WILDCATS ADVANCE WITH VANCE IN HEARTS

Publication: THE CHARLESTON GAZETTE
Published: 03/09/2001
Page: 1B
Headline: WILDCATS ADVANCE WITH VANCE IN HEARTS
Byline: MITCH VINGLE

ON THURSDAY, Nitro High's girls basketball team won on the Civic Center court.

Later in the afternoon, it got the thumbs up in Thomas Memorial Hospital.

From Pat Vance, Nitro's athletic director.

Vance is fighting for his life at Thomas Memorial, where he's been in the intensive care unit. There may be paralysis involved.

"He had a brain stem bleed, possibly caused by a stroke," said Paul McClanahan, Nitro's principal.

McClanahan sat in the corner of the Civic Center, watching the Wildcats storm past Nicholas County. But he called the scene "truly strange" because of Vance's absence.

"It's odd not having him here or at school," said McClanahan. "He's been my right-hand man for 20 years. I rely on him so much. And he's just a great guy."

After beating Nicholas County, Nitro standout Ashleigh Huffman could barely speak of Vance without tears welling in her eyes.

"He's so important to us," she said. "He's always there. He always supports us. Everybody loves him."

Her words trailed and her head turned as the tears gathered.

"He feels like family," she said.

Lee Ann Vance, the athletic director's daughter, reported some good news Thursday.

"He's off the respirator," she said from the hospital. "He's breathing on his own. But he's still 'critical.' "

Pat Vance knows, though, his Wildcats are in the state semifinals.

"He's very glad the girls won," said Vance's daughter. "He gave them the thumbs up."

Throughout the first couple days of the tournament, Nitro coach Scott Tinsley has been trying to keep his hopes under wraps. Because he'd like to present Vance with the ultimate gift.

"After the regional championship with Logan, we thought of dedicating it to him," said Tinsley. "We took the trophy to him. But I told him I didn't want to dedicate that to him. I told him we were three games away from the one I wanted to give to him. He's such a winner, that's what he deserves."

Tinsley was waiting to see if a state championship was in the cards.

He was waiting to see if Vance could rest his thumb and extend his index finger, signifying No. 1.

Whether the girls win or not, though, Vance can take solace in the thoughts and prayers being sent from the Civic Center to his Thomas Memorial room.

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