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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Bench No Friend Of Bandy’s

Street clothes have become Mindy Bandy’s sedative.

There is nothing about the unimposing brace on her left hand and wrist to prevent the 5-foot-10 senior forward from pulling on a game jersey, shorts and sneakers and sitting beside coach Steve Jantz on the Wilbur-Creston bench.

“But if I did that, I’d probably drive him crazy begging to play,” Bandy admitted Thursday night just prior to the Wildcats’ showdown against Clallam Bay in the quarterfinals of the girls State B basketball tournament at the Arena.

And that’s no longer a consideration for the Wildcats’ leading scorer and rebounder, who fractured a bone in the fourth finger of her left hand during a 47-38 loss to Ritzville in the championship game of last week’s Bi-County League tournament.

This was to have been Bandy’s third - and final - state basketball tournament. But instead of building on the numbers she put up as a sophomore and junior, she is working on her spectating skills.

And hating it.

In fact, she insists that having played in two previous state tournaments has done little to ease her disappointment.

“About the only thing that would really help would be if we win this thing,” she said. “It’s so hard sitting around and watching a loss when you think you might have been able to help.”

Without Bandy’s 13.6 points and eight rebounds a game, the Wildcats have altered their style slightly - something Bandy has noticed from her seat on the sidelines.

“We’ve changed some things, but not so drastically that it’s a totally different team,” she said, adding that the offense seems a little more perimeter-oriented against certain types of teams. “Certain girls have stepped up, but overall everyone on the team seems to be contributing a little more.”

“I try to talk to the other girls, offer encouragement and answer any questions they have,” Bandy said, “I’d much rather be playing, but I think I’m getting better (as a fan).”

As long as she stays in street clothes.

Wright kind of sponsor

Local sports icon Dick Wright and his wife, Jeanne, have gone the extra mile in helping sponsor this year’s Wilbur-Creston girls team.

Wright, who played a major role in bringing the tournament to Spokane in 1958 and earned the title of “Voice of the B’s” by once broadcasting 22 consecutive boys title games, has been weakened recently by cancer.

But before Wilbur-Creston’s late opening-round game against Tekoa-Oakesdale Wednesday night, Wright and his wife took the team out to dinner. The couple then returned home so Wright could catch a quick nap before making his way to the Arena and taking up residence behind the Wildcats’ bench.

Wright and his wife stayed for the entire game, and afterward Wilbur-Creston coach Steve Jantz gave Wright credit for contributing to the Wildcats’ 42-40 win with his presence.

“I’ll tell you another thing that really helped was to have this man on our bench tonight,” Jantz said as he patted Wright on the back as he was leaving the court area. “He really helped inspire us.”

Wright, seated in a wheelchair, was also at Thursday night’s late game.

Next generation

The Washington Interscholastic Athletic Association paid tribute to the 20th anniversary of Curlew’s march to the 1977 girls State A/B championship by running a photo of the Cougars, along with brief updates on what team members are doing today, in this year’s State B tournament program.

One of the former Cougar players pictured is Joy Thiele, who currently works as a dental assistant in Ritzville and has a daughter, Shannon, and son, Russell, playing for the Broncos in this year’s tournament.

Next, next generation

Jessica Sell, the senior point guard and second-leading scorer for the Northport Mustangs, who were eliminated Thursday in a loser-out matchup against Watson Groen, is the daughter of Teri (Ansotigue) Sell, who played on the 1976 Northport team that beat Zillah for the State A/B title.

Mixed metaphor award

Overheard during a taped radio interview in which an anonymous girls coach, obviously uncomfortable with being in the media spotlight, was wrapping up his assessment of an upcoming opponent: “We’re going to have our hands cut out for us with them.”

, DataTimes