Trojans embrace CBE scrimmage

They giggled with delight.

Soon, the elevator doors opened and they stood transfixed by the sights and sounds of the state-of-the-art building that the College Basketball Hall of Fame calls home.

Out on the court, members of the eighth-grade boys and girls basketball teams from St. John LaLande and Nativity of Mary took the court for pre-game warm-ups.

The varsity and junior varsity squads from St. Mary’s High School cheered them on, as they awaited the annual blue and white intrasquad game.

“This event provides a great opportunity for St. Mary’s and our partner schools,” St. Mary’s principal Jeff Lynch said. “Our former coach, Byron Jones, started this tradition two years ago.

“We just couldn’t work it out last year, but we are thrilled to be back this year.”
So are the players.

“I can’t wait to hear my name over the PA system,” junior Alexis Sirna said. “This is just so exciting. All the seats are full and there are kids everywhere, and it’s wonderful to have Nativity and St. John’s teams down here.”

Freshman Nina Gavoli agreed.

“It is so special to have our blue and white game down here,” Gavoli said. “The atmosphere is amazing. And we’ve been over (to the exhibition areas) to compare our hands and feet to the (NCAA) players (on display).”

Boys coach Carlos Paige and St. Mary’s parent and supporter Ken Johnson (the brother of late American Legion coaching icon Ron Johnson) made sure that after missing out on the trip to the CBE last year, the tradition was renewed in 2011.

“I’m so pumped up,” Paige said. “I can’t wait to see the kids out on the court. Mr. Johnson played a big roll in getting us back down here and we’re going to do everything possible to make this an annual event.”

Johnson downplayed his roll in the return to the CBE.

“This night is all about the kids from St. John LaLande, Nativity and St. Mary’s,” said Johnson, who is married to former St. Mary’s standout Rosie Henry. “It’s fun to see the excited looks on the faces of the kids and their parents. It’s just a perfect night for basketball.”

A group of youngsters and their parents entered the elevator inside the College Basketball Experience, located just north of the Sprint Center in downtown Kansas City, and a voice welcomed them: “Welcome to St. Mary’s Spirit Night.”

They giggled with delight.

Soon, the elevator doors opened and they stood transfixed by the sights and sounds of the state-of-the-art building that the College Basketball Hall of Fame calls home.

Out on the court, members of the eighth-grade boys and girls basketball teams from St. John LaLande and Nativity of Mary took the court for pre-game warm-ups.

The varsity and junior varsity squads from St. Mary’s High School cheered them on, as they awaited the annual blue and white intrasquad game.

“This event provides a great opportunity for St. Mary’s and our partner schools,” St. Mary’s principal Jeff Lynch said. “Our former coach, Byron Jones, started this tradition two years ago.

“We just couldn’t work it out last year, but we are thrilled to be back this year.”
So are the players.

“I can’t wait to hear my name over the PA system,” junior Alexis Sirna said. “This is just so exciting. All the seats are full and there are kids everywhere, and it’s wonderful to have Nativity and St. John’s teams down here.”

Freshman Nina Gavoli agreed.

“It is so special to have our blue and white game down here,” Gavoli said. “The atmosphere is amazing. And we’ve been over (to the exhibition areas) to compare our hands and feet to the (NCAA) players (on display).”

Boys coach Carlos Paige and St. Mary’s parent and supporter Ken Johnson (the brother of late American Legion coaching icon Ron Johnson) made sure that after missing out on the trip to the CBE last year, the tradition was renewed in 2011.

“I’m so pumped up,” Paige said. “I can’t wait to see the kids out on the court. Mr. Johnson played a big roll in getting us back down here and we’re going to do everything possible to make this an annual event.”

Johnson downplayed his roll in the return to the CBE.

“This night is all about the kids from St. John LaLande, Nativity and St. Mary’s,” said Johnson, who is married to former St. Mary’s standout Rosie Henry. “It’s fun to see the excited looks on the faces of the kids and their parents. It’s just a perfect night for basketball.”

Krista Daniels, the Trojans girls coach, said she was thrilled to return to the CBE.
“This is a pretty big deal, for the kids, the parents and the coaches,” Daniels said. “And it’s great to be able to play a game. We’ve been practicing a long time, and even though it is an intrasquad game, it’s nice to see some competition out on the court.”
St. Mary’s standout Michael Thomason is a frequent visitor to the CBE.

“My friends and I come down here all the time,” Thomason said. “It’s a great place to come if you love basketball. And it’s even better to come down here and play.”