The snow drew on Philadelphia (and surrounding area) residents last night, as its downfall created dangerously slippery roads and congested traffic jams all throughout the city.
That being said, Lower Merion High School's gymnasium dedication ceremony endured a 45-minute delay, because the man to whom it was being dedicated fell subject to the city's conditions. However, when Kobe Bryant finally arrived, the venue erupted...seemingly forgetting they had been waiting a while for this very moment.
Bryant's Lakers are in the middle of an Eastern swing that will put them on the Wells Fargo Center court against the 76ers tonight at 7pm.
But on yesterday evening, the focus was on the Lower Merion version of Bryant, the high school sensation who led the Aces to the 1996 PIAA state basketball championship and then skipped to the NBA June of that year.
Bryant, formerly of Wynnewood, donated $411,000 to fund the newly renovated facility - part of Lower Merion High School's newly completed $100 million campus, which opened this fall.
Fans - some of whom paid up to $250 a ticket to attend Thursday's ceremony - milled around high school halls decorated with photos and news clippings chronicling Bryant's standout senior season.
All of Thursday night's ceremony was dedicated to the growing legacy of Lower Merion's most famous alumnus: Bryant, a five-time NBA champion at age 32.
The list of speakers was wide-ranging, from Bryant's high school coach to his high school English teacher, Jeanne Mastriano.
Bryant's coach at Lower Merion, Gregg Downer, even pointed out one crucial, little-known, fact: that Bryant still wears his Lower Merion shorts under his Lakers shorts.
Bryant himself spoke only briefly, admitting that public speaking made him nervous.
"This is where I came from. This is where I grew up," Bryant said. "I didn't go to college. This is my university. This is where my memories lie."
Bryant concluded: "I'm going to calmly put myself out of my misery and slide back to my seat."
As a devout Philadelphia 76ers fan, I hope you feel the need to express those same exact words come the fourth quarter tonight!
Seriously, this is big. I hope the younger generation takes KB24's notion and realizes it for it's worth. What he does for his community, Alma Mater, and predecessors is not to be overlooked.
SCREAM @ ME!!!
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