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With one grandson playing for Tri-Village and the other for Franklin
Monroe, Joann Stocksdale had no problem showing
support for both her
boys. She took a t-shirt from both schools, cut them in half and
sewed two halves together to make
one shirt. With both boys wearing the
same jersey number (14) it was an easy fit. CNO Photos by Dylan Knoop
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A split
decision for one hoops fan
By George Starks
PITSBURG - When the 2014-15 basketball schedule was released, Joann Stocksdale was faced with a problem most cannot fathom.
As a young mother, the then Joann Richards was like most parents. She
and her late husband, Jack Richards, were busy raising their children,
Niles and Shaun, in Hollansburg in hopes of having a couple of Westmont
Wildcats.
Due to the consolidation, they, like so many others, became Tri-Village Patriots.
Now, her children have children of their own, but with one minor situation.
The son of Niles Richards, Gavin, is a sophomore at Tri-Village while Zach Hyre, the son of Shaun, plays at Franklin Monroe.
A unique situation but Joann handled it well.
She supported both her boys by cutting t-shirts from both schools in half and sewing a half of each together.
Having the proper numbers were not a problem as both boys wear the number 14.
In the end, the Patriots prevailed, 63-33 but Joann Stocksdale was the biggest win of them all.
As the tip-off approached, Stocksdale was more on edge as each moment passed.
“I cried all day,” said Stocksdale. “”I prayed and asked God to give me
the strength to get through this game tonight. I have to admit, this
was the quietest at any ballgame that I’ve ever been but I’m thankful
that both of them were healthy enough to play each other.”
Like most good grandparents, Stocksdale beamed as both her grandsons took the floor.
“I was a very proud grandmother tonight,” she said. “I’m very thankful
I could be here to see this and I’m sure that grandpa (Jack) was
looking down with a smile and watching over them. I just wish he could
have been here to see them play.”
Before the start of the game, the parents of the boys made one thing clear.
“They told me that we are family and we love each other,” said Joann. “We will let no ballgame come between us.”
The families met Wednesday for their Christmas but with no trash talk.
“We are still a family and we love each other,” said Stocksdale. “There is no jealousy or animosity.”
Under normal circumstances, Hyre is a focal point on the floor for the
Jets while this is the first real varsity time Richards has experienced.
At game end, Hyre had netted three points with Richards not scoring.
“I think a lot of that was nerves,” said Stockdale of her grandsons.
Joann also realizes it’s a long way to tournament, but knows both teams could once again meet each other.
“All I can say is that I’ll be prepared.”
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Franklin Monroe junior, Zach Hyre spots up against his Tri-Village
cousin,
sophomore Gavin Richards, Tuesday night at the Hangar.
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