US basketball player makes return to South Wales
THIRTY five years ago, American basketball player Sherley Sample stepped on to a basketball court in Maesteg.
As a result, a friendship was started which is still going strong today.
Organiser and coach of the Maesteg team Phil John, 70, and Sherley, also 70, from Louisville, Kentucky, became firm friends after Sherley appeared as a guest player in a tournament.
It was the first “invitation basketball” tournament to be held at Maesteg Sports Centre.
The teams were the Rhondda Porth 84, Newport, Swansea, USA Navy - who were based in Brawdy, Pembrokeshire – Cardiff and Maesteg Basketball Club.
Over the years, they have kept in touch through annual Christmas cards, and now they keep in contact via email and weekly Facebook messages.
Then, this year Sherley took a diversion on a trip to the UK to visit his long-lost friend.
The pair spent 24 hours together, exploring the sites of South Wales including Aberavon beach and Swansea marina.
They also visited the sports centre where they first met and the duo picked up a basketball.
Phil said: “As we walked through the reception it brought it all back to him, we picked up a basketball went into the sports hall.
“Sherley ‘shot some balls’ – he’s still got it!”
The pair also visited the hotel where Sherley had stayed all those years ago.
Over their very short visit the pair honoured their lost loved ones by lighting candles at Margam Abbey in memory of relatives who have died.