To say I’m not a sportswriter is an understatement. Back in the day I went to or watched some college football. I would occasionally catch a baseball game. That’s it.
I never played sports. When I was in school, it wasn’t something most girls did.
Working here I have gotten roped into covering sports, if shooting some photos and reporting the scores can be considered coverage. There just isn’t a wide pool of young would-be sports writers that are lining up to come work in Watonga, America.
But I do have to admit I have grown fond of basketball, or at least enjoy watching some area players.
Take Geary for example. The varsity girls were competitive in the games I’ve seen, and they never stopped playing, no matter what the score. Randi Upchego and Carmen Littleraven are in it to win it from buzzer to buzzer. Geary plays clean, too, with not many fouls being committed.
Over on the boys’ roster, Jaiden Woods is fast and tough, while Andrew Bates gets better with every start.
But what really blew me away was the intensity of the junior high players. I saw the boys’ match at Thomas a week or so ago and let me tell you, those Geary boys are a sight to behold.
I don’t know what the score of the game wound up being – the weather was turning lousy and I am a chicken. But if the set of their jaws was any indication, they put a hurting on the opposition. When they arrive at the varsity level, Geary could become a regional powerhouse. They are fast, tough and determined. That combination is very difficult to overcome.
Covering multiple schools sometimes produces a silver lining that I have been a little slow to appreciate. Sometimes it means I can go to a game and cover two schools in one night.
Recently I went to Calumet and got to see Geary play there (we cover both schools.)
Yes, Calumet won the contest. Yes, the score was a little lopsided. But there are reasons for that, too.
Brenlee Voss, Angellyne De La Cruz and Breck Bowers are three reasons. The team just gels and works incredibly well together.
Then there is sophomore Lila Winegeart. She isn’t very big, probably less than 5’6”. But she is intuitive and seems to know where to be and when to be there to be the most help to her teammates.
And she isn’t a ball hog, either.
Lila is an elegant little shark, cruising the three point line, waiting for her chance to slip through the defensive currents, dribble, steal or receive the pass, and make the basket with seemingly no effort.
Watching her play is more fun than a basketful of kittens, or even a washpot full of possums.
So, instead of flipping through the channels bemoaning the fact that there is nothing on TV worth watching, catch a local basketball game. It’s cheap, it’s fun and you’ll be glad you did. Just don’t get shark bit.