The Chief always points out that Clark Kent was a mild-mannered reporter.
All this snow is not keeping me mild, and my recent demeanor won’t be applauded by Miss Manners.
It’s been an exercise in patience trying to get in all the high school basketball tournament games. If you notice a few bald athletic directors, it’s because they’ve pulled their hair out rescheduling games.
We’re now into the second full week of rescheduling, and more than once I’ve headed to a site only to find the lights out.
“Everyone talks about the weather, but nobody does anything about it.”
That quote supposedly came from famous punster Mark Twain, but Charles Dudley Warner, a neighbor of Twain, is considered by some sources as the original source. Irregardless, I’m guessing neither was talking about a postponed basketball game. Yes, you always learn something when you read this column.
Accordingly, I’m considering proposing a weather prediction column to The Chief. Mine won’t be named after stars, insects, sonar or anything that implies panic. Nor, will I use those ridiculous catchphrases like polar vortex, derecho, circular front displacement or double-twisted wind sheer cellular movement.
For a name, I might consider the Wild Bill Wild Guess Forecast, or in keeping with the tradition of hanging the Old Farmer’s Almanac on a nail in a privy, The Wild Bill In-house/Outhouse Weather Breakout.
Bottom line, look out the window, wet your finger and check for rings around the moon. You won’t be any worse for wear.
That being said, let’s take a look at which of our “Big-11” girls and boys teams are still in the mix for a run to the state championships once snowmobiling takes a back seat.
On the girls side, we’re down to two teams. “Big-11” poll leader William Fleming is on a roll and was set for a 4A Conference 24 semifinal against Pulaski County on Friday night. Lord Botetourt has advanced to next week’s 3A West Regional against a team to be determined.
On the boys side, five squads remain in the hunt.
“Big-11” poll topper William Fleming was set for a 4A Conference 24 semifinal matchup against powerful GW Danville Friday night at 7:45 in a win-or-done showdown in the Colonel gym.
Northside and William Byrd, also “Big-11” Top-3 teams, have already punched their ticket to the 3A West Regionals. Ditto for Cave Spring after their win over Blacksburg in the 3A Conference 32 title game Wednesday night. Glenvar also advances to regional play after reaching the 2A Conference 28 title game against Martinsville.
The most unusual games of the week don’t take a vacation during tournament play.
For starters, how about the William Fleming girls matchup Monday night against E.C. Glass, where the Lady Colonels outscored the Lady Hilltoppers 35-1 in the first quarter on their way to a 88-18 win.
Those 1-point quarters can be equally backbreaking on the boys side. No better evidence than the North Cross VIS Division III quarterfinal loss to Williamsburg Christian Wednesday night where the usually high-scoring Raiders only made a single free throw in the second quarter before falling by 5 points to the Eagles.
But, scoring futility doesn’t always mean defeat. The Lord Botetourt girls posted a goose egg in the second quarter Wednesday night against Rockbridge County, yet still won the game 33-29.
Finally to the mailbag, where one parent is ready for the diamond.
Dear Wild Bill: My son plays high school baseball. How can he get his batting form in shape in this kind of weather? (Gordie/Buena Vista)
Well, Gordie, clear a spot in the driveway and throw him snowballs. A swing is a swing, plus you’ll be the first to know if he’s making contact.
Until next time, send your best pitches to [email protected]
