The best ever to compete here? Help!

I'm not sure how many read my column earlier this week about the passing of Maurice Lucas and of Lucas' visit to Altoona, as a member of the Schenley High School basketball team, for a game at the Jaffa Mosque in January of 1971.

It stirred thoughts of the greatest athletes ever to come here so I'll be assembling a list in the next couple of weeks for a column.

One giveaway: Babe Ruth came through on a barnstorming tour and played an exhibition game at the old Cricketfield in 1924.

So given that he was in the top five of ESPN's all-time greatest, it's safe to say he belongs among the elite athletes to pass through Blair County.

I won't give the rest of my list away, but feel free to e-mail me at nrudel@altoonamirror.com with your memories of the top athletes to compete here.