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Tuesday’s Double Dribble: Wah Wah Jones & Raymond Spalding

b-ballOn Monday, we learned of the passing of the commonwealth’s first homegrown hoops hero, Wah Wah Jones.

On Monday, the commonwealth’s latest homegrown hoops hero won a national AAU crown with his team, The Ville.

There was a symmetry in the confluence of these events. They present in microcosm how life was different in the years after WWII from today.

Wah Wah Jones grew up a hustler in hardscrabble eastern Kentucky. He went for it all day, every day, be it buying whatever low and selling high, grabbing a board for the Baron, or beating his blocker for the Bear.

Jones was a two sport, nay three sport star. Maybe more, had the day more than 24 hours. A huckster, he could, they say turn a nickel into a dime with the best of them. And still had time to swing from a rope into the water at the quarry with his pals and gals.

Jones grew up when the need for specialization hadn’t taken us hostage.

He was everyman. Okay, everyman with a lot of athletic talent and drive.

What shall become of Raymond Spalding is a tale still in the making. Continue reading Tuesday’s Double Dribble: Wah Wah Jones & Raymond Spalding