carroll,” Paulson said. “He is nearly a 4.0 student who comes from a great family. His character is top notch.”

Hillman will join the Saints during the 2019-20 season after he completes his prep career at Genesis Prep. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound guard averaged 19.3 points, 3.4 assists and 3.3 rebounds per game during his junior season. He’s twice been an Idaho state champion, and has served as a captain on his team since his freshman season.

“On the court he brings a winning mentality, he is a two-time state champion and he knows how to win,” Paulson said. His range is 25 feet. We love that he can stretch the defense from the 3-point line. He also can guard. His combination of 6-2 and 200 pounds as a high school guard with 25-foot range to go with his academic success makes him a huge get for our program.”

He was the reigning state 1A Division II player of the year last season in Idaho. Hillman’s Genesis Prep team has won the past two Idaho 1A Division II state championships. Hillman scored a game-high 21 points to in last year’s title game.