Montanans can play with anyoneMy Turn

Montanans can play with anyone

My Turn

I guess Julie Callahan was right back in the mid to late '70s.

In an interview with a Montana sports reporter, Havre High's first great girl basketball player said that the state's

distaffs could play with anyone. That was after Callahan took the Northwestern women to national prominence.

Now we have Loree Payne, a

sophomore on a very young Washington Huskies' team. After playing on a national all-star team last summer, Payne suffered a broken foot that limited her playing time and point output during the regular season.

When it came to tourney time, though, Payne was ready and helped her squad, a cellar-dweller just two years ago, into the elite eight. It was her last second shot in the tourney opener against Old Dominion that got the Huskies rolling.

The Huskies' loss Monday night in Spokane at the hands of the Southwest Missouri State squad was by a wide margin, 104-87. But it was also a fitting showing for a team that has accomplished so much with team work and balanced scoring. The box score attests to the Huskies' team play again six players reached double figures, led by Payne with 17. The other Montanan, freshman Andrea Lalum, contributed 12.

I overheard a couple of coworkers talk about what a disappointment the women's NCAA game is after watching the men. It is so slow and the women make so many mistakes turnovers abound.

I have to say, those guys are still young and can do a lot of the things the men do. I can't. I can't relate to the fast-paced game anymore.

I admit it. I prefer the more pedestrian women's game. I can see the plays develop, the screen-and-roll coming, the back-door pass and layup. Note, I said layup, not slam dunk. I can't even get on my tiptoes anymore to grab the net. Jumping would be superfluous.

I get air on my skis only when I go over a cliff. I do not jump. I do not do jump turns. I do not bend my knees except to sit down for something hot to drink after making it down the hill with only minor injuries, stresses and strains.

Still on the topic of winter sports: How about those Ice Hawks taking state and moving on to regionals in Phoenix? Hope the fund-raising is going well. I was told that the players must earn all the money they need to make the trip and live while in that traditional hotbed of hockey activity themselves. Kids 100 percent; parents 0 percent.

I finally talked with Bonnie over at the library and she said we can meet there to discuss the old stores, service stations, bars and mercantiles in Havre. The session will run from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 5. That's the first Saturday in May, Cinco de Mayo to the revolutionaries.

Bonnie said we could make coffee and pour over the library's voluminous collection of Polk Directories. The newspaper will supply enough pens, pencils and notebooks for everyone who shows up.

I hope to make a trip to Harlem between now and then to pick up a list of old Havre businesses from Don's Pharmacy there.

The session will be open to the public.

Yesterday was my birthday. There, I said it I'm old. Now, let's let it go.

Anyone have extra large checkered pants, white belt and white shoes I can have maybe even a peach colored pullover shirt and one of those British driving hats? I'm considering taking up golf and even playing in a league.

Fore!!!