Our graduating class is really amazing. We have always had wonderful attendance at our reunions, and everyone enjoys them. We have one planned for this summer.
Since Shirley and I arrived at the game early, she met our former classmates in the lobby and directed them to where we were sitting. One of the first classmates I ran into was a fellow I probably hadn’t seen since graduation. I shook hands with John Albright, who said he didn’t think he had been back to the school since graduation. I was so glad to see John.
At some point I noticed that our area seemed to be getting crowded. I looked around and was surprised to see that the fieldhouse looked about three-quarters full.
That took me back to my high school days and some years after our graduation. Many of our basketball games were played in front of almost-capacity crowds. I can remember looking to a certain area and always seeing my parents.
Just about when the players were to be introduced, I noticed Perry Township Schools Superintendent Thomas Little and his wife walking toward me. We exchanged pleasantries, and they took the seats next to me. The Littles watched the opening ceremonies and the first quarter with us before moving to the other side of the fieldhouse to hang out with some Perry Meridian folks.
Some of my former classmates had noticed that I was chatting with the superintendent, and they wanted to know what we were discussing. Sporting a serious look, I explained that Dr. Little had been notified of our class coming to the game, and he was sitting near us to ensure that we would behave. I just stood there and waited for them to realize that I was messing with them.
Josh Spiedel, the Columbus North player who was recently injured in an automobile accident, was honored during the game. All of the players wore warm-up shirts with Josh’s number 32 on them. During halftime of the varsity game there was a one-minute contest to see which school could raise the most money to help Josh’s family. Buckets were passed all around the fieldhouse. Southport won the contest, but it also had the most fans. The total collected was $1,061.
From my seat I saw lots of friends. I saw Steve Harnedy roaming around the building several times, and I even spotted Marilyn Mayfield tossing popcorn at someone from her seat (I’m sure she cleaned it all up later).
Oh, by the way, the third-ranked Cardinals (16-2) walloped the Falcons 80-51 to cap off a special evening.