Thursday, April 08, 2010

Thanks for the Memories, Jeremy Goode

Written for your enjoyment by: Raff


We were three-quarters of the way to the car, maybe a little more, when she realized it. "Dad, that is the last time we are going to see Jeremy play." I knew she was my daughter then - because it was exactly what I had been thinking as we exited Knott Arena that night. The Mount had just finished off a first-round NEC playoff win over St. Francis PA - and the other results indicated that a Semifinal wouldn't take place at home - and even an upset on the road against Robert Morris would likely not result in a home game in the finals. It was pretty observant for a ten-year old girl.
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But for her - Jeremy Goode and Mount basketball - well they are synonomous. The you can't have one without the other. The salt with the pepper. The cherry with the whipped cream. Because she's been going to Mount games since she was, well about 3 weeks old - an exhibition clash with that outfit John Moore used to run around with - but I'm not sure she remembers it quite as well.

But she remembers the last four years. It was at that time - that she stopped watching the cheerleaders and started watching the basketball. And #1 quickly became her favorite. Probably from the first night we all saw him - in that scintillating double overtime win against James Madison - right down to the final walk to the parking lot.

We'll remember Goode for a lot of things. He leaves as the school's all-time assist leader. Perhaps, he played his best basketball during his sophomore year as he led the team to the NEC Tournament Championship and an NCAA tournament win. But that isn't to say he didn't have good junior and senior years. He led the team in scoring each of those seasons - as his long range shooting became more effective. And there were nights when he was simply unstoppable. All of this at 5-foot 9-inches, give or take a few. The display at American his junior year will be one of my fondest memories.

But I'm always going to remember Jeremy and thank he and this group of seniors for one thing. They made my daughter love Mount basketball.

The Mount has always been at the top of my list as far as basketball goes. I don't get to as many games as I'd like to - but I try to plan my schedule around the Mount's. I was young and impressionable when a point guard out of Steelton took the Mount to the NCAA Division II national championship game. He was my Jeremy. Jeremy was my daughter's Durelle Lewis. For some other Mount fan, it might be Chris McGuthrie, or Riley Inge or George Young or Gregory Harris. But for us it was Jeremy and Durelle.

And I'm glad that he was. He carried himself well on the court - and was respectful and courteous off of it. We often say that sports players aren't supposed to be role models - and maybe they aren't supposed to be - but the truth is they are. To this day, I remember playing basketball in my driveway wanting to be Durelle Lewis. My daughter has told me about the steals she has made - just like Jeremy. (I tell her to work on her left hand). And from where I sat - Jeremy Goode was as good as any to model yourself or your basketball game after.

She is an only child and we spend a lot of time together. Time that I cherish. And I am so happy that that time includes Mount basketball. And I'm also happy that she really enjoys it - and I'm not dragging her along. For that I will be eternally grateful.

For four years the basketball was in Jeremy Goode's hands. The coaching staff will tell you that many were scared off in the recruiting process wondering if Goode could "run the show" instead of "being the show". In the end, I think he ran the show - while being the show.

The show has ended. The curtain has fallen. It's time for Jeremy Goode to move on - to record the next chapter in his life - whatever that may be. We'll be watching from a distance, and someday, maybe someday we'll get to see him play again.

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4 comments:

  1. Richard12:03 AM

    Raff, as far as I am concerned, you are as special as Jeremy to write those things about him and the other seniors. I cannot thank you enough buddy.

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  2. Thanks Richard

    Too kind

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  3. Anonymous4:11 PM

    Great post.

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  4. You basically just captured why sports is so great in that single post.

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