I lived in Astoria for a long time. Two and a half decades. I have a lot of history there. I have been in Madras for far less time. This week held a decision point for me. The Mighty Lady Buffalos were seeded in the state playoffs against the Lady Fishermen from Astoria. Who would I root for? Where did my allegiances lie? Am I a turncoat? I mean both my sons graduated from Astoria High School. The assistant coach of the Girls Fighting Fishermen team was a classmate of my oldest son. How could I root for another school.
Let’s also get this clear. I know less that most people about basketball. I learned a little when my stepdaughter played a few years ago but, in reality I am not a fan, will never be a fan, and probably will never go watch basketball for fun. Here is the thing though, none of that matters.
You see I have a relationship with a bunch of the girls on that Lady Buffalos team. I know them. Some of them I have had in class daily for two years now. There really was no emotional turmoil in who I would root for. Apparently they have my heart now. Watching the heart those girls played with, it doesn’t matter what I think about basketball. Those girls made me want to watch my students when they play with heart. Even better, they were good.
Congratulations to the Lady Buffalos. Better luck next year to the Lady Fishermen. Your time will come, there is no doubt you are a gritty, well coached team. You are going to be great soon. To the Astoria peeps I saw at the game, it was good to see you. There are many things I don’t miss about Astoria. The people have never been one of those.
The Embed Educator 