By Greg Anderson
Over the course of this year, basketball in Mini-School has become something more than an alternative to volleyball in Rec. It has become the driving force behind the ball players’ Mini-School day. The participants: Randy Nelson, Doug Berg, Bob Colehour, Merton Clark, Dan Nestberg, Freddy J. Dayton Bjork, Rodney McCormick, Jerie Meakins, myself (Greg Anderson), Rhett Rasmussen, Josh Kraemer, Chris O’Dell, newcomers Erik Peterson, Bonzai, Hopkins, and Suzanne Ward, graduate Chris Waldroff and Mini-Math teacher Joe Komarek make guest appearances every now and then.
The teams usually consist of the old vs. the young. Doug and Randy are always on the same team with a couple of us youngsters with them. Team number two consists of all kids. Some days the old guys win and other days the youngsters win. It depends on who’s shooting well one day and who’s not the other.
Randy has great days and not so great days. Randy is my favorite player to watch. Doug would have to be the three-point man. He hits the three pointers better than anyone.
Coley rarely misses a bucket and rarely misses a rebound. Slam it Coley! Slam it! Nestberg and Merton are pretty decent shots on the inside and the outside. We almost lost Merton in a game last April when Coley came down hard on Merton’s shoulder. Now, Freddy J., he’s a play maker. He has moves and makes passes that you’ll only see in the NBA. Dayton has an awkward shooting style but somehow often manages to make three pointers and shots on the inside. Peterson’s new and has a lot to learn but he’s an aggressive, physical player and that often pays off for his team.
Rodney and myself don’t play every day but when we do it’s usually fair. Rodney’s a better shot than I am but I manage to sink a few. I think Randy would agree that Rodney and I are the best cheerleaders Mini has ever seen. Rhett and Josh don’t play everyday either, but when they do it’s good play. O’Dell is a team player. He passes a lot and when he snoots he usually sinks them. Waldroff is a veteran Mini-Basketball player and is an excellent shot inside and out.
All these guys playing together makes for a good game. I think soon we will all be ready to play any NBA team and give them a run for their money. I want to see a slam contest between Coley and Jordan–Just slam it, Coley!