"New Yahk," cried the Barton bullies, gleefully mimicking the Andover, Mass. native's accent.
I could see it clearly now.
As the Cornell boosters mercilessly taunted Scarpa, the game was quickly evolving into an epic battle.
The forces of good from the Birthplace of American Liberty versus the forces of evil from New Yahk.
Freedom vs. coercion.
Then, late in the game, Scarpa stole the ball and broke downcourt ahead of two pursuers.
The drive to the basket, the pause...and the drop pass to teammate Todd Litfin.
What generosity and class, I thought.
"Step on him," chortled the crowd.
So the massacre continued. Seven straight Cornell points, swish, swish, swish, click, click, click.
Ten seconds left.
Scarpa with the ball, 10 feet out on the left, sets, shoots.
Good.
Very good.
Even better, in fact, than a brand new Honda CRX.