Random observations, questions on basketball
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
I want you to sit and think about this for a second … now tell me, what is your favorite thing about basketball and why? Are you a fan of defense? Offense? The overall aspect of the game? When you sit and think about it, exactly what do you love about basketball more than anything else?
Here are some things I’ve noticed while attending basketball games.
Since the start of the girls basketball season in November through Tuesday, Jan. 4, I have attended 23 high school basketball games. In that span, I have witnessed 143 3-pointers from high school players.
Here is a list of players from Highland County who I have watched in person this season make a trifecta, trey or 3-ball (however you want to say it). They include: Lillian Blankenship, Hannah Blankenship, Meredith Fittro, Frankie Wise, Chrissy Cobb, Haley Bingamon, Megan Sword, Tyrand Cumberland, Devante Ames, Jerrod Hart, Christian Cundiff, Colt Coates, Kari Fannin, Joe Michael, Luke Taggert, Gage Carraher, Austin Fawley, Megan Hogle, Taylor Moberly, Cameron Rolark, Cody Tolle, Eli Hogsett, Aric Carroll, Tyler Davidson, Wesley Pierson, Dylan Noll, Zach Uhl, Scott Balzer, Chase Gilliland, Mike Carraher, Chris Cox, Dallas Puckett, Courtney Huff and Quentin Williams.
If I can count right, that is 34 players from the county that I’ve witnessed make a shot from beyond the arc.
Here are some more random facts, thoughts, questions and observations from games I’ve attended this year or just about high school basketball in general.
• In the above list, I didn’t include the 21 players from schools outside of Highland County who tallied 33 of the 143 treys I’ve had the chance to see this season. So, I’ve seen a total of 55 players make at least one 3-pointer.
• The most 3-pointers I’ve seen in a single game this year was Hillsboro vs. Madison-Plains, with a combined 15. Actually, I’ve seen two games with 15 3-pointers when Hillsboro combined with Lynchburg-Clay for the same amount during a boys game.
• From observation, it seems Hillsboro (boys) have the best opportunity to make a 3-pointer. Up to this point of the season, they have had (at least) eight players on their team make at least one shot from downtown.
• The most (3-pointers) by one player in a game (I’ve attended) so far was Fawley against New Boston, making six in the Mustangs’ second win of the year.
• I’ve seen 22 different teams play each other: 12 boys teams, 10 girls teams.
• Of those games, 12 have been between teams from Highland County.
• The best mascot for the way they’ve worked a crowd is the Fairfield Lion. Good job before and during the game to keep the crowd going during the Fayetteville contest.
• I’ve heard cowbell again this year. When I attended a Hillsboro game this year, I wasn’t feeling too good, but once the game was complete, I’d never felt better. I told everyone last season that cowbell is an amazing thing and is the only cure.
• All the student sections have been pretty good this year. The one that stands out the best, near the halfway point of the season, is Hillsboro during boys games. They have creative chants, plus they always welcome the opposing team with a friendly HI (whomever).
• Whiteoak has a $500 half-court shot contest. (Thought to self: I need to get in on that.)
• Speaking of money, I think I’d have a good chance to win a split the pot if I would actually take part in the event. I attend too many games not to. So many missed opportunities.
• I’ve seen more players get technical fouls this year than coaches. Is it me, or is basketball becoming more like another sport in terms of players complaining to officials? Trust me, I’m not the only person thinking this. People who have forgotten more basketball than I will ever know are thinking this.
• My favorite thing about McClain games isn’t the actual game … it’s the box of cookies Karen Yeager brings each time. Though MHS games are fun, the cookies help me forget about dinner.
• I prefer the smaller gyms for a better game atmosphere, rather than the new larger gyms being built. On the other hand, I love all the extra room on the baseline for photography purposes.
• Multiple games at one venue don’t take as long when there is a hospitality room.
• Every time I see the No. 23 on the court, I expect that player to dunk the basketball like Michael Jordan.
• Not enough scoreboards show how many timeouts are remaining from each team.
• All games, no matter if they are boys or girls, should have a PA announcer.
• Fairfield cheerleaders play the drums. Something new and cool for a cheer routine.
• Fans will never be shy when stating their displeasure if a referee misses a call.
• One of the most clutch shots I’ve seen to win a game this season was in a JV game when Ta Captain (HHS) sank a free throw in overtime with no time left on the clock for the win over MP.
• Two other clutch shots that come to mind this season are Joe Michael in the final seconds against LC that won the game, and Chase Gilliland’s jumper at the buzzer vs. Whiteoak, sending the game into OT.
• I like how fans respond with a really loud cheer when a player who doesn’t get much playing time makes a basket. Makes me remember that I used to be that kid when I played baseball.
• Most of the time I still want a 45-second shot clock, and the rest of the time the saying “Listen to your elders” goes through my head. (They like it the way it is.)
• Students yelling air ball at their opponent is OK. Adults doing it, not so much.
• The SHL recognizes every cheerleader, bench player and starter with their own individual introduction.
• Before girls games, they shake hands with the opposing head coach or assistant coach, and sometimes even the referees during introductions. That doesn’t happen much (if ever) before boys games. Am I wrong on this observation?
• When one adult fan responds to (or mocks) what a student section chants from across an empty gym, it usually doesn’t turn out well for that adult. Kinda gives the students extra reason to get even louder. (I find it entertaining at times.)
• Games are always more fun when the pep band is there.
• The best warmup song for basketball is Eminem’s “Till I Collapse.”
• Wouldn’t it be cool if before every tip-off, the old NBA on NBC theme came over the loud speakers?
• It should be a rule that every team should play the intro from the Chicago Bulls during player introductions.
Stephen Forsha is the sports editor of The Highland County Press.[[In-content Ad]]
Here are some things I’ve noticed while attending basketball games.
Since the start of the girls basketball season in November through Tuesday, Jan. 4, I have attended 23 high school basketball games. In that span, I have witnessed 143 3-pointers from high school players.
Here is a list of players from Highland County who I have watched in person this season make a trifecta, trey or 3-ball (however you want to say it). They include: Lillian Blankenship, Hannah Blankenship, Meredith Fittro, Frankie Wise, Chrissy Cobb, Haley Bingamon, Megan Sword, Tyrand Cumberland, Devante Ames, Jerrod Hart, Christian Cundiff, Colt Coates, Kari Fannin, Joe Michael, Luke Taggert, Gage Carraher, Austin Fawley, Megan Hogle, Taylor Moberly, Cameron Rolark, Cody Tolle, Eli Hogsett, Aric Carroll, Tyler Davidson, Wesley Pierson, Dylan Noll, Zach Uhl, Scott Balzer, Chase Gilliland, Mike Carraher, Chris Cox, Dallas Puckett, Courtney Huff and Quentin Williams.
If I can count right, that is 34 players from the county that I’ve witnessed make a shot from beyond the arc.
Here are some more random facts, thoughts, questions and observations from games I’ve attended this year or just about high school basketball in general.
• In the above list, I didn’t include the 21 players from schools outside of Highland County who tallied 33 of the 143 treys I’ve had the chance to see this season. So, I’ve seen a total of 55 players make at least one 3-pointer.
• The most 3-pointers I’ve seen in a single game this year was Hillsboro vs. Madison-Plains, with a combined 15. Actually, I’ve seen two games with 15 3-pointers when Hillsboro combined with Lynchburg-Clay for the same amount during a boys game.
• From observation, it seems Hillsboro (boys) have the best opportunity to make a 3-pointer. Up to this point of the season, they have had (at least) eight players on their team make at least one shot from downtown.
• The most (3-pointers) by one player in a game (I’ve attended) so far was Fawley against New Boston, making six in the Mustangs’ second win of the year.
• I’ve seen 22 different teams play each other: 12 boys teams, 10 girls teams.
• Of those games, 12 have been between teams from Highland County.
• The best mascot for the way they’ve worked a crowd is the Fairfield Lion. Good job before and during the game to keep the crowd going during the Fayetteville contest.
• I’ve heard cowbell again this year. When I attended a Hillsboro game this year, I wasn’t feeling too good, but once the game was complete, I’d never felt better. I told everyone last season that cowbell is an amazing thing and is the only cure.
• All the student sections have been pretty good this year. The one that stands out the best, near the halfway point of the season, is Hillsboro during boys games. They have creative chants, plus they always welcome the opposing team with a friendly HI (whomever).
• Whiteoak has a $500 half-court shot contest. (Thought to self: I need to get in on that.)
• Speaking of money, I think I’d have a good chance to win a split the pot if I would actually take part in the event. I attend too many games not to. So many missed opportunities.
• I’ve seen more players get technical fouls this year than coaches. Is it me, or is basketball becoming more like another sport in terms of players complaining to officials? Trust me, I’m not the only person thinking this. People who have forgotten more basketball than I will ever know are thinking this.
• My favorite thing about McClain games isn’t the actual game … it’s the box of cookies Karen Yeager brings each time. Though MHS games are fun, the cookies help me forget about dinner.
• I prefer the smaller gyms for a better game atmosphere, rather than the new larger gyms being built. On the other hand, I love all the extra room on the baseline for photography purposes.
• Multiple games at one venue don’t take as long when there is a hospitality room.
• Every time I see the No. 23 on the court, I expect that player to dunk the basketball like Michael Jordan.
• Not enough scoreboards show how many timeouts are remaining from each team.
• All games, no matter if they are boys or girls, should have a PA announcer.
• Fairfield cheerleaders play the drums. Something new and cool for a cheer routine.
• Fans will never be shy when stating their displeasure if a referee misses a call.
• One of the most clutch shots I’ve seen to win a game this season was in a JV game when Ta Captain (HHS) sank a free throw in overtime with no time left on the clock for the win over MP.
• Two other clutch shots that come to mind this season are Joe Michael in the final seconds against LC that won the game, and Chase Gilliland’s jumper at the buzzer vs. Whiteoak, sending the game into OT.
• I like how fans respond with a really loud cheer when a player who doesn’t get much playing time makes a basket. Makes me remember that I used to be that kid when I played baseball.
• Most of the time I still want a 45-second shot clock, and the rest of the time the saying “Listen to your elders” goes through my head. (They like it the way it is.)
• Students yelling air ball at their opponent is OK. Adults doing it, not so much.
• The SHL recognizes every cheerleader, bench player and starter with their own individual introduction.
• Before girls games, they shake hands with the opposing head coach or assistant coach, and sometimes even the referees during introductions. That doesn’t happen much (if ever) before boys games. Am I wrong on this observation?
• When one adult fan responds to (or mocks) what a student section chants from across an empty gym, it usually doesn’t turn out well for that adult. Kinda gives the students extra reason to get even louder. (I find it entertaining at times.)
• Games are always more fun when the pep band is there.
• The best warmup song for basketball is Eminem’s “Till I Collapse.”
• Wouldn’t it be cool if before every tip-off, the old NBA on NBC theme came over the loud speakers?
• It should be a rule that every team should play the intro from the Chicago Bulls during player introductions.
Stephen Forsha is the sports editor of The Highland County Press.[[In-content Ad]]