Fr. Bob Dowd and I squared off in a 5-on-5 game at the Moreau Seminary basketball court in 2005. Players drove over in a couple cars; it was cold, we were lazy, or both. St. Ed's guys usually played at Rolfs, but jumped at Fr. Bob's offer to try a new court. He was gracious – "Uh oh; I've got a tough matchup" – and tenacious on defense: active feet, good positioning, and quick hands (but doesn't reach). He snagged several rebounds that defied my height advantage. On his team was a freshman who didn't look like much – maybe 5'11, goofy shoes, dad haircut – but was scoring at will. Layups in my grill. Pretty cocky, too. How the tables had turned! Three years prior, our all-freshman St. Ed's team won the B-division championship on the JACC center court (now Purcell Pavilion), toppling one squad after another of ill-equipped upperclassmen. Now it was me who'd lost a step (okay, several) to senior sloth. I don't know whether that freshman kept his edge or faced that familiar slide. But I hope he followed the example of Fr. Bob and is still ballin.
Fr. Bob Dowd and I squared off in a 5-on-5 game at the Moreau Seminary basketball court in 2005. Players drove over in a couple cars; it was cold, we were lazy, or both. St. Ed's guys usually played at Rolfs, but jumped at Fr. Bob's offer to try a new court. He was gracious – "Uh oh; I've got a tough matchup" – and tenacious on defense: active feet, good positioning, and quick hands (but doesn't reach). He snagged several rebounds that defied my height advantage. On his team was a freshman who didn't look like much – maybe 5'11, goofy shoes, dad haircut – but was scoring at will. Layups in my grill. Pretty cocky, too. How the tables had turned! Three years prior, our all-freshman St. Ed's team won the B-division championship on the JACC center court (now Purcell Pavilion), toppling one squad after another of ill-equipped upperclassmen. Now it was me who'd lost a step (okay, several) to senior sloth. I don't know whether that freshman kept his edge or faced that familiar slide. But I hope he followed the example of Fr. Bob and is still ballin.
Thanks for sharing, Matthew! I've love to clip some of your comment for next month's edition!