THE ECHO

By Eva Pearson

The Oriole Report’s sister club, Avon Action, have been making a score for the past five years bringing high school games straight to the homes of their fans. The group runs IHSAA livestreams right from the fieldhouse to the football field. Rion Bolden, the Girl’s Basketball livestream leader, spoke about his experience as Basketball Leader for the second year running.

Describe your role as the Girls’ Basketball Leader:

I have to be at every livestream. I have to make sure that the livestream equipment is set up readily and correctly. I then must get frequent news and updates from the girls’ basketball coach, and some of the players about what is happening on the court, how they feel about the opposing team, stats, and much more.

What is your favorite spot/favorite thing to do during a livestream?

My favorite thing to do is Play by Play! You’re telling a story to the people watching the livestream at home ALL THE TIME. During time out, during tip off, during water breaks, you are always just telling a story. I have had people tell me that they love hearing my voice because of how I renunciate the plays. I tell the opinion of the people, I tell my opinion, and I also tell the game.

Is this something you would like to pursue as a career?

This is something I have really thought about…so yes and no. Yes, because it is fun telling the story. You get to say people’s opinions that they really can’t say out loud if they aren’t at the game.

No, because partly the pay of most careers in play by play but also it involves a lot of traveling…and I love to stay around my family. I also have other aspirations and dreams as well.

Do you have a memorable moment from working a livestream?

I actually have two! The first one was recently during an Avon versus Brownsburg game. Aniah Smith made a half-court shot going into halftime and it was just so amazing to see the crowd and the team. I was just losing my voice at the game, standing up on my chair because I was so excited by the shot.

The second one was during my first Avon and Brownsburg game and Aniah Smith once again made an amazing three-point shot and basically ‘broke the other team’s ankles’ and I was just like “oh my gosh” and was on my feet along with the crowd. I was yelling and screaming with junior Ian Roell who was on Color Commentary. I just love those moments because they are always so fun.

Describe what the behind the scenes looks like during one of these livestreams:

It’s actually very stressful because you are running around and trying to fit so many pieces together. You’re trying to learn people’s names, you’re trying to interview coaches, you’re trying to make sure that the people you are trying to interview have time for you, you’re trying to come up with questions to ask. Essentially, you’re trying to make sure that everything is set perfectly because you never know what is going to happen during the game.

How does it feel to go from being livestreamed while being on our school’s football team to being the one doing the livestreams?

It’s so different. Like now I know how stressful it is before these games. When I was on the field, I always thought “I bet it’s easy [to livestream a sports event], all you’re doing is calling the game” but it is so much harder than I thought. Especially since we are in a gym and not on a football field where everyone is constantly moving around in this enclosed space all the time.

Do you have any specific plans outside of high school?

I really want to go to the University of Syracuse, and I especially want to bring broadcasting to Syracuse. I want to be a broadcaster and study communications. After that, I want to be a general manager of an NFL football team, and after that hopefully start my own women’s football league: a league where women play in the full attire, head to toe. I want these games to be in large arenas where fans can watch.

What is the legacy you want to leave for the underclassmen who are either already in Avon Action or plan to join it?

Bring the energy! Have fun and do your thing. You can be positive but also have your own opinion because you’re speaking for the people.