As young George Ray and his buddy Bob Clark boarded the Ozark Trailways bus they took one last look at their hometown, Turkey, Tx. They were anxious to depart on their first great adventure but as they looked at the faces of nearby friends and relatives, they felt tinges of regret. Nearby was Superintendant Jones, their coach and their parents waving back with assorted faces as the boys were getting ready to leave.
Yes, both were anxious to get outside the confines of the panhandle and see new vistas and experience new things, but saying goodbye was hard. They would miss Turkey and all their friends! Perhaps though they would both become sports heroes out in Ogden, that big town in Utah and not miss Texas too much afterall. There was an amateur team called the Ogden Boosters headquartered there and their dream was to become part of the team. Of course, playing basketball came natural to Colvin and Clark. Both had begun their athletic careers in the old high school gymnasium that sits on the southeast side of Turkey. Each had learned their dribbling and shooting skills playing local teams in the cracker-box gyms of nearby Quitaque, Flomot, Lakeview and Estelline.
"Hey George Ray, don't look so very sad. We ain't gonna be gone forever," Bob said with a grin. To this statement his buddy turned away for a moment and finally said, "It's just that it's so hard to leave momma and pappa all alone on the farm." After a moment he continued, "I guess the bright side is, we ain't going off to fight in no war." Clark agreed that this was true and stated brightly, "Gee whilligans pardner, let's not fret another moment over leaving Turkey, we're gonna do just fine out west. You just wait and see." With these final words they sank into their seats and watched as the little, commercial bus jogged westward along the dusty, country road called the Ozark Trail.
After the bus passed through the small towns of Gasoline and Quitaque the driver stopped at Smith's Station, just above the caprock. The climb up the rocky, narrow road had caused the laboring bus to overheat and it needed water. "Yawl folks stay-put unless you need a visit to the outhouse," the driver said as he exited. As they gandered out the window, the boys knew the stop wouldn't be long. Sure enough within minutes the bus was once again chugging along the rutted road that led across the flat, plains land of Texas. Except for a few wheatfields the landscape was barren and looked endless as they journeyed toward New Mexico.
Hours later as the bus passed by a junkyard outside of Clovis, NM the sun was inching toward the western horizon. Within an hour or so darkness would be upon them. By now their little sack of sandwiches had played-out so they exited the vehicle and looked around for a cafe when the bus got into town. "Hey George, Lookee yonder....over by the train station. There's a Harvey House, let's eat there," Clark said excitedly! He'd heard about the food at such establishments from a girl he'd met in Canyon, while attending his first year of college. The girl had been a Harvey Girl waitress at one time and had told him all about the Santa Fe railway diners that Mister Harvey had opened along the route from Chicago.
Soon the two country lads found themselves sitting at a counter with fancy menus in hands and douffle bags at their feet. After a moment one said to a cute waitress, "I...I think all I can afford is a short-stack and some coffee." George agreed that this sounded 'mighty good' so he ordered the same. Soon they were enjoying a short stack of flap-jacks and black coffee. Before long, both agreed that their supper was really good except for the butter. It didn't seem as good as the butter their mothers churned at home.
As they were finishing their supper George glanced at a poster on the wall and retrieved something from his bag. He then said, "OH NO! According to my recruitment letter the Ogden team was supposed to arrive in Clovis today. But the game isn't scheduled until tomorrow. I think there has been a mix-up!....If so, where we gonna spend the night?" The ever creative and resourceful Clark answered cooly, "A place has been reserved and is waiting for us on the east side of town. If the team don't show, just follow me!"
This was certainly good news to George Ray who only had ten saddle-blankets in his pocket. He certainly didn't want to arrive in Ogden broke. With douffel bags in tow the two young men left the depot area and checked the two hotels. Unfortunately there were no basketball teams registered, nor did the Boosters have any reservations. So, somewhat discouraged they headed for the lodging place that Clark had so elouqently spoke of.
As they neared the city stockyards Clark instructed his partner, "Ok we're almost home. When we arrive let's start tossing hay into the pens and look as though we work here. At this moment George knew precisely what their lodgings were going to be for the night, but he did not protest. Desperation ruled the moment. Then Bob continued, "If we stay busy we can earn our keep before the sun goes down and not feel like muchers!"
Soon, the two adventurers were in the yard and looking like regular employees of the Clovis Stockyards. Within half an hour dark shadows filled the cattle pens and they retired to a nearby barn. George had finally found the reserved place that Bob Clark had reserved, at least in his imagination. He pulled his jacket on tight, turned up his collar and found refuge among the bundles of hay. It wasn't the Conrad Hilton but it was an economical place to spend a long, lonely night for anyone destitute.
Everything went quite well until about midnight when they were awakened by the grinding of a motor. A pickup pulling a trailer had turned into the stockyard and it's headlights spilled into the barn. Soon the truck stopped and a man stepped out. This startled George Ray and he jumped straight-up and said, "Mister, if you're the law we ain't a-trespassing! We done earned our keep!!" The man recoiled at seeing a six and half-foot giant arise from the hay and simply anwered, "No, I'm not the law! I don't suppose you're the stockyard caretaker, are ya?"
Being too asleep to be frightened the teenager answered, "No! I ain't the caretaker. In fact Sir, the stockyard is kinda taking care of me at the moment." Figuring that George was just a homeless hobo the rancher got back into his truck and drove off with his load of animals. The rest of the night was spent without incident.
By noon the next day the two young athletes were milling around the Clovis Gymnasium waiting for the Utah team to arrive. The game was scheduled to begin at 2:00 pm that afternoon and the Ogden bus should be pulling in soon, they surmised. "I shore wish we could suit-up for the game," Clark said wishfully.
Colvin looked at him with exasperation and replied, "Heck Bob, you ain't even made the team yet. Don't count your chickens, till the eggs start to crack." He added that the Ogden Boosters were a big-time amateur team that played against college and AAU teams. They had just recently played Utah State a real, close game he had heard. Bob tried to argue the point saying, "Look George, I've already played two years at West Texas Teachers college and your only experience has been with the Turkey Turks. So, don't get cocky with me." His friend wanted to say, "Yea Bob that may be true....but they recruited me, not you." As difficult as it was he helt his temper for friendship sake and finally said, "You may well do better than me in Utah Bob but I can promise you one thing, I'll try my darndest."
About this time two tough-looking fellows drove-up in a touring car which had luggage strapped to the running board. After unloading their gear the two guys nodded to the boys then went into a side-door of the gym. As they passed by George and Bob noted that the big, blond headed one looked Swedish and was all scarred-up. In fact, he was so scarred he looked like a Chicago gangster. The smaller one, who was just shy of six ft. was not so rough looking but was muscular looking himself.
"If them two fellers are part of the opposing team, I don't think I wanta suit-up nohow," Bob Clark said sheepishly. His partner, for the first time was in total agreement. Within moments the smaller man returned to retrieve another suitcase. When he passed by the two upstarts he casually replied, "If you boys are waiting for the match, come on in out of the weather."
This opportunity was accepted without hesitation. Once inside the building they were surprised to see a wrestling ring was setup near the grandstand. "What in tarnation is that doing here," Bob asked, "I thought we was gonna watch a basketball game?" Colvin replied, "I have no idea Clark, I'm as puzzled as you."
The enigma of the wrestling ring was soon revealed when the smaller man passed a flier to George Ray. As he read the advertisement he found two complimentary tickets, which read:
Wrestling Grudge Match Cal Farley.. VS.. Dutch Mantell Place: Clovis Gymnasium Time: 1:00 pm Date: March 1st, 1931
Bob and George were delighted to receive the free tickets and finally learn who the two, mature strangers were. They wouldn't want to compete against these tough looking fellows on any terms, they had already decided. Then Colvin said, "I think I've heard of that Farley feller before. Wonder if he's kin to the Farleys at Turkey?" Bob Clark laughed and answered, "I doubt that he is but nevertheless if you don't know, Cal Farley is famous! He has a radio show on KGNC that advertises tires and talks about wrestling. I'll bet that's where you've heard the name before!"
As George Ray read the flier he grew excited, "Heck Bob, it says that Farley won the Gold Medal at the A.E.F. games in Paris in 1917. Looks like he is much more than a local celebrity. I'll bet if you check into it, he is something of a wrestling legend!"
Bob answered, "I'm beginning to see why the big one has bad scars and collie-flower ears. Cal Farley musta been pulling on'em quite a lot. This is probably gonna be an interesting match, but I can't wait to see the Ogden Boosters hit the floor." Colvin agreed that the big one appeared to be receiving the short-end of most matches he fought against Farley, but he seemed happy to be present. Perhaps it was just a slap-happy smile that was planted firmly upon his face.
As the crowd began to arrive the big swede stationed himself outside the main entrance and begin to raise a fuss. He hollared, "I'm fixin to drive ol' Cal Farleys face into the canvas so hard and so often, he's gonna think he's stuck inside a douffel bag! I'm gonna show this little West Texan what big-time wrestling is all about! Down in El Paso we used guys like Cal Farley to run errands and polish our shoes. He ain't nuthin but a kid tryin to disguise himself as a Man!!"
(part #2)
Both George and Bob concluded that the big swede was just doing this to create attention and sell tickets. Just moments before he and Cal Farley were the best of friends. Now that the match was near they appeared to be bitter foes.
When Farley eventually entered the ring he was dressed in army-green trunks and just had a towel wrapped around his shoulders. He showed no flair for the flambouyant. Then when he was introduced as the AEF champion few in the crowd appeared to believe it. When Dutch Mantel appeared shortly he wore a flowing, velvet robe and the crowd clapped wildly when he was introuduced as the King of Southwestern wrestling (an obvious fake title). Even though Cal Farley was an authentic champion and even a radio personality in Texas, he had little clout in Clovis, NM.
Just as the bout was beginning the Ogden team arrived and for George and Bob this upstaged the grudge match. "When they get into the dressing room, let's join'em," Bob said excitedly. Since George Ray was scheduled to join the team here, he agreed. "If you get to suit-up George, maybe I can at least sit with the team," Clark said wistfully. He was rather juvenile and anxious to be part of the team but Colvin was more independent. He knew he wasn't going to suit-up, success does not come that easy he knew. Nevertheless, after a brief introduction to Coach Sam Tipps and the veteran players the newcomers were assigned the demeaning task of equipment gophers.
Too soon the craggy-faced coach was dishing-out orders. He said, "Tex...why don't you and Bob watch-over our street-clothes and be responsible for their safety. We dont' want to get robbed again, like we did in Phoenix." George Ray didn't much like being called Tex but he wisely didn't object. At that moment he nor no one else present had any reason to beleive the name 'Tex Colvin' would someday be revered.
After the team took the floor, Clark had a brilliant idea, "Hey let's pack the clothes in this old steamer trunk, and carry them out to the bus." Colvin nodded and said, "If the coach agrees we will do that, the clothes will be safer there and we can retrieve them just before the game ends!" After he and George had locked the clothes in the bus they joined the team on the bench just as the game was getting underway.
After the tip-off the boys were soon impressed by Odgen's big center, Tank Taylor. What really was impressive was the fact that he could straighten the net, by just standing on his tip-toes. George Ray was something of a giant himself at near six-six but he couldn't reach that high without jumping. The Turkey duo saw immediately that the Ogden Boosters were no penny-ante team and even most college teams would have their hand's full with them. In 1931 however 'basketball' was still in it's infancy and by half-time the scoreboard read: Ogden Boosters-21.....Clovis Out-siders....19
The second half was not as close as the first as the Ogden team began to score at will. Behind Tank Taylors hook-shot and some long, bucket shots the Boosters gained a ten point lead by game's end. Although the Utah team consisted of a dozen players, only seven were used during the game. Since it was still mid-afternoon Sam Tipps decided to schedule a practice session immediately following the game. He wanted to look at his new prospects and give his reserves some workout, too. This was met with enthusiasm from both Colvin, Clark and several of the bench-warmers.
Soon Bob and George Ray were out-fitted in their trunks, tennis shoes and doing layups. After letting the boys warm-up a bit the veteran coach put Colvin at center and Clark at guard. These were positions that both were quite familiar with. The scrimmage was especially important for Bob Clark because he hadn't received an offer from the Ogden team like Colvin had. If he did good, he might be allowed to join the team, otherwise it would be curtains. George Ray knew he would be on the bus headed for Roswell where the Boosters were to play New Mexico Military Institute the next night.
To open the scrimmage, Bob tossed-up a set shot from long range and it popped the net! Instead of being pleased Coach Tipps screamed, "No! No!..... Work the ball inside and don't be taking such wild shots, boy!" Clark knew next time he'd better pass the ball inside, so he did just that. When Colvin received the pass at the top of the lane, he faked right, turned left and drove for an easy basket. The only comment from the hard-boiled coach was, "Nice pass Clark, ....now you're getting wise."
The half-court workout went very well for both the Turkey boys as each scored near ten points before it ended. After about thirty minutes Tipps blew the whistle and said, "Ok gang.......hit the shower and get ready for the banquet and scheduled party." As the upstarts were getting dressed Sam Tipps approached them with 'good news'. Both would be on board when the bus left Clovis. Although Clark was invited to join the team he would not be a full-time player. He would instead become a player & equipment manager. This meant that he would only suit-up when someone was ill or injured. This arrangement hurt Bob's West Texas pride but his only choice was to accept it or go back to Turkey in total defeat. Although Clark was fast and could shoot, his companion was almost six inches taller and naturally gifted. Next to Tank Taylor, George Ray Colvin was the only player that was stuffing the ball on this eventful day in 1931. His exceptional size and reach gave him an advantage that Bob Clark would never have, no matter how hard he tried. Coach Tipps felt he had found a 'gem in the rough' for sure in the big Turkey lad.
The party the coach had mentioned turned-out to be a box-supper that was sponsored by the Clovis Ladies Auxilary. By six that evening the party was over and the team was back on the bus and on the country road that traveled through Portales and beyond. Averaging about 40 mph it was late when they reached the outskirts of Roswell. When someone asked coach Tipps where the team would be staying, he blurted out, "Why fellers, we're gonna be staying at the Conrad Hilton!" As it turned out, arrangements had been made for the team to sleep in an old, unused dormitory called Hilton Hall. The building was named after one of the institutes most famous exes, Conrad Hilton! Unfortunately, the military cots and wool blankets they found there were no luxurious, hotel comfort but Bob & George agreed they were a step above the Clovis Stockyards. Things were starting to look-up for the panhandle pair, for sure.
As expected Colvin got to suit-up for the game and his biggest moment was when he replaced Tank Taylor in the 4th quarter. During the last part of the game with his team leading by fifteen he entered the game, anxious to play. During this time both teams were stealing the ball and racing up and down court. George would hardly make it past half court before the ball would be heading back the other way. He couldn't get into the play because the speedy guards kept running past him before he could get going. Finally, he ended up under the goal just before the final whistle and he scored on a long pass. Unfortunately, he had forgotten to take his ring off and as he dunked the ball his hand got caught in the net. "Help! Help," he hollared as he strained on his tip toes, "It's about to cut my finger off, hurry...hurry!" As he frantically hollared, two team mates lifted Colvin up and helped him get unhooked from the goal. As he held his sore finger in his mouth sheeplishly Coach Tipps walked up and said, "Good work Tex, you scored two and only lost one!"
Soon the Ogden Boosters were on the road again and within days they had traveled throughout eastern New Mexico, playing amateur and college teams. Colvin was getting some playing time in each game and was gaining on Tank Taylor in both skill and playing time. One day as they were riding along, the coach called the Turkey lads to his seat. "Listen boys," Tipps said, "The home office has just booked us into the Texas panhandle, on the 24th we play Clarendon Jr. college. Ain't that pretty close to your hometown?"
Bob and George told their mentor that Clarendon was just forty miles from Turkey and they were delighted to be playing near home. What the coach wanted to know specificaly was 'which route would be best to travel'. When Tipps told them that they would be playing in Odessa two days before the Saints Roost game, Colvin suggested that they travel north through Lamesa, Plainview and onto Tulia. From there they could travel along the Ozark Trail east to Silverton. "Just beyond Silverton, we can take the Schott Cap road which leads to Clarendon," Clark said authoratatively.
When the conversation ended, Colvin and Clark went back to their seats in a great mood! George spoke first, "Maybe we can write home and get our folks out to the game!" Clark had a better plan, he suggested that the Boosters might could play an exhibition game in the Turkey gymnasium! "That's the best idea you've ever had Bob! However, you and me are just subs and greenhorns on this team. It ain't too likely that Coach Tipps is gonna cater to no suggestions that we might offer. My advice is, forget it," George Ray said with emotion in his voice! Clark concluded by saying sadly, "Coach Tipps wouldn't likely let me suit up nohow, so it wouldn't be no fun anyway."
(#3)
When the day came for the team to travel to Clarendon, as planned the bus traveled north out of Odessa until it reached Tulia, Tx. At the Ozark-Trail marker in dowtown Tulia, they headed east toward Silverton and the caprock. Coach Tipps called out from the front of the bus, "Hey Tex, the marker listed Kity-Que, Gasoline and Turkey...are they on the road to Clarendon?"
"Well coach, we could turn down the Schott Cap road and avoid those towns but if we go through Turkey, we might find us a free meal, along the way!" At this comment Tipps motioned for Colvin and Bob to come to the front of the bus and join him. When they got there he asked them why a free meal (for the whole team) might be available in their hometown? Bob told him that they had called home earlier and told their folks about the game at Clarendon and the whole town was expecting the Ogden Boosters to travel through Turkey. Since not much excitement happened in this rural part of West Texas the boys figured the citizens would like to meet the team. Surely, a free meal would be ready and waiting when they arrived, they told their coach. The local women were good at preparing community lunches and homecooking did sound good to Coach Tipps and all the boys.
Since Colvin and Clark had joined the team in Clovis, the Boosters had already played over a dozen games. No one on the bus knew it, but through George and Bob's letters home the Ogden team had begun to get some coverage in the local paper, the Turkey Enterprise. In fact, Tank Taylor, Ace Gruenig and some of the other Ogden players were already becoming local celebrities. Could an even bigger surprise await them when they arrived in Turkey?
Since it was expensive to feed a dozen, hungry athletes the skipper decided to pursue the free meal that George and Bob spoke of. A free meal would help balance the team's check-book (which was always borderline) and this would surely make the owners in Utah happy! Besides gasoline was just fifteen cents a gallon and going 30 miles out of the way, only meant about 2 extra gallons of push-water or thirty cents. Furthemore the team had the rest of the day to kill anyway, as the Clarendon game had been re-scheduled and was to be held at 2:00 pm the following day.
When the grey and white bus reached Turkey, it was so covered with mud from traveling the Ozark Trail that one could hardly read the team's logo on the side. Yet, the downtown area was abuzz with excitement when they stopped across the street from the City Drugstore and the team began to unload. They could hardly beleive how the town folks met them with open arms and genuine hospitality. They hadn't seen this much friendliness since leaving Ogden. After greetings from mayor Gilmore it was soon revealed that a meal had been prepared and was waiting for them, exactly as Bob and George had predicted. The hearty meal was to be served in the school cafeteria. It was now 4 pm, so an early supper would suit the Ogden boys just fine, the coach happily advised the hosts. But first, they needed to freshen-up a bit so Tipps said, "If the showers in your gym were offered we would shore be obliged to use them?"
All this hoopla was occuring on a friday and volley-ball games had been scheduled to be played in the gym that evening, too. When Tipps heard of this he asked the locals if they would like to see the Boosters play some exhibition basketball following the volley ball. If both Colvin and Clark suited up the Boosters could split into two teams and have just enough men to play full court, he surmised.
When the exhibition game was proposed, the high school coach suggested instead that the Turkey Outsiders would love to play the Ogden team some tough basketball! Coach Tipps replied, "If we play in an exhibition game without pay against your local team we will only be able to play 3 quarters... Otherwise, my team would be breaking the rules of the AAU." The Turkey promoters had a parlay and then one replied, "This stipulation will create no problems for us!" So, a shortened game between the Ogden Boosters and the Turkey Outsiders was agreed upon right then and there. Tipps shook the man's hand in agreement then said, "Incidently, I sure hope the vollyball games don't run past nine tonight!" The mayor assured him that they wouldn't and that the proposed exhibition game would begin no later than 9 pm that evening.
Soon George Ray and Bob Clark heard the news of the Booster-Outsider game and Colvin said, "I can't beleive it! The very thing we wished for is coming true, Bob. This is truely incredible!" Bob agreed that the Boosters going against their ol' hometown friends, was truely going to be an incredible event! Bob concluded by saying "I just hope I get to play a little! My folks will be shorely disapointed if I don't get off the bench and see some action."
When time for the game arrived and the teams had warmed-up George Ray and Bob were in for a great surprise. Since it was just an exhibition game being played in their hometown, Coach Tipps penciled both Clark and Colvin into the starting Ogden lineup! It was the first time that the two had been on the floor together since leaving Turkey. They were smiling with anticipation as they ran the layup drills with the Ogden stars, Taylor and Gruenig. .
On the opening tip, George jumped high and tipped the ball toward the Booster's goal. Clark raced past two defenders to get to it. As he bounded down court he retrieved the ball, took a few dribbles and was in perfect position to score. The crowd responded with a mixture of applause and boo's. For the first time in their lives the two Turkey lads were being boo'd by Turkey fans! Oh what a turn-around not to be wearing the ol' purple and gold jerseys, but life does have it's surprises, as they were learning!
At the end of the first quarter the chalk board read: Boosters-15 and Outsiders-10. Tipps then pulled Colvin and Clark out of the game but it wasn't because he was disappointed in their play. As he stated later, "I just wanted Tank Taylor and Ace to get in some practice before the big game in Clarendon against the Bulldogs. Nevertheless George had already scored seven points in the first and had dominated the boards while Clark had thrown some key passes and scored twice. So, the two hometown boys were making a good showing to the home folks, they sure were!
It seemed that most of the town had flocked to the new gym to see the big, Ogden team in action for it was necessary to open the stage curtain and let people sit in the auditorium also. Usually the Gym bleachers could seat all the people that came to THS games, but this was really a large turn-out to see the Ogden Boosters (with George Ray and Bob Clark) in action.
Approaching the end of the second quarter, Tank took a pass under the goal and jumped to lay it in. Everything looked okay, there was no foul on the play but when he came down he landed on a size twelve, boxcar. Unfortunately it wasn't his foot he landed on, it belonged to Swede or one of the other Fuston boys! Tank Taylor twisted his right ankle and he fell to the floor, writhing in pain. Tipps pointed to George Ray and said gruffly, "Taylors hurt, get in there Colvin and see if you can't punish number eighteen for putting our center out of acton! There goes the Clarendon game!"
This put George Ray in a spot as he knew Swede well, the player that the coach wanted punished. Therefore all that he could do was put a few moves on him and make Tipps think he was hurting him. He give him a couple of elbows and did pull his 'thumb in the trunks' trick. By doing this when Fuston jumped for a rebound he almost lost his trunks! At the game's end both players left the floor unhurt and still on friendly terms though. The Ogden Boosters had beaten the local amateurs by fifteen points and everyone was pleased.
Since the Turkey Hotel had offered the team a discount rate on lodging Tipps decided to wait and travel to Clarendon next day. This gave Colvin and Clark a chance to visit their folks over night and sleep in their own beds. Early the next morning while George was eating breakfast there was a knock on the door. When he answered he found Bob Clark standing on the porch without his gear.
"Whats up Bob, where's your satchel," George Ray asked with a bewildered look? Clark answered emotionally, "Well ol' pal, I'm a-gettin tired of ridin that ol', rough bus up and down dirt roads.... just to watch you and Tank Taylor play basketball. I'm through with Mister Tipps and the Ogden Boosters. Tell him he can hire another sucker to unload equipment, Adios!"
"Wait a minute Bob," George replied, "We ain't even seen Ogden yet and you're already an ex-Booster. Just be patient and you'll get your chance to play more ball. You did real good last night against Turkey, you shore did!" Clark told him that his patience had worn clean-out and he had decided to go back to work on his daddy's farm. Since Clark's mind seemed unchangeable, Colvin wished him the best, they shook hands and Clark left.
George Ray had to be at the Turkey hotel in less than an hour as the bus would then be departing soon. After a short visit with his mother, George and his daddy pulled the model-A out of the barn and drove into town, mostly in silence. When they parked the auto, his daddy finally said, "Son I just want you to know that I wish you the best in your basketball endeavors. I sure hope you find that elusive 'pot of gold' that every young man yearns for. But if things don't go well for you in Ogden, you've got a place back here on the farm. Me and your mother have certainly been missing you!"
George said goodbye to his father and felt like crying as he went to the doorway of the bus. The players were already filing on and Coach Tipps was sitting in his usual place at the front of the bus. George Ray leaned in and whispered, "Coach can I have a word with you, in private?" The coach agreed and stepped outside. Soon the young Colvin said, "Bob Clark asked me to inform you that he is leaving the team. He has decided not to leave Turkey again and to seek his fortune here." The coach just shrugged his shoulders and said, "Well that's okay! If not for you George, I wouldn't have ever let him tag-along anyway. Is there anything important I need to know before we leave town?"
Colvin then answered softly, "Well actually Coach there is. I would sure love to play in Clarendon, as I've always dreamed of playing against those Bulldogs. Furthermore, I would love even more to travel with the team to Utah and California and play out there. In fact, everything has pointed in that direction for me. That was.... until today. When I saw how run-down my father is and how sad my mother was when I said goodbye, Coach I knew I couldn't leave again. I do beleive that my father is ill or has been working himself to death on the farm. Either way, if I pursue my basketball dreams it may be a fatal mistake and... my mother couldn't stand for that. I'm sorry but I have also decided to stay in Turkey!"
With the coach's regretful goodbye and as the bus was departing, George Ray Colvin proudly strolled down main street. As he passed the Gym Theatre there, he said hello to Doc Garner and proceeded up the street past Hamm's barber shop and the bank. At the M-system grocery he ran across Bob Clark and they stopped in for a Royal Crown cola just to celebrate being back home!