Slight Detour: At the Game

Former SHS Bulldog Grace Kirscher with some current members of the Sandpoint High basketball program.

It was a night of "grace."

Yes, SHS girls basketball alum and standout Grace Kirscher was there.

But I also witnessed grace from the opposing team after their loss to Sandpoint.

While walking through the SHS commons after the game, I encountered three Lewiston players.

One I had observed during the game appeared to be a team leader.

"Are you the executive on the team?" I asked her while walking by.

Her friends immediately chimed in, "She probably is."

After a brief conversation with these friendly and fun players, I took their picture and then had the honor of standing in a photo with them.

What a nice feeling to go along with another win for Willie's varsity team!

That encounter topped off what had already been a fun night at the game.

Seeing Grace Kirscner, a former Bulldog standout who went on to play college ball at Eastern and later in Colorado, provided a nice start to the evening.

And, to learn she had just finished her first day of student teaching at Sandpoint Middle School shocked and thrilled me.

Where has the time gone?

Grace is excited about entering the teaching profession. Last night she also sat on the Bulldog bench, this time with the coaches.

Later, I saw another former student who also told me she is working toward her teaching degree. BTW: Kelly, I've never seen you in glasses, so that's why it probably took me a minute.

Kelly Carlson Balch excelled in one of my English classes toward the end of my career. Since then, she has married and is raising her family while going back to school to get that degree.

Kelly's daughter participates on the cheerleading squad for Sandpoint High School.

The evening became even more fun when I looked up in the bleachers and saw one of my classmates watching the game.

Turns out Dick and Edna Neer's granddaughter (immediately below) plays on the varsity. She's a sophomore and she is good.

While visiting with Dick and Edna after the game, Willie came from the locker room, met them and gave them a few nuggets of praise for their granddaughter.

Oh yeah, there was a game too, which the Bulldogs won, improving their season record to 8-3.

Final score: 54-26

Twas a very pleasant evening at the game and really fun watch high school kids doing what they love, to watch some great basketball action, to visit with some locals and to meet some nice new friends.

Happy Wednesday.