My charming mother, now riding in the fast lane to 70 years old, has made the statement in recent years about how it’s eerie so many of her friends are making their way to the obituary page. I can imagine how that might make you sit and ponder the moon and rain.
I get the same feeling when thinking about local basketball gyms and how, one by one, gyms in Warren County with so much flavor are being laid to rest. The latest ceremony came Thursday when Irving College fans packed into that school’s gym one last time for the final game to be played at that fabled venue.
With that in mind, I’ve compiled a Top 3 list of my favorite Warren County gyms over the years.
3. Centertown
The old Centertown School always looked like one good gust of wind from toppling, but the gym had a mystique of its own. It was located in the depths of the school and you had to descend several long flights of stairs before finally reaching the dungeon-like realm.
The dungeon analogy is appropriate because the Centertown teams did their best to torture opponents. Centertown had some big, physical squads that fed off the energy of playing under the giant Indian looking down.
2. Morrison
There was something special about the Eagles Nest at the old Morrison School, which featured green bleachers that seemed to extend to the stars. Those bleachers were so tall because there was only seating on one side of the gym so opposing fans were forced to mingle.
That gym was a tough place to play, with some brutal Morrison teams. I remember the Morrison girls team that featured Autumn Eades, Whitney Shields and others didn’t lose a game in four years. That’s a dynasty.
1. Irving College
For all its haters, Irving College has always been my favorite gym in the county. Its critics say the Irving College gym is too small. They complain fans on the front row sit so close to the court they have to move aside when the ball is inbounded in front of them.
I say that’s exactly what gives the gym so much character. Fans are huddled around the court like a bonfire on a frigid night. Seating is tight. The crowd is raucous, and it all adds to the intensity of the game.
For the price of admission, you won’t find more excitement on a week night in Warren County than going to a basketball game at Irving College -- in the old gym at least.
Next year when the Irving College faithful are sitting in a large, impersonal gym, they will talk with a smile about the “good old days” of watching games in the gym that was just retired Thursday.