Yes fans, there are more games than DHS vs. DCHS

After the ball dropped and 2010 began, the sports scene both locally and nationally enjoyed a very exciting week of action.

DHS and DCHS got the week started with a couple of spirited contests on the hardwood in front of 2,000 fans, while two days later the BCS championship featuring Alabama and Texas was played in front of over 100,000 at the Rose Bowl, plus millions on television.

What is it that brings so many fans out to see the best contests?

For example, the games Tuesday between the local high schools brought out more people to the gym at DHS than any other game on the schedule will, bar none. Though not aiming to criticize, but there are a lot more games on the schedule than the rivalry games, and the mind wonders why only one night during the season will the gym be filled to capacity.

Perhaps it's the fact a lot of people chose to listen to the radio or read about the games the next day in the paper, but after Tuesday night is there anyone thinking $5 is too much for admission? If so, then staying away is probably the right thing to do.

On Tuesday, with temperatures near single digits and the games scheduled near the middle of the week, some may have thought the fans would stay away. It didn't take long to realize that nobody wanted to miss an encounter between the two schools, just as it should be.

Judging by Friday night's attendance for the Gibson County games, there were several people that liked what they saw out of either the Lady Trojans or the Trojans. Though the place wasn't packed, a larger than usual crowd saw the games.

It's fair to say I like to see a lot of fans turn out for the games on a regular basis. After a hard day at work, it's good to see some still find the energy to get out and brave the elements to support the student athletes as they strive to be the best.

Don't think for a minute the kids don't appreciate loud and supportive fans. They feed off of it.

I remember talking to a certain Dyersburg player one night prior to the Dyer County game, and as we talked I could sense the young man's excitement about the upcoming encounter with the Choctaws.

"Place is going to packed isn't it Mr. Mike?" he asked. Sure is, I told him. With that a smile broke out across his face like a kid at Christmas. He was ready and his team was ready, he would tell me during the conversation.

As the time drew near for the game to start, the respective squads were going through warm-ups and I couldn't help but take a hard look at the player I had the conversation with a few nights earlier.

He was smiling, pumping up his teammates and yes, even had a bit of anxiousness about him.

Though I knew prior to the game the player that was so excited about the matchup wasn't going to be the high scorer, what I did know was the fact this kid was going to play hard from start to finish.

Though this is my first season to get to watch the young man play the game, I guess it is fair to say he has become, well, my favorite Trojan on the floor.

Though I only see him at the games, every time I do it is a pleasant experience and the kid is always upbeat, positive, respectful and yes, he loves to play in front of a large crowd.

As the game wound down and it was apparent the mighty Choctaws would edge past the Trojans, again I sought out the face of the young man. The smile had long since left as the disappointment began to set in, but he was still cheering on his teammates as the final seconds ticked away.

Though I didn't get a chance to talk to him after the game, what I did see was the same smiling face take the floor Friday night against Gibson County.

Though this kid isn't the tallest, he will battle inside with the best of them. Give him an opportunity to shoot from outside and he can knock down the 3-pointer. He doesn't allow his size to affect how he plays the game, and while he would love to play in front of a packed house night in and night out, the effort he delivers never wavers no matter the size of the crowd.

He is a student-athlete that gives it everything he has, and furthermore it's because of kids like him that I get so much enjoyment out of this job.

His name is Marcus Nelson, and one night of watching kids like him play will leave you wanting to come back for more. They'll leave the light on for you, and Nelson will be waiting with a smile.

See you courtside.

Your comments are welcome at msmith@ stategazette.com