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NIC outfielder Kerr

earns NWAC softball honors

North Idaho College sophomore outfielder Jori Kerr was named Northwest Athletic Conference softball Athlete of the Week.

Kerr, from Central High in Independence, Ore., hit .529 with two doubles, a triple, three home runs and 10 RBIs as the Cardinals went 4-0-1 last week. In NICs final game of the weekend, she belted a ninth inning go-ahead home run as the Cardinals edged second-ranked Mt. Hood 5-3.

6-foot-10 center Ballo

signs letter of intent with Zags

SPOKANE — Gonzaga basketball coach Mark Few announced the signing of Oumar Ballo to a national letter of intent Tuesday.

Ballo, a 6-foot-10, 260-pound center from Mali, was labeled the top international prospect by ESPN’s Jonathan Givony. He’s listed as a four-star recruit by 247Sports.

Ballo, who has measured with a 7-6 wingspan, averaged 21 points and 17 rebounds at the FIBA Under-17 World Cup in Argentina last summer. In pool play against the Dominican Republic, he scored 32 points and grabbed 32 rebounds.

Ballo plays at the NBA Academy Latin America in Mexico City, and was one of the youngest participants in the Basketball Without Borders Global Camp at this year’s NBA All-Star Weekend in Charlotte, N.C. He recently stood out at the Next Generation Showcase during the Final Four in Minneapolis.

Ballo had a breakout performance at the FIBA U16 African Championship. He averaged 14 points and 13 rebounds in just 21 minutes per game in the tournament.

“I chose Gonzaga because I think it’s the best place for me as an international player and especially for a big man,” Ballo said in a Gonzaga news release. I love the way they use their bigs. The atmosphere between the teammates always supporting each other is motivating.”