Basketball veteran Robert Fry couldn't wipe the smile off his face after returning to the court with the Horsham Hornets this season.
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The Hornets were a player short for their road trip to take on the Millicent Magic in round seven, paving the way for Fry's first competitive basketball game in years.
It was a return he didn't expect, but one that reminded the big-man how much he loves the sport.
"I probably drove half of the way back from Millicent with a smile on my face. It was that much fun," Fry said.
"It was really good to rediscover that fire in the belly. I remembered why I love the game so much."
Fry had been training with the Hornets this season to simply "provide another number" for head coach and good mate Tim Pickert.
Fry, a Wotjobaluk man, said he did not expect to play a game and was instead content on providing support from the sidelines.
But with several players unavailable, Fry is a chance to play his fourth game of the season when the Hornets host Terang at 6PM on Saturday night.
"I didn't expect it, but the opportunity came up and I've really been enjoying it," Fry said.
"Being involved in any capacity is okay with me, I'm just happy to be around the game."
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Fry has no shortage of career highlights in Hornets colours, having played basketball in Horsham almost all of his life.
He started playing basketball as a youngster in the 1990s, encouraged to give it a try by the Hornets' two star American imports who lived next door.
Across his decades with the Hornets, Fry said he could vividly remember getting his first start with the under-16 side, his first senior Hornets match, and a massive upset finals victory in the Big V against Mildura.
"We were one of those smaller teams coming up against Mildura, who are a big association and had a couple of American imports. We beat them up there and silenced the crowd. That was huge," Fry said.
"Another highlight was playing for a Victoria Aboriginal team in the under-16s - any chance to represent my people is huge.
"But what makes basketball special is playing with a lot of good mates over the years and guys that I am still good mates with now.
"Playing basketball in a small town, we've always stayed together. People move away but we never lose that connection. It's like you're teammates for life.
"Some of my best ever mates are from basketball, and that's something we try to spread to the young kids as well. It's not just the game, you're going to be friends for life."
With just two regular season games remaining for the Hornets in the Country Basketball League, Fry said the Hornets were building nicely toward a finals campaign.
"It's been really good fun being around the next generation of basketballers and watching them develop," Fry said.
"It's a very young, but a very exciting side.
"We're looking forward to a really big finish to the season then hopefully a big finals campaign."
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