>>I think so too.:-)
>>
>>From personal experience, you really don't even see it, if you're really concentrating. All you see is the front of the rim. Further, I can't ever remember hearing the crowd.
>
>So, you played round ball? I didn't know that. I guess that's the challenge for any team when they're on the road, isn't it - to tune out the crowd and concentrate on the game. Still, the visual distraction behind a glass backboard must be hard to ignore when you're at the charity stripe and every point counts.

Yeah, but only in high school. I had exactly one scholarship offer and didn't take it. This was back in the mid-60s and recruiting wasn't anything like it is now. These days, if you start, you've got a pretty good chance to get a scholarship somewhere. Played in the Chicago Private League, which was a pretty tough conference for a long time. So tough that, short after Illinois went to a two class system, that they sent at least two teams to the "Final Four" so often that the IHSA re-drew the brackets to prevent it.

The only time I remember being remotely conscious of what was going on around me at the line was during an overtime. We were up by a point, and there was jump ball (a rule I wish they'd bring back, BTW). I got the ball and got fouled. The opposing coach went bananas at the call and got a technical. So there I was with a one-and-one plus the T all by myself. It was the first and only technical I ever shot, and boy was I aware of the surroundings then. Made all three, BTW.

>>In what field? I've never even thought of myself as a farmer...you know, someone who's outstanding in their field.< bg >
>
>He-he. I think I saw that on a congratulatory greeting card one time... Gary Larson, or maybe Sandra Boynton?

Funny, I first heard that in high school.< s >

>BTW I made it up to the Karmel Korn shop the other day. Look for a UPS package soon < g >.

You did!?! Thank you, thank you, thank you. Now I'll be on the lookout for the UPS truck. Unfortunately, UPS has this nasty habit of delivering stuff to me to my neighbor. Fortunately, he's a good guy and always is nice enough to correct their mistake for them.