Lingering Cheers For A Magic Child

"I watched Georgia Tech defeat Louisville on national television," Travis's coach says. "The next day [ Georgia Tech coach] Bobby Cremins is sitting in our gym, watching us practice. How'd he get here so fast? Travis is going to Tech. They didn't promise him he'd replace Kenny Anderson, but they did say Anderson was probably going to leave and would have to be replaced. Here's Travis, another lefthanded guard."

I write down the information.

The process is simple. I fill in the blanks of the story of this magic basketball child of this specific year and this specific time in this specific place. It is an old story that does not grow old. There are, for sure, other magic basketball children in other years and at other times and in other places. They knock your eyes out, these kids. They come through the local high school, and for a few seasons they stretch neon around the old, gray gymnasiums in the area. Their deeds become a grand fable that will be told and retold as the state championship trophies tarnish and the people grow older. Remember the year? Remember? Remember the kid? Travis?

There is an oral tradition here that has somehow withstood the great gaga rush of television and money and attention that washes over most of American sport. Travis is a rumor and a reality. He is a memory and a hope. He is greatness found next door. Who would have expected it? Greatness next door.

Travis says he wanted to stay on the court last Saturday night as long as possible. He left with 39 seconds remaining in a 70-51 win over the Eastern Massachusetts champ, Everett High, that earned Central the state Division I Boys' Championship and completed an unbeaten season. He had 22 points in the game. His mother was cheering. His father was cheering. The good folks of Springfield were cheering. His teammates lifted him into the air as if he were the trophy. Everyone cheered some more.

"I'm going to miss these guys," says Travis, a little choke in his voice. "I'm not going to see 'em so much. Because I'm going far away."

I write down the information. I wish the magic child good luck.