Col. City’s pint-sized coach

February 16, 2012

Post and Mail photo / Nicole Ott

Sam studies Columbia City’s game against Carroll in December.

COLUMBIA CITY — Though Head Coach Chris Benedict does all the play calling, look farther down the bench to see a pint-sized boy dressed in a shirt and tie at the end of the Columbia City coaching line-up.

Sam Eberly, 6, has followed the Eagles’ boys basketball team closely for the last several years.

Eberly traveled with the team to the semi-state finals in the 2010-11 season and has spent most practices and every game as Columbia City’s junior “mascot”.

Sam, as a kindergartner, played in Columbia City’s youth league against 3rd and 4th graders.

When asked who his favorite player is, he was quick to answer. “Derek Hinen,” Sam said.

“Sammy is all over the place,” Hinen said. “He’s always hanging out with us. Everybody likes him. Everybody always wants to be with Sam.”