By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
The Great Bend High School basketball teams opened the season at home Friday against Salina South. The fifth-ranked Panther boys powered their way to a running-clock 71-44 win over the Cougars. But the unexpected star of the night was a new coat of white paint and some new lettering in the GBHS gymnasium. USD 428 Assistant Superintendent John Popp highlighted some of the changes during Monday's board of education meeting.
"For the longest time, I didn't think you could paint that tile," he said. "I didn't think it was even possible. Through discussions with McCownGordon over the last couple of projects, we've heard talk about them doing it. (GBHS Activities Director) Matt Westerhaus found a company that was willing to do it."
Mark and Kristine Hermansen with Kem-Tad did the painting and Mark's Custom Signs did the lettering that says "Welcome to Great Bend" above the student section and "Home of the Panthers" on the opposite side. USA Gymnastics created the new mats hanging behind both backboards.
"It has given the whole gym a much-needed facelift," Popp said. "It looks very bright. With the floors being redone, those are lighter as well. It's just so much brighter."
The beige color beneath the bench seating in the upper deck of the gymnasium will be repainted in the future. Superintendent Khris Thexton said the Booster Club helped pay for some of the paint and the Class of 2024 donated money to purchase the new mats.