Loree Payne named UPS women's coach / NW Briefs

Loree Payne was recruiting in San Diego for the Washington Huskies when she got the call — she was the new women's basketball coach at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma.

Payne was an assistant to UW coach Tia Jackson the past three seasons. The two-time All-Pac-10 player, who helped the Huskies to the Elite Eight in 2001, was the recruiting coordinator and worked with perimeter players last season at Washington. She also was the team's academic liaison.

The Puget Sound position opened in June, when longtime Loggers coach Suzy Barcomb left to become coach at Cal State East Bay. Barcomb was the program's most successful coach with a 261-92 record in 13 seasons.

"I was waiting for the perfect opportunity and the perfect fit for me," Payne said. "It's a wonderful academic school and a very successful program."

Payne has also coached at Northwest Nazarene in Nampa, Idaho, and at the University of Portland.

The Huskies were 13-18 last season. After the season, Jackson fired assistant Judy Spoelstra, and assistant Fred Applin left for a job at East Carolina University.

Payne said her decision had nothing to do with the apparent rocky state of the UW program.

"For me, I adore this (Huskies) program," said Payne. "The timing is unfortunate with other people leaving, but this program is going to be fine. "

Jackson has already added assistants Kyle Locke and Greg Nared to her staff for the 2010-11 season.

Notes

• Pepperdine golfer Andrew Putnam of University Place takes a five-stroke lead into Friday's final round of the 44th Pacific Coast Amateur in Eugene, Ore. At 6-under 207, he's one of only two golfers under par.

• Team Washington — Charlie Mroz, Tyler Salsbury, Carl Jonson and Tyler Carlson — finished tied for eighth at the Junior Americas Cup golf tournament in Albuquerque, N.M. Jonson shot a 3-under 68 in the final round to finish with Washington's best score at 2-under 211 for 54 holes.

• The Lake Wenatchee sockeye fishery will open Sunday to Tuesday (Aug. 1-3). Fishing will be allowed one hour before sunrise and close one hour after sunset. Daily limit is two sockeye longer than 12 inches.

Mark Yuasa of The Seattle Times staff contributed to this report.