THE FRONT ROW with JASON ELLIOTT: A return, and look back at a glory day in the 'Dome

There once was a time when appearing on ESPN was a big deal for Anton Watson.

Now, he’s a little more used to the cameras and spotlight as he enters his fifth year at Gonzaga as part of the men’s basketball team.

But, back then, it was part of the Coeur d’Alene Little League baseball team that advanced to the Majors Western Regional tournament in San Bernardino, Calif.

Coeur d’Alene’s newest crop of players will compete in the Northwest Regional starting today in San Bernardino.

TEN YEARS ago, Watson, who graduated from Gonzaga Prep Academy in Spokane, was a pitcher and infielder for Coeur d’Alene before turning his focus to basketball.

“I’m long done with baseball,” Watson said. “But I still love the sport and like to watch it, especially the Little League World Series. That’s one of the best times of the year, but I’m long done playing baseball.”

After the last season, Watson went to the NBA Draft Combine before eventually opting to return to school and use extra year gained for the COVID shortened 2019-2020 season.

“It was a lot different for me because I’d never experienced something like that before,” Watson said. “Going through the process, I learned a lot of things and saw what the NBA looks like. I talked to a lot of GM’s and coaches, so it was a good experience overall.”

And while he could have left Gonzaga, he’ll be back looking to advance to the Final Four once again.

“It wasn’t the easiest decision, but there were a lot of things that brought me back,” Watson said. “Especially this team, knowing how good we’re going to be.”

Gonzaga recently announced that Marcus Adams, Jr., a transfer from Kansas, has joined the program. Ryan Nembhard, the younger brother of former Gonzaga guard Andrew Nembhard, transferred from Creighton earlier this summer.

“I really haven’t seen too much of Marcus,” Watson said. “But he’s an extra body and I know he’s a competitive guy, so practices are going to be fun this year.”

Gonzaga will compete in the Maui Invitational this November, facing Purdue in the opening round on Nov. 20.

“I’m super excited for it,” Watson said. “I’ve never been to Maui, and I need some sun.”

IN THE ninth edition of the Showcase golf exhibition at The Coeur d’Alene Resort Golf Course, a few newcomers came to the area to try their luck in the tournament, a fundraiser for the Community Cancer Fund.

One such player was former Kansas City Chiefs running back Christian Okoye.

“I had some friends that have been coming in recent years like Eric Dickerson, Tim Brown, Marcus Allen and a few others,” Okoye said. “They’ve been telling me about this event, and I haven’t had the opportunity to come, so it was my first time here. And I really enjoyed myself. This is a beautiful place.”

During the Celeb-Am, Okoye’s first attempt went about as well as could be expected. During last Saturday’s exhibition, however …

“I loved it,” Okoye said. “The first time I played it (Friday), I got a birdie. (Saturday), I just kind of went for a swim a little bit.”

Okoye played for the Kansas City Chiefs from 1987 to 1992, leading the league in rushing in 1989.

As for the memories of playing in the Kingdome in Seattle …

“It was very loud,” Okoye said. “It was a bad stadium, and I’m glad they destroyed it. The noise and the turf, I just didn’t like it.”

Kansas City has won two of the last four Super Bowl titles, and enters this season as the defending champions after beating Philadelphia in Glendale, Ariz., in February.

“It’s been awesome,” Okoye said. “We’re enjoying it and the folks in Kansas City — Chiefs Kingdom — they’re just having a great time. Having (Patrick) Mahomes is everything. That guy is just a magician. He can do everything.”

One of his fondest memories of the Kingdome was an early season game in 1989, when Okoye led the Chiefs to a 20-16 win over the Seahawks.

“I think it was 1989, we hadn’t won there in a while, and we came back and beat Seattle,” Okoye said. “I remember one run I had. I was running the wrong way because I couldn’t hear the quarterback. I came back and ran 13 yards, scored a touchdown and ran over maybe eight guys. That was my highlight right there.”

AS FOR this year, there might not be anyone higher on the Seahawks' chances in the NFC West than former wide receiver Sidney Rice.

“They underestimated them last year and still made the playoffs,” Rice said. “They played well all season, but that’s typically how it goes. (Coach) Pete (Carroll) and (general manager) John (Schneider) always figure out a way.”

During Rice’s time in Seattle, he was paired alongside Doug Baldwin and Jermaine Kearse. Tyler Lockett, DK Metcalf and rookie Jaxon Smith-Njigba are three targets to be watched with quarterback Geno Smith.

“I’d say those guys are better than we were,” Rice said. “Those guys are on a different level. Tyler, DK and now Jaxon — who is one of my favorite college receivers — they’ve got a lot of weapons, and I’m going to be interested to see what they’re going to do. They throw the ball now a lot more than we did.”

Seattle is projected to contend for the division title by many experts.

“They’re definitely going to take the NFC West and make a push for the conference title as well,” Rice said. “Bobby is always a key player, but the team and the way they do it, it’s the culture there and we expect them to win.”

Jason Elliott is a sports writer for The Press. He can be reached by telephone at 208-664-8176, Ext. 2020 or via email at jelliott@cdapress.com. Follow him on Twitter @JECdAPress.