That's the way the ball bounces

Willie was driving from Nampa to Boise yesterday afternoon when he called with some big news. Even though the cell phone connection weakened at times, I think I got the main message which began with:

"Adam Morrison is going pro."

"Yeah, I just heard that on the KREM news," I told him.

Of course, Gonzaga's Adam Morrison going pro would be important to Willie who follows virtually all things sports, especially basketball and baseball. This year, he enjoyed a quick transition from NCAA March Madness to April's Mariner Mania. So, his TV remote has hardly been idle since he moved back to Boise to be with Debbie, who's been driving to Nampa regularly to work as recreation counselor at the Idaho Youth Ranch troubled teens home.

Willie had more important news, though, and it involved a TV and sports. Seems the Idaho Press Tribune in Nampa has a sports TV station playing continuously in its sports bureau. So, that means Willie can leave home without the remote and still keep up on the Mariners, the Cubs, and anybody else who's showing up on ESPN, et. al.

He started his first day as a sports reporter for the Idaho Press Tribune. I don't think he worked regular hours yesterday cuz he's gonna be going until midnight on his shift to cover daily sports happenings for 17 high schools across the Treasure Valley. Right now, it's a fill-in position, but if all goes right, he'll likely go full time.

An added benefit emerged yesterday when someone walked up behind him in the office and said, "Hi, Willie." It was Bryan Evans, his Sandpoint High School Bulldogs basketball teammate and classmate. Seems Bryan works in the advertising department at the paper. So, the ball bounced, and some old friends are working once again on a little different team.

And, speaking of teams, Willie (born April 1, 1977) and Chad Berkeley (born March 31, 1977) both played city recreational league basketball on the same team when they were about 12 years old. Later, Chad went the way of soccer and Cedar Post newspaper editor. Willie went the way of basketball and worked as a sports reporter on Chad's Cedar Post team.

The two reconnected this past weekend for a social evening in Boise. Chad and his fiancee Andrea moved to North Boise from Santa Barbara earlier this month. Chad's gonna take up flying helicopters. He's already started, and he's hoping to complete the flying school later this year. From what Willie reported yesterday, the reunion of the two teammates was a "good time had by all."

So, that's the way the ball bounces down Boise way, and it looks like some fun times ahead for all of our Sandpoint boys. I couldn't be any prouder.