By JAYSON KNIGHT
“There’s no point in playing scared. Why play at all if you aren’t going to give it everything? You might as well play as hard as you possibly can,” Gary Romine answered his own question in regards to playing the post position.
The Crowder Demons are thankful for the high-octane post player that challenges everyone he plays against at all times. Despite starting the season with an infection from gun powder in his hand, the big man has caused problems for many in the Pitt 8 and even outside of it.
Even though Romine is unhappy with the Demons’ 4-5 record, he is proud of his team’s play in their most recent game. “Keyton Jameson really showed out in the Hartshorne game. He hit some threes and did a lot of the things we’ve been having trouble doing and did them against a great team,” Romine said of his sophomore guard.
“Austin Smith helps us get the ball down the court as well. When we can do that, we usually find a way to score,” he said of his fellow senior standout.
“Ross Tucker had a great game that night too really. If we had played every game the way we played at Hartshorne, our record would be a lot better,” the team-oriented playmaker said.
“Even though we lost the game, I’m proud that Mario [Harden] didn’t get to dunk it. Last year he jammed it on us and, really, it upset our whole year,” Romine said of his game with the Hartshorne Miners.
Even though all Romine wanted to talk about was his teammates, there was one person who wanted to brag on him, his father, Dwayne Romine. “He’s a good kid. If he isn’t studying or playing ball, he’s hunting or fishing. He’s either in the gym, school, or at a lake,” the proud dad said.
“I’ve never even heard of a kid that was as easy to raise. He has a level of respect that you just don’t see out of kids. He truly respects me. If I have to raise my voice at him, he listens. And that’s rare,” the playmaker’s dad declared.
As far as when after high school is over, Gary says he would like to play baseball at Carl Albert State College, but if it doesn’t work out that way, he says he’ll find somewhere to swing for the fences. “I like baseball a lot. If I don’t get into Carl Albert, I’ll find somewhere to go,” the center-fielder/pitcher said.
He says he would like to apply his efforts in college to becoming a member of “the Highway Patrol or something in law enforcement.”
His dad commented on that decision as well. “It’s good. His decision helps me keep him in line. It puts a little extra weight on him to behave himself. If he gets in trouble now, it would take those opportunities he’s counting on away. I was a good ball player but I was busy working before I got out of school. I’d like it if he used his athleticism to get where he wants to be. He’s a lot better than I was.”
