I was saddened to see the recent passing of Dick Johnston.

In the winter of 1962 during my seventh grade year at iconic Roosevelt Junior High School, I can vividly recall the first time I watched Coach Jim Rice’s Roughrider basketball team in action.

I was absolutely astounded by the shooting and ball-handling prowess of an eighth-grade guard named Dickie Johnston.

Some of my fondest memories as an Altoona High student and Mountain Echo sports editor involved watching Johnston play at the Jaffa Mosque and other venues throughout Central Pennsylvania.

His outside shooting skill was unmatched, and he regularly drained 25-footers, which were only two-pointers in those days.

He often made shots from midcourt near the end of a quarter for Coach Frank Mastrocola’s Mountain Lion quintet. Had there been a 3-point line during his high school career, Dick would have averaged 35-40 points per game.

He could also penetrate the defense as he drove to the hoop for layups or dished the ball off to teammates using behind-the-back passes and dribbling.

When the Mountain Lions needed to hold the ball late in the games, Johnston displayed Harlem Globetrotter-like skills as he wove his way around countless defenders. He rarely missed free throws when he was fouled in those situations.

Because college basketball didn’t get the television coverage it enjoys today when Johnston played for University of Tennessee, I never got to see him play at the college level.

It’s too bad video of that era is not available to enjoy today — especially for sports fans reading this letter who were unaware of Dick’s basketball skills.

In the spring of 1967, Dick returned from his freshman year at Tennessee and joined our 14th Ward baseball team that was off to a surprisingly good start.

Woody Adelsberger had stepped forward to be our manager that spring when we weren’t sure we’d even have a team in the Kelley Federation.

Johnston patrolled center field and often tracked down sure extra-base hits. He was a consistent batter who helped us compile a 20-2 record, which was highlighted by a four-game sweep of Eleventh Ward in the championship playoffs.

Despite coach Doug Pfeffer’s best efforts, the Mountain Lion basketball program has fallen on lean times in recent years.

I am among the many alums who hope some young players are on the way to restore the legacy the late Dickie Johnston helped to create.

Tom Bradley

Emmaus