Petrels Win in OT

Friday night Oglethorpe broke their first place conference tie with Sewanee, winning a close, exciting game 65-60 in overtime.

I had come to see senior Connor Smith, who had played Flight basketball in high school with Will. We know the family well: from basketball, East Cobb, Living Science, and Johnson Ferry. I see Carol (above left) at the Stinky Kroger.  We're practically related: Connor's sister Holly dates Thomas Gilbert, brother of Will's wife Mary-Clayton.

As the Petrel mascot looks on, freshman Will Perry (#30) drives the basket. The Centennial High graduate leads the conference in scoring.

Connor's former Flight teammates David Norman (L) and basketball marvel DJ Hoffer attended their second game of the season.

Smith struggled offensively in both games they saw,

but Friday led both teams with six assists.

Connor is no longer the skinny teen I remember.

As a senior at St. Francis Smith paired with freshman Kobi Simmons,

who now plays for the Memphis Grizzlies.

The Petrels play on one of only five "blacktops" in the NCAA.

Before the season Charles Barkley filmed in the Oglethorpe gym, messing up the floor. Since the floor had to be redone - so they did it in black.

We stayed around after the game to greet Connor. Both David (L) and DJ are married, and live in the same West Atlanta neighborhood (as does DJ's brother Ben). DJ and his brothers play competitive basketball at Peachtree Presbyterian, and softball at Northside Drive Baptist. DJ remembered that David's father and I had also played softball at Northside.