Ever see the movie, “Hoosiers?”

I sometimes wonder what the guys on that team would think about kids nowadays on the basketball team from that small Indiana high school?

Each year, I contact the Scarborough grads who played for the state championship soccer teams we had in 04074 land in the l970s. I ask them for donations to treat the current SHS soccer team to a dinner the night before a game. Three guys usually respond.

At the last minute this year, things looked bleak for the Red Storm. They would play a team (Lewiston) in the state finals that was ranked No. 24 nationwide in a USA Today poll. A bunch of talented immigrant kids from Somalia. Yikes!

To tweak my fellow alums, I sent out another email: “Guys, disregard previous emails. We are pulling the plug on fundraising. Our guys are going to get waxed. No sense in wasting your money. Have a nice day.”

24 hours later, l8 more guys had responded. Most with cash. Two with expletives. The email had hit a nerve.

Here is a “composite” of the back and forth emails with guys:

DW: You are helping now?

1975: Yes. It matters now.

DW: You ignored me before.

1975: No. I ignored your message.

DW: ??

1975: I do not care about the current SHS soccer team.

DW: Harsh!

1975: What I mean is – I am happy for them…but they do not need me.

DW: But you changed this week?

1975: They were being made fun of. Given no chance.

DW: So what?

1975: That was us 40 years ago! Remember, they called us clamdiggers, and potato farmers.

DW: We were.

1975: Remember, going up against West Springfield, Mass. In the New Englands?

DW: We won, didn’t we?

1975: No…not even close. They had a bunch of kids from Portugal. Fisherman. GREAT players.

DW: Last thing I remember was we went ahead early 1-0.

1975: I hope your memory is better than that in your lawyer cases.

DW: So you are giving money now, all of a sudden, because it makes you feel good?

1975: No. I am giving money because they need to hear from us. They DO have a chance. It is fun to be the underdog!

DW: Are you proud of what we did?

1975: Yes! Two years in a row at the New Englands, but not because we were cowards. We were outclassed physically.

DW: And there was a lesson in that for you?

1975: Yes. Big one.

DW: So what am I supposed to learn here in fundraising?

1975: Don’t ever write to me again and tell me they all love us. And don’t tell them ever again we love them. That is all BS.

DW: What do I tell them?

1975: Tell them they have guys rooting for them who had little ability, but a lot of chutzpah. We swam at the same beaches, and sped away from cops down the same stretches of Route 1 they do. Having some brass ones is what will help them this week, and for the next 40 years.

DW: Not sure I can say that! …What do I tell you in future emails?

1975: Remind me about what I just said. I forget.

(Editor’s note: The SHS boys lost in the state title 1-0 to nationally ranked Lewiston High. 21 guys from five l970s SHS state-title soccer teams gave $l85 for pizzas).

Dan Warren is a Scarborough trial lawyer. He can be reached by private Facebook message at Jones & Warren Attorneys at Law page, or by email at jonesandwarren@gmail.com.