ACS Gym - 1978: Saints center Boakai Kiahon #22, attempts a shot against the Alligators of AME Zion, as the Saints put on another clinic in a 1978 classic. But, no commentary can do justice to this picture better than someone who was there, in the moment.
Below is commentary by Alson Nyema Saba, as he remembers this game:
Great picture! Wow! St. Patrick’s won that game by 8 points. That was my final year at A.M.E. Zion as many of the players on St. Patrick’s. I played as a shooting guard and small forward for A.M.E. Zion in 1978 at 6'. We had a fabulous team, namely: Swallo Stem (c), Olu Blay (c/f), the late Daseline Harris, (pg), Raymond E. Grigsby (sh.g) (VA) and I (Alson Nyema Saba) (NJ) (small forward/ shooting guard). Others: Ian Sheriff (sg) (NJ), late Emery Johnson, Alex Marshall, (USA/Lib) Kodjo Conduah (MD) and to name a few, Coach- Jimmy McCritty, he was as fascinated about my coolness and my shots (3 pointer area-considered as 2pts). Oh yes, my shots were excellent. Driving to the basket was not my cup of tea because of many reasons. By 1980 and up to 1984, A.M.E. Zion took control of HS basketball in Liberia. Thanks to the foundation we built. Also, thanks to you President Stephen Koffa for updating your records and representing St. Patrick’s HS class of ’78; the best of the best class. Another thing, on the right side of that photo (looks like me) and on the opposite was the late Emery Johnson (Alligators) with Kiahon going high to the sky.
In the 70's, the greatest high school rivalry in Liberia was St. Patrick's vs B. W. Harris. Saints vs Spartans. No other came close. High school basketball season always opened with St. Patrick's Gala Day game. I suspect this picture features one of those games. The game came with drama, pride and bragging rights to boot. We were friends off the court, but enemies on. On this day in 1978, point gaurd Lami Mason is at the free throw line, while Saints center Patrick Nepay and the Spartans player look on. I don't remember the outcome of this particular game, but since this is our blog, it's safe to say we FLOGGED them lol!!!! This picture reminds me of something striking about Saints Basketball. To watch St. Patrick's enter any gym for a game was to see a team from the future. Look at Lami and Patrick: high quality matching jerseys, shorts, sneakers, socks, and knee pads. All coordinated with Saints signature green and white. Think about this. Saints was rocking this gear in the 70's in Africa lol!. Now take a look at the player from the Spartans. His outfit is more representative of teams in Africa lol. He "got on his singlay, with his P.E. trahsay, nasty hospital bandage around his legs, old scobie". I mean damn... it's a wonder they allowed them on the same floor with the Saints lol! Nonetheless, that rivalry stands as priceless. There will be no other.
