Northwest Notes

Oliver named assistant coach for UI football

MOSCOW — Steve Oliver has been named an assistant coach for Idaho football, head coach Paul Petrino announced Monday. Oliver will be responsible for coaching the Vandal tight ends.

Oliver spent last season with the Idaho football program, as the Mark Vaught Director of Football Operations. He was previously an offensive graduate assistant for the Vandals during the 2016 and 2017 seasons.

“Steve has a really bright future in the coaching profession,” Petrino said. “He has done a great job for us first as a graduate assistant and then working in operations. He’s smart, organized and understands the importance of teaching fundamentals and technique. We’re excited to have him as a full-time, on-field coach.”

In his most recent position, Oliver was responsible for the day-to-day operations of the football program, including travel, meals, camps and community engagement. As a graduate assistant during the prior to season, Oliver helped coach the offensive line and was responsible for numerous duties in support of the program’s recruiting efforts.

In January 2018, Oliver accepted a position as an assistant coach at Montana State-Northern, an NAIA school in Havre. He was the offensive line coach, run game coordinator and recruiting coordinator. He returned to the Vandals in May 2018, in the operations role.

Prior to his stint as a graduate assistant, Oliver played offensive line at the University of San Diego. He earned a bachelor’s degree in finance in January 2016, before arriving in Moscow. He is a native of Chandler, Ariz., where he helped lead Hamilton High School to three consecutive 5A-1 state titles.

Prep girls basketball

North Idaho Christian 61, Upper Columbia Academy 36

COEUR d’ALENE — The host Royals opened an early double-digit lead and kept their perfect Mountain Christian League with a convincing win over the visiting Lions of Spangle, Wash., on Monday night at Holy Family Catholic School.

Imelda Bresee had 20 points and 27 rebounds for North Idaho Christian (13-3, 8-0 MCL), while Megan Taylor led Upper Columbia with 16 points. Savannah Seeley had eight assists for the Royals, who face Stillwater Christian in Kalispell, Mont., on Friday.

Upper Columbia Academy 5 9 11 11 — 36

North Idaho Christian 19 15 13 14 — 61

UPPER COLUMBIA — Han 6, Fleck 0, Taylor 16, Theradgill 2, Paago 0, Ellislahav 10, Townsend 0, Clark 2.

NICS — Monaghan 0, Choi 3, Hines 5, Overturf 8, Anderson 6, Whiteman 2, Ward 8, Malinauskas 4, Bresee 20, Seeley 5.