Francis’ mom gets to game
It took three stopovers and nearly an entire day, but Paulette Francis made it here. Even though she hates flying and knew it would be a heart-wrenching experience, the mother of slain USC guard Ryan Francis fulfilled her promise to support the Trojans in their first NCAA tournament appearance in five years.
“I really wanted to be here in my heart for the boys,” Paulette Francis said before USC defeated Arkansas, 77-60, in an East Regional first-round game Friday at Spokane Arena. “I told them because I’m here I want them to do their best. I don’t want them to do it for Ryan. I want them to do it for themselves.”
Ryan Francis, who as a freshman last season led the Trojans to a better-than-expected 17-13 record, was fatally shot in May after returning home to Baton Rouge, La., to visit Paulette for Mother’s Day.
Paulette gave the Trojans a not-so-subtle nudge when she addressed the team Thursday, telling them she planned to stay in Spokane through Sunday. Then they went out Friday and gave her a reason to, a day before Ryan Francis would have turned 20.
“He’s not physically here, but his spirit is going to live on through all of his,” senior guard Lodrick Stewart said. “I’m going to be in a rocking chair talking about Ryan Francis.”
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Spokane holds special memories for USC Coach Tim Floyd: He recorded his first victory against a Division I team here as coach of the Idaho Vandals in November 1986 at the old Spokane Coliseum.
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