FlatCreekJim

Summertown @ Moore County MTCS @ Wayne County

1st period - "Man What a Game!" Halftime - "Looks like Wayne Co is going to take control!" 1st part of third period - "Wayne Co can't miss, Summertown can't hit" 2nd part of third period - "Summertown can't miss, Wayne Co can't hit!" 4th period - "What a Game!" Last four seconds - "Wayne County with the threeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, Good!" That's the game in 15 seconds. I listened on the radio.

That's why where ever you go, whoever you play, whatever they're ranked..........you better bring your "A" game!

Yes you did Kim, so now tell me that both Forrest and Moore County are heading for the state with the Cornersville loss!

We don't know yet. The knee cap looked dislocated. An RN there helped calm her and we think it is back in place. She is still swollen with pain around the joint. We have it immobilized and icing it. We'll see the doctor Monday and get an Ortho consult I'm sure. We were up by 10 late in the third when it happened. M.K. feels responsible for the loss. Her team, coach and fans have been very supportive. It's too bad it had to end this way. Cascade finished the game with 5 freshmen on the floor. McEwen played and inside & out offense concentrating on 3 pointers. They didn't have many until late. The ladies did their best but when the Lady Warriors caught fire in the fourth quarter they started pressing and the inexperience hurt us. All in all I think Cascade starting one senior, a sophomore and 3 freshmen in the best district in the state they played very well all year. I'm very proud of them and their accomplishments.

The funny thing about the written word, it comes back to bite you. The district tourney mirrored the regular season. Therefore it's hard to justify any "luck" changing things at the end. So let’s see how things went. My predictions were: 1)Forrest (11-3) 1)Moore Co (11-3) 3)Cascade (10-4) 4)Community (9-5) 5)MTCS (7-7) 6)Eagleville (6-8) 7)Huntland (2-12) 8)F.C. Boyd (0-14) Now for the excuses. WOW 14-0. I knew Forrest was strong but figured they'd trip at least once. A couple of close games. A 1 point victory @ Moore County and an overtime with Cascade but no one else got close! I look for them to go deep in the state tourney, if! If they play and shot like the last game against Cascade. If they shot like they did against Moore County it could end any night including the Region Semi-final against a probable matchup with MTCS. Moore County played excellent ball all year long. With only 2 losses in district to Forrest they were a solid 2nd and they and Forrest outpaced everyone else in the 9A. Everyone has a few bad games each year. I haven't seen or heard from them about one so let's hope it doesn't come in the next 4 games or so. They could go a couiple of games deep in the state also. I look for them to be strong next year in district. MTCS finished 9-5 in district this year. I really thought Community was the one team they would have match-up problems with but Huntland is the one that pulled off a home win against them. Cascade and Eagleville were not able to overcome them and they took care of business and finished 2 spots higher than I predicted. They'll likely play Forrest in Region Semis. They are capable but again "can" they? Cascade finished 8-6 and surprised me as well as made me look a little foolish. The loss of a senior early in the season cost them dearly and a lot of pressure was put on 14 and 15 year olds to compete against 17-18 year olds in the toughest district in single A (IMHO). Their senior leader was given serious defensive attention whenever the ball touched her hands. Sometimes it worked out sometimes not. I think starting 1 senior, 1 sophomore and 3 freshmen is a recipe for disaster and considering this, they played as well as they could and finished probably 2 spots higher than most predicted. Community again baffles me. Best group of seniors in the district but not able to put things together when they needed to. 2 overtime losses to Cascade and a 4 point loss to Eagleville and 2 point loss to MTCS means they could have finished a little higher but every time they took the court they were a serious threat to any team they played. Eagleville and Huntland both finished 3-10 in district play. It was a tough season for both. As I thought it didn't help Huntland joining 9A but they have the toughest place to play on the road in district. I often officiated down there and that little gym has seen a lot of magic in it's time. Eagleville has one of the nicest places to play as well as my nomination for the "Most Supreme and Superior" Concession stand! All others pail in comparison to their mighty baked potato with BBQ! They also have some good young talent and will be around to be a vital player in 9A. F.C. Boyd did what they could but again with such a small student body it's tough in this district. You have to give them credit though; they come out every game and give it their all. Good luck tp all in Regions and beyond and thank you ladies of 9A for another wonderful basketball season to remember! Now we sit and watch as the final equations are worked out!

Hey Wingman! Pass the salt!

I'm hoping for 2 fantastic games and one upset! Go Lady Champions!

Hmmm, looks like the SCHS and LCHS rivalry is about to be "spiced" up a bit. Like it really needed any more "spice"!

Excellent post...I agree that consistency is an important aspect of officiating and one that I welcome as well. However, a good dose of common sense has to be incorporated as well. Unfortunately, common sense is an oxymoron these days. For instance, from the example you gave above, how long does an official give a coach to get back in the box? Does 1 second longer justify giving a "T" vs. not? The problem with consistency is that it can be "good" or "bad." Consistently bad is probably no better than being inconsistent. The issues you mention above are all reasons why I suggest that getting supervisors to do their job and performing fair, but accurate, evaluations is key. That coupled with school officials', i.e. coaches, ADs or administrators, inputs could possibly work. One obvious drawback is that supervisors can't be at every game. Furthermore, when supervisors do attend games, the officials tend to be on their best behavior. I'm not sure what the solution is, but I do believe you hit on another key ingredient necessary for any system to work - CHARACTER. As a matter of fact, if all coaches, officials, and supervisors had IT; there probably wouldn't be much to debate... HOME RUN!

I think it could be done. Other states do it. The thing about it is you can't hold a mistake against an official. They are made, all ARE human. I think Coaches should also be held accountable for their comments and antics courtside. Be careful what you wish for. So HERE's the slippery slope we draw towards............. There's a rating system in place. Official A has gotten 3 bad reports from Philbert H.S. coaches. He gets assigned to them for an important game that will determine #1 or #2 seating in the district tournament. The game is close and heated. The coaches, players and fans believe this game may determine how far they go in the tournament. Official A calls traveling because steps are taken, not seeing a push from the defensive player. This happens in front of Philbert's bench. The coach, players and fans go ballistic. The official turns to the coach and ask him to get back in the box. He is slow to respond, a technical is called. Philbert's opponent gets the ball and scores. As Philbert is trying to get the ball up court for the final shot their guard collides with the defender. He lowered his shoulder but the player was moving and not playing good defense. Blocking is called. The opposing coach, players and fans duplicate the actions of Philbert's team earlier. Only this time when motioned back into the box the coach complies and no Technical is called. The shots are missed by the Philbert freethrow shooter. The opposing team rebounds the ball, time expires and Philbert loses. They give the official an adverse report. Claiming no Technical was called on their opponent for the same action they had committed. Technically the truth, but not the truth in the "spirit" of the law. The official did his job correctly. He allowed for the excitement and energy of the game to happen without changing the outcome. Once he attempted to regain control and calm things down one coach complied, one did not. From this point on, Official A has no choice but to enforce the "letter" of the law. Outta the box means "T". Even if it's your little toe! ;P The game will be wrecked for all, including the official. I've played, coached and officiated. I know what I'm talking about. It will depend on who evaluates the reports. I knew coaches that thought they should get calls because they were in their home gym. I knew officials that would call against coaches because of things that happened earlier in the season or seasons before. So an evaluation process would not only evaluate the officials but shed some light on the coaches and schools also. But look for games to become more closely called, players and fans ejected, I think it could actually get worse. My question would be were do you find someone with the character and morale strength to do this? What makes me so angry is the inconsistency of how rules are enforced. I was at one game where a home team student had a plastic horn from the Dollar Store or somewhere. The crowds for both teams were tame and not producing much noise! Someone blew the horn once, while an opposing player was preparing to shoot a foul shot. You would have thought a gun had been fired! The official laid on his whistle running and taking the ball from the shooter then stopped play and notified the principal. The game was not started back until this horn was found and removed from the gym. Since then the same team was on the road in a critical district game. With less than 4 seconds left one of the visiting players was at the line for 1 and 1. This would mean the ballgame. The home students where allowed to come out of the stands, kneel and beat the floor, on the playing floor! The officials watched and did nothing! That's what a lot of us are getting tired of, and why so many people want to talk about it.

Hey Kim! I listened to the game and your announcers said M.K. Potts hit the 3 at the buzzer but the officials waved it off. I talked with two others at the game and they said the basket should have counted. Did you see it? I mean it wouldn't change the outcome but as hard as points are to get against ya'll!......

M.K. (Mary Katherine) Potts from Cascade H.S. a 5'6" guard verbally committed to Motlow State! Way to go M.K.!

I agree ptguard12. But I thought so last year also. I guess that's why we play them.....

Playing time and game strategy IS NOT the parents concern. That is the coach's job. I just want to ensure that my children are treated fairly and in a descent manner. In my view coaches are like the CEO's of the team. If they chose to run it in the ground then it's THEIR job, livelihood, reputation and ultimately their legacy. If they destroy it they won't last long. I always looked at a coach as a mentor to his/her team. Not only should they have the knowledge and wisdom to win athletic contest, they should be an example to their team members and peers. I believe being a coach or mentor is the highest calling one can answer. Imagine the lives you influence and change for the better teaching life lessons through athletics!