I'm not a big New Years Resolution person. The few times I've tried it, I forget about them by March. Perhaps if I write these down I'll stick to them.
I don't have anything earth shattering in mind. In the coming year, I plan on attending church more often. That shouldn't be too hard to do.
I plan to be more diligent with my fiction writing. It's hard to balance my hobby writing with my real-job writing. I have to figure out a way to do both without burning myself out on the keyboard.
This brings me to my next goal. I plan to be more aggressive in shopping my work to agents and publishers. Perhaps it's a lack of self-confidence or just being lazy, but I haven't put forth nearly enough effort in getting my stuff seen. That will change in 2012.
I plan to focus more on my health. I've been doing the walking thing for a few months and I'll keep that up. I'd like to turn that up a notch in the coming year.
Finally, I plan to be a nicer person. I plan to listen more and talk less. I plan to say "thank you" more often.
Happy New Year to everyone.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Friday, December 30, 2011
Great game last night!
No negativity today.
I enjoyed last night's championship game of the South Arkansas Holiday Tournament in Parkers Chapel. Norphlet and Parkers Chapel put on a display with post-season caliber intensity and desire.
I was wrong.
After their previous meeting, I told a friend the Lady Leopards would win 10-of-10 matchups against the Lady Trojans. Too much athleticism. Too many guards. Too much moxy.
PC won 51-44 last night.
So much for my expert opinion.
Okay, the Lady Leopards didn't shoot the ball well. Not only did they not make a 3-pointer all night, they were 16-of-34 at the free throw line. The Lady Trojans were also mauled on the backboards, including 20-to-3 on the offensive glass.
But, Coach Mark Young's crew did play outstanding defense. They handled Norphlet's relentless pressure well enough, attacked the basket often enough to draw fouls and survived the avalanche of glass that crumbled on top of them.
Jordan Carr bobbed-and-weaved through Norphlet for 33 points,including four 3-pointers. I thought Tye Ratliff's offense and Ahlexus Darden and Caleh Wall's defensive boardwork were huge along with Carr's willingness to defensive rebound.
On the other end, sophomore Ashalay Conway is a beast on the backboards. To me, she's the difference between Norphlet this year and last year.
Last night's game had high intensity and two vocal rooting sections to make it fun to watch. Neither team shot the ball well but credit the defense for some of that.
What made the game great was the hustle and desire. Players on both sides were diving head-first onto the floor after loose balls. Every dribble was contested much less every shot. No inch was given. Everything was hard-earned.
That's all I want to see. Last night, I saw it.
Great job by both teams.
I'm looking forward to a couple more matchups between the Lady Trojans and Lady Leopards. After what I just saw, I'm not about to make any more bold predictions as to how they'll turn out.
I enjoyed last night's championship game of the South Arkansas Holiday Tournament in Parkers Chapel. Norphlet and Parkers Chapel put on a display with post-season caliber intensity and desire.
I was wrong.
After their previous meeting, I told a friend the Lady Leopards would win 10-of-10 matchups against the Lady Trojans. Too much athleticism. Too many guards. Too much moxy.
PC won 51-44 last night.
So much for my expert opinion.
Okay, the Lady Leopards didn't shoot the ball well. Not only did they not make a 3-pointer all night, they were 16-of-34 at the free throw line. The Lady Trojans were also mauled on the backboards, including 20-to-3 on the offensive glass.
But, Coach Mark Young's crew did play outstanding defense. They handled Norphlet's relentless pressure well enough, attacked the basket often enough to draw fouls and survived the avalanche of glass that crumbled on top of them.
Jordan Carr bobbed-and-weaved through Norphlet for 33 points,including four 3-pointers. I thought Tye Ratliff's offense and Ahlexus Darden and Caleh Wall's defensive boardwork were huge along with Carr's willingness to defensive rebound.
On the other end, sophomore Ashalay Conway is a beast on the backboards. To me, she's the difference between Norphlet this year and last year.
Last night's game had high intensity and two vocal rooting sections to make it fun to watch. Neither team shot the ball well but credit the defense for some of that.
What made the game great was the hustle and desire. Players on both sides were diving head-first onto the floor after loose balls. Every dribble was contested much less every shot. No inch was given. Everything was hard-earned.
That's all I want to see. Last night, I saw it.
Great job by both teams.
I'm looking forward to a couple more matchups between the Lady Trojans and Lady Leopards. After what I just saw, I'm not about to make any more bold predictions as to how they'll turn out.
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Sorry about this one
The things that pass for news these days are amazing.
I turn on the TV this morning to see a NBA highlight of Oklahoma City point guard Russell Westbrook penetrating and kicking to an open teammate in the corner. The teammate, whose name I'm not even going to bother looking up, passed up the shot. Westbrook yelled at the teammate to "shoot the (expletive) ball."
A discussion ensued on the bench, resulting in an argument between Westbrook and Kevin Durant.
My response? So what.
First of all, Westbrook is supposed to set teammates up with open shots. When he does his job and the teammate doesn't take the shot, it bothers him. It bothers every point guard.
I've been yelled at for not shooting the ball. I've fussed at others for not shooting the ball. It ain't a big deal. I'm sure Dude had a good reason for not shooting the ball. It probably was because he didn't think he was going to make the shot. Westbrook would argue, if you can't make that shot, then get to a spot where you can make the shot.
Anyway, it happens all the time.
Second of all, I'm sure it wasn't the first time Westbrook and Durant have argued during a game. Again, teammates disagree. Whoopty-dadgum-doo!
If there's an issue between the two star players, one of them will go and his name won't be Kevin Durant. But, if something happens it won't be because of this incident.
The fact that the media has turned this into an actual story is amazing. Even more shocking is the fact I just spent five minutes writing about it.
I'm sorry.
I turn on the TV this morning to see a NBA highlight of Oklahoma City point guard Russell Westbrook penetrating and kicking to an open teammate in the corner. The teammate, whose name I'm not even going to bother looking up, passed up the shot. Westbrook yelled at the teammate to "shoot the (expletive) ball."
A discussion ensued on the bench, resulting in an argument between Westbrook and Kevin Durant.
My response? So what.
First of all, Westbrook is supposed to set teammates up with open shots. When he does his job and the teammate doesn't take the shot, it bothers him. It bothers every point guard.
I've been yelled at for not shooting the ball. I've fussed at others for not shooting the ball. It ain't a big deal. I'm sure Dude had a good reason for not shooting the ball. It probably was because he didn't think he was going to make the shot. Westbrook would argue, if you can't make that shot, then get to a spot where you can make the shot.
Anyway, it happens all the time.
Second of all, I'm sure it wasn't the first time Westbrook and Durant have argued during a game. Again, teammates disagree. Whoopty-dadgum-doo!
If there's an issue between the two star players, one of them will go and his name won't be Kevin Durant. But, if something happens it won't be because of this incident.
The fact that the media has turned this into an actual story is amazing. Even more shocking is the fact I just spent five minutes writing about it.
I'm sorry.
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
WAC Player of the Week
It seems as though I'm whining a lot about local basketball. I must admit, I'm frustrated.
But, here's something I'm not complaining about - how about Whitney Frazier?
The freshman from El Dorado was named Player of the Week for the Western Athletic Conference after scoring 20 points in a win over Tennessee Tech (coached by Waldo native Sytia Messer).
While I didn't predict Whitney would win WAC Player of the Week honors this season, I felt she'd have an immediate impact at Louisiana Tech. Of the three area girls signed by Teresa Weatherspoon, Whitney was clearly the most ready for the college game.
Bigger and better things are ahead for Whitney, who showed an incredible amount of growth and maturity between her junior and senior years of high school. Don't be surprised if, before she leaves Ruston, WAC Player of the Week doesn't turn into WAC Player of the Year.
But, here's something I'm not complaining about - how about Whitney Frazier?
The freshman from El Dorado was named Player of the Week for the Western Athletic Conference after scoring 20 points in a win over Tennessee Tech (coached by Waldo native Sytia Messer).
While I didn't predict Whitney would win WAC Player of the Week honors this season, I felt she'd have an immediate impact at Louisiana Tech. Of the three area girls signed by Teresa Weatherspoon, Whitney was clearly the most ready for the college game.
Bigger and better things are ahead for Whitney, who showed an incredible amount of growth and maturity between her junior and senior years of high school. Don't be surprised if, before she leaves Ruston, WAC Player of the Week doesn't turn into WAC Player of the Year.
Student of the game?
I had no idea I was a student of the game when I was a kid growing up watching basketball on television. But, I guess I was.
Back in the day, we pretty much only had one or two NBA games on television per week, usually on Sunday afternoon. It was the ritual in our neighborhood. We'd all sit in our respective houses and watch the game, then meet at Uncle Billy's house and play.
Apparently, we were all students of the game because, inevitably, someone would botch a move they'd seen on television earlier. The thing is, though, we watched the game closely enough to make mental notes. We ooh'd and aww'd over the great plays and snickered at the bonehead plays.
A lot of us would actually run outside and practice the moves we saw. I know I "borrowed" a lot of stuff like Kiki Vandeweghe's step-back, Mark Aguirre's between-the-legs set-up for his jumper, Kevin McHale's up-and-under, Bernard King's quick release. Isaiah Thomas did a look-away move on a fastbreak that I mastered. I, literally, ruined a VHS tape rewinding a move by Craig Hodges until I figured it out. I borrowed a baseline spin by Dominique Wilkins, used it once in my life and shook a defender so hard he got a headache.
You can't imagine how much time I spent perfecting the moves of the pros. The thing is, I only used them in the backyard or in random pickup games in a local gym. But we could put that much effort into our games just for bragging rights.
I watch athletes today playing in front of crowds, representing their schools and their families and we cared more playing in front of trees. I watch local games, searching for some signs of advanced play - a jump hook, a drop step, a spin move, hell, a friggin' pump fake, a give-and-go, a pick-and-roll.
Nothing!
I see stuff like this on television so I know these moves still exist.
I was talking to Coach Laymon yesterday after I watched some players botch a 2-on-1 fast break. The players didn't know how to run a 2-on-1.
"We work on that everyday," said Laymon.
"Work on it?" I said. "You shouldn't have to work on a fastbreak. That's common sense. Fill the friggin' lane. How stupid do you have to be to not know how to run a fast break?"
He laughed. Former El Dorado coach Warren Harshaw walked into the gym.
"Coach," Laymon began, "tell Tony that you have to work on a fastbreak with kids these days."
Harshaw smiled and shook his head.
"Yeah, you really do."
The coaches told me stories of how players today have to be told step-by-step how to do, what we considered instinctive parts of the game.
The game certainly has suffered. No one works on individual moves anymore. Back in the day, every guy had one or two favorite moves. Now, you'll be lucky to see anything other than 3-point heaves or out-of-control runs into the lane.
Basketball is becoming hard to watch in person, I think, because kids no longer watch on television. Where have all the students of the game gone?
I guess we've all grown up and become teachers of the game. Unfortunately, the classrooms are empty.
Back in the day, we pretty much only had one or two NBA games on television per week, usually on Sunday afternoon. It was the ritual in our neighborhood. We'd all sit in our respective houses and watch the game, then meet at Uncle Billy's house and play.
Apparently, we were all students of the game because, inevitably, someone would botch a move they'd seen on television earlier. The thing is, though, we watched the game closely enough to make mental notes. We ooh'd and aww'd over the great plays and snickered at the bonehead plays.
A lot of us would actually run outside and practice the moves we saw. I know I "borrowed" a lot of stuff like Kiki Vandeweghe's step-back, Mark Aguirre's between-the-legs set-up for his jumper, Kevin McHale's up-and-under, Bernard King's quick release. Isaiah Thomas did a look-away move on a fastbreak that I mastered. I, literally, ruined a VHS tape rewinding a move by Craig Hodges until I figured it out. I borrowed a baseline spin by Dominique Wilkins, used it once in my life and shook a defender so hard he got a headache.
You can't imagine how much time I spent perfecting the moves of the pros. The thing is, I only used them in the backyard or in random pickup games in a local gym. But we could put that much effort into our games just for bragging rights.
I watch athletes today playing in front of crowds, representing their schools and their families and we cared more playing in front of trees. I watch local games, searching for some signs of advanced play - a jump hook, a drop step, a spin move, hell, a friggin' pump fake, a give-and-go, a pick-and-roll.
Nothing!
I see stuff like this on television so I know these moves still exist.
I was talking to Coach Laymon yesterday after I watched some players botch a 2-on-1 fast break. The players didn't know how to run a 2-on-1.
"We work on that everyday," said Laymon.
"Work on it?" I said. "You shouldn't have to work on a fastbreak. That's common sense. Fill the friggin' lane. How stupid do you have to be to not know how to run a fast break?"
He laughed. Former El Dorado coach Warren Harshaw walked into the gym.
"Coach," Laymon began, "tell Tony that you have to work on a fastbreak with kids these days."
Harshaw smiled and shook his head.
"Yeah, you really do."
The coaches told me stories of how players today have to be told step-by-step how to do, what we considered instinctive parts of the game.
The game certainly has suffered. No one works on individual moves anymore. Back in the day, every guy had one or two favorite moves. Now, you'll be lucky to see anything other than 3-point heaves or out-of-control runs into the lane.
Basketball is becoming hard to watch in person, I think, because kids no longer watch on television. Where have all the students of the game gone?
I guess we've all grown up and become teachers of the game. Unfortunately, the classrooms are empty.
Friday, December 23, 2011
Girls basketball ... Dayum!
El Dorado and Camden Fairview are two of the better girls basketball teams in South Arkansas. They proved that this week by advancing to the finals of the BancorpSouth Oil Belt Tournament.
El Dorado beat Monticello and Fairview nipped Conway before the Lady Cardinals upended the Lady Wildcats 41-40 on a buzzer-beater Thursday night.
The game was certainly exciting and hard-fought. The players gave it everything they had. From a competition standpoint, it doesn't get any better in the NBA than what spectators saw Thursday at Wildcat Arena.
From a fundamental standpoint?
Dayum!
So far this basketball season has been a blur of bad passes, double dribbles, missed layups and just plain wretched play. And, I've made it a point to only see the better teams.
What in the hell has happened?
Not only do kids not play pick-up basketball anymore, apparently, they don't even watch the sport on television. A few years ago, I complained that girls could only dribble with their strong hand. Nowadays, they can't dribble with either hand!
Hell, they can't even catch the ball!
Everytime a shot is missed (which is practically everytime a shot is taken) it's followed by a scrum on the floor because no one seems to have the ability to catch the carom. Every pass results in a mosh pit. Between the traveling calls and jump balls, you're lucky if you see 20 seconds of action between whistles.
I don't mean to be a constant complainer but ... Dayum!
I've been a staunch defender of female basketball players in my 20 years as a sports writer. I know how good girls can be at the sport when they're dedicated and work hard at it. Good, fundamentally-sound female basketball players should be applauded and celebrated, which I have done in the past and look forward to doing in the future.
But, I have to be honest and call it like I see it.
With a few exceptions, girls basketball in South Arkansas is unwatchable. It's the worst I've ever seen, not just in my career, but in my entire life.
No fundamentals. No basketball sense. Not even an ability to catch the ball.
I just ... I don't know what to say ... Dayum!
El Dorado beat Monticello and Fairview nipped Conway before the Lady Cardinals upended the Lady Wildcats 41-40 on a buzzer-beater Thursday night.
The game was certainly exciting and hard-fought. The players gave it everything they had. From a competition standpoint, it doesn't get any better in the NBA than what spectators saw Thursday at Wildcat Arena.
From a fundamental standpoint?
Dayum!
So far this basketball season has been a blur of bad passes, double dribbles, missed layups and just plain wretched play. And, I've made it a point to only see the better teams.
What in the hell has happened?
Not only do kids not play pick-up basketball anymore, apparently, they don't even watch the sport on television. A few years ago, I complained that girls could only dribble with their strong hand. Nowadays, they can't dribble with either hand!
Hell, they can't even catch the ball!
Everytime a shot is missed (which is practically everytime a shot is taken) it's followed by a scrum on the floor because no one seems to have the ability to catch the carom. Every pass results in a mosh pit. Between the traveling calls and jump balls, you're lucky if you see 20 seconds of action between whistles.
I don't mean to be a constant complainer but ... Dayum!
I've been a staunch defender of female basketball players in my 20 years as a sports writer. I know how good girls can be at the sport when they're dedicated and work hard at it. Good, fundamentally-sound female basketball players should be applauded and celebrated, which I have done in the past and look forward to doing in the future.
But, I have to be honest and call it like I see it.
With a few exceptions, girls basketball in South Arkansas is unwatchable. It's the worst I've ever seen, not just in my career, but in my entire life.
No fundamentals. No basketball sense. Not even an ability to catch the ball.
I just ... I don't know what to say ... Dayum!
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Taken for granted
You never know what you've got until it's gone.
When you have a good thing for a long time, it's human nature to grow too accustomed to having it. It's hard to not take it for granted.
Imagine playing beside a great player for your entire career. A player that draws all the attention from opposing defenses. A player who gets double teamed and triple teamed every night. A player who grabs every big rebound, makes big shots and erases defensive mistakes with their presence around the basket.
You've played beside this person your entire career. You don't remember what it's like to not play beside this person.
Now, try to play without this person at your side.
All of a sudden, the players guarding you are bigger and better. The players that used to be focusing on your teammate are now staring down at you. Rebounds are harder to get because instead of two or three opponents blocking out your teammate,now they've got their butt in your gut.
Open shots are hard to come by because defenses aren't sagging into the paint. Your defensive mistakes are magnified because opponents go all the way to the basket now.
Basketball isn't as much fun because it's more difficult than it's ever been.
It used to be fun when your team was winning big and celebrating nightly. Now, people expect you to do things you've never had to do before. All you wish is for things to be like they were before.
At some point, you have to trade in your pom-poms, lace up your sneakers, look in the mirror and say, "it's up to me." The teammate you leaned on so easily is gone. Yeah, you probably took that teammate for granted, didn't realize how much they did. Now that you know, you can either give up and quit or hulk up and put it on your shoulders.
Congratulations to El Dorado's girls. I can't remember any team graduating as much talent as the Lady Wildcats did last season. This year's team looked lost and defeated in an 0-3 start.
Tuesday, for the first time, some "other" girls appeared to say, "it's up to me."
A true championship program doesn't end on graduation day.
When you have a good thing for a long time, it's human nature to grow too accustomed to having it. It's hard to not take it for granted.
Imagine playing beside a great player for your entire career. A player that draws all the attention from opposing defenses. A player who gets double teamed and triple teamed every night. A player who grabs every big rebound, makes big shots and erases defensive mistakes with their presence around the basket.
You've played beside this person your entire career. You don't remember what it's like to not play beside this person.
Now, try to play without this person at your side.
All of a sudden, the players guarding you are bigger and better. The players that used to be focusing on your teammate are now staring down at you. Rebounds are harder to get because instead of two or three opponents blocking out your teammate,now they've got their butt in your gut.
Open shots are hard to come by because defenses aren't sagging into the paint. Your defensive mistakes are magnified because opponents go all the way to the basket now.
Basketball isn't as much fun because it's more difficult than it's ever been.
It used to be fun when your team was winning big and celebrating nightly. Now, people expect you to do things you've never had to do before. All you wish is for things to be like they were before.
At some point, you have to trade in your pom-poms, lace up your sneakers, look in the mirror and say, "it's up to me." The teammate you leaned on so easily is gone. Yeah, you probably took that teammate for granted, didn't realize how much they did. Now that you know, you can either give up and quit or hulk up and put it on your shoulders.
Congratulations to El Dorado's girls. I can't remember any team graduating as much talent as the Lady Wildcats did last season. This year's team looked lost and defeated in an 0-3 start.
Tuesday, for the first time, some "other" girls appeared to say, "it's up to me."
A true championship program doesn't end on graduation day.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Frazier leads Techsters
HOUSTON - El Dorado freshman Whitney Frazier posted a career-high 16 points Wednesday as Louisiana Tech won 79-53 at Houston. Frazier also pulled down six rebounds in 34 minutes of playing time.
Savanna Langston, a freshman from Parkers Chapel, started and grabbed three rebounds with a blocked shot in 11 minutes. Kanedria Andrews, a freshman from El Dorado, contributed eight minutes off the bench.
Savanna Langston, a freshman from Parkers Chapel, started and grabbed three rebounds with a blocked shot in 11 minutes. Kanedria Andrews, a freshman from El Dorado, contributed eight minutes off the bench.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
No Twitter ... for now
Between Twitter and Facebook, I have to remind myself to update this blog. It sometimes gets lost in the shuffle.
There's so much going on in the national sports scene. I just don't want to write about it.
The whole Penn State mess? I guess this is what happens when you treat football coaches like Gods.
The Syracuse crap? I honestly don't think Jim Boeheim had any idea. Why would he be so defiant initially if he knew his long-time friend was doing something so heinous?
Tim Tebow? That question is tougher to answer than the meaning of life. I watched my Raiders get Tebow-ed. It wasn't so much what he did. The Raiders, almost literally, gave the game away with stupid penalties and just horrible play in the second half. Watching this guy win games is baffling. I swear, he's not any good. How the hell is he winning? This could go down with the pyramids as one of the world's great mysteries.
LSU vs. Alabama for the national championship? They're by far the two best teams. Of course they should play again. People who say otherwise are just jealous or angry about the success of the SEC.
I'm also sick of people griping about how boring the first game was. It wasn't boring. It was football. I'd rather watch a game where every yard on the field is contested than one of those Big 12 7-on-7 flag football, arena league, no-defense playing pieces of garbage. When a team lines up in the shotgun on fourth-and-goal from the 1, that ain't football.
NBA lockout is over? Who cares? Actually, I'm a little bummed about it. I was hoping those ignorant suckers would miss the entire season. Billionaires arguing over money while regular folks struggle to keep their lights turned on? Screw 'em all.
On a lighter note, I finished the first draft of "Culled."
The first few chapters drag and I have to revise it. That's why I haven't sent out more copies, yet. I got a good review from my friend Marandalynn, though. She gave me some great insight and brought up some valid points - both positive and negative.
I have three more copies out being read. Interested in getting more feedback.
I have to admit, Marandalynn has given me a boost of confidence. She's the first person to read it and, since this is different from the other things I've written, I was very nervous when she called. She said she thinks it's the best thing I've written so far, which is a big relief.
Thanks Maranda.
There's so much going on in the national sports scene. I just don't want to write about it.
The whole Penn State mess? I guess this is what happens when you treat football coaches like Gods.
The Syracuse crap? I honestly don't think Jim Boeheim had any idea. Why would he be so defiant initially if he knew his long-time friend was doing something so heinous?
Tim Tebow? That question is tougher to answer than the meaning of life. I watched my Raiders get Tebow-ed. It wasn't so much what he did. The Raiders, almost literally, gave the game away with stupid penalties and just horrible play in the second half. Watching this guy win games is baffling. I swear, he's not any good. How the hell is he winning? This could go down with the pyramids as one of the world's great mysteries.
LSU vs. Alabama for the national championship? They're by far the two best teams. Of course they should play again. People who say otherwise are just jealous or angry about the success of the SEC.
I'm also sick of people griping about how boring the first game was. It wasn't boring. It was football. I'd rather watch a game where every yard on the field is contested than one of those Big 12 7-on-7 flag football, arena league, no-defense playing pieces of garbage. When a team lines up in the shotgun on fourth-and-goal from the 1, that ain't football.
NBA lockout is over? Who cares? Actually, I'm a little bummed about it. I was hoping those ignorant suckers would miss the entire season. Billionaires arguing over money while regular folks struggle to keep their lights turned on? Screw 'em all.
On a lighter note, I finished the first draft of "Culled."
The first few chapters drag and I have to revise it. That's why I haven't sent out more copies, yet. I got a good review from my friend Marandalynn, though. She gave me some great insight and brought up some valid points - both positive and negative.
I have three more copies out being read. Interested in getting more feedback.
I have to admit, Marandalynn has given me a boost of confidence. She's the first person to read it and, since this is different from the other things I've written, I was very nervous when she called. She said she thinks it's the best thing I've written so far, which is a big relief.
Thanks Maranda.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Big Red makes history
I can't believe I've failed to note the signing by Junction City's Courtney Lowe to a softball letter-of-intent at Louisiana Tech last week. I've been here since fastpitch softball became a high school sport and Lowe is the first athlete ever from Union County to sign a Division I letter for softball out of high school.
Junction City's Teresa Ritchie played softball at Oklahoma State but she signed with Henderson State and transferred to the Cowgirls' program.
C-Lowe, or as I like to call her, "Big Red" will conclude the most distinguished softball career ever in the county. She's already led her team to two state championship games, losing only to powerhouse Foreman. She's a two-time News-Times Player of the Year.
"Courtney is a great local product," La. Tech Coach Sarah Dawson said on the school's website. "She is another gifted athlete with a lot of promise. Courtney has grown so much in her skills and knowledge of the game over the last year and I know she will continue to blossom once we get her on campus. We look for Courtney to play a corner position for us."
Big Red played infield for a nationally-recognized softball team the last two summers. She's been a fixture at camps in Ruston since she started her career.
"I chose Louisiana Tech because I've grown up watching them play," Lowe said. "I have always wanted to be a part of the program. It is a great school and the coaching staff is awesome."
Junction City's Teresa Ritchie played softball at Oklahoma State but she signed with Henderson State and transferred to the Cowgirls' program.
C-Lowe, or as I like to call her, "Big Red" will conclude the most distinguished softball career ever in the county. She's already led her team to two state championship games, losing only to powerhouse Foreman. She's a two-time News-Times Player of the Year.
"Courtney is a great local product," La. Tech Coach Sarah Dawson said on the school's website. "She is another gifted athlete with a lot of promise. Courtney has grown so much in her skills and knowledge of the game over the last year and I know she will continue to blossom once we get her on campus. We look for Courtney to play a corner position for us."
Big Red played infield for a nationally-recognized softball team the last two summers. She's been a fixture at camps in Ruston since she started her career.
"I chose Louisiana Tech because I've grown up watching them play," Lowe said. "I have always wanted to be a part of the program. It is a great school and the coaching staff is awesome."
Friday, November 11, 2011
Man is fallible
"Thou shalt have no other gods before me."
Somebody should tell the students rioting at Penn State that Joe Paterno didn't say that.
Man is fallible.
From Tiger Woods to Michael Jordan to the heads of the Catholic Church.
I hear people saying how they can't believe JoePa's alleged involvement in the cover-up at Penn State. They're stunned, shocked, clothed in disbelief.
Stop putting men on a pedestal because they will inevitably fall.
DO NOT PUT YOUR FAITH IN MAN!
Somebody should tell the students rioting at Penn State that Joe Paterno didn't say that.
Man is fallible.
From Tiger Woods to Michael Jordan to the heads of the Catholic Church.
I hear people saying how they can't believe JoePa's alleged involvement in the cover-up at Penn State. They're stunned, shocked, clothed in disbelief.
Stop putting men on a pedestal because they will inevitably fall.
DO NOT PUT YOUR FAITH IN MAN!
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Kiss my black ----
Tiger Woods' former caddie, Steve Williams, admitted he wanted to shove it up his former employer's "black ----" when his new boss won the previous golf major.
Williams is a giant cad. Always has been. He's also an ingrate, who made millions of dollars because of his relationship with Woods. If it wasn't for Tiger Woods, no one would know Steve Williams.
Biting the hand that's fed him so magnificently for the past decade is the epitome of stupid. He comes off as a jilted junior high lover.
But, using the phrase "black ----" does not equate to racism. If it does, then put me down as a racist. Put a whole lot of folks down as racists.
As a person of color, I can appreciate people's sudden sensistivity to racial issues. It's about friggin' time. But, everytime the word "black" or "white" is used, it shouldn't automatically be considered racist.
I'm black. Believe it or not, I have a black derriere as well. You're not insulting me by pointing out the obvious.
If a beautiful woman said she wanted to kiss my black face, I certainly wouldn't consider her a racist. In fact, if you hear a beautiful woman say she wants to kiss Tony Burns' black face, please let me know.
Please! I promise, I won't be offended.
Williams is a giant cad. Always has been. He's also an ingrate, who made millions of dollars because of his relationship with Woods. If it wasn't for Tiger Woods, no one would know Steve Williams.
Biting the hand that's fed him so magnificently for the past decade is the epitome of stupid. He comes off as a jilted junior high lover.
But, using the phrase "black ----" does not equate to racism. If it does, then put me down as a racist. Put a whole lot of folks down as racists.
As a person of color, I can appreciate people's sudden sensistivity to racial issues. It's about friggin' time. But, everytime the word "black" or "white" is used, it shouldn't automatically be considered racist.
I'm black. Believe it or not, I have a black derriere as well. You're not insulting me by pointing out the obvious.
If a beautiful woman said she wanted to kiss my black face, I certainly wouldn't consider her a racist. In fact, if you hear a beautiful woman say she wants to kiss Tony Burns' black face, please let me know.
Please! I promise, I won't be offended.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
First time, good time
There can only be one first time and whether it’s good or bad, it will always be remembered.
Union County’s trio of Kanedria Andrews, Whitney Frazier and Savanna Langston all played their first-ever collegiate game Monday as Louisiana Tech pounded UA-Monticello in an exhibition at the Thomas Assembly Center in Ruston.
Via Facebook, they all said it was a positive experience.
“My first game was exciting and had me very nervous,” said Frazier, who scored 18 points with five rebounds in 27 minutes. “I think I did pretty okay for it to be my first college game. But, I could’ve rebounded better.”
Langston scored three points with six rebounds and two blocked shots in 22 minutes.
“Oh, it was great,” she said. “I was so nervous, though. But, it was so much fun.”
Andrews recorded three rebounds and two assists in 16 minutes of action.
“Before the game started, I was nervous, sweating bullets,” she said. “But, once I got out there, I think I played good.”
Union County’s trio of Kanedria Andrews, Whitney Frazier and Savanna Langston all played their first-ever collegiate game Monday as Louisiana Tech pounded UA-Monticello in an exhibition at the Thomas Assembly Center in Ruston.
Via Facebook, they all said it was a positive experience.
“My first game was exciting and had me very nervous,” said Frazier, who scored 18 points with five rebounds in 27 minutes. “I think I did pretty okay for it to be my first college game. But, I could’ve rebounded better.”
Langston scored three points with six rebounds and two blocked shots in 22 minutes.
“Oh, it was great,” she said. “I was so nervous, though. But, it was so much fun.”
Andrews recorded three rebounds and two assists in 16 minutes of action.
“Before the game started, I was nervous, sweating bullets,” she said. “But, once I got out there, I think I played good.”
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Frazier makes splash in debut
RUSTON, La. - El Dorado freshman Whitney Frazier scored 18 points Tuesday in her collegiate debut as Louisiana Tech topped UA-Monticello 79-52 in an exhibition at the Thomas Assembly Center.
Tavasha Anderson scored a game-high 19 points and Whitney Jones added 18 points each to lead Louisiana Tech.
Anderson added 10 rebounds and Jones pulled down 13 boards to both record double doubles as the Lady Techsters outrebounded the smaller Cotton Blossoms 54-26 in the game.
"That's the one thing I mentioned in the locker room the rebounding of Whitney and Tavasha," Coach Teresa Weatherspoon said. "It's important for our bigs to get rebounds every night. But to take a look at the stat sheet and see a guard with 13 rebounds, it's excellent. Whitney has the ability to get it done every night on the boards."
Frazier hit 7-of-12 field goals and 4-of-4 from the free throw line. The Lady Techsters also got contributions from three other rookies in Courtney Hayes (6 points, 3 rebounds), Parkers Chapel's Savanna Langston (3 points, 6 rebounds, 2 blocks) and El Dorado's Kanedria Andrews (3 rebounds, 2 assists).
"I was really pleased with the (freshmen) understanding and grasping of what I said in huddle and trying to go between four lines and execute," Weatherspoon said. "They came in with energy but nervous. Once the ball went up the jitters went away. They need to understand they are in Division I basketball and in that uniform for a reason. They started to really perform and do well."
After a sluggish start that saw Arkansas-Monticello jump out to a 10-7 lead in the first five minutes, LA Tech responded going on a 13-0 run over the next four minutes to lead 20-10 on an Anderson layup with 11:31 to play in the first half.
Tech's biggest lead of the first half came at 33-15 on a Jones layup with 6:01 to play as the Lady Techsters entered the halftime locker room leading 37-20. Tech shot 53 percent (17-32) from the field in the opening half.
Tech returns to action Nov. 8 when it hosts Delta State at 7 p.m. in its final exhibition game before its season opener Nov. 11 against Missouri State.
Tavasha Anderson scored a game-high 19 points and Whitney Jones added 18 points each to lead Louisiana Tech.
Anderson added 10 rebounds and Jones pulled down 13 boards to both record double doubles as the Lady Techsters outrebounded the smaller Cotton Blossoms 54-26 in the game.
"That's the one thing I mentioned in the locker room the rebounding of Whitney and Tavasha," Coach Teresa Weatherspoon said. "It's important for our bigs to get rebounds every night. But to take a look at the stat sheet and see a guard with 13 rebounds, it's excellent. Whitney has the ability to get it done every night on the boards."
Frazier hit 7-of-12 field goals and 4-of-4 from the free throw line. The Lady Techsters also got contributions from three other rookies in Courtney Hayes (6 points, 3 rebounds), Parkers Chapel's Savanna Langston (3 points, 6 rebounds, 2 blocks) and El Dorado's Kanedria Andrews (3 rebounds, 2 assists).
"I was really pleased with the (freshmen) understanding and grasping of what I said in huddle and trying to go between four lines and execute," Weatherspoon said. "They came in with energy but nervous. Once the ball went up the jitters went away. They need to understand they are in Division I basketball and in that uniform for a reason. They started to really perform and do well."
After a sluggish start that saw Arkansas-Monticello jump out to a 10-7 lead in the first five minutes, LA Tech responded going on a 13-0 run over the next four minutes to lead 20-10 on an Anderson layup with 11:31 to play in the first half.
Tech's biggest lead of the first half came at 33-15 on a Jones layup with 6:01 to play as the Lady Techsters entered the halftime locker room leading 37-20. Tech shot 53 percent (17-32) from the field in the opening half.
Tech returns to action Nov. 8 when it hosts Delta State at 7 p.m. in its final exhibition game before its season opener Nov. 11 against Missouri State.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Six is greater than three
Word on the street is, folks in Junction City are irate at the News-Times' football coverage on Friday. There was no story in Saturday or Sunday's paper about the Dragons' non-conference win over Mountain Pine.
Unfortunately, no one from Junction City has confronted me personally on the subject. If they had, here's my explanation.
First, we have three sports writers, including myself, to cover six area football teams. I'm not a math major but ...
It's frustrating for us. I've been at the paper more than 20 years and this is the first time there have been senior varsity football games played in Union County that haven't had a staff member present.
Friday, we had three people to cover five games.
Kev Moye' traveled to Bearden the previous week to cover Junction City's huge game against the Bears. Even though it was outside the county and forced us to miss Norphlet's home game, we felt it was important that we be there.
This past week, Junction City hosted Mountain Pine in a non-conference game while Smackover hosted Fordyce in one of the Bucks' biggest games of the year. We've missed a lot of Norphlet's games this year so Jason Avery covered the Leopards while Kev went to Smackover. I was at El Dorado, leaving Junction City and Strong uncovered.
Jason and Kev talked to Junction City coach David Carpenter and Strong coach Shane Davis during the week. They explained that we wouldn't be at their games and asked if they would please call us Friday night to give us results so we could put them in the newspaper.
They both indicated they would call in their results.
Friday, Coach Davis called in from Hampton and we had Strong's story in Saturday's paper. No one ever called in Junction City's game.
Saturday, Kev called Coach Carpenter at home and left a message asking to please call us so we could get information in Sunday's paper about the Dragons' game. No one returned the call.
Three people cannot cover six teams without the cooperation of the coaches. I wish we had more sports writers available. Unfortunately, we don't.
We have three writers and six teams. I don't know how much simpler I can make it. Three does not equal six. Six is greater than three. Three is less than six.
If you're having trouble understanding that explanation, perhaps you should YouTube some old Sesame Street episodes with the Count or find some of those School House Rock cartoons.
It's not biased coverage. It's basic math. We're doing the best we can with what we have to give every team the best coverage we can.
Unfortunately, no one from Junction City has confronted me personally on the subject. If they had, here's my explanation.
First, we have three sports writers, including myself, to cover six area football teams. I'm not a math major but ...
It's frustrating for us. I've been at the paper more than 20 years and this is the first time there have been senior varsity football games played in Union County that haven't had a staff member present.
Friday, we had three people to cover five games.
Kev Moye' traveled to Bearden the previous week to cover Junction City's huge game against the Bears. Even though it was outside the county and forced us to miss Norphlet's home game, we felt it was important that we be there.
This past week, Junction City hosted Mountain Pine in a non-conference game while Smackover hosted Fordyce in one of the Bucks' biggest games of the year. We've missed a lot of Norphlet's games this year so Jason Avery covered the Leopards while Kev went to Smackover. I was at El Dorado, leaving Junction City and Strong uncovered.
Jason and Kev talked to Junction City coach David Carpenter and Strong coach Shane Davis during the week. They explained that we wouldn't be at their games and asked if they would please call us Friday night to give us results so we could put them in the newspaper.
They both indicated they would call in their results.
Friday, Coach Davis called in from Hampton and we had Strong's story in Saturday's paper. No one ever called in Junction City's game.
Saturday, Kev called Coach Carpenter at home and left a message asking to please call us so we could get information in Sunday's paper about the Dragons' game. No one returned the call.
Three people cannot cover six teams without the cooperation of the coaches. I wish we had more sports writers available. Unfortunately, we don't.
We have three writers and six teams. I don't know how much simpler I can make it. Three does not equal six. Six is greater than three. Three is less than six.
If you're having trouble understanding that explanation, perhaps you should YouTube some old Sesame Street episodes with the Count or find some of those School House Rock cartoons.
It's not biased coverage. It's basic math. We're doing the best we can with what we have to give every team the best coverage we can.
Monday, October 10, 2011
NBA is on lockout?
Oh my God, did you hear the news? The NBA has locked out its players!
Oh, you heard? You didn't care, either?
If the NBA ever wanted to know its standing in the sports landscape in this country, the utter apathy over its work stoppage should be a clear indicator. Football fans practically went on life support when the NFL went through its labor issues. And, that was during the offseason.
The idea of the NBA actually losing regular-season games, meanwhile, is met mostly with yawns of indifference.
It proves what most have been saying for a long time. The NBA season is too long. Fans don't get invested until the playoffs because the perception is the regular season means very little.
In the NFL, every game is important. Five games into the season, teams are already being counted out of the playoff chase. Plus, the NFL is just hugely popular. NFL players could spit in fans' cereal bowls on Sunday morning and those fans will still watch them play in the afternoon.
There's nothing the NFL can do to hurt its fan base. They took out the celebrations. Didn't hurt it. They eliminated hits on the quarterbacks. Didn't hurt it. They've taken hitting completely out of the game. Hasn't hurt it. Hell, they've taken defense completely out. Still going strong.
The NBA looks longingly at the NFL. But, fact is, the NBA is not the NFL. The owners and players are going to find out the hard way. I think a lot of fans can do without the NBA a lot easier than they can the NFL. Between the end of college basketball and the beginning of baseball, the NBA's window of importance isn't that large to begin with.
So, I think I speak for a lot of folks when I say, take your time NBA in working out your labor issues. You can kill the entire season for all I care. I'm sure I can find something to do while you're gone.
Oh, you heard? You didn't care, either?
If the NBA ever wanted to know its standing in the sports landscape in this country, the utter apathy over its work stoppage should be a clear indicator. Football fans practically went on life support when the NFL went through its labor issues. And, that was during the offseason.
The idea of the NBA actually losing regular-season games, meanwhile, is met mostly with yawns of indifference.
It proves what most have been saying for a long time. The NBA season is too long. Fans don't get invested until the playoffs because the perception is the regular season means very little.
In the NFL, every game is important. Five games into the season, teams are already being counted out of the playoff chase. Plus, the NFL is just hugely popular. NFL players could spit in fans' cereal bowls on Sunday morning and those fans will still watch them play in the afternoon.
There's nothing the NFL can do to hurt its fan base. They took out the celebrations. Didn't hurt it. They eliminated hits on the quarterbacks. Didn't hurt it. They've taken hitting completely out of the game. Hasn't hurt it. Hell, they've taken defense completely out. Still going strong.
The NBA looks longingly at the NFL. But, fact is, the NBA is not the NFL. The owners and players are going to find out the hard way. I think a lot of fans can do without the NBA a lot easier than they can the NFL. Between the end of college basketball and the beginning of baseball, the NBA's window of importance isn't that large to begin with.
So, I think I speak for a lot of folks when I say, take your time NBA in working out your labor issues. You can kill the entire season for all I care. I'm sure I can find something to do while you're gone.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
You play like a girl
I remember several years ago when the Celtics lost to the Lakers. Larry Bird criticized his team. He said they played "like a bunch of women." John Gruden told his Tampa Bay Bucs once that they were, "playing like a bunch of broads."
One of the better, good, old boy football coach expressions is saying a kid, "looks like Tarzan and plays like Jane."
Hearing this sort of talk begs the question. Do men really think so little of females?
I don't want to be overly politically correct. I mean, this isn't a life-or-death issue. It's not earth shattering and, as far as I know, it might not bother women at all.
I just find it interesting that telling a girl she plays like a boy is a compliment. But, the best way to insult a male athlete is to tell him he resembles a female athlete.
For instance, no boy wants to be compared to Diana Taurasi or Candace Parker, even though Taurasi and Parker can beat most boys on the basketball court. Go find the average high school male tennis player and tell him he plays like Serena Williams. He'd be ready to fight even though Serena has a faster serve than about half the men on the professional tour. Most boys only wish they could hit a golf ball as far as Michelle Wie but don't tell them they play golf like her unless you want a 5-iron wrapped around your skull.
Yeah, telling any guy he plays like a girl is fighting words. The question is, should it be? Candace Parker can dunk a basketball. I can't. I always wished I could so, I suppose I do wish I could play like Candace Parker, who is definitely a girl.
If I could hit a serve like Serena, I'd be playing tennis right now. If I could drive like Danica, I'd be racing cars.
Females have come a long way as athletes. Maybe it's time to come up with another way to insult guys or push them to do better. How about we say, you play like an old man? Wait, forgot about Brett Favre and Michael Jordan. I guess that doesn't apply either.
One of the better, good, old boy football coach expressions is saying a kid, "looks like Tarzan and plays like Jane."
Hearing this sort of talk begs the question. Do men really think so little of females?
I don't want to be overly politically correct. I mean, this isn't a life-or-death issue. It's not earth shattering and, as far as I know, it might not bother women at all.
I just find it interesting that telling a girl she plays like a boy is a compliment. But, the best way to insult a male athlete is to tell him he resembles a female athlete.
For instance, no boy wants to be compared to Diana Taurasi or Candace Parker, even though Taurasi and Parker can beat most boys on the basketball court. Go find the average high school male tennis player and tell him he plays like Serena Williams. He'd be ready to fight even though Serena has a faster serve than about half the men on the professional tour. Most boys only wish they could hit a golf ball as far as Michelle Wie but don't tell them they play golf like her unless you want a 5-iron wrapped around your skull.
Yeah, telling any guy he plays like a girl is fighting words. The question is, should it be? Candace Parker can dunk a basketball. I can't. I always wished I could so, I suppose I do wish I could play like Candace Parker, who is definitely a girl.
If I could hit a serve like Serena, I'd be playing tennis right now. If I could drive like Danica, I'd be racing cars.
Females have come a long way as athletes. Maybe it's time to come up with another way to insult guys or push them to do better. How about we say, you play like an old man? Wait, forgot about Brett Favre and Michael Jordan. I guess that doesn't apply either.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Reed makes a splash
Congratulations to El Dorado's Taylor Reed, who made his college football debut tonight with Memphis. Reed came off the bench for the Tigers when starting quarterback Andy Summerlin left the game with a knee injury in the first half of a 59-14 loss to Mississippi State at the Liberty Bowl.
Reed entered the game with 13:59 left in the second quarter and completed 23-of-35 passes for 149 yards with a touchdown and an interception. His total might've been higher except for about three dropped passes.
Reed's first collegiate pass was a 10-yard completion for a first down. He lofted an 11-yard touchdown pass to Marcus Rucker in the back of the end zone with 11:40 to go in the fourth quarter.
I don't know if Reed won the starting job but the guys broadcasting the game seemed to be quite impressed.
The Tigers play Auburn next week. While Reed looked good, especially as a true freshman, the rest of his teammates are suspect. Memphis looked like a mediocre high school team with some of the mistakes they made.
The starting quarterback had to burn a timeout because the play clock was winding down. This was the first play after his team entered the field on a change of possession.
The defense would later use a timeout because it had 12 men on the field. This was also the first play of a possession.
That's just bad.
Hopefully, the Tigers will get better. Reed is a proven leader. But, I don't think he should be thrust into such a strong leadership position so early.
I guess we'll see.
Reed entered the game with 13:59 left in the second quarter and completed 23-of-35 passes for 149 yards with a touchdown and an interception. His total might've been higher except for about three dropped passes.
Reed's first collegiate pass was a 10-yard completion for a first down. He lofted an 11-yard touchdown pass to Marcus Rucker in the back of the end zone with 11:40 to go in the fourth quarter.
I don't know if Reed won the starting job but the guys broadcasting the game seemed to be quite impressed.
The Tigers play Auburn next week. While Reed looked good, especially as a true freshman, the rest of his teammates are suspect. Memphis looked like a mediocre high school team with some of the mistakes they made.
The starting quarterback had to burn a timeout because the play clock was winding down. This was the first play after his team entered the field on a change of possession.
The defense would later use a timeout because it had 12 men on the field. This was also the first play of a possession.
That's just bad.
Hopefully, the Tigers will get better. Reed is a proven leader. But, I don't think he should be thrust into such a strong leadership position so early.
I guess we'll see.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Grapes?
How fattening are grapes? I mean, if you eat a couple pounds of them, is that real bad?
Somebody tell me.
Somebody tell me.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Lazy days of summer
I've fallen back on this blog for some reason. Oh, wait, I know what it is ... I'm lazy.
I don't have much local to talk about. It's the typical summer. The elite high school athletes are busting their humps while the mediocre ones lay up under the air conditioning munching on Cheetos.
The same names will be in the newspaper once school starts and the same parents will be complaining because their kid with Cheetos on his or her fingers can't seem to get any recognition.
I actually find myself getting a little self-conscious. I look in the paper and it's Rickitha Hicks or Courtney Lowe or Stetson Billings or Wendell Thompson or Vincent Pierce. I start to wonder if I'm shining too much of a spotlight on them.
The thing is, they're always doing something. Hicks is at a track meet every weekend. Lowe is competing in a national softball tournament every weekend. Billings is competing in a national basketball tournament every weekend and Thompson has been in about five or six huge football camps.
After a kid has done so much, do I start to ignore them?
Then there's the kid who is doing something but nobody tells me about it. That's a tough one because the mom always waits until she sees a story about another kid. Then, she emails me and complains, "what about my son?" I say, "what about him?"
We don't have summer schedules for every athlete. If I know someone is doing something big, I'll make an effort to get that information. But, if I don't know about it, ain't much for me to do.
I suppose parents think we have some sort of wire in our bodies that spits out electricity whenever a kid in our area does something special.
As much as I love the summer, I won't be too sad to see it end.
I don't have much local to talk about. It's the typical summer. The elite high school athletes are busting their humps while the mediocre ones lay up under the air conditioning munching on Cheetos.
The same names will be in the newspaper once school starts and the same parents will be complaining because their kid with Cheetos on his or her fingers can't seem to get any recognition.
I actually find myself getting a little self-conscious. I look in the paper and it's Rickitha Hicks or Courtney Lowe or Stetson Billings or Wendell Thompson or Vincent Pierce. I start to wonder if I'm shining too much of a spotlight on them.
The thing is, they're always doing something. Hicks is at a track meet every weekend. Lowe is competing in a national softball tournament every weekend. Billings is competing in a national basketball tournament every weekend and Thompson has been in about five or six huge football camps.
After a kid has done so much, do I start to ignore them?
Then there's the kid who is doing something but nobody tells me about it. That's a tough one because the mom always waits until she sees a story about another kid. Then, she emails me and complains, "what about my son?" I say, "what about him?"
We don't have summer schedules for every athlete. If I know someone is doing something big, I'll make an effort to get that information. But, if I don't know about it, ain't much for me to do.
I suppose parents think we have some sort of wire in our bodies that spits out electricity whenever a kid in our area does something special.
As much as I love the summer, I won't be too sad to see it end.
Monday, July 4, 2011
Way to go, WNBA
I've been trying to figure out why the WNBA can't seem to get any footing in the sports entertainment industry. The product is good and getting better and better. It's played during the middle of summer, where competition is at its lowest.
Yet, for some reason, no one watches or cares about the league.
I think I've figured it out.
The people who operate the league don't want anyone to watch it.
What other explanation could they have for scheduling a grand total of six games over a 7-day period in early-July?
It's unbelievable.
I'm one of the precious few people who actually look for WNBA games. Trust me, it was easier tracking down Bin Laden.
You have to have a computer and then you have to join WNBA.com, because that's where the majority of games are shown.
That's okay. Hey, I want to see the games so that's not a problem. I can handle that.
The only downside to this is logging onto WNBA.com, checking the schedule and seeing, nobody's playing.
Saturday, July 2 - zero games. Sunday - one game (the freaking Mystics and Seattle without Lauren Jackson). Monday - zero games. Tuesday - three games. Wednesday - zero games. Thursday - zero games. Friday - two games.
Okay, why would you not have games in the middle of the week? That's when the sports entertainment competition is at its weakest. People starving for sports might stop at the WNBA simply because it's the only thing on. Yet, the WNBA has no games on during the week. It's as if they really do want to go head-to-head with more established events.
You know what, I give up. I've been preaching to all the WNBA haters out there for years about how the game has improved. The players are really good and there are some teams that are fun to watch. Yeah, the officiating isn't great and the people who broadcast the games are so God-awful bad they're comical. But, the play on the court, when the cameras actually show it, is really good.
But, that's it. I won't try to convert any more non-believers. If the people who run the WNBA don't believe in their own sport enough to actually have games available to be watched, then why should I?
Yet, for some reason, no one watches or cares about the league.
I think I've figured it out.
The people who operate the league don't want anyone to watch it.
What other explanation could they have for scheduling a grand total of six games over a 7-day period in early-July?
It's unbelievable.
I'm one of the precious few people who actually look for WNBA games. Trust me, it was easier tracking down Bin Laden.
You have to have a computer and then you have to join WNBA.com, because that's where the majority of games are shown.
That's okay. Hey, I want to see the games so that's not a problem. I can handle that.
The only downside to this is logging onto WNBA.com, checking the schedule and seeing, nobody's playing.
Saturday, July 2 - zero games. Sunday - one game (the freaking Mystics and Seattle without Lauren Jackson). Monday - zero games. Tuesday - three games. Wednesday - zero games. Thursday - zero games. Friday - two games.
Okay, why would you not have games in the middle of the week? That's when the sports entertainment competition is at its weakest. People starving for sports might stop at the WNBA simply because it's the only thing on. Yet, the WNBA has no games on during the week. It's as if they really do want to go head-to-head with more established events.
You know what, I give up. I've been preaching to all the WNBA haters out there for years about how the game has improved. The players are really good and there are some teams that are fun to watch. Yeah, the officiating isn't great and the people who broadcast the games are so God-awful bad they're comical. But, the play on the court, when the cameras actually show it, is really good.
But, that's it. I won't try to convert any more non-believers. If the people who run the WNBA don't believe in their own sport enough to actually have games available to be watched, then why should I?
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Goodbye Rod Harrington
I'll never forget the very first column I wrote for the El Dorado News-Times about 21 years ago, My first line was, 'My name is Tony Burns and I hate golf.'
It probably wasn't the wisest way to introduce myself. It got people's attention, though. I had no idea how important golf was to some people in this community, including my new boss.
After the column was printed, I got the feeling that maybe it wasn't such a good idea. I was concerned until one of my new co-workers spoke up in the office and told me how much he enjoyed what I had written.
It's amazing what one compliment can do to a person who is sorely lacking confidence.
Rod Harrington's kind words made me feel at home, like I actually belonged in that office.
Big Rod announced recently that he's taking his talents to Northwest Arkansas. His last day with the News-Times was Sunday.
I didn't grow up in a hugs and kisses type of family. So, it's always awkward for me to say goodbye, especially to another dude. I don't like hugs and big shows of affection. Yet, a handshake didn't seem enough when I said goodbye to Rod, who I've known for the past 20 years.
I hadn't really thought about it but, the guy attended both of my parent's funerals. He's seen me at my lowest moments and when I was named Employee of the Year, he was happier about it than I was. No one is more eager to read one of my freshly penned books than Rod. He's read all of them, even the ones that suck. He's listened and written reviews for my relatives music and was always available to proof read a feature.
I used to play tennis with Rod on a weekly basis until I beat him one time. I think he lost his racquet or something after that. Still, over time he's become one of my closest friends.
Like I said, when I left the office Sunday night, I wasn't sure what Rod and I were supposed to do. I don't believe I've actually had a non-stop 20-year friendship before. It was awkward but we settled for a man hug.
Somehow, it didn't seem enough for the guy who made me feel welcome at the News-Times more than 20 years ago.
In case I didn't say it before, thank you Rod Harrington for everything you've done for me. Save me a seat in the pressbox.
Peace!
It probably wasn't the wisest way to introduce myself. It got people's attention, though. I had no idea how important golf was to some people in this community, including my new boss.
After the column was printed, I got the feeling that maybe it wasn't such a good idea. I was concerned until one of my new co-workers spoke up in the office and told me how much he enjoyed what I had written.
It's amazing what one compliment can do to a person who is sorely lacking confidence.
Rod Harrington's kind words made me feel at home, like I actually belonged in that office.
Big Rod announced recently that he's taking his talents to Northwest Arkansas. His last day with the News-Times was Sunday.
I didn't grow up in a hugs and kisses type of family. So, it's always awkward for me to say goodbye, especially to another dude. I don't like hugs and big shows of affection. Yet, a handshake didn't seem enough when I said goodbye to Rod, who I've known for the past 20 years.
I hadn't really thought about it but, the guy attended both of my parent's funerals. He's seen me at my lowest moments and when I was named Employee of the Year, he was happier about it than I was. No one is more eager to read one of my freshly penned books than Rod. He's read all of them, even the ones that suck. He's listened and written reviews for my relatives music and was always available to proof read a feature.
I used to play tennis with Rod on a weekly basis until I beat him one time. I think he lost his racquet or something after that. Still, over time he's become one of my closest friends.
Like I said, when I left the office Sunday night, I wasn't sure what Rod and I were supposed to do. I don't believe I've actually had a non-stop 20-year friendship before. It was awkward but we settled for a man hug.
Somehow, it didn't seem enough for the guy who made me feel welcome at the News-Times more than 20 years ago.
In case I didn't say it before, thank you Rod Harrington for everything you've done for me. Save me a seat in the pressbox.
Peace!
Sunday, May 29, 2011
What's in a name?
I was in the office Saturday talking to News-Times photographer Jim Lemon. Lemon is a Native American. He said his tribe has a school on the reservation. Joking, I asked him what the mascot for the school's athletic teams might be.
I was shocked when he said he thought they might be called "Indians."
Being a jokester, I immediately offered to pen a letter condemning the tribe for using "Indians" as a mascot because it is so insulting to Native Americans.
As I thought about it, I decided to change the school from Native American to African-American. What if a school of all-black students called its sports teams something like "Brothers?" What if the school's mascot was a black dude sporting an Afro hairstyle and ran around acting like Rollo from Sanford & Son?
Would I be offended?
No. Actually, that might be kind of cool.
Then again, what if the mascot wasn't a black man with an Afro but was a white man in a costume?
Now that wouldn't be cool. In fact, that would be incredibly offensive.
Bottom line is, it isn't what you say but it's who is saying it.
I was shocked when he said he thought they might be called "Indians."
Being a jokester, I immediately offered to pen a letter condemning the tribe for using "Indians" as a mascot because it is so insulting to Native Americans.
As I thought about it, I decided to change the school from Native American to African-American. What if a school of all-black students called its sports teams something like "Brothers?" What if the school's mascot was a black dude sporting an Afro hairstyle and ran around acting like Rollo from Sanford & Son?
Would I be offended?
No. Actually, that might be kind of cool.
Then again, what if the mascot wasn't a black man with an Afro but was a white man in a costume?
Now that wouldn't be cool. In fact, that would be incredibly offensive.
Bottom line is, it isn't what you say but it's who is saying it.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Ball rolls along
Congratulations to Strong girls basketball coach and Parkers Chapel native Jamie Ball, who said she has accepted a coaching gig at Cutter Morning Star.
Ball, who was coached at PC by Lee Scroggins, will take over the program that Scroggins had a couple years ago. Scroggins' daughter Emilee graduated from Cutter Morning Star this year.
Scroggins, by the way, is a principal at Hot Springs Lakeside.
***
Our annual AmerCable/News-Times Scholar Athlete Awards Banquet is tonight at College Avenue Church of Christ. We're all a little nervous because Shea Wilson did a lot of the behind-the-scenes stuff for the last several years.
No one really knew what all she did or how she did it. Now, someone else has to do it.
Hopefully, everything will go as smoothly as it has the past 13 years or so.
Ball, who was coached at PC by Lee Scroggins, will take over the program that Scroggins had a couple years ago. Scroggins' daughter Emilee graduated from Cutter Morning Star this year.
Scroggins, by the way, is a principal at Hot Springs Lakeside.
***
Our annual AmerCable/News-Times Scholar Athlete Awards Banquet is tonight at College Avenue Church of Christ. We're all a little nervous because Shea Wilson did a lot of the behind-the-scenes stuff for the last several years.
No one really knew what all she did or how she did it. Now, someone else has to do it.
Hopefully, everything will go as smoothly as it has the past 13 years or so.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
How you living, Rachel Ball?
The AmerCable/News-Times Scholar Athlete Awards Banquet is scheduled for next week (May 26th). This is the most hectic time of the year for me. It's also one of my favorite occasions because I get to meet some athletes I'd never spoken to before.
One of my favorite interviews this year was with El Dorado softball player and cheerleader Rachel Ball. She was refreshingly open and honest, which isn't easy for anyone who is talking to someone for the first time.
She was so easy to talk to, I felt comfortable enough to teach her a lyric from a Biggie Smalls rap track. If you see her, ask Rachel, "How you living, Rachel Ball?"
Anyway, I'm not the biggest fan of cheerleaders but she intrigued me. Most cheerleaders, if they play a sport, don't play a dirty sport like softball. There ain't nothing glamorous about softball. But, she loves it and she loves cheerleading as well.
“There are different things I like about both," she said. "They’re both competitive, especially the (cheerleading competition). That‘s when I really enjoy it. I just like being there for our football team and basketball teams. It kind of makes you apart of everything.”
One of her disappointments, she said was when the softball team had a tournament on the same day El Dorado's girls won the state basketball championship in Hot Springs.
“I didn’t get to cheer. We played in a (softball) tournament that day," she explained. "But, then I went and watched in the crowd. I did get to go. I just wasn’t there to cheer. I was there in my softball uniform. It was important for me to be there. With Whitney and Kanedria and Emily, I played with that group of girls. I stopped in the seventh grade but in the Boys Club from kindergarten all the way up to (sixth grade), I played with them. My mom actually helped coached them. It’s kind of like your team. They’re my babies.”
***
I was saddened the other day when I came across an obituary for Dr. Claude Windell Sumerlin, 87, of Lynchburg, Va. He died in February of this year.
Dr. Sumerlin was my journalism professor at Henderson State University until he retired in 1988. I didn't take journalism in high school so he pretty much taught me everything I know about newspaper writing and reporting.
I don't remember many of my professors from college. But, Dr. Sumerlin is someone whom I'll never forget.
One of my favorite interviews this year was with El Dorado softball player and cheerleader Rachel Ball. She was refreshingly open and honest, which isn't easy for anyone who is talking to someone for the first time.
She was so easy to talk to, I felt comfortable enough to teach her a lyric from a Biggie Smalls rap track. If you see her, ask Rachel, "How you living, Rachel Ball?"
Anyway, I'm not the biggest fan of cheerleaders but she intrigued me. Most cheerleaders, if they play a sport, don't play a dirty sport like softball. There ain't nothing glamorous about softball. But, she loves it and she loves cheerleading as well.
“There are different things I like about both," she said. "They’re both competitive, especially the (cheerleading competition). That‘s when I really enjoy it. I just like being there for our football team and basketball teams. It kind of makes you apart of everything.”
One of her disappointments, she said was when the softball team had a tournament on the same day El Dorado's girls won the state basketball championship in Hot Springs.
“I didn’t get to cheer. We played in a (softball) tournament that day," she explained. "But, then I went and watched in the crowd. I did get to go. I just wasn’t there to cheer. I was there in my softball uniform. It was important for me to be there. With Whitney and Kanedria and Emily, I played with that group of girls. I stopped in the seventh grade but in the Boys Club from kindergarten all the way up to (sixth grade), I played with them. My mom actually helped coached them. It’s kind of like your team. They’re my babies.”
***
I was saddened the other day when I came across an obituary for Dr. Claude Windell Sumerlin, 87, of Lynchburg, Va. He died in February of this year.
Dr. Sumerlin was my journalism professor at Henderson State University until he retired in 1988. I didn't take journalism in high school so he pretty much taught me everything I know about newspaper writing and reporting.
I don't remember many of my professors from college. But, Dr. Sumerlin is someone whom I'll never forget.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
My opinion has changed
After my last blog, I got a call from El Dorado football coach Scott Reed. Reed said when he learned what time the girls were playing, he moved up football practice to 3 p.m. and shortened it to 4:45 p.m.
"Any of my kids that wanted to go were excused from practice," said Reed. "And, we shortened practice so they could get to the game for the second half. One of my kids had a sister playing and he wanted to go. Any of my kids that wanted to go to the soccer match were excused. I try to support all of our teams."
I was initially disappointed when Coach Reed told me football practice would be at 4 p.m. on Monday. I'm happy to hear that he changed the schedule so his athletes would have the opportunity to support the girls soccer team.
The coach was disappointed in me for not getting his side of the story before I wrote anything. He's probably correct. I should have asked if he was doing anything different in light of the soccer team being at home playing in the semifinals. Obviously, I would never put anything in the newspaper without checking both sides but ... a personal blog and Facebook page are different, or so I thought.
Still, what I write here is my opinion. My opinion is allowed to change. My opinion has changed.
I think it's great that Coach Reed and the football staff changed their schedule so their players could support the soccer team. I think it was the right thing to do and I'm sorry I didn't have all the facts when I wrote my last blog.
"Any of my kids that wanted to go were excused from practice," said Reed. "And, we shortened practice so they could get to the game for the second half. One of my kids had a sister playing and he wanted to go. Any of my kids that wanted to go to the soccer match were excused. I try to support all of our teams."
I was initially disappointed when Coach Reed told me football practice would be at 4 p.m. on Monday. I'm happy to hear that he changed the schedule so his athletes would have the opportunity to support the girls soccer team.
The coach was disappointed in me for not getting his side of the story before I wrote anything. He's probably correct. I should have asked if he was doing anything different in light of the soccer team being at home playing in the semifinals. Obviously, I would never put anything in the newspaper without checking both sides but ... a personal blog and Facebook page are different, or so I thought.
Still, what I write here is my opinion. My opinion is allowed to change. My opinion has changed.
I think it's great that Coach Reed and the football staff changed their schedule so their players could support the soccer team. I think it was the right thing to do and I'm sorry I didn't have all the facts when I wrote my last blog.
Thanks for the support
The 6A Soccer Tournament came to El Dorado and went on Monday. I'm not a soccer guy but covering it for three days didn't kill me. It helped that the Lady Wildcats made it to the semifinals so I had a local team to cover.
Anyway, El Dorado's girls lost in the semifinals Monday afternoon.
They were beaten handily by a solid Mountain Home squad 6-1. The Lady Wildcats tried but were simply outclassed by a team with more speed.
What frustrated me a little bit was the lack of school support for the team. It was especially disappointing to hear the El Dorado football team was practicing at 4 p.m., the exact starting time for the Lady Wildcats' semifinal game.
Come on, Coach Reed.
I watched as the entire student body traveled the entire length of the state to support El Dorado's football team. They went to Springdale for a nonconference game. It didn't matter where the Wildcats went, the students, including members of the softball, swimming and soccer teams, were there to support them.
No one had to drive to Fayetteville or Mountain Home to watch the home girls play for a chance to win a state title. All they had to do was drive across town to the El Dorado Soccer Complex. How easy is that?
But, no, El Dorado couldn't even be bothered enough to postpone spring football practice for 90 minutes so the players could show support to the same girls who supported them.
I mentioned this to an El Dorado fan and he said, "well that is football and this is soccer."
This is true. I know the difference between the two sports. One uses a helmet and the other doesn't use their hands.
The one thing they have in common in this instance is they're both El Dorado High School student-athletes. I wouldn't expect El Dorado fans to travel across the state to follow the soccer teams.
I just don't think driving across town on a beautiful Monday afternoon is asking too much for people who are supposed to be loyal supporters of the school.
Anyway, El Dorado's girls lost in the semifinals Monday afternoon.
They were beaten handily by a solid Mountain Home squad 6-1. The Lady Wildcats tried but were simply outclassed by a team with more speed.
What frustrated me a little bit was the lack of school support for the team. It was especially disappointing to hear the El Dorado football team was practicing at 4 p.m., the exact starting time for the Lady Wildcats' semifinal game.
Come on, Coach Reed.
I watched as the entire student body traveled the entire length of the state to support El Dorado's football team. They went to Springdale for a nonconference game. It didn't matter where the Wildcats went, the students, including members of the softball, swimming and soccer teams, were there to support them.
No one had to drive to Fayetteville or Mountain Home to watch the home girls play for a chance to win a state title. All they had to do was drive across town to the El Dorado Soccer Complex. How easy is that?
But, no, El Dorado couldn't even be bothered enough to postpone spring football practice for 90 minutes so the players could show support to the same girls who supported them.
I mentioned this to an El Dorado fan and he said, "well that is football and this is soccer."
This is true. I know the difference between the two sports. One uses a helmet and the other doesn't use their hands.
The one thing they have in common in this instance is they're both El Dorado High School student-athletes. I wouldn't expect El Dorado fans to travel across the state to follow the soccer teams.
I just don't think driving across town on a beautiful Monday afternoon is asking too much for people who are supposed to be loyal supporters of the school.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Baloney?
I was conducting an interview with El Dorado senior Emily Sinclair the other day at the office. I'm on a bit of a diet so my stomach was doing its low roar of a growl. For the first time in a long time, I thought back to my youth and began craving a good, old-fashioned fried bologna sandwich.
For no reason, I asked Sinclair, "you ever had a baloney sandwich?"
She looked around to make sure I was talking to her.
"Huh? Me?"
"Yeah, you ever had a baloney sandwich?"
She looked at me as if I was an alien who had just dropped down from outer space.
"Uh, no," she said. "What is that? Is it like bacon? I like bacon."
No, child, it's not like bacon.
Wow! Times have changed.
I grew up on baloney sandwiches. I wouldn't be here today if it weren't for baloney sandwiches. It was the first meal I could prepare for myself. When I got home from school, both of my parents were at work so I would slice off a hunk of bologna and throw it in the skillet. It was easy and delicious.
I'm not sure our fridge was ever without bologna for very long. It was a staple for our family and, as far as I'm concerned, the original fast food.
I guess it's not a popular choice for today's youth, who have advantages of microwave foods that we didn't enjoy.
As disgusting as a fried baloney sandwich might sound to kids these days, it's there loss.
***
The Arkansas Activities Association announced today that Benton High School self-reported that it had played an ineligible player(s) during the 2010 football season, and has forfeited its three Class 6A South Conference wins. The Arkansas Activities Association has placed the Benton football program on warning throughout the 2011 football season.
During the season Benton defeated Sheridan, 29-24, Little Rock McClellan 49-8 and Little Rock Fair 61-13.
For no reason, I asked Sinclair, "you ever had a baloney sandwich?"
She looked around to make sure I was talking to her.
"Huh? Me?"
"Yeah, you ever had a baloney sandwich?"
She looked at me as if I was an alien who had just dropped down from outer space.
"Uh, no," she said. "What is that? Is it like bacon? I like bacon."
No, child, it's not like bacon.
Wow! Times have changed.
I grew up on baloney sandwiches. I wouldn't be here today if it weren't for baloney sandwiches. It was the first meal I could prepare for myself. When I got home from school, both of my parents were at work so I would slice off a hunk of bologna and throw it in the skillet. It was easy and delicious.
I'm not sure our fridge was ever without bologna for very long. It was a staple for our family and, as far as I'm concerned, the original fast food.
I guess it's not a popular choice for today's youth, who have advantages of microwave foods that we didn't enjoy.
As disgusting as a fried baloney sandwich might sound to kids these days, it's there loss.
***
The Arkansas Activities Association announced today that Benton High School self-reported that it had played an ineligible player(s) during the 2010 football season, and has forfeited its three Class 6A South Conference wins. The Arkansas Activities Association has placed the Benton football program on warning throughout the 2011 football season.
During the season Benton defeated Sheridan, 29-24, Little Rock McClellan 49-8 and Little Rock Fair 61-13.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Kyia on the way up
I just got back from Norphlet, where a signing assembly was held for senior Kyia Williams. Kyia signed to play basketball at Tyler Junior College.
After failing seventh grade, she's certainly come a long way in her career both on and off the court. It was an emotional day as Coaches Justin Welch and John Thompson talked about her growth. Thompson became overcome with those emotions as he read a paper Kyia wrote for one of his classes where she talked about how much she has changed.
It was a nice day.
It was even better when Tyler coach Trenia Jones addressed the Norphlet fans. She told Kyia's friends and family that she was going to kick her butt and ride her endlessly to make sure she got her degree and advanced on to a four-year school. She told the fans, if you want to help Kyia, when she calls up crying and wanting to come home, tell her to keep her butt in Tyler and finish what she started.
Kyia finished up the day by reading a statement thanking all of the people who helped her get to this moment.
It was a nice day.
I had just talked to Kyia a couple of weeks ago. But, when I spoke to her on Thursday, she seemed more mature, more composed, more thoughtful. She's come a long way since the seventh grade. I really believe she can go even farther in the next few years.
After failing seventh grade, she's certainly come a long way in her career both on and off the court. It was an emotional day as Coaches Justin Welch and John Thompson talked about her growth. Thompson became overcome with those emotions as he read a paper Kyia wrote for one of his classes where she talked about how much she has changed.
It was a nice day.
It was even better when Tyler coach Trenia Jones addressed the Norphlet fans. She told Kyia's friends and family that she was going to kick her butt and ride her endlessly to make sure she got her degree and advanced on to a four-year school. She told the fans, if you want to help Kyia, when she calls up crying and wanting to come home, tell her to keep her butt in Tyler and finish what she started.
Kyia finished up the day by reading a statement thanking all of the people who helped her get to this moment.
It was a nice day.
I had just talked to Kyia a couple of weeks ago. But, when I spoke to her on Thursday, she seemed more mature, more composed, more thoughtful. She's come a long way since the seventh grade. I really believe she can go even farther in the next few years.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Frazier first team but not best
Congratulations to El Dorado's Whitney Frazier, who was named to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette's All-Arkansas First Team in basketball today. It was a no-brainer of an honor.
Parkers Chapel's Savanna Langston was named All-Arkansas second team for the second year in a row. I thought she should've been given first team consideration as well but that point was arguable.
Frazier, however was named MVP of the state tournament. She led the Lady Wildcats through a dominant season and was the best player I saw.
But, the state Player of the Year Award was decided as soon as Arkansas signed Fayetteville guard Calli Berna. That closed the deal, ended the debate, sealed the case.
From that point, Frazier could've dunked six times backwards and averaged a quadruple-double and it wouldn't have mattered.
That's just the way it is in this state. That's how it was in football, too. Whoever the Razorbacks sign will automatically win Player of the Year.
That's fine, especially since our players in Union County don't seem to put much stock in that stuff, anyway. But, don't be surprised in a couple of years if what Whitney Frazier is doing at Louisiana Tech isn't making today's decision look stupid.
Parkers Chapel's Savanna Langston was named All-Arkansas second team for the second year in a row. I thought she should've been given first team consideration as well but that point was arguable.
Frazier, however was named MVP of the state tournament. She led the Lady Wildcats through a dominant season and was the best player I saw.
But, the state Player of the Year Award was decided as soon as Arkansas signed Fayetteville guard Calli Berna. That closed the deal, ended the debate, sealed the case.
From that point, Frazier could've dunked six times backwards and averaged a quadruple-double and it wouldn't have mattered.
That's just the way it is in this state. That's how it was in football, too. Whoever the Razorbacks sign will automatically win Player of the Year.
That's fine, especially since our players in Union County don't seem to put much stock in that stuff, anyway. But, don't be surprised in a couple of years if what Whitney Frazier is doing at Louisiana Tech isn't making today's decision look stupid.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Refs make the calls
I know the state tournament was last week, but I have a few random thoughts.
First, I've monitored some of the message boards. There has been some criticism for the way the Parkers Chapel girls game was officiated.
Fact is, the referees didn't call many fouls.
Did that have an impact on how the game was played?
Well, yeah. Players had to be tough with the basketball. You had to go up strong on layups and you had to grab rebounds with two hands and be prepared to fight to keep them.
It was not a game for soft players.
But, it was the same on both ends of the floor. And, for the most part, it was the same all the way through the game. The players were given the opportunity to adjust to how the game was called. Good players can do that. Not-so-good players can't.
State championships should be decided by good players. Not-so-good players shouldn't be in state title games.
It was a rough-and-tumble game. If you can't play in that type of game, the state finals is the wrong place for you to be.
That's why coaches put their teams in every possible situation during the season. You have to be prepared for anything.
This brings me to my second random thought.
El Dorado's game against Little Rock Parkview was the complete opposite. The referees called everything. Every touch. Every grab. Every foot slide.
There were so many whistles, I felt like a pretty girl walking past a construction site.
Parkview couldn't adjust. The Lady Patriots got into foul trouble and, instead of understanding the style of game they were in, they started barking at the officials.
In basketball, the officials often dictate the style of play. Officials are human beings, which mean every game is different. As a player, all you can ask is for the calls to be consistent on both ends and throughout the game.
If the game is called consistently, you cannot blame the refs if you come out on the short end.
To win a state title, a team has be to be able to adapt. You have to be able to win a finesse game and you have to get tough when it turns into football. That's what a state championship team is.
Credit the Lady Wildcats but also, my hat is off to the Lady Trojans. I haven't heard one PC player or coach complain about the refs. The Lady Trojans got tough when they had to, just couldn't get a bucket they needed.
I must say, I was proud of both of my girls teams.
First, I've monitored some of the message boards. There has been some criticism for the way the Parkers Chapel girls game was officiated.
Fact is, the referees didn't call many fouls.
Did that have an impact on how the game was played?
Well, yeah. Players had to be tough with the basketball. You had to go up strong on layups and you had to grab rebounds with two hands and be prepared to fight to keep them.
It was not a game for soft players.
But, it was the same on both ends of the floor. And, for the most part, it was the same all the way through the game. The players were given the opportunity to adjust to how the game was called. Good players can do that. Not-so-good players can't.
State championships should be decided by good players. Not-so-good players shouldn't be in state title games.
It was a rough-and-tumble game. If you can't play in that type of game, the state finals is the wrong place for you to be.
That's why coaches put their teams in every possible situation during the season. You have to be prepared for anything.
This brings me to my second random thought.
El Dorado's game against Little Rock Parkview was the complete opposite. The referees called everything. Every touch. Every grab. Every foot slide.
There were so many whistles, I felt like a pretty girl walking past a construction site.
Parkview couldn't adjust. The Lady Patriots got into foul trouble and, instead of understanding the style of game they were in, they started barking at the officials.
In basketball, the officials often dictate the style of play. Officials are human beings, which mean every game is different. As a player, all you can ask is for the calls to be consistent on both ends and throughout the game.
If the game is called consistently, you cannot blame the refs if you come out on the short end.
To win a state title, a team has be to be able to adapt. You have to be able to win a finesse game and you have to get tough when it turns into football. That's what a state championship team is.
Credit the Lady Wildcats but also, my hat is off to the Lady Trojans. I haven't heard one PC player or coach complain about the refs. The Lady Trojans got tough when they had to, just couldn't get a bucket they needed.
I must say, I was proud of both of my girls teams.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
What a season!
It's been a long time since my last blog. Lots of things have happened, including the conclusion of the high school basketball season.
Despite all my whining and complaining about the bottom teams in the area not being competitive, the season didn't turn out so bad. For the second year in a row, Union County had three girls teams advance to the state semifinals.
This year however, two teams made it to the finals. Maybe those area teams at the bottom weren't so bad after all.
Okay, I'm not ready to make that statement, yet. But, it was a fun postseason.
I hadn't covered a basketball state final since Strong did its repeat several years ago. I had a blast covering El Dorado and Parkers Chapel in Hot Springs last week.
The Lady Wildcats claimed their first-ever state championship. The Lady Trojans lost to England in a heartbreaker 31-29. Those Lady Lions also eliminated Norphlet in the semifinals.
I felt bad for Parkers Chapel because I honestly thought those girls should've won it. That's the toughest kind of loss to take.
El Dorado, on the other hand, didn't leave anything to chance. The Lady Wildcats dominated Little Rock Parkview from the opening tip. Whitney Frazier had her game-face on and it was obvious, she was not going to let her team lose.
Frazier was the MVP but the key to El Dorado's championship run was her teammates. The Lady Wildcats got the most use out of their semifinal loss a year ago. It seemed like all of the key players got better over the summer.
Bria Snowden went from stand-still shooter to a scoring threat off the drive and via the pull-up jumper. Little sister Sequoia sharpened her handle and emerged as a solid point guard. She joined Emily Sinclair to fill the void at that position. Sinclair ran the team like a seasoned veteran. More importantly, she cleaned up her turnovers and made better decisions.
Kanedria Andrews impressed with her overall game. She gave the team whatever it needed whether it was scoring, rebounding, ball handling or defense. She couldn't do that last year.
Everyone got better at El Dorado.
It's great when a team can take a negative and turn it into something great. The Lady Wildcats, more than any other team, turned last year's semifinal loss into a reason to bust their butts in the off-season.
They did it as a team. It wasn't just one or two. The whole team went to work. From Charlotte Bradley to Hannah Burroff to Marchelle Lockhart, everyone on that team was a better player this year than they were last year.
Give Stephen Harshaw some credit. Give the girls the rest.
I guess it was a pretty good season after all.
Despite all my whining and complaining about the bottom teams in the area not being competitive, the season didn't turn out so bad. For the second year in a row, Union County had three girls teams advance to the state semifinals.
This year however, two teams made it to the finals. Maybe those area teams at the bottom weren't so bad after all.
Okay, I'm not ready to make that statement, yet. But, it was a fun postseason.
I hadn't covered a basketball state final since Strong did its repeat several years ago. I had a blast covering El Dorado and Parkers Chapel in Hot Springs last week.
The Lady Wildcats claimed their first-ever state championship. The Lady Trojans lost to England in a heartbreaker 31-29. Those Lady Lions also eliminated Norphlet in the semifinals.
I felt bad for Parkers Chapel because I honestly thought those girls should've won it. That's the toughest kind of loss to take.
El Dorado, on the other hand, didn't leave anything to chance. The Lady Wildcats dominated Little Rock Parkview from the opening tip. Whitney Frazier had her game-face on and it was obvious, she was not going to let her team lose.
Frazier was the MVP but the key to El Dorado's championship run was her teammates. The Lady Wildcats got the most use out of their semifinal loss a year ago. It seemed like all of the key players got better over the summer.
Bria Snowden went from stand-still shooter to a scoring threat off the drive and via the pull-up jumper. Little sister Sequoia sharpened her handle and emerged as a solid point guard. She joined Emily Sinclair to fill the void at that position. Sinclair ran the team like a seasoned veteran. More importantly, she cleaned up her turnovers and made better decisions.
Kanedria Andrews impressed with her overall game. She gave the team whatever it needed whether it was scoring, rebounding, ball handling or defense. She couldn't do that last year.
Everyone got better at El Dorado.
It's great when a team can take a negative and turn it into something great. The Lady Wildcats, more than any other team, turned last year's semifinal loss into a reason to bust their butts in the off-season.
They did it as a team. It wasn't just one or two. The whole team went to work. From Charlotte Bradley to Hannah Burroff to Marchelle Lockhart, everyone on that team was a better player this year than they were last year.
Give Stephen Harshaw some credit. Give the girls the rest.
I guess it was a pretty good season after all.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Lady Leopards back in fight
Congratulations to the Norphlet Lady Leopards on their 58-46 win over Parkers Chapel Saturday in the championship game of the 2A 7-East District Tournament at Woodlawn.
Norphlet played its best game of the season and showed illness might have really been a factor in its mercy rule home loss to the Lady Trojans last month.
I said when the season began this series would be like a boxing match.
Parkers Chapel won the regular season series. In boxing, that's five of the first six rounds. This is a 12-round fight, however, and the upcoming rounds are weighted. As you might have guessed, I don't think Saturday was the last time these two teams will square off.
I'm looking forward to the second half of this fight.
Norphlet played its best game of the season and showed illness might have really been a factor in its mercy rule home loss to the Lady Trojans last month.
I said when the season began this series would be like a boxing match.
Parkers Chapel won the regular season series. In boxing, that's five of the first six rounds. This is a 12-round fight, however, and the upcoming rounds are weighted. As you might have guessed, I don't think Saturday was the last time these two teams will square off.
I'm looking forward to the second half of this fight.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Showdown at Woodlawn
Parkers Chapel and Norphlet played a game of can-you-top-this Thursday at the 2A 7-East District Tournament at Woodlawn.
The Lady Trojans opened the tournament with a 49-16 beatdown of Dermott. The Lady Leopards followed with an equally impressive 55-33 win over Junction City, which was a 31-point game to start the fourth.
Parkers Chapel and Norphlet will meet Saturday in the championship game. The Lady Trojans have won the two previous meetings, including a mercy rule at Norphlet a few weeks ago. However, the Lady Leopards have gotten over their flu bug and looked as good as I've seen them this year on Thursday.
Saturday's game should be great. It's almost worth driving to Woodlawn for.
By the way, the folks at Woodlawn have been great so far this week. They've gone out of their way to help Kev Moye and I do our jobs. They put a sign that reads "Media Room" on the library and we've used that to write and send our stories.
I don't like the drive to get there but I must say once we arrive the folks at Woodlawn have been tremendous hosts.
The Lady Trojans opened the tournament with a 49-16 beatdown of Dermott. The Lady Leopards followed with an equally impressive 55-33 win over Junction City, which was a 31-point game to start the fourth.
Parkers Chapel and Norphlet will meet Saturday in the championship game. The Lady Trojans have won the two previous meetings, including a mercy rule at Norphlet a few weeks ago. However, the Lady Leopards have gotten over their flu bug and looked as good as I've seen them this year on Thursday.
Saturday's game should be great. It's almost worth driving to Woodlawn for.
By the way, the folks at Woodlawn have been great so far this week. They've gone out of their way to help Kev Moye and I do our jobs. They put a sign that reads "Media Room" on the library and we've used that to write and send our stories.
I don't like the drive to get there but I must say once we arrive the folks at Woodlawn have been tremendous hosts.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
It's do-or-die time
Union County lost its first basketball team on Wednesday as Strong's girls fell to Dermott 32-23 in the 2A 7-East District Tournament at Woodlawn. It's been 10 years since the Lady Bulldogs failed to make state, much less the regional.
A nearly 15-minute scoring drought in the second half did in Strong.
Junction City nearly suffered the same fate against Woodlawn. Leading scorer Ebony Holyfield fouled out with nearly six minutes to go in the game. Coach Henry Harrell's bench came up big as the Lady Dragons rallied to tie the game with 11 seconds left and won it in overtime 57-48.
It was a thrilling game between two teams that played like they knew what was at stake. When the Lady Dragons went up by three possessions in the overtime, some of the Lady Bears couldn't contain their emotions, weeping on the court despite time still being on the clock.
No, I don't like seeing children cry. But, I do love emotion. I like it when players leave everything on the court and play the game as if it's their last one.
It's been a long boring season for me but Junction City and Woodlawn got some of the old juices flowing. Those girls got after it and fought for 32 minutes and on into overtime.
The Lady Dragons will keep playing basketball at Woodlawn and on into the regional tournament next week at Foreman.
The road ended for Strong, however. Hopefully, the Lady Bulldogs got close enough to the prize to know what an off-season of hard work could produce next year.
A nearly 15-minute scoring drought in the second half did in Strong.
Junction City nearly suffered the same fate against Woodlawn. Leading scorer Ebony Holyfield fouled out with nearly six minutes to go in the game. Coach Henry Harrell's bench came up big as the Lady Dragons rallied to tie the game with 11 seconds left and won it in overtime 57-48.
It was a thrilling game between two teams that played like they knew what was at stake. When the Lady Dragons went up by three possessions in the overtime, some of the Lady Bears couldn't contain their emotions, weeping on the court despite time still being on the clock.
No, I don't like seeing children cry. But, I do love emotion. I like it when players leave everything on the court and play the game as if it's their last one.
It's been a long boring season for me but Junction City and Woodlawn got some of the old juices flowing. Those girls got after it and fought for 32 minutes and on into overtime.
The Lady Dragons will keep playing basketball at Woodlawn and on into the regional tournament next week at Foreman.
The road ended for Strong, however. Hopefully, the Lady Bulldogs got close enough to the prize to know what an off-season of hard work could produce next year.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Former players turn into coaches
I missed Dual State this season for the first time in 20 years. Didn’t watch a single game. Turns out, I missed an opportunity to watch one of my favorite former players coach. I didn’t even know Mandy Rook was the girls coach at Sparkman.
She joined her brother Chad Rook, who is still the boys coach at Haynesville. Their dad, Arkadelphia coach Lynn Rook, came down to watch his kids. I’m not sure about Jeremy Rook. I think he’s still coaching at Ouachita but don’t quote me on that one.
That’s quite the family coaching tree. I remember watching all of the Rooks while they were at Norphlet.
It also makes for quite a large number of former Union County athletes who have gone into the coaching business. Most folks know about Union’s Justin Welch, who led Norphlet’s girls to their first state tournament in more than 20 years. He has the Lady Leopards ranked among the state’s top teams in Class 2A this season.
Parkers Chapel’s Jamie Ball is coaching at Strong this season. Union’s Sharonda Davis is ninth grade girls coach at El Dorado. Union’s John Thompson assists Welch and is head coach of the junior boys at Norphlet.
There are so many others. Norphlet’s Amy Kennedy was an assistant at Sheridan. Former El Dorado point guard Kristian Tester is the seventh grade coach at Chaffin in Fort Smith. Parkers Chapel’s Josh Layman is at Centerpoint coaching junior boys. The Knights were 12-6 before meeting Prescott for the conference title. Union’s Josh Smith is at Desoto Central, coaching senior high girls in Mississippi. He didn’t give me his record. Must not be great.
Parkers Chapel graduate Mikey Moss is having an experience and a half at Oark, one of the smallest public schools in Arkansas with 142 students in grades K-12.
Oark is apart of the Jasper School District and is located 22 miles north of Clarksville on Hwy. 215.
Moss head coaches all four teams. Oark’s senior boys are 3-16. The senior girls are 2-14. The junior boys are 3-16 and his junior girls were 3-10 at Christmas break before having to forfeit the rest of the season.
“This year my senior boys were able to win their first game as a program in nearly five seasons,” said Moss. “My senior girls won their first game in nearly eight seasons. I know it doesn't seem like much, but last year my overall record was like 4-82ish... with my junior boys being the only team to win games in the last 3-4 years.”
If adversity really does built character, I’d vote Mikey Moss for president. Well, maybe mayor.
She joined her brother Chad Rook, who is still the boys coach at Haynesville. Their dad, Arkadelphia coach Lynn Rook, came down to watch his kids. I’m not sure about Jeremy Rook. I think he’s still coaching at Ouachita but don’t quote me on that one.
That’s quite the family coaching tree. I remember watching all of the Rooks while they were at Norphlet.
It also makes for quite a large number of former Union County athletes who have gone into the coaching business. Most folks know about Union’s Justin Welch, who led Norphlet’s girls to their first state tournament in more than 20 years. He has the Lady Leopards ranked among the state’s top teams in Class 2A this season.
Parkers Chapel’s Jamie Ball is coaching at Strong this season. Union’s Sharonda Davis is ninth grade girls coach at El Dorado. Union’s John Thompson assists Welch and is head coach of the junior boys at Norphlet.
There are so many others. Norphlet’s Amy Kennedy was an assistant at Sheridan. Former El Dorado point guard Kristian Tester is the seventh grade coach at Chaffin in Fort Smith. Parkers Chapel’s Josh Layman is at Centerpoint coaching junior boys. The Knights were 12-6 before meeting Prescott for the conference title. Union’s Josh Smith is at Desoto Central, coaching senior high girls in Mississippi. He didn’t give me his record. Must not be great.
Parkers Chapel graduate Mikey Moss is having an experience and a half at Oark, one of the smallest public schools in Arkansas with 142 students in grades K-12.
Oark is apart of the Jasper School District and is located 22 miles north of Clarksville on Hwy. 215.
Moss head coaches all four teams. Oark’s senior boys are 3-16. The senior girls are 2-14. The junior boys are 3-16 and his junior girls were 3-10 at Christmas break before having to forfeit the rest of the season.
“This year my senior boys were able to win their first game as a program in nearly five seasons,” said Moss. “My senior girls won their first game in nearly eight seasons. I know it doesn't seem like much, but last year my overall record was like 4-82ish... with my junior boys being the only team to win games in the last 3-4 years.”
If adversity really does built character, I’d vote Mikey Moss for president. Well, maybe mayor.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Emilee excels
Congratulations to Cutter Morning Star's Emilee Scroggins. Emilee is the daughter of former Parkers Chapel coach Lee Scroggins. She's come back from a debilitating illness as a sophomore and is finally back up to full steam as a senior.
Her team is 17-5 with 3 of losses to top-ranked ranked Jessieville in Class 3A.
"We had a shot at beating them in two of those games, but they pulled away in the fourth each time," said her father.
Emily is averaging 18 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.1 steals, 2.2 assists and 1.6 blocked shots. She's shooting 54% from 2-pt. range, 34.8 from 3-pt. range and 67% at the line.
"The free throws are driving me nuts," said Lee. "She will hit streaks of 10-15 in a row then go 3 for 10 for a couple of games."
Still, she has her team in second place in the conference. Despite being the focal point of opposing defenses, Emilee has managed to have an outstanding senior season.
"She is seeing almost constant box-and-one or some type of gimmick defenses and she has really done a good job of moving without the ball and taking what the defense gives her," says her proud papa. "I can’t believe it is really coming to an end."
Her team is 17-5 with 3 of losses to top-ranked ranked Jessieville in Class 3A.
"We had a shot at beating them in two of those games, but they pulled away in the fourth each time," said her father.
Emily is averaging 18 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.1 steals, 2.2 assists and 1.6 blocked shots. She's shooting 54% from 2-pt. range, 34.8 from 3-pt. range and 67% at the line.
"The free throws are driving me nuts," said Lee. "She will hit streaks of 10-15 in a row then go 3 for 10 for a couple of games."
Still, she has her team in second place in the conference. Despite being the focal point of opposing defenses, Emilee has managed to have an outstanding senior season.
"She is seeing almost constant box-and-one or some type of gimmick defenses and she has really done a good job of moving without the ball and taking what the defense gives her," says her proud papa. "I can’t believe it is really coming to an end."
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
PC? Wow!
Wow!
That's about all I can say after watching Parkers Chapel rip through Norphlet 54-37 Tuesday night. The Lady Trojans went up 54-24 with 5:11 left to play to trigger the mercy rule.
I didn't see that coming. No one else did, either, including PC coach Mark Young. The giddy Young could hardly contain himself when I talked to him afterward.
Obviously, the Lady Leopards did not play as well as they had hoped. Coach Justin Welch said the flu bug has been a factor. But, the black plague wouldn't explain a 30-point beatdown at home with first place in conference on the line.
Norphlet didn't look good. But, PC looked awesome.
I've only seen the Lady Trojans three or four times this season because of the inferior competition. But, their twosome of Savanna Langston and Jordan Carr never stops impressing me. Langston scored 22 points with 18 rebounds, five blocks and four assists. Carr scored 21 points with four steals and three assists. When those two girls come to play, they can dominate most Class 2A schools. More importantly on Tuesday, other Lady Trojans were trying to play with them.
I don't know how far PC can go in state. With two players doing the bulk of the scoring and rebounding and ball handling, I still have my doubts. But, what I saw Tuesday has me excited.
I hope the Lady Leopards can get their act together and start clicking by the postseason. Barring an injury, I'm not going to even question the Lady Trojans.
They're the only team to make me say "wow!" this season.
That's about all I can say after watching Parkers Chapel rip through Norphlet 54-37 Tuesday night. The Lady Trojans went up 54-24 with 5:11 left to play to trigger the mercy rule.
I didn't see that coming. No one else did, either, including PC coach Mark Young. The giddy Young could hardly contain himself when I talked to him afterward.
Obviously, the Lady Leopards did not play as well as they had hoped. Coach Justin Welch said the flu bug has been a factor. But, the black plague wouldn't explain a 30-point beatdown at home with first place in conference on the line.
Norphlet didn't look good. But, PC looked awesome.
I've only seen the Lady Trojans three or four times this season because of the inferior competition. But, their twosome of Savanna Langston and Jordan Carr never stops impressing me. Langston scored 22 points with 18 rebounds, five blocks and four assists. Carr scored 21 points with four steals and three assists. When those two girls come to play, they can dominate most Class 2A schools. More importantly on Tuesday, other Lady Trojans were trying to play with them.
I don't know how far PC can go in state. With two players doing the bulk of the scoring and rebounding and ball handling, I still have my doubts. But, what I saw Tuesday has me excited.
I hope the Lady Leopards can get their act together and start clicking by the postseason. Barring an injury, I'm not going to even question the Lady Trojans.
They're the only team to make me say "wow!" this season.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
My last nerve
I'm sure some folks are looking at me sideways, right now. I really don't care.
Well, I suppose I do care ... a little. If not, why write about it?
Rather than say I don't care, I'll say, 'let me explain.'
There's a reason why I've covered very little high school girls basketball in Union County this season. It's very simple. I'm too old for this ... stuff.
I can't take it. Can't stomach it.
Kids don't know how to play. It's that simple. I get angry when I watch them. My blood pressure rises when I watch them. My eyes water when I watch them. There's a little vein in my forehead that I never before knew existed. I discovered it while watching a girls basketball game this season. I believe the scientific term for this vein is called, "my last nerve."
Girls don't want to play basketball because they don't care enough to learn how to play basketball. That's fine. They have lots of choices and just because basketball isn't their choice, there are plenty of other great ones for them. But, if they don't care enough about basketball to even try to learn how to play, then why should I care enough to work "my last nerve" watching them?
The basketball in Union County is, by far, worse than I ever thought it would be. El Dorado, Parkers Chapel and Norphlet have solid teams with girls who have devoted their own time toward the sport. I could watch these three teams play each other in any combination seven nights a week without ever getting bored.
I can't watch one of these teams play a group of girls that doesn't take basketball very seriously. Even worse, I can't watch two groups of girls who could care less "competing" on the basketball court in a game of "can you top this?" on the stupid meter.
But Tony, you say, they're just kids.
You're right. Not everyone has to be a great player or even a good player. But, there was a time when you had to give a damn before someone gave you a uniform and put you on a team. I've seen a few young people who, obviously, don't give a hoot. I've seen senior high girls who didn't know where to line up on the free throw line. How the hell am I supposed to write an article for the newspaper about a game when the kids don't even know what to do on a freaking free throw?
Do you know how little that kid cared about basketball when they hadn't followed the sport enough to know the basic rules for a free throw?
She don't care. Why should anyone else?
I've tried to watch the games. I really have. But, I can't find a lot of positives to write about. I'm trying so hard not to embarrass a kid in the paper. So, I stay away.
If you can't say something good, don't say anything. I'll wait until I see something good before I write anything. I feel bad. Feel a little guilty. But, it's the only way I can keep my sanity and avoid hurting some child's feelings.
I'm sorry. And, I do care. But, this piss poor level of play is working my last nerve.
Well, I suppose I do care ... a little. If not, why write about it?
Rather than say I don't care, I'll say, 'let me explain.'
There's a reason why I've covered very little high school girls basketball in Union County this season. It's very simple. I'm too old for this ... stuff.
I can't take it. Can't stomach it.
Kids don't know how to play. It's that simple. I get angry when I watch them. My blood pressure rises when I watch them. My eyes water when I watch them. There's a little vein in my forehead that I never before knew existed. I discovered it while watching a girls basketball game this season. I believe the scientific term for this vein is called, "my last nerve."
Girls don't want to play basketball because they don't care enough to learn how to play basketball. That's fine. They have lots of choices and just because basketball isn't their choice, there are plenty of other great ones for them. But, if they don't care enough about basketball to even try to learn how to play, then why should I care enough to work "my last nerve" watching them?
The basketball in Union County is, by far, worse than I ever thought it would be. El Dorado, Parkers Chapel and Norphlet have solid teams with girls who have devoted their own time toward the sport. I could watch these three teams play each other in any combination seven nights a week without ever getting bored.
I can't watch one of these teams play a group of girls that doesn't take basketball very seriously. Even worse, I can't watch two groups of girls who could care less "competing" on the basketball court in a game of "can you top this?" on the stupid meter.
But Tony, you say, they're just kids.
You're right. Not everyone has to be a great player or even a good player. But, there was a time when you had to give a damn before someone gave you a uniform and put you on a team. I've seen a few young people who, obviously, don't give a hoot. I've seen senior high girls who didn't know where to line up on the free throw line. How the hell am I supposed to write an article for the newspaper about a game when the kids don't even know what to do on a freaking free throw?
Do you know how little that kid cared about basketball when they hadn't followed the sport enough to know the basic rules for a free throw?
She don't care. Why should anyone else?
I've tried to watch the games. I really have. But, I can't find a lot of positives to write about. I'm trying so hard not to embarrass a kid in the paper. So, I stay away.
If you can't say something good, don't say anything. I'll wait until I see something good before I write anything. I feel bad. Feel a little guilty. But, it's the only way I can keep my sanity and avoid hurting some child's feelings.
I'm sorry. And, I do care. But, this piss poor level of play is working my last nerve.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Good golly, Miss Molly
An interesting thing happened on my visit to the doctor last week. I went in for my annual checkup and told the doctor about a pain in my foot. He chastised me for telling him at the last minute then sent me to get it x-rayed.
Low and behold, who did I find waiting for me in the x-ray room? Molly Belin.
Actually, I guess it's Molly Taylor, now. But, she'll always been Molly Belin, Union's all-time 3-point bomber, to me.
Anyway, we exchanged pleasantries. Then she told me to strip naked. I said, "Good Golly, Miss Molly, it's my foot!"
I'm joking.
But, she put my foot on the table with me sitting up. She instructed me to sit my foot flat while tilting my knee in some awkward direction. She proceeded to take three x-rays all from angles that were physically painful.
The fact that she thought my pain was funny leaves me suspicious.
Anyway, the x-ray revealed a spur in my heel. She explained what could be done, showed me exactly what it looked like and all that.
All in all, I was impressed with Miss Molly. I think I pulled a muscle and I'm walking with a new limp, but she seemed to know what she was doing. Maybe that's how it works, I went in complaining about a pain in my heel and walked out with a pain in my knee.
I'm joking. Well, not really.
But, it's nice to see people I watched grow up advance into hard-working professionals. It makes me feel old and happy. To think, they closed Union down because the kids weren't getting a quality education.
It worked just fine for Molly.
Low and behold, who did I find waiting for me in the x-ray room? Molly Belin.
Actually, I guess it's Molly Taylor, now. But, she'll always been Molly Belin, Union's all-time 3-point bomber, to me.
Anyway, we exchanged pleasantries. Then she told me to strip naked. I said, "Good Golly, Miss Molly, it's my foot!"
I'm joking.
But, she put my foot on the table with me sitting up. She instructed me to sit my foot flat while tilting my knee in some awkward direction. She proceeded to take three x-rays all from angles that were physically painful.
The fact that she thought my pain was funny leaves me suspicious.
Anyway, the x-ray revealed a spur in my heel. She explained what could be done, showed me exactly what it looked like and all that.
All in all, I was impressed with Miss Molly. I think I pulled a muscle and I'm walking with a new limp, but she seemed to know what she was doing. Maybe that's how it works, I went in complaining about a pain in my heel and walked out with a pain in my knee.
I'm joking. Well, not really.
But, it's nice to see people I watched grow up advance into hard-working professionals. It makes me feel old and happy. To think, they closed Union down because the kids weren't getting a quality education.
It worked just fine for Molly.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Goodbye Shea Wilson
We found out recently that long-time News-Times managing editor Shea Wilson had resigned. She will be leaving for a new job in a couple of weeks.
Shea and I began at the News-Times back in about 1990. She arrived about a month after I did. I believe I arrived about three or four months after Roderick Harrington.
I look back at that summer as the day the News-Times was born. Some readers may think it the day the news died. We certainly didn't please everyone as changes have been made to the paper in the last twenty years. We did our best, though.
Anyway, Shea has been my boss for the last probably ten or twelve years, I guess. I'm not sure because it's been more like a co-worker relationship.
I enjoyed Shea's time in power for a couple of reasons.
One, she was easy to work with. She never flinched when she had to shell out for a week's stay in a hotel or when we had two-hundred dollar gas bills for traveling.
Two, she was easy to work with. The schedule of a sports writer who covers high schools is not 9-to-5. It's more like 7-to-2. Some editors want to see us in the office at three o'clock, which is unfortunate because there's nothing to do at three o'clock except sit in the office. Shea never had a problem with us managing our own schedule around our sports events. I started doing most of my work at home as far as features and stuff. I could go weeks at a time without seeing her and it wasn't a problem as long as the sports section was produced in the News-Times.
Three, she was easy to work with. When my father died, she immediately told me to go and take care of my business. She said to take as long as I needed. She's done this for everyone in the office at some point. It sounds like a no-brainer of an idea but not every boss follows this rule.
Four, she fed us at Christmas. Shea would invite the office to her house for the holidays. It was always an impressive spread. Once, when I couldn't get away she sent some rum-smothered fudge back to the office. How many bosses will do that?
In twenty years together, Shea and I developed a bit of a friendship. I always enjoyed stopping in her office and chit-chatting for about five minutes every once in awhile. We could talk about some angry reader who voiced their displeasure or her love of freaking bulldogs. Whatever. It was a luxury most people don't have with their bosses. That's because it's almost impossible to be a boss and a friend at the same time.
Shea managed to balance the two - at least with me. For that, I would like to say Congratulations Mrs. Wilson and I'm going to miss you. As a boss, but even more as a friend.
Shea and I began at the News-Times back in about 1990. She arrived about a month after I did. I believe I arrived about three or four months after Roderick Harrington.
I look back at that summer as the day the News-Times was born. Some readers may think it the day the news died. We certainly didn't please everyone as changes have been made to the paper in the last twenty years. We did our best, though.
Anyway, Shea has been my boss for the last probably ten or twelve years, I guess. I'm not sure because it's been more like a co-worker relationship.
I enjoyed Shea's time in power for a couple of reasons.
One, she was easy to work with. She never flinched when she had to shell out for a week's stay in a hotel or when we had two-hundred dollar gas bills for traveling.
Two, she was easy to work with. The schedule of a sports writer who covers high schools is not 9-to-5. It's more like 7-to-2. Some editors want to see us in the office at three o'clock, which is unfortunate because there's nothing to do at three o'clock except sit in the office. Shea never had a problem with us managing our own schedule around our sports events. I started doing most of my work at home as far as features and stuff. I could go weeks at a time without seeing her and it wasn't a problem as long as the sports section was produced in the News-Times.
Three, she was easy to work with. When my father died, she immediately told me to go and take care of my business. She said to take as long as I needed. She's done this for everyone in the office at some point. It sounds like a no-brainer of an idea but not every boss follows this rule.
Four, she fed us at Christmas. Shea would invite the office to her house for the holidays. It was always an impressive spread. Once, when I couldn't get away she sent some rum-smothered fudge back to the office. How many bosses will do that?
In twenty years together, Shea and I developed a bit of a friendship. I always enjoyed stopping in her office and chit-chatting for about five minutes every once in awhile. We could talk about some angry reader who voiced their displeasure or her love of freaking bulldogs. Whatever. It was a luxury most people don't have with their bosses. That's because it's almost impossible to be a boss and a friend at the same time.
Shea managed to balance the two - at least with me. For that, I would like to say Congratulations Mrs. Wilson and I'm going to miss you. As a boss, but even more as a friend.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Norphlet grows from loss
It's too bad the final score was 65-40.
Norphlet actually had a slightly better showing than that last week in its loss to El Dorado in the Camden Fairview Holiday Classic.
The Lady Leopards led at halftime by five before the Lady Wildcats dominated the second half.
Although it was a loss, I'm thinking this will help Norphlet later on in the season. I'm a big believer in teams learning more from losses than from victories. There's a certain kind of toughness that's built when you have to try and figure out a way to beat a superior opponent. Even in defeat, I think it can toughen the shell a little bit, especially when you have a modicum of success.
The Lady Leopards will be in that position again. At some point, they will have to dig deep and figure out a way to win a game. It may not be a superior opponent next time. It may be just one of those games where they don't get a break, where the other team can't miss and the refs can't get a call right.
Whatever the reason and whenever it happens, Norphlet can look back at its loss to El Dorado. The Lady Leopards have had the odds stacked against them before.
Whenever the chips are down again, don't bet against Norphlet.
Norphlet actually had a slightly better showing than that last week in its loss to El Dorado in the Camden Fairview Holiday Classic.
The Lady Leopards led at halftime by five before the Lady Wildcats dominated the second half.
Although it was a loss, I'm thinking this will help Norphlet later on in the season. I'm a big believer in teams learning more from losses than from victories. There's a certain kind of toughness that's built when you have to try and figure out a way to beat a superior opponent. Even in defeat, I think it can toughen the shell a little bit, especially when you have a modicum of success.
The Lady Leopards will be in that position again. At some point, they will have to dig deep and figure out a way to win a game. It may not be a superior opponent next time. It may be just one of those games where they don't get a break, where the other team can't miss and the refs can't get a call right.
Whatever the reason and whenever it happens, Norphlet can look back at its loss to El Dorado. The Lady Leopards have had the odds stacked against them before.
Whenever the chips are down again, don't bet against Norphlet.
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