The old Lincoln gym here in Wallingford is filling as seconds remain in the Franklin-Roosevelt girls game. The bleachers are pulled out to within 5 feet of the side court. Those entering the side of the building have to weave inbetween player benches and cheerleaders to get to their seats in the stands.
Concessions here are off the hook in terms of price. I picked up a bottle of water and four red ropes for $1.25 and thought I was stealing.
So I'm set up underneath and off to the side of one of the baskets, at a desk with Times staffer Matt Peterson. We've run an extension cord about 10 feet to an actual desk that our laptops both sit on.
The cheerleaders are in full stride now as Roosevelt holds a two-point lead with 43 seconds left in the game.
The Roosevelt band is here tonight, having received two technical fouls so far this season. A short shot from under the basket is missed by a Franklin player that would have tied the game. Rough Riders fans jump from their seats to cheer as the band fires off a celebratory chorus.
Players shake hands, fans shift around in their seats and the boys run onto the court from opposite corners. Warmups commence as the girls leave the floor.
A different energy has filled the air now. Band still playing, fans chanting and hopping around in the bleachers, movement and activity everywhere.
The show has begun. We're 17 minutes away from tipoff.
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