Street Cred: Korodaj, Davis, Ford, Verner (3/22/09)

by Marty Cesario

You know what's funny? I get paid to put kids and coaches on TV-- which is very cool. But I almost get as much out of the off-camera contact with those people, their families, or their friends. I guess it's the fresh and unexpected perspective of meeting again with no ball, no mic, no game face, no make-up... away from the gym or the field. Admittedly, there's probably some "Daddy" or "Buddy" issues involved here, but we don't wanna get all Freudian do we? Dude. Whatever. My point is that I like the "community" vibe I feel when I run into people on the street-- especially when it brings good news about players we've formerly featured. Some recent examples: 

After a hoops game at Montbello High, a kid walks up to say "hi." At first glance, I wasn't sure who this teenager in a T-shirt and jeans with a pack on his back was. If he was wearing a gold helmet and a #22 jersey, I would've known it was JOSH FORD. Just months ago, I interviewed the talented tailback after one of many victories for eventual state champion, Mullen. (Even then, I could tell he wasn't shy. Good talker. Smart. Positive.) I learned Josh lives in the Montbello area and likes to catch a Warriors basketball game occasionally. At the time of our last meeting, he hadn't yet decided on his future after graduation this summer. I know he was getting some regional recruiting interest. Whatever he does -- football or otherwise -- I bet he does just fine. Josh seems like the kind of kid you root for.

During warm-ups at a Denver East playoff game, an assistant coach pulled me aside to say "thanks" for keeping up with the kind words about his son -- even a season after the kid stopped wearing an Angels uniform. I guess the undying love that Cory Lopez and I expressed for two-time state champ, JAMIKO VERNER, early this season had stuck in the head of Jamiko's dad, Tommy. According to "proud papa," Jamiko played big minutes as a freshman this season for Cochise College in Arizona. He led the nation in total steals for Division I of the NJCAA! If you ever got to see Verner attack and press ball-handlers in high school, you're not surpised to hear he's pickin' on college players, too, now.                      

And how's this for a visual? A college guy and I talking football in between some sweaty businessmen in a steam room. Even my two-year old daughter would say, "yuk." She wouldn't get it, though. After previously meeting former Columbine footballers, CHAD KORODAJ and ORENZO DAVIS, in a Jeffco fitness club, Chad and I met a second time... like I said... amongst old guys in soggy towels and volatile bacteria. "Man-Time" can't get more manly than that. Both Chad and Orenzo are attending Palomar College in San Marcos, CA. Chad has been staying in shape while sitting out a season before officially joining the Comets' roster this coming Fall. Orenzo has already been very productive for Palomar football. Like a good buddy, Chad bragged a lot about Orenzo's solid freshman season. Davis earned all-conference mentions as a kick returner and was his teams' 2nd leading rusher.     

Since this is the first time I've blogged about this topic, let's just say the precedent has now been set. Let's also expand the "Street Cred" to include the Info SupaHighway. Be it around town or via e-mail, I'd love an update on about the guys and girls we've watched and/or met during our CET games. Athletics. Academics. Any kind of heroics would be good news to hear about and to, if you don't mind, pass along to others as a means to recall, please and inspire. 
    
Feedback may be made via e-mail to martycesario@hotmail.com