SWISH, AND HE SCORES. Or Swish, they score.
Swish, a team from California, earned the bronze medal in unicycling basketball competition this week at Unicon 21, the international unicycling convention held in Bemidji July 14-26. I saw them play early on against a French team in the high school gym. They lost that match in a close game.
Although winning was the goal, it’s clear these basketball players are dedicated to a sport they love playing. I can’t imagine that hopping onto a unicycle, then dribbling and passing a ball, guarding and shooting baskets is easy. You gotta love the challenge this version of basketball presents.
As the toddler daughter of one Swish player napped in her stroller, the game progressed. Nothing awakened Rosie, not even errant basketballs bouncing toward her and deflected by Grandpa, in Minnesota from Mississippi for the competition.
I watched the game, watched Rosie, got up and walked around looking for photo ops. Basketball, actually sports in general, don’t hold my interest for long, even an international competition. Plus, and I hesitate to write this, but the gym smelled of sweaty locker room. I stepped out occasionally simply to breathe fresher air in the air conditioned hallways.
While wandering, I noted the Paul Bunyan legendary influence. On the gym floor, a unicycle lay on the blade of Paul’s over-sized axe. It’s only fitting that the school mascot is the Lumberjacks given Paul is a lumberjack.
His likeness, and that of his sweetheart, Lucette, and Babe the Blue Ox, adorned red buffalo plaid Unicon 21 swag bags scattered across the gym floor. The stuff of folklore, Paul and Babe are a major marketing brand in northern Minnesota. Statues of the pair stand along Lake Bemidji, for example, and are widely used in branding throughout the region from Brainerd northward.
I wonder what the Californians thought of the whole Paul Bunyan lore, or if they even noticed. Swish was in Minnesota, after all, to play basketball. While Rosie napped and I wandered in and out of the gym, they wheeled across the gym floor, focused on scoring, on winning the game.
© Copyright 2024 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
Now there is something one doesn’t see often- or ever! Great coverage of an interesting sport, Audrey. Mentioning the smell helps the reader feel they are there with you.
It’s amazing what these unicycle athletes can do.
just getting on a unicycle and trying not to fall seems challenging, I can’t imagine how everything beyond that even happens. great observations about the baby and the unicycle on Paul Bunyan’s blade.
I’m with you on that, Beth. How do they do this? I’m always looking for interesting side stories/images when I’m out and about.
wow, now that is a creative way to play basket ball. I agree, sports don’t hold my interest for long either.
I enjoyed watching unicycle basketball for a bit. It takes talent and skill to play on a unicycle.