Stay with it, or you'll truly hate stopping

Good advice comes from everywhere.

Sometimes it even arrives with a cup of coffee.

Consider the large café mocha I purchased at Jitterz last week: The young lady who ultimately bent down to hand it out the window seemed like she was stretching an unusually long way.

Just to make conversation, I said: “Is it just me down here in the car, or are you pretty tall?”

The barista replied, “I’m 5-11, but in high school I was listed as 6-foot. I think they just always add an inch.”

She laughed.

It turned out the server’s name was Bella, and yes, she had been a basketball player.

“That was in southern California,” she said. “I left to get away from the craziness. I like it here.”

Nothing odd about that, except that Bella did have one regret about coming to North Idaho.

What with going to work and so forth, she wasn’t playing ball anymore.

“I really miss it,” she said.

“Not just staying in shape. I miss the game.”

IT TURNED out Bella had quit playing hoops after high school, except for some rec league ball.

I asked if she had been good enough to play at a higher level.

“I’m not sure,” she said. “Maybe a junior college.”

The obvious thing was to mention that NIC had a big-time women’s program, if she had the talent and some desire for a return to school — and the lure of organized basketball.

“I’ve had friends mention that to me,” she said. “But no one knows me up here.

“I would have a better chance back in California.”

It was snowing as we chatted and there were no cars waiting behind me, so Bella and I talked hoops for a few more minutes.

“I really do miss it,” she said again, and the message was clear.

With each passing week and month, playing this sport she loved would only get more and more impractical.

All I could say before leaving was the most obvious comment: “Don’t give it up. Find a league somewhere, just to keep playing.”

THERE’S A bit of Bella in everyone who has been an athlete.

You take it for granted when you’re playing, then life and work and maybe a family change your circumstances, and people just drift away from their sport.

Then later, when it would be difficult to return, they realize what they’ve given up.

All during this month, we’ve been watching Idaho prep athletes — both boys and girls — compete for state trophies in basketball and wrestling.

To these young people, working out and competing are as natural as breathing.

The time will come, however, for other things.

The advice I got from Bella, even though accidental, was worth passing along.

IF YOU love any sport at all, even something as basic as running, stick with it until you have to be dragged away.

I can’t play basketball anymore because of mild neuropathy in my feet (pals smirk and claim I looked unbalanced even when I WAS competing).

But doggone it, I can still ski and there are great mountains right up the road.

I live on a golf course, and I’ll play until I can barely walk and I’m shooting scores that read like the summertime temperature in Yuma.

And then…

Well, there’s a reason God invented electric carts.

Just keep on doing what you love.

Jogging, pickleball, kayaking, whatever.

Bella would say it truly does ache once you stop.

Steve Cameron’s “Cheap Seats” columns for The Press appear on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. He also contributes the “Zags Tracker” package on Gonzaga basketball each Tuesday.

Facebook: Steve Cameron

Twitter: @BrandNewDayCDA

Email: scameron@cdapress.com