Hampton-Phoebus.
That’s about as good as it gets in Hampton Roads, Va., especially if they meet for the Peninsula District championship. Legendary coach Mike Smith of Hampton has coached players like Ronald Curry and against players like Michael Vick. He’s the area’s Joe Torre, in a sense.
When I relocated to New York at the beginning of the summer, it was like Charlie walking into the chocolate factory. I was able to get a fresh breath of what I once knew.
See, I grew up in Fort Lauderdale with a healthy dose of South Florida sports. I was there on April 5, 1993, when the brand new Florida Marlins, behind Charlie Hough, topped Orel Hershiser and the Dodgers. I was one of the millions who hoped and prayed with every Dan Marino pass that we could finally topple the mighty Buffalo Bills. I remember when Rony Seikaly, not Dwayne Wade and Shaq, was the cornerstone of the Miami Heat.
All of that was taken away when I moved to Virginia. That’s not to say I didn’t love my eight years in the Commonwealth. I have a special place in my heart for my time there. But it was missing something. It was missing Yankee and Shea Stadiums, it was missing the Garden, and it was missing the Nassau Coliseum.
My sports fix was pinned on the Norfolk Tides (soon to be the former Triple A affiliate of the Mets), my beloved Virginia Tech Hokies and, of course, Hampton-Phoebus.
My visits to New York this past winter and my permanent relocation this summer were marked by evenings spent in the aforementioned hallowed grounds. It's true: You don’t know what you have until it’s gone.
I have come to embrace New York in such a short amount of time mostly because of sports. Wallow in the misery of the Knicks and Islanders all you want, but at least you can let out your frustrations in person, if you so choose. Two divisional champions? Try not having a team, let alone a team that stinks.
It’s going to be a special October – I hope you all are ready for it.
But just remember this one thing: If Moose’s knuckle curve is getting beat up in an elimination game, take a deep breath and be glad it’s not another school-yard sweep right by the mighty Phantoms on third and four.