Page 10 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 87

10 Issue #87 February 2020 www.sportsenergynews.com

Tabletop Hockey Memory

wondering how the kids of today would
make out playing a version of tabletop
hockey. Would they even give it a
second glance?
My generation will fondly remember
By Thom Racine
the challenges of tabletop hockey: the
pushing and pulling of those rods, the
dexterity it took to multitask, and the
savvy it took to score a goal from the
have had plenty of time recently to
I think about life and what it brings and other end of the ice by catching the
where it brings us. The result of most goalie napping.
of my reflections is simple; I have a lot I just happen to still have a version
of the Coleco ca.1970 game, with the
more yesterdays than I do tomorrows!
Having said that, thinking back on extra attacker and 11 of the twelve
what we had and what we have today is teams.
quite astonishing. As I looked at my son’s collection
As I sat in the rec room watching of electronics, I smirked about the fact
Netflix, I glanced over at my son Jay’s that the only thing similar between
video game collection neatly aligned these games and my Coleco tabletop
on his shelf beside the TV, games and game had to be the little red light to
controllers left abandoned - NHL, indicate goals. It wasn’t an illuminated
MLB, NBA, NFL, and even FIFA bulb - just a red Q-tip style post that
World Cup soccer. I watched him popped up when the puck depressed a Kings and Seals chase a loose puck - Coleco 1970 Table Top players.
play these games but denied his offer trap door. Photo Submitted
to teach me how to play. I just never I know, not even close, but it was faces and all…I bet some of you are for applications for the Class of 2020.
could get the hang of playing and never cool none the less. smiling too! Visit the Cornwall Sports Hall of Fame
had the patience or, I suppose, the time Call to the Hall website to make your submissions for
Travel back in time with me as
to play back then. archrivals, the California (Oakland) The Cornwall Sports Hall of Fame consideration.
Great as these games were and sends a reminder that there is one Induction of the Class of 2020 is
Seals and LA Kings do battle, smiling August 8th.
probably still are, I found myself month remaining before the cut-off

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Perley Lewis Aryonna Johnsen

February’s featured official is Cornwall’s own, Perley

Lewis. Perley is a fixture on local basketball courts, Age: 12
refereeing both high school and club ball. He says he

first got into officiating when his good friend and fellow Grade: 7
official, Alan Greig, invited him to give it a try. “I wasn’t School: St. Joseph Catholic Intermediate

too receptive at first,” he admits, “but I am glad I went School
for it.”
Perley also coaches. Working with the Seaway Valley Hometown: Cornwall
Basketball Officials, Perley says that his favourite level to Aryonna is an active young lady who is

work with is senior boys and girls. “I have a daughter in a part of multiple clubs at St. Joe’s. She
grade 11 at St Joe’s and I have coached her CUCBA group since they were in grade 2,” he explains. belongs to the community outreach program,
Like most refs, Perley admits that being in charge of a game can be challenging. He cites working Panther Power, as well as the Chess Club
with new officials and working lop-sided games as two kinds of occasions that call for extra focus. and Tech Club. Aryonna’s love of running

“The higher the level, the easier it is to stay focused, and with a good partner, it’s a blast,” he says. is displayed three days a week as she never
Perley has an extensive amount of basketball experience. “My favourite memory is tossing the misses the opportunity to take part in the St.
jump ball to start my daughter’s first high school game. There were four or five Grade 9 starters at

St Joe’s that day who I had coached for six years with the Cornwall Lions,” he says. Joseph Panther Conditioning Club, where
“I also really enjoy the Grade 9 kids and, although we are refs, we are also basketball educators. students do a variety of exercises to stay
Many of the kids have never played before Grade 9, and so we help teach the game while in shape. Besides being active, Aryonna

officiating. The worst part of officiating for me is the kids’ last game in Grade 12 and knowing lists her preferred hobby as reading. When
that after having developed a relationship with the kids that I may never see them again. The kids she completes her education, she’d like to
are amazing.” become an author.
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