Bring On the Dance!

Two of those Gonzaga fans are my classmates and long time friends, Rick and Janet Anthony.  That's their daughter Rebecca, a Gonzaga grad. 

This picture is so inspiring because it represents the fact that the West Coast Conference tournament has returned to almost normal with all those fans filling Orleans Arena. 

What a day it was for Gonzaga and its fans yesterday as both the women and the men won tournament championships, and, of course, they'll move on to the dance. 

It's time this morning for the ZAG Nation to briefly put aside all the concerns of the world (including the depression that set in from learning about Russell Wilson's trade to Denver) and celebrate two wonderful teams and an exemplary small university right here in our Inland Northwest. 

Once a ZAGS fan, always a ZAGS fan.  I'm pretty sure that statement is true.  Some have been fans forever, while relative newbies have taken the time to watch the games and understand why these long timers are so passionate about the teams and their many impressive dimensions. 

Soon after those observations, they are converted and the numbers grow. 

We can be justifiably upset about so many aspects of what's going wrong locally, regionally, statewide, nationally and worldwide, but in the midst of it all comes the Gonzaga elixir. 

It helps us forget, it gives us hope and it instills pride.

Thank you, Gonzaga, for all you do each season to reach your own goals and taking us along with you on the journey.  

Oh what a feeling it is for the school, the teams, their staff and us diehard fans.  

On to the Dance. 

GO, ZAGS!

Idaho roots.  

As a high school student at Post Falls, Melody Kempton has played on Sandpoint High's Les Rogers court.

Her bio says she's studying to be an occupational therapist and that she raises pigs in Post Falls. 

Gonzaga's guard Andrew Nembhard, Most Valuable Player in WCC Men's Tournament. 

He's from Ontario, Canada, and he played for the Florida Gators before transferring to Gonzaga.

His brother Ryan plays basketball for Creighton. 



                                                         ---Spokesman-Review photo

Gonzaga coach Mark Few and his family.  

                                                       ----Photo from Twitter


I've decided that it's time to refer to Mark Few as the "Susan Lucci" of NCAA basketball. 

So ultra accomplished and successful as a coach, but all the talking heads, both professional and arm chair variety, are fixated with the fact that with all his incredible accomplishments as a coach,  his teams have never won a National Championship.

Absolute perfection, they say, or ya just don't match up with all those other college basketball teams that have never won a national championship. 

True Gonzaga fans don't care.

Oh yes, we'll all be over the top if the ZAGS get it done this year, but the annual joy and excitement this team brings to our lives, both in the area and around the world far exceeds a trophy.

Plus, anyone will vouch for the fact that ZAGS players are far from one-dimension peeps. 

The program develops the individuals inside and out, so that when they go off the floor, they'll function just fine in the world and still serve as phenomenal examples.  

Actually, we fans might be a bit secretly sad if a National Championship happens because the ultimate goal will have been achieved. 

What do you work for after winning on so many levels?

I guess it's called maintaining that high standard as athletes and as humans.

That's okay with all of us who are so inspired by the Gonzaga programs and the university itself. 

A true treasure for our region. 

🏆🏀🎈