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Myriad of things on the mind, as per usual.
The sports world -- let alone the local scene -- is crazy, and busy.
It was something else to take in the opening act for Ravenswood's 100th season of hoops.
Mick Price secured career victory No. 699 Saturday versus Wirt County before a win Tuesday at Buffalo got him the big 7-0-0.
It was the first of three throwback nights (1922-1969) for the Red Devils.
More importantly, past legends and subs alike gathered to be celebrated.
I'd need 1,500 words to describe it all, but it was exquisite.
Without question, aside from spending a couple hours before the game just mingling around and taking it all in, the most humbling part was getting to spend a few minutes with Allen Short.
Diminutive indeed, the guard graduated in 1950 and was the first Ravenswood all-state selection. That team also was the first to reach state.
Even seven decades later, Mr. Short deferred to his teammates when it came to his all-state hardware.
Speaking of hardware, some of the trophies they had back then were quite unique. I especially liked some of the old style plaques.
They had game programs out and fliers on the Ravenswood 100th season documentary set for a red carpet release in 2022.
The three large collage boards were stunning to say the least. The effort put into those was enduring.
On one of the trophy tables they had placed some hand written old literature with different interesting facts from the era.
Not far down on another table were several old scorebooks, including from the mid-1960s.
I had to check them out with care.
Old, fragile with some of the pages resting inside unattached.
They were interesting. It was refreshing to see the front filled out with all of the game by game results, scores and updated season record.
When I was perusing from one to another, of all people, I hear behind me a voice I know.
It was Lee Corder, who was pleasantly surprised to see I had made the trek.
Like myself, he was a little bit in awe of the experience.
A former golf coach for a short period at RHS, Corder has fond memories of his time with the basketball program more than a half century ago when he kept book from 1965-68.
"I loved it," Corder said. "That was a good team with good boys. Coach (Virgil) Hupp was a great guy and he asked me to keep his book. I liked sports and I just did it for him and the team. I taught three years. My wife (Sue) taught for 38.
"She swore by it and I swore at it. I had to get out. I wasn't as tough. To play sports is important in a kid's life. Riding a school bus, you learn so much riding a school bus to something, how to handle things. Every kid should participate."
Shortly before he introduced me to Mr. Short, the oldest living Red Devil, I jested that at least he had a little slice of the 100-year history.
"I got a dot," Corder quipped.
Contact Jay W. Bennett at jbennett@newsandsentinel.com