Hannibal LaGrange

Before the grandkids, the sons, and the wife, there was just me, and I played basketball. The summer event of choice for the hoopsters from Francis Howell High School was the basketball camp at Hannibal-LaGrange college. It consisted of a week in a college dorm, food in the cafeteria, some hijinks, but mostly, lots and lots of basketball. It also meant smelling a lot of stinky clothes, sometimes your own.

One of the draws to camp were the celebrities who attended. Cotton Fitzsimmons, who coached the Phoenix Suns at the time, was present. He was a specialist in the fast break offense. Paul Silas was there, a forward from the Boston Celtics who shared my speciality as an offensive rebounder (this was before the three-point shot existed, so offensive rebounding was a more predictable science than it is now). But the most excitement, and subsequent disappointment, was the expectation of a visit from Pistol Pete Maravich - disappointing because he cancelled at the last minute.

Camp was a time to sharpen your skills against the best competition, pick up some tips from the masters, and enjoy a week away with your team buddies. It was a time to learn that you had much to learn! Some things haven't changed much since those summer weeks north of Hannibal.