Onlookers at Buena Vista Community Center will see a few between-the-legs dribbles and stepback three-point attempts, Not all are stars, and a few are new to playing in an actual gymnasium.
Coach Terrance Pendleton is among volunteers assembled by Director Duane Fairris to restore elementary-age games that were a highlight during his own childhood across the street at Ricker Junior High, now vacant.
Fairris, a BV Knight Class of ’78, recalls those special Saturday mornings. So does Pendleton, Class of ’08.
Duane mans the scorer’s table while Terrance coaches a group of novice third-graders. And safe to say, the scoreboard’s red light bulbs aren’t getting burned out. The final box score is 13-0, and Terrance’s team has the goose egg.
Still, Pendleton’s dozen “diaper dandies” all get chances to play, even to the point where a successful pass across the center line is a victory. And Terrance is into it, standing along the sidelines with directions, just like the coaches they may see on television.
“It’s all for the kids,” he reflects during a break. “We also have a chance to have practices, so that we can learn the layup lines and the simple drills.”
With the slightly older youngsters, skill sets start to show. Few of these fifth-graders would recognize the historic Globetrotter names of Marcus Haynes and Curly Neal, but the “handle” is big at that age. Not so much on drives to the basket, but setting up the offense as point guard.
Kid-size hands cannot attempt these moves without breaking rules for palming or carrying the basketball, which for them is comparable to the size of a beach ball.
“They see the pros do it, and they want to do it too,” explains referee Ronald McKenzie, who overlooks most of the palming but is more strict on taking extra steps.
The balance is to teach the boys, along with a few girls who also take part, some discipline without endlessly interrupting the action with whistles.
Three-point fever (blame Steph Curry) will take over once the young ones gain strength.
At the concession stand in the corner, hot dogs are two dollars, pop and popcorn are a buck apiece, and chips cost only 50 cents. Pickles are a dollar and a half. Admission is free.
Saginaw High Coach Julian Taylor is out and about early on this second Saturday morn of March, considering his Trojans have captured their district tourney championship in Carrollton the night before.
Yes, he always is scouting young talent, and BV now is part of the city school district.
But on this day, he’s a father first and then a coach, here to catch one particular player in action. Sixth-grader Jaymond Taylor is providing a standout performance.
While Saginaw High may remain nearby, Buena Vista High basketball never will die. Blue-and-white flags hang high on the Community Center’s wall, to commemorate 13 regional titles for the BV Knights and a quartet of state crowns (’86, ’89, ’92, ’93).
Fairris sees a need to restore youth hoops, even if the kids in this generation no longer will be heading for the high school across the highway.
“You see the older players lacking the basics that they should have learned in grade school,” he notes.
The eight-week season is almost finished, but families still may enroll their third-through seventh-graders by calling the rec office at (989) 752-1655.
