Happy Times at Sandpoint High

 

J.D. McElroy, SHS resource officer extraordinaire. 

It was, indeed, a happy and fun-filled night at Sandpoint High School last night as the final, final home men's basketball game of the season ended with a solid victory over the Moscow Bears.

That win means that the Bulldogs will get up early on a Saturday morning tomorrow to board a bus bound for Grangeville.  It will be a five-hour drive both ways.  

In between those rides, the Bulldogs will seal their fate on going to State one way or the other as they take on a strong Vallivue team (18-7) from Southern Idaho at 1 p.m. 

This will be either the final final game for the 12-12 Bulldogs or it will signal the beginning of at least, two more games at next week's State Tournament in Boise. 

Naturally, they'd love to play three more games at Boise (the championship). 

Fingers crossed that the bus ride home will be a happy one.  If so, I'm sure they won't mind another bus ride to Boise about twice as long.  

There was the game with its fast action, highlighted by some dramatic dunks and "new kids on the bench" getting a chance to play and even score a point or two. 

And, then there was all the other ingredients that make going to the game fun---the band, the cheerleaders, the fans, the floor sweeper, statisticians and best of all, the big smile on the face of school resource officer J.D. McElroy.

All contributed to the total enjoyment of a high stakes high school basketball game. 

After the game, old-home week surrounded me at the door. 

First, I saw one of the Gunter triplets I'd written about almost 15 years ago. They're now freshmen at SHS, and this particular triplet, the only boy, knows Mr. Love and says he loves Mr. Love. 

That made Mama Love proud. 

Then, came some late '60s-'70s grads, and that erupted into some lively and good-natured banter.  

I told John Scott that I still have my student teaching grade book with his grade average in it.  

He was a student in my first-period English class that year, and he's the same John Scott who likes to needle people, and, of course, expects it back. 

Then, there was Pat Gunter, tricycle-riding star of one of the Drill Team variety shows and always a cyclist.

 He has the distinction of riding his motorcycle up the stairs or the old Donkey Jaw or someplace near that downtown bar.  

Who cares about facts these days----I just know that Pat went where no one had ever gone before on that motorcycle. 

I hear he has slowed down a bit, but I'll believe that when I see it. Monica keeps him in tow, I think. 

Dwayne and Karla told me they had moved to town just before Christmas, and they're excited to be able take walks around town. 

Jim Nieman, who proudly watched his grandson Asher, a bench newcomer, get some playing time. 

It was a nostalgic and feel-good few minutes, filled with laughs. 

I went to the game by myself and actually drove at night for the first time in a number of years because Bill had gone to the Gonzaga women's final home game---those Bulldogs won their game too. 

It was pretty neat to learn during the drive home that my cataract surgery a couple of years ago did the trick on making driving in the dark not bad at all. 

So, a good evening all the way around and lots of precious memory snippets to tuck away for later reflection.

Best of luck to the Bulldogs tomorrow. 

Happy Friday.   

from Max Preps:  

There's no place like home for Sandpoint, who bounced back after a loss on the road on Tuesday. They blew past the Moscow Bears, posting a 72-44 win. 

The victory continues a trend for the Bulldogs in their matchups with the Bears: they've now won seven in a row.

Debbie always lures her professional friends and food bank volunteers to the games.  

Some keep coming back, so they must enjoy themselves. 

Mike, Jamie, Debbie and Mandy (Better Together Animal Alliance). 

Last night marked the last time for this season for me to snap a photo of scorekeeper Bob and his grandson as I walk by the desk. 

More photos of Bob next season. 

It's a family affair with this young man, his folks and his two sisters.  

Mom is the team trainer and Dad sweeps the gym floor at halftime, with help Little Sis.

Nice family. 

Retired educator and former colleague Terry Iverson spent part of the afternoon at our house working on the ceiling repair.  

Then, he and his wife Edna headed to the game. 

"Signs you are a Sandpoint Kid" came to mind as I spent some fun moments with these folks after last night's game. 

I taught some of them A LONG TIME AGO. 

Monica Travers Gunter, Pat Gunter, Dwayne Sheffler, Karla Stilwell Sheffler, Jim Nieman and John Scott. 

Fun folks and all definitely true blue Sandpoint kids.