Former Mark Morris High and Lower Columbia College standout Mickey Polis reached the end of his career as a college basketball player last spring at Portland State University. But he’s still part of the Vikings’ program.

Polis was recently named PSU’s Director of Basketball Operations, which includes handling numerous administrative duties for the team.

“Mickey is a hard worker and has a bright future in coaching, if he continues to pursue this as a career,” PSU coach Tyler Geving said on the school’s Web site. “Having been in the program over the last two years, he understands our system and expectations. We are fortunate to still have him in our program.”

Polis, who graduated last summer with a degree in economics, spent the past two seasons (2007-08, 2008-09) as a point guard for the Vikings. He helped the team win two Big Sky Conference titles and make a pair of trips to the NCAA Tournament.

In his new job at PSU, Polis will arrange travel itineraries and perform other administrative duties.

LCC closer Dean will join Tennessee after Red Devils

While his Lower Columbia College teammates were participating in the annual 100-inning team fundraiser at the end of October, sophomore pitcher Levi Dean was traveling across the country to the University of Tennessee.

Dean visited the campus, liked what he saw and inked a letter of intent to pitch for the Volunteers beginning in the fall of 2010.

“I really like the school because it’s a lot like here,” Dean said. “The landscape is similar, and the people I met and the coaching staff is great. They’re the kind of people I want to be around and surround myself with in my first year at the university level.”

Dean considered offers from Oregon State and Hawaii before signing at Tennessee.

“The coach (Todd Raleigh) told me he was looking for pitchers, and he wanted a guy with experience who could step right in and pitch immediately,” he said. “He told me I had a legitimate shot at being a weekend starter.”

Dean, who graduated from W.F. West High in Chehalis, was ranked among the top-50 players in Washington in the Baseball Northwest Class of 2008, despite not pitching his senior season. He missed that campaign and half of his freshman season at LCC while recovering from Tommy John surgery.

In his half-season at LCC this past spring, Dean compiled a 1-0 record with four saves and a 1.06 earned run average to earn Western Division second-team honors as a closer. During the summer, he pitched for the Wenatchee AppleSox of the West Coast League for collegiate baseball players, where he went 4-0 with a 5.66 ERA.

“Levi will move to a starting role for us this season,” LCC pitching coach Rob Hippi said on the school’s Web site. “He gained valuable experience last summer while pitching for the WCL champion Wenatchee AppleSox, and is becoming more seasoned. He’s beginning to be able to throw all three pitches for strikes.”

Evergreen State College … also known as LCC North

Five former Lower Columbia College men’s and women’s basketball players are continuing their collegiate hoop careers at The Evergreen State College in Olympia.

The Geoduck men’s team includes junior guards Josh Troyer, Ryan Freeman, Marice Tolliver and senior center Anthony Gallagher, and the women’s squad includes senior center Katie Garcin.

In a recent 108-97 victory over Puget Sound, Gallagher knocked down 21 points and grabbed 10 rebounds.

Ex-LCC all-league center Alex King is now a junior center at Lewis-Clark State College in Lewiston, Idaho.

“We’re excited to have a player with Alex’s size and skill level,” LCSC coach Tim Walker said on the school’s Web site. “He will give us versatility and athleticism, both inside and out.”

The Central Washington University men’s basketball coaching staff includes a pair of ex-Red Devils. Chris Bannish begins his fourth season as an assistant coach, and Jason Buffum is back for his third year as a student assistant.

In addition to Garcin, three other ex-LCC standouts are playing women’s basketball this season. Linfield University features seniors Nadra Evans and Kelsey Forrest at guard and forward, respectively, and guard Kourtney Craft is the lone senior on the roster at Concordia University.

“Kourtney is quick, fast and a great defender,” Concordia coach Aaron Christian said on the school’s Web site. “She really knows our stuff and that has helped her so far. She’s really pushing herself and others to work hard.”

Ex-LCC pitcher O’Neil moves to PSU outfield

Former Kelso High and LCC softball pitcher Carri O’Neil is adjusting to life in right field with the Portland State University softball team.

The Vikings have four other pitchers on the 2010 roster, including senior Tori Rogers (107 innings last season), junior Nichole Latham (188 innings), sophomore Kendra Suhr (formerly of Mountain View High) and freshman Anna Bertrand.

As a junior, O’Neil made six pitching appearances, including two starts spanning 10 innings with an 0-1 record and a 7.45 earned run average.

According to the Portland State University Web site, Vikings coach Tobin Echo-Hawk said O’Neil was one of the top hitters during a recent four-game preseason set, and could become an offensive threat this season.