A Grip on Sports: Everyone’s journey needs accompaniment, even those of stars like Adam Morrison

A GRIP ON SPORTS • Friday is always a great day to look ahead. After all, ahead is the weekend. But it’s going to be such a nice day today, we need to look around first and cherish what is happening now. So let’s do that together.

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• It’s been 14 years since Adam Morrison played basketball with a Gonzaga jersey on. That we know of, of course. He may have donned his old one in a pickup game somewhere. But with the Kennel Club going nuts, the lights shining bright and assistant coach Tommy Lloyd shaking his head about his defense, it’s been 14 years.

But those years melted away quickly last night, as the university gave Morrison, as John Blanchette described it, his Senior Night, one that Morrison missed while exploring his NBA dream. And, like all Senior Nights, the evening was full of heart-tugging memories.

The one most folks will remember is probably when Morrison’s highlights appeared on the big screen. Or when his No. 3 was revealed in the rafters, up with Frank Burgess’ 44 and John Stockton’s 12. Good choices.

But the most hard-hitting part of the night had to be when Morrison spoke of those who helped him become who he is today. Everyone, even those in the limelight, are on the same journey, the one that takes us from who we were to who we are – and who we will be.

No one takes it alone, even if it feels like it some times. And that’s what I will take from Adam’s remarks. How many people helped him reach the pinnacle and then helped him realize the pinnacle wasn’t all he was after anyway. Helped him rise from the low spots of his life to where he is now, a father, a friend and part of a community he loves. And loves him.

It’s a story many people need to hear. They need to hear when times are rough, there are those ready to help. And they need to hear when others are having rough times, they need to be there for them. The reward is so beautiful.

Thanks Adam for once again filling McCarthey with cheers. This time means even more.

• It’s not a crowded night in college hoops (Fridays rarely are), but there is one game pretty important to some alums in the state of Washington. Yes, the Cougars and Huskies meet in Seattle tonight. It’s a somewhat early start, 6 on FS1.

If you look at the Pac-12 standings, you’ll see Washington State in 10th place and UW in the cellar. If you don’t have a dog (or cat) in the fight, you might wonder what the big deal is. One word: rivalry. It’s one of the best parts of college athletics. Lifetime enmity. It fuels sports.

So sit down, pick a side and root.

• Of course, you may want to fire up the DVR instead. There are some pretty good high school basketball games on tap tonight throughout the area. It’s regional weekend, with some schools fighting to ensure next Wednesday off at the State tournaments and others just trying to punch their ticket to the odd first day.

Tonight is dominated by girls action, including a GSL doubleheader at University High. The top 4A school, Central Valley, takes on Glacier Peak. The top 3A school, Mt. Spokane, faces Shorecrest. It’s a battle of the two sides of the state, which just adds to the fun.

The weekend hits top gear tomorrow at West Valley, U-Hi and Mt. Spokane, with games going on pretty much all day.

If you love high school hoops (yes, my hand is raised, which makes typing really hard), this is a good weekend to get out and see the best play.

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Gonzaga: There was a game last night and we will get to that in a second. But John built his column around the Morrison ceremony and the memories of those who were around him back in the (GU) day. … There is also a transcript available of all that was said. … OK, the game. The Bulldogs won. Easily. The 94-59 shellacking of San Diego clinched the outright West Coast Conference regular season title. Jim Meehan has the game analysis and the keys to victory. … The folks in the office put together the usual recap with highlights. … I watched at home and had the TV Take. … Colin Mulvany took photographs of the Morrison ceremony and the game, though for the life of me I can’t find the gallery. The photos are available, however, in the keys to the game, the recap and in the TV Take. … Larry Weir talked Gonzaga hoops yesterday with SWX/KHQ sports director Sam Adams. It’s part of the latest Press Box pod. … Elsewhere in the WCC, BYU’s offense is firing well. The Cougars have to avoid the pitfall of one last road game at Pepperdine.

WSU: Theo Lawson saved his best story of the basketball season for this morning. It concerns starting guard Noah Williams, his lost friend and the journey they hoped to take together. Sure, it serves as preview of tonight’s game in Hec Ed, but it’s more than that. Much more. Don’t miss it. … Yes, it is the end of February. But Theo also has football stories. The expected is the NFL Scouting Combine piece and how Anthony Gordon and Dezmon Patmon are doing. Then there are two unexpected ones. The first concerns Rodrick Fisher, the East Valley High graduate. He’s left the football program. The other concerns next year’s schedule and schedules down the road. The opener against Utah State this fall will be on Thursday, Feb. 3 instead of that Saturday. … Around the Pac-12, there were some great finishes, the best of which was UCLA hitting a late 3-pointer and downing visiting Arizona State. … California got hot and burned Colorado, hurting the Buffs chances of a conference tournament bye. … USC picked up a huge win at home against undermanned Arizona. The Wildcats couldn’t score. … Oregon State had done well in the Civil War lately. Not last night against Oregon. … Tonight is Senior Night for Washington. … In football news, a former Husky is on another journey. … More assistants are staying at Colorado. … Utah is trying to determine who will replace Zack Moss. … A prodigal son returns to Arizona State.

EWU: The Eagles traveled to Southern Utah to start one of the toughest road trips in the Big Sky. They started well, winning 69-51 behind Mason Peatling’s 17 points and nine rebounds. … The faculty group who studied the economic impact of athletics on the university spoke to the board of trustees yesterday. Chad Sokol was there and has this story. … Elsewhere in the Big Sky, Montana was upset by Northern Arizona in Flagstaff. … Portland State won at Idaho State. … Montana State got walloped at Sacramento State.

Idaho: Zac Claus’ first game as the head coach (without the interim tag) didn’t go well for the Vandals. They lost 93-49 at Northern Colorado. … The women won over Northern Colorado in Moscow.

Whitworth: The Pirates began the Northwest Conference’s postseason tournament with a 30-point win over visiting Pacific Lutheran last night. The win means Whitworth will host Whitman on Saturday with an NCAA Division III berth on the line. Dan Thompson was at the Fieldhouse and has this game story.

Preps: Dave Nichols has roundups previewing all the girls and boys basketball action ahead this weekend.

Mariners: This may be our favorite story of the day and that’s saying something. It’s Larry Stone’s column concerning robot umpires. As someone who spent nearly four decades framing pitches and getting calls for pitchers, I could care less if that skill disappears. It should be about nothing more than getting the ball-strike calls correct. … The M’s lost two games yesterday. … Logan Gilbert pitched better.

Seahawks: Jadeveon Clowney liked playing in Seattle, but he wants to see what he’s worth. … Justin Britt is working his way back from his knee injury. … As the next draft approaches, the success of the Hawks’ 2019 class is still debatable.

Sounders: Seattle had control of the match. Control of their Champions League future. And then it all slipped away last night at CenturyLink. CD Olimpia tied it late and won in a shootout.

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• It’s a pretty nice day outside. We are going to take advantage. Maybe I’ll even get lost in the woods. It’s my idea of fun. Until later …