It was the Mid Sixties I do believe it was when Father Mullowney came rushing

down the Corridor toward Mister Ted Winter a Teacher who hailed from Clarke’s

Beach with a Sheet of paper in his hand saying.”What are we going to do with this?”

The Priest was asking the Gym Teachers advice on starting a Basketball Team.

“Well first we will need to purchase some Basketballs.” and the rest they say was history.

I recall going to a meet one Saturday and I could not dribble a Ball.Guess I got crossed off the list fast.No time for teaching how to dribble.Anyhow I became a big

Spectator along with the Whole Community.I must not of been much more than 7 or 8 years old when Stella Maris held its first Tournament.It was a Friday morning and the Nun announced we did not have School that day we could all watch the Games.

I was hooked on watching from the Balcony and stayed until Dark.Never even stopped to Eat.It did not take long probably four or five years before Trepassey was taking on teams supposedly above their league and winning All Newfoundland Senior A titles in both Male and female teams.I know this trend was still happening when I finished School in 1977.

Those were different times back then and winning was All or Nothing Attitude.

I am not as wise as some of those Coaches.You would think when the Home Team was up by 150 points.Maybe put the 3rd line out and give those Guys a chance.I am

sure many Schools could have been beaten by our 3rd line.

It must have been torture for the kids who played on the Shore coming to our town

and never coming close to winning a Game.I had some friends who were first line Players and a couple of third line Players.Bench Warmers we called them.I can’t see

going a whole season and never been called up to play.They must of loved the Travel.

Being part of a team.Wearing the Uniform.Forgive  me for my Unsportsmanlike Conduct.I say No Thank You.