Blackhawks victorious on Senior Night

CHENEY - How do you go from being a senior cut from the Blackhawks basketball team to the most celebrated player on "Senior Night?" Paul Carpenter found out!

When the team held tryouts last November, Paul's name wasn't on the list of those who made it. Paul, not real tall and a little short on shooting ability, was heartbroken but desperately wanted to join the group.

He was "hired" as the Volunteer Student Coach Manager (VSCM). If there was something to be done Paul, did it.

"Paul is the hardest worker we know," said fellow seniors Garrett Heuett and Josh Whitely. "We're proud of him for staying with the team all season."

Word got out on the high school campus that Coach Warren put Paul on the varsity roster for Senior Night. At least twice the usual crowd showed up, and fans were entertained with two exciting games. The girls beat Ridgeview 43-35, and the boys rolled past beat the Falcons 77-63.

But the best moments of the night came with about four minutes left in the boys' game. The students (and others) started yelling, "We want Paul, we want Paul," hoping Coach Warren would put him in.

Paul was inserted into the game with two minutes to play and received a rousing ovation from the crowd. His teammates went out of their way to ensure he got a few shot opportunities. Unfortunately, they didn't drop through the net.

When the final buzzer went off, the students stormed the floor, lifted Paul on their shoulders and marched him around the court. Paul was definitely the most celebrated Volunteer Student Coach Manager in Cheney High School Basketball history!!

Paul's reaction to this outpouring of kindness was, of course, very humble. After thanking many of his friends, Paul said he was blessed by their support.

"When they rushed the floor and lifted me up it was one of the greatest moments of my life! In my wildest dreams, I never expected it, Paul said. "My family was very emotional about the whole deal-Mom shed lots of tears!"

GIRLS

The games were a good preview of the last-minute event. Before the girls' contest got underway, a moment of silence was offered for one of Cheney's most outstanding high school supporters, Brad Barsness, who had recently passed away.

The young Blackhawks Girls played well against the even younger Falcons. Cheney's

Megan Schuller was the only senior on the floor.

Ridgeview had a couple of juniors on their roster, but they played seven freshmen. Turnovers caused by scrappy defenses led to a low-scoring 6-6 first quarter. The pace picked up and the Falcons led 18-16 at the half.

Cheney caught fire in the third period and led 31-23 going into the game's final eight minutes.

Tatum Sloan and Shauna Elliott were the second-half stars for the Blackhawks. Elliott scored 11 of her team-leading 15 points. Sloan nailed a couple of 3's to finish with 11 points. Schuller ended her career with two made free throws.

BOYS

It was a 3-point war at the beginning of the boy's contest. Ridgeview's Dakota Means sank three in a row from long distance. The Blackhawks Jakeb Vallance also drained his first two shots from beyond the arc.

Means had 12 of the Falcons 18 first-period points. Vallance (8) and Evan Stinson (7) combined for 15 of 18 Cheney points.

Vallance added 8 second-period points, but Ridgeview led 31-30 at the half.

The third period was one of Cheney's best of the season. The team, exhibiting impressive ball movement, pumped in 26 points to go up 56-42.

Both teams hit for 21 points each over the final eight minutes and Cheney came away with a 77-63 win.

Vallance hit an impressive five of eight shots from 3-point range to lead the Cheney assault with 30 points. Stinson added 21 and a season-high 11 boards. Senior Josh Whiteley finished his career with 13 points and five rebounds.

It was a tough season for the 4-15 Blackhawks as several close losses and many COVID protocol problems put a damper on the results.