I didn’t used to be a huge basketball fan. Sure, I went to the games in high school it was better than sitting at home with mom and dad (or so I thought at the time).

But nine years in Lawrence is a great way to soak up basketball. And I’ve done it in the palace of basketball, Allen Fieldhouse.

The roar of the crowd is intoxicating. The swaying, stomping insane student body behind the baskets leave my ears ringing after the games.

It is, however, the quiet hours in a gym that truly bring out the joy of basketball. Those fans who attended last week’s scrimmages at Tonganoxie High School got a snippet of pure basketball no overwhelming noise drowning the sound of the running, dribbling players.

Take a second this winter to tune into the basketball teams. Listen in on a practice sometime when all that’s important is hustle, hard work and the rumble of feet running up and down the floor.

Seventh-grade girls

The B team split two games, winning one and losing one this week. The A team won one.

Against Piper on last Thursday, the B team lost 19-8. Nicole Carty, Shadoe Barton, Shannon Aye and Brandy Roberts each scored a basket for the Warriors.

Brooke Grey, Sarah Hunter, Abby Hoffines, Amanda McLaughlin, Erin Malone and Heather Deaver also played.

The A team was more successful, winning in overtime. Madison Weller scored six points, grabbed nine rebounds and had 11 steals.

Laura Jeannin scored four and had six steals. Hannah Heintzelman scored five, Casey Worden had four, Ashley Elliott had two and Courtney Schwegler had four.

Kara Coffee, Malorie Morman, Jessica Bogard, Diane Saladin and Lona Dickinson also played. The win was the fourth consecutive for the A team which now stands at 5-4.

The B team won last Friday, 17-10 against Xavier. Coffee scored two, Morman had four, Dickinson had four, Worden had two and Winkler had two.

The B team’s record is now 4-6.

Baseball Clinic

The Mickey Owen baseball school will have a clinic for youth league baseball coaches Feb. 11 to 13 in Branson, Mo.

College and high school coaches will provide information and demonstrations in areas such as practice organization, pitching, hitting, fielding and specialized drills.

There is also a clinic for players, ages 8 to 14. There will be indoor instruction with live hitting, pitching, fielding and throwing.

For more information call (800) 999-8369 or (417) 882-2799. Pre-registration is required.

Basketball Camp

The Ten Star All Star Basketball Camp is accepting applications from boys and girls ages 7 to 19.

Players are selected by invitation only. Past participants include Michael Jordan, Tim Duncan, Vince Carter, Jerry Stackhouse, Grant Hill and others.

Camps will be held in Atchison and other locations across the country.

Call (704) 372-8610 for more information.