Around the Hardwoods with Wild Bill

VT coach Seth Greenberg and Wild Bill Turner.

by Bill Turner

District playoffs are set to start next week and the tournament matchups are starting to look interesting on both the boys and girls sides. For many area teams, it’s now or never in their quest to hopefully qualify for regional play. For others, their ticket is already punched. Irregardless, tournament time brings out the best games as we roll toward everyone’s goal – the road to Richmond. Here’s a look at what to expect next week.

In the Western Valley, Patrick Henry has home court advantage throughout the district tournament, and is already assured of a regional berth. William Fleming, by virtue of its loss to GW Danville Tuesday night, has seen its season come to an end.

In the Blue Ridge, Northside took second place and William Byrd third heading into tournament play. The River Ridge is still up for grabs as Hidden Valley travels to Christiansburg Friday night with a chance to force a Saturday playoff should the Titans win against the undefeated Blue Demons. Salem has securred third and a first round home game, while Cave Spring will travel to Blacksburg Monday night for a do-or-done contest.

On the girl’s side, PH and Fleming both face first round road games in the Western Valley. Lord Botetourt finished undefeated in the Blue Ridge with their ticket into the regionals punched. Byrd gets the third seed in the district tournament. In the River Ridge, Hidden Valley can secure a first round bye with a regular season win over Christiansburg tonight. Salem has a first round home game, while Cave Spring goes on the road.

Good luck to all our area teams on bringing their “A” game to the playoffs.

In the unusual games of last week, we first go to Dry Fork,Va where the Tunstall Trojans definitely experienced a draught. Hosting Magna Vista, Tunstall’s point totals for the first three quarters came in at two, two and four respectively. A big problem in itself after Magna Vista guard Gervelle Kidd canned eight 3-pointers and ended up outscoring the entire Tunstall team in Magna Vista’s 62-18 win.

Not to be outdone the following night, Highland County recorded totals of two, two and three in the opening three quarters, as defending Group A state champion James River rolled 61-12. Unfortunately for Highland, the girls side was just as ugly against James River. The Lady Rams could only muster one point in the entire first half as the Lady Knights exploded for a 83-13 victory.

How about Super Bowl XLV and the exciting win by the Packers. The game was great start-to-finish and who can be disappointed by a Black Eyed Peas’ halftime show. (Except maybe our publisher.) And, that commercial with the parking-challenged monkeys had me rolling. Only thumbs down I had was the ad with that ridiculous talking baby. If anyone has a 6-month old baby that talks like a 50-year old man, I advise a visit to a pediatrician, tout de suite.

Now to the college hardwoods where the Great Predictor is ready to make a call. Remember, you heard it here first. VT will make it to the tournament when the selections go out in early March. And, the reason? Their losses. That’s right, the losses. Tech lost games to Purdue, Kansas State and UNLV early on. But, those losses, against quality teams, taught the Hokies what it takes to win a big game, which they since have shown they can do. Nothing is learned by blowout wins over a parade of patsies.

This brings us to another matter where I’ll set things straight. I’m now on the Hokie Hoops bandwagon. After watching Tech dispatch Miami, I sort of got going on VT basketball. I like their strategy of putting those dance team gals clad in the tight black outfits near the visitors bench. Mark my word- when Duke visits the Cassell on Feb. 26th, Coach K will sneak more than one peek in their direction for a clear cut distraction. And, as you can see by today’s picture, Seth Greenberg and I are on good terms. Anyone can tell by the look on his face he was flattered posing with the Wild One and talking Tech basketball at courtside. Knock ‘em out the rest of the way Coach Greeenberg.

Now to the mailbag, where I’m asked to play ‘Name that Tune’ and we discuss the virtues of popcorn at high school basketball games.

Dear Wild Man: I saw you near the tiger cages taking pictures of the circus Saturday afternoon. What in the world was that song the elephant played on the trumpet with his trunk?

(Harold/Rural Retreat)

Answer: If you speed the tune up, Harold, I think you’ll find it’s one of Lady Gaga’s hits

Dear Expert: Why do they sell popcorn at Cave Spring basketball home games and allow it in the gym? (Mona/Clearbrook)

Answer: Excellent question. Popcorn is something that readily gets away from everyone, and the CS gym is no exception. By halftime, the stuff is tossed everywhere. The refs are throwing it off the court and the AD, Jon Hartness, can be seen sweeping it up from the gym all the way to the foyer after a game. I can remember taking my date to the old Lee-Hi Drive-In and the next day my car interior would be covered with popcorn. Ahh, well, now that I think about it, popcorn isn’t so bad after all.

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