NIC's Carlson announces retirement

COEUR d’ALENE — Chris Carlson, in his 16th season as North Idaho College women’s basketball coach, will retire at the end of the season, the school announced on Monday.

Carlson has averaged 22 wins a year, tallying 354 during his time as coach. The Cardinals won the 2011 NJCAA Championship.

NIC won the Scenic West Athletic Conference tournament championship in 2009, 2010 and 2011, and also won the regular season title in 2006, 2012 and 2013.

Since returning to the Northwest Athletic Conference, Carlson has coached the Cardinals to the conference tournament in 2018, 2019 and this season.

NIC has placed 60 players into four-year programs, including 18 at the Division I level.

NIC (16-10, 10-5 NWAC) concludes the regular season at home vs. Columbia Basin on Wednesday at Rolly Williams Court starting at 5:30 p.m.

NIC can clinch the third seed from the East Region with a win, along with a loss by Wenatchee Valley to visiting Yakima Valley on Wednesday.