Hoop Dreams and Memories

 

A couple of strangers stood near the scorer's table at tonight's boys basketball game at Greenwich High School. They lingered near the visiting Fairfield Ludlowe Bench as well.

They watched the game. They talked. They did stuff on their phones. When it was over, they quietly made their way out of the gym and into the night.

It was Sean and me. Were we broadcasters? Nope. Writers? Nope. Reporters? Well, barely. I sent out a handful of tweets to give the game a little coverage.

Dave Fierro was there as well so he'll have a game story on his Greenwich Sports Beat site.

I was nothing more than an observer. I can't say we were fans because I like both teams. I had no rooting interest because I prefer to remain impartial. Of course, I have a little bit of a history with Greenwich and I know the people at Ludlowe, including a certain Mr. Shawn Sailer.

But let's stick to Greenwich. It was bittersweet to be back in the Greenwich gym. It's a place that holds roughly 25 years of memories for me as I handled Cardinals games from the studio in late 1998. I then called Scarsdale (NY) and Greenwich on Dec 18, 1999, and have yet to look back.

Former GHS coach Bill Brehm and his son were in the gym when I first walked in. Bill was coaching his first varsity game on the Dec night in 1999 so we broke in together and will always have that connection. On his team was a soon-to-be entertainment impresario named Scott Braun. Oh, right. He's known as Scooter Braun now and I'm ducking out of the way of Taylor Swift fans such as my young friend (and Tay Tay aficionado) "Snakey."

His brother Adam was a captain later on. Tim Smallwood was a part of the squad as well. I'd go on to basically cover Tim's whole career, including his 1000th career point. Tim's dad Mark was my analyst back in those days. 

Oh, there were a lot of memories floating in my brain. Lots of good games too. I can never forget the "insanity" game when Dave McClure put back a miss at the buzzer as Trinity Catholic beat the Cardinals by one point. The two teams were numbers one and two in the state that night.

Sean was born roughly six weeks after that Trinity/Greenwich game.

I called four of those titles (2022 will be added).

I looked up at the banners. I allowed myself a moment of selfishness, remembering each of the championships noted on those banners that I broadcast. The football one will need a 2022 addition.

I couldn't help but think about all the times I dragged in a suitcase of equipment. Two to three headsets. A mixer and headphone amplifier. An extension cord and a power strip. Maybe a wireless microphone but definitely a stick microphone for crowd noise. Various mic cables. Years ago, we also brought an antenna and a small transmitter that we'd set up. That added even more cables to the mix.

Things have changed enormously since then.

Shawn Sailer watched as Ludlowe inbounds with a chance to win
in regulation.

But tonight was about the game between Ludlowe and Greenwich and I was reminded that I'm not a great fan at these events. Oh, I watched and commented and even tweeted. I talked to Sean ... and Shawn. I did that, mostly, to forget that I'd otherwise be miserable since I wasn't calling the game. The truth is I probably could have called it but I opted to go see Shawn, Ludlowe coach John Dailey, and all of the Greenwich friends I have there. I elected to try to just enjoy the game.

We also never sat down and, essentially, stood through two games as we also saw the junior varsity game before the nightcap.

Yet, in my brain, I was calling the game the whole time. I couldn't help myself. Occasionally, Sean would yell at me to relax. Ha. Good luck with that.

And, of course, the game came down to a final shot in regulation before Greenwich won it in overtime.

I enjoyed myself. Let me be clear. I worried I was torturing Sean but he said he also had a good time.

I'm sure with a quick phone call to Greenwich High, I could call a few games if they wanted me to. But tonight, knowing that I'd be doing it for free, I was simply an observer. 

A reporter.

And I had fun.

It was good to be back.

But, next time, I think I'll bring some radio equipment.