This week I opened the newspaper, and there on the front of the Sports Page was an incredible photograph of three girls from Frewsburg with hands raised celebrating their State Championship in basketball for the second year in a row.

It wasn’t just the photograph but also the write-up which made the article so powerful. There was an analysis of how the game played out, how the team rallied, what the coach had to say, and, of course, the euphoria that swept the crowd and the small community of Frewsburg upon being named State Champions once again in Class C Girls Basketball.

I have noticed from watching my own grandchildren, how they search for their school sporting news in the newspaper. The cell phone, the digital world that comes and goes with the punch of a button…isn’t the same as seeing your team (and perhaps your name) in the newspaper.

Why is that?

In my view, it is because the newspaper gives a level of depth and permanence that digital media just can’t touch. That newspaper can sit around on the coffee table for a long time. The article can be forwarded for others to read. It can be read and reread just to savor the moment.

We are fortunate that in this small town we still have a newspaper covering sports.

I have mentioned before about how much more sport has become a part of our lives because of the ascent of girl’s sports. When I was a kid, girls played basketball, but it was a “watered down” version of the sport. All foul shooting had to be two-handed, thrown underhand from below the waist. The girls had to remain in certain zones so that they would not collide under the basket.

Can you imagine that today? Now, they fight for the ball, drive for the basket, block shots, and shoot three-pointers from outside the circle. It is the same sport for boys and girls and equally as exciting to watch.

But, back to the newspaper–in that same edition was an article about the Clymer boy’s basketball team. They came up short in a semi-final game, but the comments on how they played, what the coach had to say, and the achievements of the team this season were there for all to read.

It was a beautiful thing. Our own local version of “March Madness” was there in print for all to read, and it was on page one of the sports section. The news on who made the Sweet Sixteen in college basketball was on page two. I loved it!

Our grandchildren are all involved in sports at their schools. They usually have to pick a couple of sports for their primary involvement…there just isn’t time enough during the year for more than that. But, the fact that sports is a part of their lives is a good thing.

Sport teaches you a lot about life. Opponents are not enemies. Someone is going to win and someone is going to lose–yet, all benefit from the competition, friendships made and team spirit that sporting events bring.

It is no wonder that my grandkids go to the sporting page first when they see the newspaper at the breakfast table.

Rolland Kidder is a Stow resident.