CORPUS CHRISTI, Tx. — Michael Ketchum has been the manager for the Tuloso Midway basketball team for four years, and he's quite good at the job.
"He doesn't give you any attitude, he does whatever I ask him to do," said head coach Tres Garcia.
Ketchum tried out for the basketball team as a freshman but didn't make it. That didn't stop him from being a part of the team.
"I was like I'll just stay with the basketball team," said Ketchum. "I'll just be a manager and help them out."
Michael could be home on time after school doing whatever he has time for. It could be TV, video games or homework. Instead, he is at basketball practice.
"He puts in the work as much as all of us," said senior Rey Ramos, "He is here everyday."
After four years of running clock or picking up basketballs, Garcia had seen enough. Before the final game of the regular season, he told Ketchum to grab a jersey and suit up with the team.
"Once he said that I was all, are you for real?" laughed Ketchum.
With the Warriors up big over Robstown, Ketchum heard his name being called.
"The crowd was cheering, 'we want Ketchum'," exclaimed Garcia.
A moment four years in the making started with a corner three that miss of the back iron.
"I said oh no I'm not going to make one," said Ketchum.
After an offensive rebound and a swing-around pass, he had one more chance. This time a swish.
"I'm jumping on the court yelling and screaming," said Ramos.
The crowd going nuts for Ketchum, who earned this moment.
"Once I was everyone happy for me I was like thank God," continued Ketchum. "I got to experience this at least once and that's all I wanted."
