It's always fun to watch good guys succeed.
Steve Garner is that good guy. The Kingston girls basketball coach is about as personable a coach as I have interviewed in my years here at the Freeman.
Watching Garner during the Tigers' Class AA regional basketball victory over White Plains tonight was quite a treat. He really seems to care about his kids -- as I know most coaches do -- and that can manifest itself in many ways. All of them are quite funny.
A moment that stood out during the game happened with the Tigers holding a comfortable lead late and Garner yelling to Rachel Coffey to slow things down. What happens?
A quick pass here, another one there and Kingston scored on a layup in less than 20 seconds.
Garner's reaction? He sat back in his chair, leaned back, put his hands behind his head and smiled as if to say, "OK, I'll take that."
Another moment came when Amanda Horvers was caught in between defending a pair of White Plains players. Garner yelled for her to move closer to the player closer to the basket, who was White Plains top player, which left the outside shooter open to hit a three.
Horvers looked at Garner, threw her hands in the air, as if to say, "what was I supposed to do there?" with Garner responding by throwing his hands in the air, as if to say, "I don't know." It was a very funny exchange without words being said.
Over the years, win or lose, Garner has been good for a quote -- and a laugh. With his team one win away from a second straight final four berth, it's nice to see a good guy not finish last.
Until next time, take care and God bless.