A common rule suggested to young writers: write what you know about.
I think that advice follows us through life.
I know this morning how most ZAGS fans were feeling at the end of the first half last night.
I know I was feeling the same and have to write about it.
When Bill came back in from taking the dogs out after the first half of last night's Gonzaga-Memphis game where the Tigers led by 10 points, I asked, "Are you ready to watch the last half of ZAGS basketball for this season?"
He didn't say much, but I knew how he was feeling.
Adding to the mental anxiety was thinking about how it was awfully early to see the last of the ZAGS for this season.
Usually, of late, that happens in April.
Trying to make myself feel better, I reasoned that "oh, well, tomorrow would be spring," and that's always our annual rationale for saying good bye to the ZAGS for another year.
Then, we sat down and began watching the most miraculous, unbelievable comeback unfolding that I had seen since morning when the Baylor Bears (last year's ZAGS nemesis) rebounded from 25 points down, sending their game into overtime.
But they eventually lost.
We all know about trends and parallels and all that stuff, but this ZAGS comeback was unlike any I'd ever seen.
It was clearly evident from outset of that second-half that the ZAGS took the floor with an urgent and focused sense of controlling their fate in this year's tournament.
Still, a few Drew Timme baskets later, I pulled down the Irish rosary from my collection and worked those beads while saying silent "Hail Mary's" through the remainder of the game.
It's hard to explain the feelings and the excitement, but I really don't need to do that because every Gonzaga fan on the planet knows.
And, this morning, with the coming of Spring, 2022, they move on through another week in their quest to attain their long-sought dream in the last dance.
Amazing 20 minutes of basketball, and through all my years of watching and loving the ZAGS, I'd say this victory of the sweetest ever.
GO, ZAGS!
And, this afternoon at 4 p.m. PDT on ESPN, it's another GO, ZAGS as the Gonzaga women take on No. 1 seed Louisville in their quest for the Sweet Sixteen.
GO, LADY ZAGS!
How lucky and proud we are to have this exemplary program in our region!
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It was father-son night for my former student Chad Berkley and his dad Bill last night at the ZAGS-Memphis game. I think they got their money's worth. |
If you haven't read this wonderful story about Gonzaga's Drew Timme, I guarantee it's worth the read, especially after last night's game where Timme scored 21 points and who knows how many rebounds in the second half.
"What I said was that no matter what happens, this could very well be the last 20 minutes of basketball you could play, so let’s go out swinging. We’ve worked so hard to get here. Let’s not end this now."
-Drew Timme before last night's second half
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