Canball! See what’s been one school’s tradition for more than 50 years

CLARKSVILLE, Tennessee — One sport has been around for more than 50 years. Chances are, you’ve never heard of it, but if you went to one school, this sport’s nothing short of legendary.

The word around Barksdale Elementary in Clarksville is there’s a 4th grader, who goes by the nickname Boogie, who’s pretty good at the game being played Tuesday.

“Hi!” Boogie smiled, sitting in a row of students.

The game has been a tradition at Barksdale for more than 50 years. It’s called canball.

“How long have you all been playing this game?” I asked a 4th grader.

“Since kindergarten,” she answered.

So, how does the game work? You get two vegetable cans from the cafeteria, put basketballs on top of those, and split into two teams. When a number is called, members of each team with that number see who can make a basket first. Until someone makes a basket, both players get two tries. There are 10 or 20 points awarded to the team depending on where the shot was taken. The basketballs are then returned to the cans for the next players.

“C’mon, I need my number called,” Boogie said, eagerly waiting for his turn.

He missed the basket, marking his second miss of the game.

“I’m probably not going to make a shot this whole game!” he laughed.

Retired Coach Mary Fisher was visiting the game. She was the third coach to teach canball at the school, and it was her job to pass the tradition to current Coach Mike Head.

“Sandra Davis, she was a fiery little thing,” Mary smiled, recalling a past coach. “Sandra Davis is the one who created it. I think that was back in the early 70s.”

So far, it wasn’t Boogie’s day.

“I might never play this game again!” he chuckled after missing a few more baskets. “Maaan. I need a breather! I’m not coming to school tomorrow or the next day! Friday! Any day! Not coming on Saturday! Um. Oh, we don’t have school on Saturday anyways.”

Coach Davis may have passed on years ago, but it’s evident the game she started has lived on and flourished. She would likely beam with joy knowing it has continued more than fifty years after she began it. She’d probably enjoy listening to the kids cheer each other on as well.

“Go Christopher! Shoot that double!” Boogie shouted as his friend’s turn approached.

Even though this hadn’t been Boogie’s best game, he remained encouraging to all his friends.

“Let’s go, Bobby!” he cheered enthusiastically. “Let’s gooo!”

Coach Fisher appreciates the sportsmanship demonstrated by the young players.

“That is what is so good and important and fun to watch,” she smiled.

You know another valuable lesson? Never lose a can-do attitude.

Finally, Boogie effortlessly sank a basket, prompting cheers from the crowd. He laughed joyously as he ran back to his seat.