Not off the Press: Let's get Technical
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
Well, the hot topic this week is the final quarter of the Hillsboro Indians and Waverly Tigers boys basketball sectional final at Southeastern High School on Friday night.
I see that as a good starting point, so why don't we get technical?
There are MANY things about high school sports that get on my last nerve, and thankfully the players make it worthwhile to keep coming back each year.
I do have problems with how things turned out Friday night. Even if the Indians would have won the game, the feelings I have toward the final 5:00 would still be the same. (Maybe that's why I have this stomachache on Sunday.)
Here is what I had a problem with involving the last 5:00 of the HHS-Waverly game, with all the technical fouls.
It seemed like an act of showmanship, and the game went into complete circus mode for the final five minutes. The fouls ruined the pace of the game, which was one of the better games I've attended this season. The two technical fouls, I will never agree with, and once those calls happened, the game went into a different direction for both teams.
But there were still five minutes left in the game, and it was tied again later in the quarter at 41 with 4:21 left. So, were the calls wrong … yes. Did it cause the Indians to not make many shots for the remainder of the game, even before they had to start tossing hurried shots at the hoop … no.
Still, it did change the pace of the game - so while maybe it didn't cause them to lose, it didn't help any - and the pace should have never been changed by an official.
I didn't like some of the actions of one of the officials, who handed out technical fouls like candy at a parade at times during the last five minutes. I don't know the official personally, so I'm not going to let one heated moment judge his character.
Everyone has to agree this game was very emotional. Remember the first half, when players were bumping and staring each other down?
But yes, the first technical on Aric Carroll was and always will be wrong. He didn't even do anything but just stand there with the basketball, bouncing it and catching it (at his waist), away from everyone. It's not like he slammed the ball to the ceiling.
But again, I was told over the weekend some officials see bouncing the basketball in that manner as a sign of disrespect. I'm not an official, so I don't know. If any official has an opinion about that, I'd like to know.
I've seen Aric play sports for four years now, and he never runs his mouth, plus it happened right in front of me: he said nothing. Heck, I rarely hear him talk. Plus, I've had the opportunity to talk to him a few times, and he has class and a bright future ahead of him. When I think of players with class and who play with sportsmanship, Aric Carroll comes to mind.
I've never complained about officials by name in a column; in fact, some of them are very good. Those officials know they are just one part of the game, not the game itself. I just get tired of seeing all the attitudes with some officials, who want to take over the game, whether it be with the players or coaches.
To all the officials who respect the game of basketball, thank you for putting up with all that you do in a fair manner. I'd never want that job.
Now, onto other news …
• Three teams remain in tournament
As of this weekend, we have just three teams remaining in tournament play in Highland County. The Lynchburg-Clay Lady Mustangs play Monday at Waverly, and on Tuesday, the Fairfield Lions and Whiteoak Wildcats play in separate games at Valley High School with start times of 6:15 and 8 p.m.
The winners of all three games will earn a spot either in a district final or district semifinal game at the Convocation Center in Athens.
Good luck to all the teams this week. Check out the HCP website for previews to all three games.
• Soccer news
This is from the OHSAA Board of Directors Meeting notes (Feb. 22): "The soccer coaches association made two proposals. First, that the OHSAA expand its girls tournament to include three divisions instead of the two divisions that are currently sponsored. Second, the coaches association asked that if the first proposal is accepted, that the Board consider alternating the state championship games so that every other year, the girls finals will be on Friday and the boys finals will be on Saturday. Currently, the three boys finals are played on Friday and the two girls finals are played on Saturday."
• 10 thoughts/observations on high school sports
1. Games are way more physical during tournament time, but that is the way sports should be.
2. I want to congratulate the HHS wrestlers who took part in the district tournament. Nice job by the Indians gaining some wins along the way.
3. I can't wait for spring sports. I miss being at a baseball field.
4. Speaking of baseball, do you realize we have four teams looking to defend their respective league title?
5. Waverly junior Jake Kretzer is a darn good basketball player. Gaining 1,000 points with one year left, that is the real deal.
6. While reading the latest edition of the OHSAA Magazine (Winter 2011), I found out the Five W's of Interscholastic Athletics. The list is a Who, What, Where, When and Why type of list. I like the What: "We're the builders of tomorrow's community leaders, not farm clubs for college and professional teams."
7. Some schools have Pay-to-Participate, and in the Southeast District of the 39 responses, (as of Nov. 18, 2010) only eight were Pay-to-Participate.
8. I find it hard to believe this basketball season is closer to being over than starting. Seems like yesterday I was working on the preview stories and player profiles.
9. What is the best team in the history of Highland County basketball?
10. Here is another motto from the OHSAA: "350,000 student-athletes, 1,640 member schools, 24 sports and 1 mission."
• Non-high school sports thought
On my way home from Wilmington Sunday, it felt a little bit like summer hearing the voice of Marty Brennaman on the radio, reading the lineup of the Cincinnati Reds before their first spring game. Again, I can't wait for baseball season to start.
• One more non-high school sports thought
I was sad to read about Hall of Famer Duke Snider dying at the age of 84. I wasn't alive when he played, but I love the history of the Brooklyn Dodgers and what that team did for baseball.
• Quote of the Week: "I told him (the official) 'That was a weak one.' I knew that Aric Carroll did not say anything profane. I know Aric Carroll … I've been around Aric for four years, and I know that Aric wasn't going to say anything to deserve a technical foul in that situation. When he (the official) came to me, I said that was a weak one, and then he T'd me up." — HHS head boys basketball coach Tim Davis said following the Waverly-Hillsboro game at SEHS.
• Another Quote of the Week: "It's been the most rewarding season I've ever had, and it's hard to start out 0-7 and come back to win nine games. I can't be more proud of our kids. Very few kids in this day and age would fight like that and put it back together ... put our program back where it belongs by winning a bunch of games at the end. That is not a credit to me or to anyone else, that is a credit to our kids. I've said it over and over, this wasn't the most successful season, but by far the most rewarding." — MHS head coach Brent Eaton said following the MHS-HHS game Tuesday at SEHS.
• Third (and final) Quote of the Week: "We've got not-consistent scoring in the post all year long. We've tried different people, but it's just been an adventure … It's like going to Disney World. We are just trying to find somebody that wants to play in there, and for 21 games, it still never happened." — NA head coach Dave Young following the LC-NA game at Waverly on Monday.
• Stat of the Week: LC's Austin Fawley made five 3-pointers in the first half Monday against North Adams.
• A second Stat of the Week: In the HHS-Waverly boys game, there were a combined three missed free throws. Waverly went 14-of-16 and HHS went 6-of-7.
• A quick observation
The hospitality room at Southeastern was awesome. Thanks for two great meals.
• One last item of business
Some people may not agree with what I wrote earlier about an official or how I presented the game story itself. Some may think I was wrong for not naming the official in question. Some might like that I didn't write the name. Some might think I'm being too nice, too harsh, too easy, or they just don't care at all. All of that is fine. What I want is just for the game to be fair, played and officiated with integrity. I don't think that is too much to ask … for everyone involved.
Stephen Forsha is the sports editor of The Highland County Press. He can be reached at sforsha@gmail.com. Follow Stephen on Twitter at: www.twitter.com/hcpsportseditor.[[In-content Ad]]
I see that as a good starting point, so why don't we get technical?
There are MANY things about high school sports that get on my last nerve, and thankfully the players make it worthwhile to keep coming back each year.
I do have problems with how things turned out Friday night. Even if the Indians would have won the game, the feelings I have toward the final 5:00 would still be the same. (Maybe that's why I have this stomachache on Sunday.)
Here is what I had a problem with involving the last 5:00 of the HHS-Waverly game, with all the technical fouls.
It seemed like an act of showmanship, and the game went into complete circus mode for the final five minutes. The fouls ruined the pace of the game, which was one of the better games I've attended this season. The two technical fouls, I will never agree with, and once those calls happened, the game went into a different direction for both teams.
But there were still five minutes left in the game, and it was tied again later in the quarter at 41 with 4:21 left. So, were the calls wrong … yes. Did it cause the Indians to not make many shots for the remainder of the game, even before they had to start tossing hurried shots at the hoop … no.
Still, it did change the pace of the game - so while maybe it didn't cause them to lose, it didn't help any - and the pace should have never been changed by an official.
I didn't like some of the actions of one of the officials, who handed out technical fouls like candy at a parade at times during the last five minutes. I don't know the official personally, so I'm not going to let one heated moment judge his character.
Everyone has to agree this game was very emotional. Remember the first half, when players were bumping and staring each other down?
But yes, the first technical on Aric Carroll was and always will be wrong. He didn't even do anything but just stand there with the basketball, bouncing it and catching it (at his waist), away from everyone. It's not like he slammed the ball to the ceiling.
But again, I was told over the weekend some officials see bouncing the basketball in that manner as a sign of disrespect. I'm not an official, so I don't know. If any official has an opinion about that, I'd like to know.
I've seen Aric play sports for four years now, and he never runs his mouth, plus it happened right in front of me: he said nothing. Heck, I rarely hear him talk. Plus, I've had the opportunity to talk to him a few times, and he has class and a bright future ahead of him. When I think of players with class and who play with sportsmanship, Aric Carroll comes to mind.
I've never complained about officials by name in a column; in fact, some of them are very good. Those officials know they are just one part of the game, not the game itself. I just get tired of seeing all the attitudes with some officials, who want to take over the game, whether it be with the players or coaches.
To all the officials who respect the game of basketball, thank you for putting up with all that you do in a fair manner. I'd never want that job.
Now, onto other news …
• Three teams remain in tournament
As of this weekend, we have just three teams remaining in tournament play in Highland County. The Lynchburg-Clay Lady Mustangs play Monday at Waverly, and on Tuesday, the Fairfield Lions and Whiteoak Wildcats play in separate games at Valley High School with start times of 6:15 and 8 p.m.
The winners of all three games will earn a spot either in a district final or district semifinal game at the Convocation Center in Athens.
Good luck to all the teams this week. Check out the HCP website for previews to all three games.
• Soccer news
This is from the OHSAA Board of Directors Meeting notes (Feb. 22): "The soccer coaches association made two proposals. First, that the OHSAA expand its girls tournament to include three divisions instead of the two divisions that are currently sponsored. Second, the coaches association asked that if the first proposal is accepted, that the Board consider alternating the state championship games so that every other year, the girls finals will be on Friday and the boys finals will be on Saturday. Currently, the three boys finals are played on Friday and the two girls finals are played on Saturday."
• 10 thoughts/observations on high school sports
1. Games are way more physical during tournament time, but that is the way sports should be.
2. I want to congratulate the HHS wrestlers who took part in the district tournament. Nice job by the Indians gaining some wins along the way.
3. I can't wait for spring sports. I miss being at a baseball field.
4. Speaking of baseball, do you realize we have four teams looking to defend their respective league title?
5. Waverly junior Jake Kretzer is a darn good basketball player. Gaining 1,000 points with one year left, that is the real deal.
6. While reading the latest edition of the OHSAA Magazine (Winter 2011), I found out the Five W's of Interscholastic Athletics. The list is a Who, What, Where, When and Why type of list. I like the What: "We're the builders of tomorrow's community leaders, not farm clubs for college and professional teams."
7. Some schools have Pay-to-Participate, and in the Southeast District of the 39 responses, (as of Nov. 18, 2010) only eight were Pay-to-Participate.
8. I find it hard to believe this basketball season is closer to being over than starting. Seems like yesterday I was working on the preview stories and player profiles.
9. What is the best team in the history of Highland County basketball?
10. Here is another motto from the OHSAA: "350,000 student-athletes, 1,640 member schools, 24 sports and 1 mission."
• Non-high school sports thought
On my way home from Wilmington Sunday, it felt a little bit like summer hearing the voice of Marty Brennaman on the radio, reading the lineup of the Cincinnati Reds before their first spring game. Again, I can't wait for baseball season to start.
• One more non-high school sports thought
I was sad to read about Hall of Famer Duke Snider dying at the age of 84. I wasn't alive when he played, but I love the history of the Brooklyn Dodgers and what that team did for baseball.
• Quote of the Week: "I told him (the official) 'That was a weak one.' I knew that Aric Carroll did not say anything profane. I know Aric Carroll … I've been around Aric for four years, and I know that Aric wasn't going to say anything to deserve a technical foul in that situation. When he (the official) came to me, I said that was a weak one, and then he T'd me up." — HHS head boys basketball coach Tim Davis said following the Waverly-Hillsboro game at SEHS.
• Another Quote of the Week: "It's been the most rewarding season I've ever had, and it's hard to start out 0-7 and come back to win nine games. I can't be more proud of our kids. Very few kids in this day and age would fight like that and put it back together ... put our program back where it belongs by winning a bunch of games at the end. That is not a credit to me or to anyone else, that is a credit to our kids. I've said it over and over, this wasn't the most successful season, but by far the most rewarding." — MHS head coach Brent Eaton said following the MHS-HHS game Tuesday at SEHS.
• Third (and final) Quote of the Week: "We've got not-consistent scoring in the post all year long. We've tried different people, but it's just been an adventure … It's like going to Disney World. We are just trying to find somebody that wants to play in there, and for 21 games, it still never happened." — NA head coach Dave Young following the LC-NA game at Waverly on Monday.
• Stat of the Week: LC's Austin Fawley made five 3-pointers in the first half Monday against North Adams.
• A second Stat of the Week: In the HHS-Waverly boys game, there were a combined three missed free throws. Waverly went 14-of-16 and HHS went 6-of-7.
• A quick observation
The hospitality room at Southeastern was awesome. Thanks for two great meals.
• One last item of business
Some people may not agree with what I wrote earlier about an official or how I presented the game story itself. Some may think I was wrong for not naming the official in question. Some might like that I didn't write the name. Some might think I'm being too nice, too harsh, too easy, or they just don't care at all. All of that is fine. What I want is just for the game to be fair, played and officiated with integrity. I don't think that is too much to ask … for everyone involved.
Stephen Forsha is the sports editor of The Highland County Press. He can be reached at sforsha@gmail.com. Follow Stephen on Twitter at: www.twitter.com/hcpsportseditor.[[In-content Ad]]