The great thing about high school sports is the great unknown. That drew me in as a teenager, when I began covering games as a stringer for my hometown newspaper in the late 1970s.
What really pulled me in, though, were the stories. Everyone has a story to tell.
Thirty-plus years later, it still rings true. I ran across a ton of interesting people in 2017. Some are great athletes, like Greenwood's Connor Noland and Charleston's Sean Michael Flanagan.
Others, like Southside soccer standout Nancy Mendoza and Hackett twins Maggie and Cassie Bell, pulled me in with their forthcoming, down-to-earth stories.
Everyone has a story to tell.
Northside senior Isaiah Joe has a great story to tell as well.
Last summer, when I took my kids to Northside's three-day basketball camp, Joe took time out to pose for pictures with eager second and third graders. Shoot, he even smiled.
Bobby Portis did this, too, back when he was at Little Rock Hall. He took time to stand with loyal Arkansas fans, who, of course, were excited about the future Razorback basketball players.
Last March, Joe helped lead the Grizzlies to a stunning state basketball title win over North Little Rock. Last year, he was the catch-and-shoot guy.
This year, he's handling the ball more. And, being that the spotlight has been on him since he announced he would continue his basketball career at the University of Arkansas, he's become a perfect spokesman.
Allen Iverson? No, that's not Isaiah Joe.
"That's the thing about Isaiah, he's just humble," Northside assistant coach Greg Scott said. "Nothing goes to his head. He's just a great, great kid. He takes it all in, but he doesn't express it. His parents keep him humble.
"He's a very humble kid, and I think that relates over to the court."
"I like to block out (the attention), but it is different," Joe said. "I just have to keep pushing forward."
I couldn't imagine what it's like to hit home runs, throw touchdown passes or swish 22-foot 3-pointers (oh, I've dreamed a little).
I'd like to think I would be as humble as the Nolands, Flanagans and Isaiah Joes of the world.
Then again, I'd much rather be the dude holding the tape recorder.
Happy New Year, Fort Smith. Embrace your neighbors, be a courteous driver on Rogers Ave.
And support your local athletes.