Memorable basketball moment

I’m not much of a sports fan, but in the 1930s, I did have a little interest in basketball. I recall a time when something unexpected happened, and I was lucky enough to be in the audience at that time.

There was a basketball team made up of local high school graduates called “the Town Team.” I can’t recall if my brother Vernon played on the team. He did play on the La Conner High School team, and he recalled playing against Edward R. Murrow, at that time, who was living in Edison. They were somewhat mismatched, since Murrow was tall and my brother was short.

The town team was very popular with folks in this area. I don’t know how it came about, but somehow the Harlem Globetrotters came to La Conner to play its Town Team.

My friend Virginia’s father took Virginia and me to see the big event. We, of course, knew of the Globetrotters’ reputation and were most interested in going to see this much-praised team play. The game was held in what served as a gym at that time. The space is now the school auditorium. Bleachers stood on both the north and south sides of the room.

The Globetrotters performed the way we had hoped; they were known for fancy dribbling and basket shooting. We enjoyed watching the exhibition. Of course, the Globetrotters won the game against our local team.

In 1952 I got to see the Globetrotters again but in very different circumstances. Carl Brigham, my sister-in-law’s brother and good friend of my husband Louie’s and mine, came up with the idea that we should get tickets for Seattle University’s basketball game, where the Seattle team would face off against the Globetrotters.

The Seattle University team had become well known for their abilities at the time, due to two star players. The boys were twins, Eddie and Johnny O’Brien, and real hot shots on the court.

There was a huge crowd waiting to see the Globetrotters perform. The game started with the usual dribbling and shooting, but after awhile it became obvious that Seattle U was getting the upper hand, so the Globetrotters settled down and began to get serious. A real basketball game took place. The game went on to the finish, and the O’Brien twins stole the show by winning the game for Seattle U, 84 to 81. This was a most enjoyable event, and I am glad I saw it, since I find it was unforgettable.

Last year I learned on the news that Eddie O’Brien passed on at 83 years of age. They also said winning the game with the Globetrotters was the highlight of his career.