There was an old television western that featured a gentleman gunfighter named Paladin played by Richard Boone. His calling card and show’s name was, “Have Gun — Will Travel.”

Welcome to the modern day version called, “Have Notebook — Will Travel.” It’s called the high school basketball tournament season.

My car doesn’t need a GPS. In fact, it is almost to the point that I can get in and talk to it like Kitt, the car from Night Rider, telling it that night’s destination and sit back and the car automatically drives itself because of so many trips over the years.

After a long day of girls’ sectional games at Rock Hill, last week were four trips in six days to Jackson. In between was a day at Waverly and Chillicothe for the girls’ district.

Tuesday was not a good night, basketball aside. A touch of the flu struck at the gym causing me to miss most of the second game. I spent the night at my desk dozing in and out trying to muster enough strength and energy to write the game stories.

After borrowing a couple of pillows from my boss’ couch and placing them on my desk to rest my head, I finally rose to the occasion about 5:30 a.m. and left the rest of the paper for publisher Mike Caldwell to clean up.

That was a first, and hopefully the last time for that kind of game coverage.

This week brings back-to-back trips to Wellston followed by that wonderful three-day weekend of traveling to Ohio University. And there should be some additional trips to Athens in the coming weeks.

The trips aren’t all that eventful usually.

First, pop in the CD player “The Very Best of Electric Light Orchestra” and listen to the singing, composing and producing talents of Jeff Lynne, not to be confused with Jeff Linn who owns Bob Linn Sporting Goods and whose writing skills center around writing down the starting lineups.

It’s also not to be confused with Duane Downey who has nothing to do with the basketball tournaments, but the former standout Ironton football end and baseball pitcher crosses my path while getting groceries at Bartram and Sons and always wants to know “how’s it going?”

With “Hold On Tight” or “Rockaria!” or “Rock And Roll Is King” cranking out of the speakers, you have a hard time falling asleep at the wheel on the way home after a late doubleheader or even tripleheaders at the Convo.

Tournament time is fun. It’s a great chance to see a lot of teams and a lot of players.

It’s also time to log a lot of miles and hours away from the office and that can take its toll.

Maybe I should wire San Francisco and see if Paladin can cover a basketball game as well as he handles a six-shooter.

He might want to use my car instead of his horse for these dusty trails, though.

—— Sinatra ——

Jim Walker is sports editor of The Ironton Tribune.