“That’s a foul,” yelled my wife Debbie as she was watching a college basketball tournament game on Saturday afternoon.
   “He fouled him,” she said.
   “Three seconds in the lane,” I heard.
   “He held him and didn’t get a foul,” she said with passion.
   “Did you see that?” she asked, regarding a play.
   We both love basketball, especially college and high school, but when it comes to tournament time, Debbie’s passion for the game rises to a new level of intensity.
   Even on the high school level, my often quiet wife is standing up yelling and calling out missed fouls and bad calls.
   Me, I like it, but I don’t have quite the intensity that Debbie does. Part of that might be because I’m more focused on getting the picture, so I’m not always aware of the plays.
   However, when it comes to watching Oklahoma basketball and especially football, I pace around the living room like a kid waiting for Santa Claus to arrive on Christmas morning. I can often be found talking to the television, like it has ears.
   Wait…Big Brother might be listening! I do have a “Smart TV.”
   What a great year of basketball.
   We both had the privilege of watching the Montezuma Bravettes and Braves at state. We made five trips to Wells Fargo with family, including two late night games, during a two-week stretch.
   The Bravettes made it to state for a fourth straight year, finishing as one of the top four teams in Iowa. And the Braves, who were making the team’s third straight appearance at state, entered the tournament as a number 7 seed.
   All the low ranking did was fuel the team and set them on a mission. They beat number 2, Lake Mills; number 3, Grand View Christian and number 1 ranked North Linn, 44-41, to capture the school’s first state championship trophy in 31-years.
   Talk about being on pins and needles. Some great games and great memories. It was even more special that our middle nephew, Sawyer, had the opportunity to play for the Braves and experience the tournament as a player. And our other two nephews, Gavin and Peyton, played in the pep band.
  And the college tournament is off to a good start with some great games, upsets and bracket busters and it is only the second day (at the writing of this column).
   It’s going to be a couple weeks before things slowdown in the Parker house. 
  No, that probably want happen. Our oldest nephew is graduating in less than two months. College softball season is warming up and the number 1 Sooners are on a roll.
   And soon, shooting sports fires up, prom will be here, track and field and summer will arrive with baseball and softball. And it will be time to grill burgers and brats on the deck while enjoying the summer days sipping on a glass of ice tea and thanking God for a wonderful and blessed life!
   Have a great week and always remember that “Good Things are Happening,” every day and always.

   “Wow, what a great opportunity,” I said to myself out-loud as I was leaving the Wells Fargo Arena courtside last Friday night.
   The Montezuma Bravettes had just wrapped up their 2020-21 basketball season in a tough 73-34 semifinal loss to Newell-Fonda, and I was there to capture all the moments with my camera this past week.
   This is the third year I have been able to roam the sidelines at Wells Fargo covering Montezuma girls’ and boys’ teams. Two years ago, I also covered the Grinnell Lady Tigers at state basketball.
The Montezuma girls have made it four straight years while the boys are playing in their third state tournament in as many years this week.
   I’ve been to all the state basketball games the last three years, outside of two consolation games the boys played in the last two years.
   Toss in a few years ago having the opportunity to cover the Grinnell Tigers at state basketball in 2012, 13 and 14. And also state football at the UNI-Dome with Montezuma in 2006, BGM in 2012 and 13 and the Grinnell Tigers in 2012.
   Unfortunately, due to a bout of COVID, I missed Montezuma’s return trip to state football in November 2020.
   And there is state track and field, which I’ve covered two or three times and Montezuma softball in sub-state in 2017.
   I’ve also covered Montezuma, BGM and Grinnell at two Shrine Bowls in 2007 and 2014. And plans are to return to this year’s Shrine Bowl in July as players from Montezuma and Grinnell will be suiting up for the game.
   I’ve taken a lot of photos at state, capturing the smiles, the gritty plays, the tough calls, the emotion, the heart, the tears and the fans who follow their teams.
   What a wonderful opportunity and joy to be able to be there. Sometimes I miss the moment and other times I hit the basket and make a touchdown.
   I’m proud of what I’ve done. I’ve poured my heart into it and love it, every minute of it, even in the losses, which are always tough.
   Had you told me 30 years ago that I would return to college and earn my BS Degree in Agriculture Journalism from the University of Missouri-Columbia at the age 38, I would have probably said that is crazy thinking.
   It was crazy to leave my home town with no job and not much money to venture off to the world of unknowns. But here I am in small town Iowa, some 525 miles from where I grew up, doing my best to make a difference in my community, county and state through my stories and photos in this publication and others along the way.
   It took three tries to get into journalism school. I just never gave up and getting up when I got knocked down. I attended tutoring sessions to learn from the pros. I kept believing, I kept trying, I kept praying and I never quit listening to my heart. It said I could!
   Success in life isn’t always a nice bank account or a fancy car in the garage, it’s about making a difference, using your talents and giving life your best in all you do.
   Thank you to all those who have supported me, encouraged me, given me advice and given me the thumbs up. It is much appreciated and I don’t take any of it for granted.
   And there is much more to come in life. Opportunity is knocking and I have my hand on the doorknob.
   Have a great week and always remember that “Good Things are Happening,” every day and always.