Nearly 30 years ago, boys basketball was in its heyday in the Phoenix Union High School District.

It was outstanding, particularly with Phoenix East, Phoenix Union, Phoenix South Mountain and Phoenix Alhambra. The first two schools have since closed.

East was coached by Royce Youree, Phoenix Union by Argie Rhymes, South Mountain by Don Petroff and Charles Dean and Alhambra by Phil Kemp.

Among the top players were Billy Jordan, John Cheatham and Brian Barge of East, Billy Rhymes, Stevie and Randy Colter of Phoenix Union, Vernon Johnson, Manny Hendrix and Bernard Thompson of South and Mitch Smith and Elston Jones of Alhambra.

Man, those were the days. Gyms were packed. The fans were passionate, to say the least. It was almost like attending a revival meeting. Some of the plays nearly made you faint.

I walked into the gym at Phoenix North this week, for the Phoenix Union District holiday tournament, and sensed a similar feel. It had been awhile since I had been to a game, because of different assignments with The Arizona Republic and now the Arizona Interscholastic Association.

The magic is still there. East and Phoenix Union have been replaced by Laveen Cesar Chavez and Laveen Betty H. Fairfax. Phoenix North, Phoenix Central and South are in the mix.

It is an amazing brand of basketball. Check it out. You won’t be sorry.