Corry Area High School boys' basketball, 1978-79

Recently found in a closet and converted from 8mm to digital format, this brief video provides random snippets of "action" from the CAHS Senior Night game in 1979 and one other game.

I paid to have the video--unseen by anyone for 30+ years--converted in hopes that it would add credibility to my on-going argument with my children that I was a far better, more athletic basketball player than any of them, and that the game was played at a much higher level in the 70s.

Well, so much for that.

At least the video does provide incontrovertible proof that we were better dressed back in the day, when you could execute a between-the-legs dribble without the ball getting lost in yards of fabric. (I say "you could" because I fondly recall both dribbles of my high school career, and neither went between my legs. One did go off my ankle, however.)

Anyway, the video was probably shot by my kid sister. It opens with my parents, Merle and Carol Ottaway, walking onto the court with me as part of the Senior Night festivities.

There are at least brief glimpses of coaches Jim Gruca and Keith Hillkirk, and fellow players John Brant, Gary Merkle, Mike Paver, Tim Bracken, Tony Rushin, and Jim Moats, among others. I think Shelly Miller is the cheerleader giving me the flower to pin on my mother.

--Brent Ottaway, February 9, 2011

Category:

Sports

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• Pennsylvania