RANDLE — White Pass girls basketball coach Tom Kelly was welcoming all the fans who showed up Saturday night to the Jo Dopiriak benefit basketball game when he was stopped abruptly.
Walking into the gym was Dopiriak herself.
The 2002 White Pass High School graduate is battling complications from diabetes, which prompted the basketball game. She had been in the hospital, but was released for the weekend to attend the game.
Dopiriak walked into a loud ovation and the fun was just beginning.
The game pitted area basketball coaches against area basketball officials. It was the coaches who came out on top with an 88-70 victory in a game that raised more than $1,100.
The officials kept things close in the first half, hitting six 3-pointers, and trailed by just three at 45-42. But the coaches used their inside game in the second half to pull away.
Mossyrock's Darin Allen led the coaches with 20 points while Shawn Dotson had 15, Tim McCoy 14 and Darrell Self 13. Also playing for the coaches were Jimmy Redmon (2 points), Randy Broussard (3), Casey Dotson (8), Tyler Bigbee (8) and Gary Stamper (4).
The officials were led by the 16 points of Mike Petrino. Tom Blair chipped in 15 while Kerry Vance had nine. Also playing for the officials were Doug Ashmore (7), Al Burk (2), Bob Howard (6), John Peterson (8), Steve Cox (5) and Rex Ashmore (2).
Howard provided the lightest moment of the night when he was ejected for being "over-equipped" as he took the floor with boxing gloves, head gear and a mouthpiece.
Cards or letters for Dopiriak may be sent to Virginia Mason Hospital, Level 16, Room 1662, Seattle, WA, 90101.
