The memory is crystal clear. We were in our junior year of high school. Our Coach announced that on New Year's Eve morning we would be scrimmaging the top ranked team in the state. They had the top rated player in the state, a kid who had division one scholarship offers in basketball and football.
We showed up and, honestly, just wanted the scrimmage to end. We were more focused on New Year's Eve party plans and squeezing out a few more days of fun before Christmas vacation ended.
We held our own, probably losing by 20. But the lasting memory was getting a rebound against the other team's star player. For reasons unknown, someone else took a shot. The star point guard sprinted for the hoop looking for the offensive rebound. Good, gawd, man -- he probably had intentions of dunking home the rebound. Even though he was just 5'10", he could dunk at will. Some how, some way, the ball headed in our vicinity. Moving with heretofore unknown quickness and agility, we went and grabbed the rock just before The Star could get it. Upon securing the ball we thought of calling timeout and "asking" that the ball be saved for us after the game. Not wanting Our Coach to take said ball and punt it directly into our face, however, we quickly passed the ball to a teammate -- any teammate -- before The Star stole it from us.
We never scored in the scrimmage. But that didn't matter. We got a rebound against future first round NBA draft pick (1989) and NBA All-Star (1995) Dana Barros.
If you're going out tonight, stay safe. Rest easy that we'll be staying safe on our couch. Happy New Year!
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