Jim Allen

At first glance, this year’s women’s NCAA Tournament bracket is much like previous years, even more so.

PORTLAND – The racist incidents experienced last weekend in Coeur d’Alene by the University of Utah women’s basketball team could affect how the NCAA structures the women’s tournament in the future, including games already scheduled next year in Spokane.

The experience of last year’s deep run in the NCAA Tournament might just help the San Diego State Aztecs make another one this season.

The Washington State women are getting a fresh start on a new stage.

Don’t you dare call them drama queens. And yet on Sunday afternoon, the Gonzaga women couldn’t help themselves.

Few people know the value of second chances better than Rick Welliver. For years, Welliver has provided plenty of them from his boxing gym in downtown Spokane. But this time he was on the receiving end – an outpouring of love and generosity following his heart attack last summer.

His namesake is gone, but Joe Albi’s legacy will inspire Spokane youth for generations to come at the new downtown stadium.

Nic Stone has a gift for taking people out of their comfort zone, whether they like it or not.

On Saturday afternoon, Courtney Vandersloot held a microphone instead a basketball, but she never lost the handle.

The retirement of Courtney Vandersloot’s No. 21 jersey on Feb. 11 will be worth the wait, Gonzaga University officials said Friday.