Published Tuesday, February 05, 2008 12:04 PM
Updated Tuesday, February 05, 2008 12:06 PM

 

Cup o'Joe

Getting back to B-Ball


In the past few years my interest in professional basketball has faded.

A decade ago, I enjoyed watching a game played by a team rather than individuals.

Today, crisp passing, clean shots and a team effort seem to have been replaced by the one-man dunk and the overpaid superstar.

Even when Michael Jordan dazzled us with his natural talent on the court, the Chicago Bulls still functioned as a team, utilizing the efforts of players like Horace Grant and Scottie Pippen.

I must admit, since the days of Bird, Johnson and Jordan, my interest in the sport has slowly dwindled. That is, until I got back to basics.

As a sports reporter, I have the great opportunity to get an up close view of high school basketball. This past Friday, I watched Timberland High School win its boys’ and girls’ games. Both teams used quick passing, intense defense and shooting from the outside.

It was refreshing to watch these student-athletes work as a team towards their goals. Win or lose, they did it as a team with their coaches at the helm.

While watching them play, I couldn’t help but be impressed with the heart these young basketball players displayed. They play all four quarters with a powerful intensity and respect for the game, which I have not seen in some time.

As I look on from the sidelines, I am able to get a close view of the intensity each display in every moment of play. In these young peoples’ faces, we see the excitement of victory and sometimes the frustration of defeat. Watching them play can often remind us of how we felt when we walked out on similar fields of battle years ago.

But what I truly enjoy about these games is seeing these individuals come together and function as one, towards a common goal.

Something is often missing in professional sports. Maybe it’s the money or the endorsements … but something gets lost in the trip from the small court to the big show.

I would rather watch the Goose Creek Gators or the Berkeley Stags shoot towards victory than any professional team. These high school teams have renewed my interest and respect for the game.