In the Sunday afternoon, July 26, Chen Ri-Xing, an alumni member, also a former national team player, organized a 4-hour advance training at the Sungshan High School for our Basketball Team to increase the Team's edge for the National Match on Nov. 11 and 15, and for a result better than last year's third place. The training began at 3 PM, and the Team was split into two groups: the players responsible for offense and defense on the forward positions went to the 1st group, and the players responsible for guards and offense and defense on the rear wen to the 2nd group; and Chen Ri-Xing was couching the skills to be practiced this day. The 1st group started with practicing jockey for position, position maneuvering, and jump shot; the 2nd group practiced driving for the hoop, dribbling to the sides and bank shot, and jump shot at freethrow line. After the practices, both team also lined up and practiced freethrow.

After a short water break, the second stage practice began. This time the players are on the Red and White teams for offense and defense, respectively. Chen Ri-Xing instructed the offense guard to deploy the forward players and block for teammates. Chen also taught the shooters about catch-and-shoot. After practicing formations, the Red and White began a match where both teams already knew each other's tricks very well, thus organized defense became critical. No rest was given after the match; Chen asked for a 12 loops of stamina run around the basketball court.

After the 4-hour practice, all players had had the tastes of what advance training is all about, but they knew that it would pay them well. As the average age of NTU EMBA Basketball Team players was relatively higher, they knew their glory would come at a much higher cost. The training season would last from April to November until the National Match, and the advance training this day marked the beginning of a more demanding stage. Chen has more drills in store waiting for the Team. Sunday night practice will become regular starting from August to turn these middle-ages back into high school mavericks and college tough guys again. What they have in mind is straight wins in the November National EMBA Match, with the idea of Play Smart backed by a more systematic offense/defense they are learning. They will need the support and cheering from the fellow students, and all propositions are welcome. Most likely, there will be a National EMBA Basketball Match at the end of every year from now on. These basketball pappies may be seemingly pursuing the glory on the court, yet they see more into the brotherhood forged among them in the training, better physical agility they have gained, and the age-defying spirit they have found once more.

As long as one keeps a youthful mind, one can never grow old.

(Note: In a tri-school friendly match the weekend after Aug. 1, our Basketball Team met their old foes and won by 62 to 26 with the Chi Nan University and 38 to 18 with the Chung Hsing University. It seemed back-breaking training really pays well.)