Coaches Will Just ‘Do-Rag It Mead Celebrates This Title Like It’s Going Out Of Style

When Stacy Clinesmith launched the basketball high into the air, Saturday Night Live became Saturday Night Celebration.

As the ball went up, the horn went off and as the ball came down the Mead Panthers were crashing to the KeyArena floor in a wild midcourt celebration.

When basketball practice started four months ago, the Mead Panthers adopted “Saturday Night Live” as their motto. Their goal was to play for the State AAA girls basketball championship, broadcast live to a state-wide television audience on Saturday, March 9.

What the audience saw was a masterful performance by Clinesmith, named MVP for the second straight year. Clinesmith led the tournament in scoring again with 87 points in four games, including a season-high 26 in the championship, and played the game of her life on defense.

What the casual observer might not have realized was how well her teammates filled their roles and what great adjustments the coaching staff made. Without those crucial contributions, there would have been no 44-41 championship win over Big Nine rival Kamiakin and no celebration.

Instead, there would have been a third straight loss to the Braves this season, including the second in two weeks. And coach Jeanne Helfer and assistant Carl Barshig wouldn’t be wearing ‘do-rags, muscle shirts and tattoos to school today or Wednesday for the 10 a.m. assembly.

“I did not make the muscle shirt and tatoo (bet) because I can’t stand them,” Helfer insisted. “I did make the ‘do-rag, because I didn’t know what they were. … If that’s the worst thing that I have to do, that’s OK.”

The Panthers haven’t done too many bad things in the ‘90s. In the last seven years, Mead has won three state championships and finished second, third, fourth and fifth, running up a 24-4 record in Seattle.

“This one is special,” Helfer said. “The first one (in 1990) was kind of a surprise. We just wanted to win one ballgame. The second year here, we lost a tough one (in the finals), so ‘92 was special because I took a lot of responsibility for the loss. This one is special because none of these girls have won one before.”

Going back a little further, the Greater Spokane League has a record that is just as impressive.

Since the state tournament went to 16 teams in 1988, the GSL has qualified 21 teams through the Eastern Regional and 17 have brought home trophies, including a strong third-place performance by Ferris this year after the Saxons lost to Mead in the semifinals.

In fact, 16 of those 17 trophies have been in the top five, meaning the GSL team only lost once. The 17th trophy was a sixth by University because the Titans lost to Central Valley in the game for third and sixth. The league has a 59-20 record in the last nine state tournaments, with six of the losses in an All-GSL matchup.

“I hope it has to do with the brand of basketball we play,” Helfer said, including the Big Nine because of the regional. “If you’re going to take such a few number of teams, you’re going to be focused. You have to be at the top of your game to get there. A hot team usually goes over there. I don’t have an answer … when you’re over here and you get to the state tournament it’s a special special thing and you know if you play well you can get a trophy.”

The seven-year Mead run that produced a 174-27 record has been highlighted by outstanding points guards - the first three years the position was filled by Colleen Flanigan, the last three by Clinesmith. Will the talent well run dry?

“I think we’re going to be better than what people think,” Helfer said, looking ahead. “(Sophomore) Danielle (Zelinski) was kind of thrown in the fire at the state tournament. She’s a better-than-average point guard.

“Can she be a Clinesmith? I wouldn’t put that pressure on anybody. Nobody thought Stacy would able to replace Flanigan.”

The Panthers return two starters who received votes for all-tournament at state, shooting guard Holly Turner and 6-foot-3 center Jennifer Bennett. There are also capable people on the bench, but gone are seven seniors representing a lot of experience and depth.

“It will be considered a rebuilding year,” Helfer said. “We had one of those in the ‘90s and did real well. I have such a strong nucleus of kids that have learned how to win, learned how to represent Mead basketball. … I’m very confident this team will be fine. They’re not expected nor would I make them match up to what this team did. It’s their team, their senior year. They have to decided how to make it special.”

Only one question remains: Will assistant coaches Beth Salzman and Shelli Totten be dressed appropriately for the celebrations?

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