Who says this column doesn’t have an international flavor ?
We open this week with a trip through the Mediterranean Sea and left into the adjoining Aegean where you eventually close in on Athens, Greece. Yes, you always learn something when you read this column.
That’s where we catch up with former Hidden Valley High School standout and Louisville Cardinal Final-Four Most Outstanding Player, Luke Hancock.
Hancock has hit the court running after landing a spot on the Panionios Greek Pro team. Hancock agreed to terms on a contract and joined the team after they were winless in their first four games. He was immediately inserted into the starting lineup and the team went 2-2 over the next four, with Hancock averaging 13 points per game and hitting 53% from behind-the-arc. In Hancock’s last game against Olympiacos, the second-rated team in the Greek League, Hancock poured in 17 points in a 73-56 Panionios loss.
We’ll now travel back across the Atlantic where it’s time to take a look at this week’s Wild Bill “Big-11” Top-3 in girls and boys high school basketball.
GIRLS:
#1- Hidden Valley– The Lady Titans stay perfect at 8-0 with convincing margins in each. Who else in the top spot?
#2- William Fleming– The Lady Colonels and defending Group 4A state runners-up continue to impress in the Blue Ridge District.
#3- Lord Botetourt– The Cavs will be tested in the coming month to determine if they can hold serve in the third spot.
BOYS:
#!- William Fleming- The Colonels takedown at PH last week only validated their top spot in the poll
#2- William Byrd- The Terriers made a statement Tuesday night with their win over Northside. The Blue Ridge will provide plenty of poll shifts down the road.
#3- North Cross- The private school Raiders, with only one loss, can’t be ignored. They have a talented team of scorers.
Take note, Northside and Glenvar are lurking in the shadows to move up in a hurry.
One last call for Monday night’s Roanoke Valley Sports Club meeting at the Salem Civic Center. Media night offers one of the most exciting, informational and unpredictable meetings of the year. Contact Maggie Drewry at 540-353-1103 to make reservations.
Now, we take a peek at last week’s most unusual high school basketball games. On the boy’s side, William Byrd must have been miffed at being left out of the “Big-11” Top-3 last week. The Terrier took it out on the Wildcats of Rockbridge County, rolling out to a 53-16 halftime lead before continuing the onslaught in the second half for the 61-point win.
It was wilder on the girls side in Floyd County last Thursday night where the Lady Buffaloes held the gals from EastMont to two points in each of the first two quarters, and taking a 59-4 lead to the break. Floyd eventually won by 83 points, 104-21. You can’t accuse Floyd of running up the score – they had eleven players in the scoring column. No way to ask players to miss shots on purpose.
Finally, to the mail bag, where the Wild Bill Burger and Columbo’s first name garnered plenty of attention this week.
Dear Wild Bill: We went to Macado’s, and lo and behold, there was the Wild Bill Burger. But, what’s with the super-hot Heather BBQ sauce ? (Marilyn and Sydney/ Salem)
It’s something the chef comes up with, clearly dominated by horseradish sauce. Apparently something secret they concoct if you want the burger extra-spicey. I haven’t been able to put my finger on it, but the secret ingredient may be 1,000 island dressing.
Dear Detective Wild Bill: I hate to differ, but Lieutenant Columbo’s first name was Philip, not Frank. I’ve got a trivia game with that question and answer. ( Paula/ Roanoke)
Sorry, Paula, but you’ve fallen for a great charade from a guy named Fred Worth. Worth, a forerunner in trivia games, invented a trivia game called “Super Trivia” and wanted to make sure nobody was copying his offbeat questions. So, he included that question about Columbo’s first name and completely invented the name Philip, for no other reason than to trap copycats.
Worth sued after “Trivial Pursuit”, the game with over $256 million in sales in 1986, used his question and the made-up answer along with other similarities to Worth’s unusual questions. Soon, others were caught as well. His lawsuit for $300 million failed, but brought about a great insight on general facts and knowledge; “If you copy from one source, it’s called plagiarism; when you copy from many sources it’s called research.” Again, you always learn something in this column.
Well, I’m off to The Chief’s penthouse office to propose he send me to Athens, Greece for a feature article on Luke Hancock. But heck, I’ll be lucky if he lets me go to Athens, Georgia.
In the meantime, send your traveling minstrel show questions to: [email protected]
– Bill Turner
