HCA: Gardner Minshew wins Seattle’s Sports Star male athlete of the year

For the first time ever, a Washington State Cougars athlete has won a top award for the Seattle Sports Star of the Year, as Gardner Minshew II brought home the male athlete of the year at the the 84th Annual MTRWestern Sports Star of the Year banquet at Seattle’s Grand Sheraton Hotel on Thursday.

The award was determined, of course, by a fan vote.

Minshew’s journey to Pullman is well known at this point, and his remarks in receiving the award featured his trademark humor and humility.

“Last year, I was sitting at home, didn’t really have any offers and didn’t know what was going to happen,” he said, recalling his decision to leave East Carolina. “But God had a plan for me. That plan was in Pullman and I had a lot of people help make this a great year. It was about perfect. It was a blessing for sure. It took a lot of hard work and it was a collective effort.”

He also captured many fans’ feelings about the role this past season played for WSU fans.

“Coming to a community suffering so much loss, to be part of that healing process is something I’m more proud of than any award,” Minshew said. “It’s all about the impact our sport had on our community.”

WSU soccer player Morgan Weaver was up for the female athlete of the year after her superlative season leading the Cougars to a top-10 ranking, but Brianna Stewart of the Seattle Storm took home that award. The Storm also were the team of the year, while Sue Bird won the Royal Brougham Award, “given to an individual for a lifetime of achievement in sports and who exemplifies the spirit of our state.”

Minshew, Stewart, Storm are 2019 Sports Stars | Sportspress Northwest
Gardner Minshew became the first Cougars athlete to win at the 84th Sports Star of the Year event, as Seattle celebrated the Sonics' 1979 title team.

Big winners at Seattle’s 84th Sports Star of Year awards include Sue Bird, Gardner Minshew | The Seattle Times
Washington State quarterback Gardner Minshew won the Male Sports Star award, beating UW linebacker Ben Burr-Kirven, Mariners outfielder Mitch Haniger, Seahawks receiver Tyler Lockett, Seattle Seawolves star Phil Mack and Sounders FC coach Brian Schmetzer.

Basketball ... wins?

Yep. Haven’t had a chance to write up the recap yet, so this will have to tide you over.

Ernie Kent after win over ASU: Cougs “had to get to rock bottom” - Cougfan.com
JUST MINUTES OFF his biggest win of the season, Ernie Kent touched on the adversity and “noise” that’s surrounded his basketball team after the Cougars stunned Arizona State 91-70 in Tempe.

Franks' Career Night Lifts Cougs over Sun Devils 91-70 - Washington State University Athletics
Robert Franks tied his career highs with 34 points, 13 rebounds and 4 blocks.

ASU Basketball: Washington State dominates Sun Devils wire to wire
Playing a game it needed to win, ASU basketball sustained a loss it could not afford - a 21-point defeat to Washington State.

ASU's at-large NCAA Tournament chances nearly crushed in loss to WSU
Falling to Washington State at home might have ended the Arizona State Sun Devils' chances at an at-large NCAA Tournament berth.

ASU Basketball: Sun Devils blown out in embarrassing loss to Washington State - House of Sparky
The Cougars dominated throughout.

Washington State wins stunning road game over Arizona State | The Seattle Times
The Cougars snapped a five-game losing streak and won on the road for the first time this season.

ASU men's basketball suffers crushing 91-70 loss to visiting Washington State - The State Press
ASU's path to the Pac-12 Tournament becomes more treacherous after disappointing loss to the Cougars.

Video/quotes: Bobby Hurley on ASU's 'damaging' loss to Cougars
The Sun Devils suffered a blowout to a bad Washington State team

Sun Devils lose 91-70 | Sports | mohavedailynews.com
TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Washington State has had little to celebrate this season, so a surprise victory in the desert felt awfully good.

Sun Devils suffer disastrous loss to Cougars
It was the worst loss of the year for the Sun Devils by opponent NET Rating and KenPom.

Everything Else

Moore: WSU AD in a tough spot with state of Cougs' basketball program
The WSU Cougars are 15-48 in Pac-12 play under Ernie Kent. His Pac-12 record is not as bad as Paul Graham's from 1999-2003 (9-63), but when you start mentioning Graham's name in conjunction with Kent's, it can't be a good thing.

Washington State Drops One to No. 20 Arizona State - Washington State University Athletics
Two big runs cost the Cougars against the Sun Devils.

No. 20 ASU women dominate Washington State in 2nd half for win
Kianna Ibis scored 22 points and No. 20 Arizona State took over in the second half to defeat Washington State 61-46 on Thursday night.

ASU Basketball: Devils use big second half to surge past Wazzu
After trailing by one at halftime, No. 20 ASU basketball outscored Washington State 34-18 in the second half to win 61-46.

College hoops: UCLA headlines coaching carousel
An interesting potential play for Tim Miles, if fired, is to go to Washington State in an attempt to mimic the success he’d had at Colorado State. Not having to pay a lot up front would make Miles appealing.

Washington State drops one to No. 20 Arizona State - KXLY
Taking on the No. 20 ranked team in the country, Washington State (7-16, 2-10) could not keep pace with Arizona State (16-6, 7-4) Thursday night as the Sun Devils...

Seen and Heard on Planet Coug: O-line put down the phones - Cougfan.com
AD Patrick Chun applauds record-setting performance

SPRING BALL SCHEDULE: Cougars set spring football dates
Football chief of staff Dave Emerick confirms first and last spring ball dates, with practices held Tuesday, Thursday and Saturdays

ASU’s Kianna Ibis leads Sun Devils in 61-46 win over Washington State - The State Press
The Sun Devils improve to 16-6 and 7-4 in Pac-12 play.

The Daily Evergreen | No limit, all the glory
Emmanuel Wells Jr. is enamored with being the best. He was born athletically gifted thanks to a family tree filled with multi-sport athletes. His whole life he’s felt pressure to push the boundaries each time he steps on a track.

Pat Chun Reflects on One Year Anniversary - Washington State University Athletics
Academic and athletic excellence highlights Chun's first year.

Women's Golf Set to Play Colorado State in Preseason Match - Washington State University Athletics
The Cougars will travel to Las Vegas, Nev. to take on CSU.

Cougars Back on the Road to Seattle, Albuquerque - Washington State University Athletics
T&F splits the squad after successful home meet.

Brown Earns First Win as a Professional - Washington State University Athletics
Brown cards a four-under, 210, in her first professional win.

Raegan Harvey Selected for NAADD Diversity Initiative - Washington State University Athletics

Cougars Return to Tennis Court Friday at Baylor - Washington State University Athletics
WSU looking to improve upon 6-1 start.

Cougars Head Back to the Green for Spring Season - Washington State University Athletics
After a long break, Washington State men's golf looks forward to spring competition.