One cold evening back when I was thirteen our basketball team trudged nervously down from the gym at Martin Junior High under the covered concrete walkway (in our street clothes) to the asphalt parking lot where our parents' cars were parked for the short drive over to Daniels. Our first game and against our arch-rival, the Daniel's Blue Jackets, awaited us over at a packed Daniel's gymnasium.  We were so tense, so nervous, but a teammate nudged me and with his dry wit uttered,'Gatewood, I'm so nervous-- Let's get out of here!' pointing out across the Martin front lawn (as if he was serious.) I couldn't help but smile--David Miller's sense of humor really did break the tension that night. Today, when I recall that moment I link it to the 1970 ACC Tournament Championship game in Charlotte--and Rick Anheuser's humor in the midst of our bench huddle instructions. There we were, all crouched around Coach Sloan, nervous as all get-out preparing for the second overtime against South Carolina and its All-American John Roach when Rick blurts out--'What do we do now?' Do we switch goals? I've never played in a game this long before.'  Then we all broke into smiles. That dry wit of Rick's seemed to settle the team down at that moment, especially when Coach Sloan grinned broadly as well.  I also remember an injured Dan Wells who stood beside me in his red State blazer and openly laughing too. 

A little humor can really cut that tension.  What a great, great win for the Wolfpack.