What do you call old basketball players? "Moldhawks", as in their skills are slightly off, or just the basic "Oldhawks", those who once flew like eagles, but now flutter slowly across the court?
It doesn't really matter, except that over 20 former Humboldt Collegiate Institute (HCI) basketball players returned to their alma mater on December 22 to play against the current senior teams.
Graduates from as long ago as 1985 - guard Lee Bells - and as recent as 2010 - post Megan Smit - returned to the court for some fun and to help the basketball teams raise some money.
The senior girls' team took to the floor first, facing off against nine former players. This wasn't a very close game, but the returning players did show flashes of their old style.
Nykea Behiel, 2000-2004, was one of the returning players.
"It's always fun coming back, playing in the same gym in front of the same crowd," she said. "Playing basketball is one of my favourite memories."
Behiel plays some recreational basketball these days.
Rocheal Howes (nee Hinz), class of 1995, said the game was a lot of fun.
Howes, who coaches a little, laughed that she practises missing baskets mostly now. She was on the 1994 HCI team that went to Provincials, but her skills are rusty and she isn't in the same shape.
"No matter what age you are, they're young," she said about her opponents.
The senior boys' team took to the court next against 16 older and, on average, larger players.
The alumni team won the tip-off to start the game, but HCI scored the first basket. That would be the only lead the young team would enjoy in the game as the alumni used their size to full advantage, especially under the basket.
In the second quarter, the alumni put six men on the court for a while. It helped, but the refs did eventually notice the extra body, kicking one player off the court.
Tyler Codling of Toronto and his brother Daniel of Saskatoon, were easily the biggest players on the court. As coach Kevin Grieman said before the game, almost any two of the alumni players weighed more than the entire current team.
Tyler, class of 1993, found out about the game through his brother. Since Tyler was coming back to Humboldt for Christmas to see his parents, he decided that playing in the game would be fun.
"It's always fun to come back and see the next generation," he said. "And to see Coach Grieman."
Kevin Grieman coached the alumni team during the game and had coached several of the players during their first incarnation as Mohawks.
Kerri Archibald, senior girls' coach, said the event raised about $500 for the basketball teams.
"We had a good turnout and everyone had fun. We plan to do another one next year," she said.
