LOCAL GREATNESS

Afresh crop of local hoops legends comprise the 2023 class of the Hooptown Hall of Fame. Like last year’s class, which included national names like John Stockton and local pioneers like Jeanne Eggart Helfer, this year’s class honors a diverse group of people who impacted the game in various ways.

“I think Spokane is so unique nationally because there is such a love of basketball,” says 2023 inductee Shann Ferch. “Hoopfest has always tried to

“A lot of people told me I should stick with soccer because I’m only 5-foot-5. That’s probably another reason I picked basketball — people telling me I shouldn’t.”

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Stacy Clinesmith

Stacy Clinesmith

Before you could find her patrolling the sidelines as an assistant coach at Gonzaga, or see her playing point guard for the Sacramento Monarchs and Detroit Shock of the WNBA, Clinesmith was leaving her mark on the court as a standout at Mead in the early ’90s.

Briann January

During her time at Lewis and Clark, January helped build the foundation for a dominant era of Tigers basketball. As a senior at Arizona State, she appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated. The sixth pick in the 2009 WNBA Draft, January won all-star and championship honors over her 14-year playing career.

do things that honor the history of basketball and all the teams and families that have had so much joy and love for the game.”

Displays honoring these players, coaches and pros who helped define Spokane’s basketball culture, along with those for previous inductees, can be seen year-round at the Hooptown Hall of Fame, located under the shelter next to the Community Courts in Riverfront Park.

Whitworth Men’s 1996 Team

With a roster full of upperclassmen, these Pirates were set for success — and they delivered. The Pirates posted a 26-5 record, won the Northwest Conference and finished the season as national runners-up. It was the best season in program history.

“It’s just the competitive nature in me… Getting a turnover, leading the break, and getting an easy two points hyped me up.”

— Briann January

They got Whitworth’s president to shut down the school and launched a last-minute caravan — six buses, countless cars — that traveled 400 miles to reach the title game.

“He truly was a maverick in the sport, being able to give people quick, easy, intuitive changes that would make a big difference in their games.”

— Jennifer Ferch, on her father, Fred Crowell

Fred Crowell

Basketball in the Inland Northwest wouldn’t be where it is today without Crowell and his NBC Camps. Founded in 1971, NBC Camps has grown into one of the largest youth basketball camps on the planet. Crowell was a lifelong coach who spent more than five decades helping kids develop not just as players but as people, too.

“[Basketball]’s been a lot of joy… it’s very important for the brotherhood and friendship through the years. And that brotherhood in this town takes care of each other.”

Shann Ferch

After a standout collegiate career at Montana State and Pepperdine, and a pro career in Germany, Ferch has become a pillar of the Spokane basketball community. While not a true perennial, Ferch’s longevity and tenacity have made him a Hoopfest legend. “It’s certainly an honor,” he says.

Hall Of Fame Ceremony

Join in as the new class of Hooptown Hall of Famers are officially added to the honor roll. The event is at 6 pm, Wednesday, June 21, at the Hooptown USA court complex, North Bank of Riverfront Park. Purchase tickets at EventBrite.com