Thanks to my 6'0 frame, I developed a powerful serve; unfortunately, my mediocre in-game shot accuracy kept me out of our team's top ranks even into my senior year.
An IM conversation this evening with
It should go without saying that nobody gets to be a top-ranked player in a school of that size without serious athletic credentials, and Steve had plenty: strong serve, deadly volley game and lightning-quick ground shots. But when opponents of equal ability face off, subtle factors can tip the scales; in that, Steve employed one of the most devious and elegant mind-jobs I've witnessed: on tournament/match days against rival schools, he'd show up wearing mismatching socks - one black, one white.
The distraction he forced on his opponents was subtle but undeniable - seasoned players would keep sneaking glances at Steve's feet during matchs, rather than devoting their complete attention to beating him. While it's anyone's guess the extent to which his sock-switch antics contributed to his success on the court, he did compile a record-breaking win/loss ratio in his years at our high school's Varsity team that was unbeaten upon my graduation two years after him.
Though I have lost touch with the estimable Herr Lee since high school, I must admit a lingering curiosity as to where he ended up employing his devious, underhanded ways. Tobacco attorney? CIA Agent? Psy Ops Operative?
What would YOU do?