Game Recap- Bill Davidson

Last night proved to be another great alumni event.  Josh Billings' late game surge wasn't enough as Annville beat Cleona in the undercard.  Lasky was Lasky and Bowman's pull-up jumpers were works of art.  Grier proved to be one of the greatest conditioned 36 year-olds on the planet, and Wendell Hoover's hair won't soon be forgotten.  John and Matt Bixler are both still animals on the boards and setting screens.  Steve Johnson was a crowd favorite and Erik Leonard set an alumni game record for fundamentally perfect box outs.  After the game, many remarked on how well Steve Kreamer was dress and Schrader and Vila played.  Schrader's memory proved less prolific at Johnson's post-game party.  He barely remembered a bench clearing brawl that he was involved in against Lebanon Catholic back in December of '86.  Craig Gingrich ('86) didn't play, but was at the Batdorf.  He, Mike Wolfe, and I pieced together the starting team from '84-'85.

The main event featured less turnovers and better conditioned athletes.  The Dutchmen somehow managed to blowout Little as Coach Troxell's unblemished alumni game coaching record came to an end.  Coach Eshleman - 1-0 - now holds the highest current winning percentage of alumni game coaches.  Tim Fogelsanger looks like a mid-major power forward at this point and Isaac Custer excelled all over the court on both ends of the floor.  Matt Kleinfelter was called for a charge in his second consecutive alumni game.  This time, Vince Hoover stood in on the human freight train.  Dan Billings showed flashes of both Nash and Wiliams, but his social decisions continue to overshadow what he does on the court.  This year, he again found a significant other to come watch him play.  The big question remains:  Will he be able to make it a three-peat next year?

We're all happy that the most important game of the evening resulted in an A-C victory over Donegal, 61-49.  Let's hope that they can hold onto their number two seed for districts and make it to the state tournament.

Special thanks go to all the honorary coaches - Goudy, Barnhart, Troxell, Kreider, Jackson, and Eshleman - as well as Coach Gaffey and Cindy Meyers.  It was great seeing all of you again.  Can't wait til next year.

Last night proved to be another great alumni event.  Josh Billings' late game surge wasn't enough as Annville beat Cleona in the undercard.  Lasky was Lasky and Bowman's pull-up jumpers were works of art.  Grier proved to be one of the greatest conditioned 36 year-olds on the planet, and Wendell Hoover's hair won't soon be forgotten.  John and Matt Bixler are both still animals on the boards and setting screens.  Steve Johnson was a crowd favorite and Erik Leonard set an alumni game record for fundamentally perfect box outs.  After the game, many remarked on how well Steve Kreamer was dress and Schrader and Vila played.  Schrader's memory proved less prolific at Johnson's post-game party.  He barely remembered a bench clearing brawl that he was involved in against Lebanon Catholic back in December of '86.  Craig Gingrich ('86) didn't play, but was at the Batdorf.  He, Mike Wolfe, and I pieced together the starting team from '84-'85.

The main event featured less turnovers and better conditioned athletes.  The Dutchmen somehow managed to blowout Little as Coach Troxell's unblemished alumni game coaching record came to an end.  Coach Eshleman - 1-0 - now holds the highest current winning percentage of alumni game coaches.  Tim Fogelsanger looks like a mid-major power forward at this point and Isaac Custer excelled all over the court on both ends of the floor.  Matt Kleinfelter was called for a charge in his second consecutive alumni game.  This time, Vince Hoover stood in on the human freight train.  Dan Billings showed flashes of both Nash and Wiliams, but his social decisions continue to overshadow what he does on the court.  This year, he again found a significant other to come watch him play.  The big question remains:  Will he be able to make it a three-peat next year?

We're all happy that the most important game of the evening resulted in an A-C victory over Donegal, 61-49.  Let's hope that they can hold onto their number two seed for districts and make it to the state tournament.

Special thanks go to all the honorary coaches - Goudy, Barnhart, Troxell, Kreider, Jackson, and Eshleman - as well as Coach Gaffey and Cindy Meyers.  It was great seeing all of you again.  Can't wait til next year.

Last night proved to be another great alumni event.  Josh Billings' late game surge wasn't enough as Annville beat Cleona in the undercard.  Lasky was Lasky and Bowman's pull-up jumpers were works of art.  Grier proved to be one of the greatest conditioned 36 year-olds on the planet, and Wendell Hoover's hair won't soon be forgotten.  John and Matt Bixler are both still animals on the boards and setting screens.  Steve Johnson was a crowd favorite and Erik Leonard set an alumni game record for fundamentally perfect box outs.  After the game, many remarked on how well Steve Kreamer was dress and Schrader and Vila played.  Schrader's memory proved less prolific at Johnson's post-game party.  He barely remembered a bench clearing brawl that he was involved in against Lebanon Catholic back in December of '86.  Craig Gingrich ('86) didn't play, but was at the Batdorf.  He, Mike Wolfe, and I pieced together the starting team from '84-'85.

The main event featured less turnovers and better conditioned athletes.  The Dutchmen somehow managed to blowout Little as Coach Troxell's unblemished alumni game coaching record came to an end.  Coach Eshleman - 1-0 - now holds the highest current winning percentage of alumni game coaches.  Tim Fogelsanger looks like a mid-major power forward at this point and Isaac Custer excelled all over the court on both ends of the floor.  Matt Kleinfelter was called for a charge in his second consecutive alumni game.  This time, Vince Hoover stood in on the human freight train.  Dan Billings showed flashes of both Nash and Wiliams, but his social decisions continue to overshadow what he does on the court.  This year, he again found a significant other to come watch him play.  The big question remains:  Will he be able to make it a three-peat next year?

We're all happy that the most important game of the evening resulted in an A-C victory over Donegal, 61-49.  Let's hope that they can hold onto their number two seed for districts and make it to the state tournament.

Special thanks go to all the honorary coaches - Goudy, Barnhart, Troxell, Kreider, Jackson, and Eshleman - as well as Coach Gaffey and Cindy Meyers.  It was great seeing all of you again.  Can't wait til next year.

Last night proved to be another great alumni event.  Josh Billings' late game surge wasn't enough as Annville beat Cleona in the undercard.  Lasky was Lasky and Bowman's pull-up jumpers were works of art.  Grier proved to be one of the greatest conditioned 36 year-olds on the planet, and Wendell Hoover's hair won't soon be forgotten.  John and Matt Bixler are both still animals on the boards and setting screens.  Steve Johnson was a crowd favorite and Erik Leonard set an alumni game record for fundamentally perfect box outs.  After the game, many remarked on how well Steve Kreamer was dress and Schrader and Vila played.  Schrader's memory proved less prolific at Johnson's post-game party.  He barely remembered a bench clearing brawl that he was involved in against Lebanon Catholic back in December of '86.  Craig Gingrich ('86) didn't play, but was at the Batdorf.  He, Mike Wolfe, and I pieced together the starting team from '84-'85.

The main event featured less turnovers and better conditioned athletes.  The Dutchmen somehow managed to blowout Little as Coach Troxell's unblemished alumni game coaching record came to an end.  Coach Eshleman - 1-0 - now holds the highest current winning percentage of alumni game coaches.  Tim Fogelsanger looks like a mid-major power forward at this point and Isaac Custer excelled all over the court on both ends of the floor.  Matt Kleinfelter was called for a charge in his second consecutive alumni game.  This time, Vince Hoover stood in on the human freight train.  Dan Billings showed flashes of both Nash and Wiliams, but his social decisions continue to overshadow what he does on the court.  This year, he again found a significant other to come watch him play.  The big question remains:  Will he be able to make it a three-peat next year?

We're all happy that the most important game of the evening resulted in an A-C victory over Donegal, 61-49.  Let's hope that they can hold onto their number two seed for districts and make it to the state tournament.

Special thanks go to all the honorary coaches - Goudy, Barnhart, Troxell, Kreider, Jackson, and Eshleman - as well as Coach Gaffey and Cindy Meyers.  It was great seeing all of you again.  Can't wait til next year.

Last night proved to be another great alumni event.  Josh Billings' late game surge wasn't enough as Annville beat Cleona in the undercard.  Lasky was Lasky and Bowman's pull-up jumpers were works of art.  Grier proved to be one of the greatest conditioned 36 year-olds on the planet, and Wendell Hoover's hair won't soon be forgotten.  John and Matt Bixler are both still animals on the boards and setting screens.  Steve Johnson was a crowd favorite and Erik Leonard set an alumni game record for fundamentally perfect box outs.  After the game, many remarked on how well Steve Kreamer was dress and Schrader and Vila played.  Schrader's memory proved less prolific at Johnson's post-game party.  He barely remembered a bench clearing brawl that he was involved in against Lebanon Catholic back in December of '86.  Craig Gingrich ('86) didn't play, but was at the Batdorf.  He, Mike Wolfe, and I pieced together the starting team from '84-'85.

The main event featured less turnovers and better conditioned athletes.  The Dutchmen somehow managed to blowout Little as Coach Troxell's unblemished alumni game coaching record came to an end.  Coach Eshleman - 1-0 - now holds the highest current winning percentage of alumni game coaches.  Tim Fogelsanger looks like a mid-major power forward at this point and Isaac Custer excelled all over the court on both ends of the floor.  Matt Kleinfelter was called for a charge in his second consecutive alumni game.  This time, Vince Hoover stood in on the human freight train.  Dan Billings showed flashes of both Nash and Wiliams, but his social decisions continue to overshadow what he does on the court.  This year, he again found a significant other to come watch him play.  The big question remains:  Will he be able to make it a three-peat next year?

We're all happy that the most important game of the evening resulted in an A-C victory over Donegal, 61-49.  Let's hope that they can hold onto their number two seed for districts and make it to the state tournament.

Special thanks go to all the honorary coaches - Goudy, Barnhart, Troxell, Kreider, Jackson, and Eshleman - as well as Coach Gaffey and Cindy Meyers.  It was great seeing all of you again.  Can't wait til next year.

Last night proved to be another great alumni event.  Josh Billings' late game surge wasn't enough as Annville beat Cleona in the undercard.  Lasky was Lasky and Bowman's pull-up jumpers were works of art.  Grier proved to be one of the greatest conditioned 36 year-olds on the planet, and Wendell Hoover's hair won't soon be forgotten.  John and Matt Bixler are both still animals on the boards and setting screens.  Steve Johnson was a crowd favorite and Erik Leonard set an alumni game record for fundamentally perfect box outs.  After the game, many remarked on how well Steve Kreamer was dress and Schrader and Vila played.  Schrader's memory proved less prolific at Johnson's post-game party.  He barely remembered a bench clearing brawl that he was involved in against Lebanon Catholic back in December of '86.  Craig Gingrich ('86) didn't play, but was at the Batdorf.  He, Mike Wolfe, and I pieced together the starting team from '84-'85.

The main event featured less turnovers and better conditioned athletes.  The Dutchmen somehow managed to blowout Little as Coach Troxell's unblemished alumni game coaching record came to an end.  Coach Eshleman - 1-0 - now holds the highest current winning percentage of alumni game coaches.  Tim Fogelsanger looks like a mid-major power forward at this point and Isaac Custer excelled all over the court on both ends of the floor.  Matt Kleinfelter was called for a charge in his second consecutive alumni game.  This time, Vince Hoover stood in on the human freight train.  Dan Billings showed flashes of both Nash and Wiliams, but his social decisions continue to overshadow what he does on the court.  This year, he again found a significant other to come watch him play.  The big question remains:  Will he be able to make it a three-peat next year?

We're all happy that the most important game of the evening resulted in an A-C victory over Donegal, 61-49.  Let's hope that they can hold onto their number two seed for districts and make it to the state tournament.

Special thanks go to all the honorary coaches - Goudy, Barnhart, Troxell, Kreider, Jackson, and Eshleman - as well as Coach Gaffey and Cindy Meyers.  It was great seeing all of you again.  Can't wait til next year.

Last night proved to be another great alumni event.  Josh Billings' late game surge wasn't enough as Annville beat Cleona in the undercard.  Lasky was Lasky and Bowman's pull-up jumpers were works of art.  Grier proved to be one of the greatest conditioned 36 year-olds on the planet, and Wendell Hoover's hair won't soon be forgotten.  John and Matt Bixler are both still animals on the boards and setting screens.  Steve Johnson was a crowd favorite and Erik Leonard set an alumni game record for fundamentally perfect box outs.  After the game, many remarked on how well Steve Kreamer was dress and Schrader and Vila played.  Schrader's memory proved less prolific at Johnson's post-game party.  He barely remembered a bench clearing brawl that he was involved in against Lebanon Catholic back in December of '86.  Craig Gingrich ('86) didn't play, but was at the Batdorf.  He, Mike Wolfe, and I pieced together the starting team from '84-'85.

The main event featured less turnovers and better conditioned athletes.  The Dutchmen somehow managed to blowout Little as Coach Troxell's unblemished alumni game coaching record came to an end.  Coach Eshleman - 1-0 - now holds the highest current winning percentage of alumni game coaches.  Tim Fogelsanger looks like a mid-major power forward at this point and Isaac Custer excelled all over the court on both ends of the floor.  Matt Kleinfelter was called for a charge in his second consecutive alumni game.  This time, Vince Hoover stood in on the human freight train.  Dan Billings showed flashes of both Nash and Wiliams, but his social decisions continue to overshadow what he does on the court.  This year, he again found a significant other to come watch him play.  The big question remains:  Will he be able to make it a three-peat next year?

We're all happy that the most important game of the evening resulted in an A-C victory over Donegal, 61-49.  Let's hope that they can hold onto their number two seed for districts and make it to the state tournament.

Special thanks go to all the honorary coaches - Goudy, Barnhart, Troxell, Kreider, Jackson, and Eshleman - as well as Coach Gaffey and Cindy Meyers.  It was great seeing all of you again.  Can't wait til next year.

Last night proved to be another great alumni event.  Josh Billings' late game surge wasn't enough as Annville beat Cleona in the undercard.  Lasky was Lasky and Bowman's pull-up jumpers were works of art.  Grier proved to be one of the greatest conditioned 36 year-olds on the planet, and Wendell Hoover's hair won't soon be forgotten.  John and Matt Bixler are both still animals on the boards and setting screens.  Steve Johnson was a crowd favorite and Erik Leonard set an alumni game record for fundamentally perfect box outs.  After the game, many remarked on how well Steve Kreamer was dress and Schrader and Vila played.  Schrader's memory proved less prolific at Johnson's post-game party.  He barely remembered a bench clearing brawl that he was involved in against Lebanon Catholic back in December of '86.  Craig Gingrich ('86) didn't play, but was at the Batdorf.  He, Mike Wolfe, and I pieced together the starting team from '84-'85.

The main event featured less turnovers and better conditioned athletes.  The Dutchmen somehow managed to blowout Little as Coach Troxell's unblemished alumni game coaching record came to an end.  Coach Eshleman - 1-0 - now holds the highest current winning percentage of alumni game coaches.  Tim Fogelsanger looks like a mid-major power forward at this point and Isaac Custer excelled all over the court on both ends of the floor.  Matt Kleinfelter was called for a charge in his second consecutive alumni game.  This time, Vince Hoover stood in on the human freight train.  Dan Billings showed flashes of both Nash and Wiliams, but his social decisions continue to overshadow what he does on the court.  This year, he again found a significant other to come watch him play.  The big question remains:  Will he be able to make it a three-peat next year?

We're all happy that the most important game of the evening resulted in an A-C victory over Donegal, 61-49.  Let's hope that they can hold onto their number two seed for districts and make it to the state tournament.

Special thanks go to all the honorary coaches - Goudy, Barnhart, Troxell, Kreider, Jackson, and Eshleman - as well as Coach Gaffey and Cindy Meyers.  It was great seeing all of you again.  Can't wait til next year.

Last night proved to be another great alumni event.  Josh Billings' late game surge wasn't enough as Annville beat Cleona in the undercard.  Lasky was Lasky and Bowman's pull-up jumpers were works of art.  Grier proved to be one of the greatest conditioned 36 year-olds on the planet, and Wendell Hoover's hair won't soon be forgotten.  John and Matt Bixler are both still animals on the boards and setting screens.  Steve Johnson was a crowd favorite and Erik Leonard set an alumni game record for fundamentally perfect box outs.  After the game, many remarked on how well Steve Kreamer was dress and Schrader and Vila played.  Schrader's memory proved less prolific at Johnson's post-game party.  He barely remembered a bench clearing brawl that he was involved in against Lebanon Catholic back in December of '86.  Craig Gingrich ('86) didn't play, but was at the Batdorf.  He, Mike Wolfe, and I pieced together the starting team from '84-'85.

The main event featured less turnovers and better conditioned athletes.  The Dutchmen somehow managed to blowout Little as Coach Troxell's unblemished alumni game coaching record came to an end.  Coach Eshleman - 1-0 - now holds the highest current winning percentage of alumni game coaches.  Tim Fogelsanger looks like a mid-major power forward at this point and Isaac Custer excelled all over the court on both ends of the floor.  Matt Kleinfelter was called for a charge in his second consecutive alumni game.  This time, Vince Hoover stood in on the human freight train.  Dan Billings showed flashes of both Nash and Wiliams, but his social decisions continue to overshadow what he does on the court.  This year, he again found a significant other to come watch him play.  The big question remains:  Will he be able to make it a three-peat next year?

We're all happy that the most important game of the evening resulted in an A-C victory over Donegal, 61-49.  Let's hope that they can hold onto their number two seed for districts and make it to the state tournament.

Special thanks go to all the honorary coaches - Goudy, Barnhart, Troxell, Kreider, Jackson, and Eshleman - as well as Coach Gaffey and Cindy Meyers.  It was great seeing all of you again.  Can't wait til next year.

Annville

Coached by Jim Kreider and Del Jackson. Coach Kreider’s participation in today’s event will be a game time decision due to his wife’s illness. Everyone in the A-C basketball family extends their deepest sympathy to Coach Kreider, who contributed fourteen great, great years to the A-C basketball program. Del Jackson – Coach Kreider’s replacement or assistant – is a 1975 graduate of Annville-Cleona and the head coach at Donegal High School, who the A-C varsity will be playing later tonight. Coach Jackson has been a familiar face at A-C in the three decades since he graduated. As a well-respected coach at Penn Manor during the eighties and nineties, he frequently spoke at A-C youth basketball camps and, as an assistant coach at Elizabethtown College, he recruited several A-C players. As an A-C player, he gained the reputation of having one of the most potent baseline jumpers in the county.

Will Lasky (’88 ) All-time leading scorer in A-C history with 2,087 career points.

John Bixler (’85) Tenacious screener/rebounder. The author of this program is still recovering from his bone-shaking picks in last year’s game.

Craig Hemperly (’85) Classic center for Jim Kreider coached teams. Redefined the word “coachable” in the mid-eighties. Comprised a formidable front court with John Bixler. Also, Jon Bowman’s neighbor.

Kevin Schrader (’88) Shooting guard on the great 1988 state quarter-final team.

Mike Battistelli (’89) Sharpshooter who holds the single-game three-point shooting record with seven.

Tom Henning (’78) A-C’s 9^th grade basketball coach and the father of junior guard Tyler Henning. Oldest, but one of the most well-conditioned players in last year’s game. This year, he’ll play with and face off against a former teammate.

Dave Jones (’89) Hard-nosed guard/forward known for deadly baby hook shot.

Bill Davidson (’95) Author of this program and self-proclaimed A-C Alumni Basketball Event Coordinator.

Kevin Dohner (’93) Game winning lay-up on Senior Day 1993. Nephew of teammate Steve Kreamer.

Steve Kreamer (’78) Kevin Dohner’s uncle. As the owner of Kreamer Funeral Home - one of the Annville’s most successful small businesses - he was one of Lebanon County’s most heralded bachelors during the early nineties.

Cleona

Coached by Fred Goudy. Coach Goudy’s contribution to the A-C basketball program bridged the legendary Frank Etchberger and Jim Kreider eras. Several of his former hoop players credit him with being the best coach they’ve ever had in any sport. Coach Goudy has coached in A-C’s football and baseball programs and served as athletic director during the nineties. A great alumni event would not be complete without the services of this Annville-Cleona all-star.

Josh Billings (’91) 1,000 point scorer. Became a father since last year’s game. Look for him to be a step slow. Father wrote When We Talk of War.

Jon Bowman (’95) Best point guard in A-C history never to average 31 points per game. Got the author of this program a lot of easy baskets on two section and one eastern state championship teams.

Matt Bixler (’93) Best 6’1’’ Center in A-C history. Possibly the only A-C athlete to get his name in Sports Illustrated. He was an all-American linebacker at Dickinson College.

Ron Grier (’88) While he may always be remembered as the greatest open gym player in A-C history, it shouldn’t be forgotten that he once had back-to-back 30-point outputs for A-C’s 1988 state quarter-final team.

Wendell Hoover (’93) Game winning assist on Senior Day 1993. Harrisburg’s most eligible bachelor.

Mike Folmer (’88) Strong lefty forward. Dennis Rodman of the 1988 state quarter-final team.

Todd Hearsey (’90) Knee brace wearing, third row diving 3-point shooter. Never met a pep rally microphone he didn’t like.

Jon Vila (’89) Strong six-foot center who Mike Schieber described as simply ‘tenacious’. Could team with Creekside neighbors Hemperly and Bowman to form formidable 3 man team that could take on any subdivision in Lebanon County.

Erik Leonard (’94) Smooth mid-range game. Look for him to be one of the game’s best players. It’s been rumored that he’s in marathon shape.

Steve Johnson (’78) Another wildly successful small business owner. Johnson’s Bar and Grill on Main Street hosted a spontaneous 1999 State Championship victory party.

Little

Coached by Dave Troxell. This Phil Jackson of J.V. basketball added an alumni game win to his gaudy resume last year. In this year’s alumni game, he’ll face off against one of the three coaches he assisted during his seventeen years in the A-C basketball program.

Dan Billings (’96) At his best, he’s Nash-like. At his worst, he’s Jason Williams-like. Took a momentum-changing charge in last year’s game. Father wrote Porches.

Mike Wolfe (’97) Never met a 3-point shot he didn’t like. J.V. coach of one of New Jersey’s most successful girls basketball programs.

Vince Hoover (’00) 1999 state champion and starting center on the 2000 state quarter-final team.

Bob Hess (’01) Don’t be fooled by the beard. This 3-point marksmen shouldn’t be playing in the old-timers game.

Isaac Custer (’99) Made one of the biggest shots in A-C basketball history when he sunk a foul shot to send the 1999 state championship game in overtime. He should be remembered as one of the best forwards in A-C history.

Andy Sholly (’95) Recorded one of the biggest steals in A-C basketball history in the only possession he played during the 1995 state quarter-final against Delone Catholic. Ask any coach or player who competed with Andy and they’ll tell you that he’s one of the best team players they’ve ever been around.

Jeff Bohr (’96) This fan favorite during the mid-90’s has seen his game improve with age. Career wins leader at Annville Fitness Center in half-court pickup games.

Seth Custer (’97) Two-time section champion. Part of a long line of power forwards out of the North Annville area. Biggest question is if he will be sporting Peja Stojakovic-esque beard for this year’s game.

Dutchmen

Coached by Steve Eshleman. During his three years as A-C’s head coach, he led A-C to two section titles (1993-94, 1994-95), a district runner-up (1995), and Eastern State Championship (1995). Taught and demanded hard work, discipline, and self-less play in all his players. A great program builder and teacher of fundamentals, Coach Eshleman rejoined the A-C staff this year as J.V. coach. Fans will be watching closely to see whether or not he’ll break out the navy sweater vest, or if he’ll have his voice at the end of the game. It’s likely that he’ll need his cough drops to get through this night.

BJ Leonard (’98) One of the greatest pure shooters of the 3-point era. Professional baby maker.

Tim Fogelsanger (’99) Widely regarded as the best defensive player in A-C Hoops history, he chose to retire on top after winning the state championship rather than pursuing a college career in which he could’ve developed into a division three all-American.

Tom Moyer (’95) 1995 Eastern State champion. Great rebounder/defender with an underrated offensive game.

Mark Brandt (’99) Sunk three foul shots with no time remaining on the clock to send the 1999 state quarter-final into overtime. Just became a father.

Mike Schies (’99) 1999 State champion. Probably the game’s strongest player.

Frank Jones (’01) Strong bruiser with range to six feet.

Bret Barlet (’00) Starting two-guard on the 1999 state championship team. Point guard on the 2000 state quarter-finalist team.

Brian Madden (’06) This late-entry gets the “Baby” award for the event. He was in seventh grade when the next youngest player was a senior in high school and was born ten years after the ’78 crew graduated. All kidding aside. This guy’s tenacious on both ends of the floor – a 21^st century Matt Bixler – and was instrumental in rebuilding A-C’s program.

The first time we entered the old gym wasn’t to play in a varsity basketball game. It was probably for a school event, or to shoot hoops on the side baskets during an open gym. We didn’t find the experience to be all that spectacular. After all, it was just a little gym and could in no way compare to those we saw on t.v. or even others in the area.

Still, Tuesday and Friday nights each Winter, we’d go watch the A-C varsity, dreaming of the day when we’d run out of that tunnel and everyone would be cheering for us. Although it’d be freezing outside, the gym’s heat forced us to strip down to short sleeves. We’d stand as much as possible. Cramming into those wooden bleachers just wasn’t comfortable.

We can still remember our first basketball hero. Mine was Jeff Heisey and later Larry McLucas, Will Lasky, and Josh Billings. The teams normally won and always played harder and classier than the visitors. Sometimes during these games, we’d hear stories about great teams of the past led by Glenn Worcester, Joe Schneider, and legendary coach, Frank Etchberger.

When Spring and Summer came, we’d be back in that old gym, shooting hoops on the side buckets waiting for our turn to be invited to play. Eventually, we’d get that chance, thus starting the long process of working our way up the A-C basketball ladder. The reward – a chance to play on that unimpressive court. Being invited, of course meant that we were replaced by younger boys, themselves dreaming of one day taking the floor.

The wait eventually ended for all of us. We can all remember hanging around that stuffy team room, waiting to run out onto that floor for big games. So overcrowded was the gym that the crowd enclosed it like wallpaper, blocking the entrances. There were little kids watching us and a few years later, in college and after, we’d watch them. Sometime along the ride, we all started finding the gym a lot more impressive.

No one who ever laced up a pair of sneakers for the Little Dutchmen envies someone who played elsewhere. We all fondly remember that overheated team room that needed its windows propped open in mid-January to keep air circulating. We don’t wish for a more knee and ankle friendly floor. Those two-by-fours that reduce all players vertical leaps by a few inches and all its dead spots are just fine with us. We’d rather be playing in A-C’s old gym than in Cameron Indoor Arena or the Staples Center.

In a few weeks, A-C will play its final game in the old gym. Next year, the program will start a new era in a new home with all the amenities that a modern facility will offer – bigger locker rooms, more comfortable bleachers, and a bouncier floor. It was inevitable that this day would come from the time its first brick and rafter were put into place. Buildings cannot stand forever. We’re all just happy that we had the chance to play when we did.

For many participating in the alumni event, tonight’s game will be the last they see in the old gym. For everyone, it is almost certainly the last time they’ll play on the court. My guess is that tonight’s festivities will pass way too quickly.