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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)