An amazing Reddit user provided this vintage video of Kobe Bryant in a 1996 high school playoff game. I remember the game like it was yesterday, so that tells you a lot about my age.
Bryant and Lower Merion were matched up against Norristown High School in the District 1 Class AAAA playoff game.
Norristown trotted out some excellent players of their own like Joe Green, Ty Crutchfield, Lafton Thompson and the late-great Omar Jenkins.
Norristown was still stinging from having watch Bryant erupt for 29 in a half the year prior.
Lower Merion would go on to win this game as well as the State Championship a few weeks later. Bryant averaged 30.8 points, 12 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 4 steals and 3.8 blocked shots this season.
Scalpers could sell tickets to those ballgames for a $100 or more easily.
