The Chief likes eye-catching sporting events.
With high school basketball winding down, no better way than to end our “unusual game of the week” feature than a game that takes the cake. Read on to the end of the column, where two squads put a new twist on advancing to the championship game.
First, we take a look at the three remaining “Big-11” teams that stay in the hunt for a state championship.
On the girls side, William Fleming is peaking at the right time, and the defending Group 4A runners-up may be the team to beat. The Lady Colonels throttled Liberty-Bealeton Monday night 77-41 in the 4A North Regionals, and Champ Hubbard’s team was set to play Charlottesviile High Wednesday night in Charlottesville.
On the boys side, both Northside and William Byrd advanced Monday night as the Vikings edged Cave Spring 62-60 in overtime and Byrd eliminated Blacksburg 67-60. Up for Northside next is a semifinal 3A West matchup at Spottswood High School against Magna Vista at 6:00 pm, while Byrd follows at 7:45 against Spottswood.
In a little housekeeping, thanks go out to veteran high school basketball announcer Dave Ross for inviting yours truly and my Loudmouth pants to be part of a recent radio broadcast. Although it wasn’t designated as such with only Ross and myself doing the play-by-play, it could be assumed with my Loudmouth “Island Girls” being worn on a frigid night, I was the color commentator. Ross is one of the consummate pros in high school broadcasting.
The Monday, March 16th meeting of the Roanoke Valley Sports Club brings veteran college basketball official Roger Ayers as the guest speaker. The 5:45 social is followed by the 6:15 meeting at the Salem Civic Center. Guests and prospective new members are invited. Contact Maggie Drewry at 540-353-1103 for information on tickets and to make a reservation.
Now, to avoid keeping you on hold, we visit the February 21st Tennessee Girls District 7 AAA semifinal game between Riverdale and Smyrna.
An unusual quirk of bracketology left the winner of the matchup playing defending state champs Blackman High in a regional game, so both head coaches, Cory Barrett of Riverdale, and Shawn Middleton, his counterpart at Smyrna, unbeknownst to the other, decided to scheme to get a more favorable opponent in the next round.
But, what happens when both teams try to intentionally lose?
It started innocently with subs starting and both squads missing shots on purpose. When that didn’t work, both teams fouled their opponents to get them in the bonus, sending a player to the free throw line. The free throw shooters countered by intentionally missing the free throws.
Next, realizing both were up to the same stunt, the teams upped the ante. Players dribbled slowly up the court to get a 10-second violation, dribbled over mid court and back to earn that violation and stood in the lane without moving to get a 3-second call.
Finally, with no clear-cut loser in sight, all the stops were pulled and things went further south when a Smyrna player started shooting at the Riverdale basket. For those unfamiliar with the rules, the score would go to the Riverdale team and the basket is credited to the player on that team closest to the basket. Yes, you always learn something when you read this column.
At this point, the referees stopped the game and warned each coach to quit making a mockery of the game.
The Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association disqualified both schools from further tournament play, and fined Smyrna $1,000 and Riverdale $500. Both teams were put on probation and the seniors robbed of completing their season.
Without further comment, we’ll simply digest the strategy.
Until next week, send your fixed inquiries to [email protected]. I’ll be camped in the lane to look ’em over.
– Bill Turner
