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Tuesday, March 11, 2003 Page: 2B
I JUST WANT to say that all you college basketball junkies out there, those
of you who love to play the game, our Super Bowl is coming up. This is the
best sporting event in the world. The heck with the Super Bowl and the NBA
Championships. The World Series is pretty good, but this is the best. March
Madness, baby.
I NEVER THOUGHT I’d make this call, but I am so glad that GAR lost because
the coach decided to play those boys. What an example for kids who stay on the
right path to see these kids get off with nothing happening to them.
I HAVE A real problem with the GAR coach’s comment that since the players
didn’t break any team rules, he let them play. He could have let them sit on
the bench for the game. I would suggest that team rules should include not
putting other people in danger, because that is what happened if those kids
were driving at a high rate of speed and drinking, as alleged. It wasn’t like
they were sitting at a friend’s house. Horrible decision by the GAR coach.
I’M A RETIRED basketball coach and we had a similar problem where I
coached, and those kids at GAR should have been disciplined and not have
played the game. They let the team down by doing what they did, and it was
wrong of the coach to play them.
I’D LIKE TO comment about GAR basketball coach Paul Brown’s comments that
he wasn’t responsible for those two players’ actions. Granted he wasn’t
responsible for their actions, but he should stress to his players that they
are not only representing themselves, they are representing GAR High School.
They have a standard to meet. If they are athletes, people look up to them,
and if they are star athletes, people look up to them. Coach Brown, you should
emphasize they have a high standard to maintain, and if they don’t maintain
that high moral standard, they don’t have to play.
THIS IS FOR the high school coaches out there. Please don’t schedule your
practices at the same time a basketball team is involved in the playoffs.
These kids show their spirit by attending these games. They’ll be over soon
enough.
THE TRENTON-WHEELING game was billed as “the future has arrived.” After
watching the first period of that game, I think all 20 players should jump off
the roof of the First Union Arena. If that’s the future, I can play goalie.
I’M SORRY TO see that GAR lost, but I disagree with the coach’s decision to
play those players. High school sports is supposed to build character. His
only thought is winning. I think he was definitely wrong, and I am sorry to
hear that they lost.
I’M CALLING TO criticize the Wilkes-Barre Area School District, especially
their chief administrator, Mr. Namey. This goes to the school directors and
coaches who let those boys on the GAR boys basketball team play. I guess
anything is game in the city of Wilkes-Barre as long as it is short of murder.
IT IS SUNDAY, March 9, 2003, at 4:40 p.m. I am watching the Lakers and the
Sixers, and an NBA referee just called travelling on Keith Van Horn.
Apparently they know that rule does exist.
THE HOCKEY MOMENT I waited for came on Saturday night when Francois Leroux
pummelled Brent Thompson. Thank you, Frankie, I will cherish the moment.
I HAVE A question for the Dallas School District. I was wondering when they
were going to get their middle school baseball team going. Every other team
around in practicing in gyms. The Dallas School District has a brand-new gym
and a brand-new batting cage, and the kids aren’t allowed to use them. It’s
ridiculous. They’ll never be ready for baseball season. I wish the Dallas AD
would let us know what is going on.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Because of ongoing construction, the Dallas Middle School
baseball team cannot hold indoor practices in the school. Pitchers and
catchers are expected to begin workouts this week, and the rest of the team
will begin practice as soon as an indoor facility can be found or the weather
cooperates.
THE YOUNG MAN from Nanticoke winning a state crown in his one year of
varsity wrestling is probably the greatest achievement I have seen in my 40
years of following local sports. The other thing is that makes it more amazing
is that he did it for Nanticoke Area, which is not exactly a hotbed for high
school wrestling. If there was a better individual feat in the last 40 years,
somebody please tell me. Congratulations to the young man.
ONE DEER IS enough for any hunter. If you shoot more than one a year, you
are a meat hunter, something that the Game Commission has created.
I’M A RESIDENT of Shickshinny. I’d like to have our representative, George
Hasay, have an investigation of the PIAA. How could they call 44 fouls against
Northwest and 18 for Northwest? The officiating stunk and nobody is doing a
thing about it. This should be looked into, this was a plain disgrace.
I SAW A recent interview where Lou Pinella said he does not accept losing.
I wonder if he is aware that he signed on to manage the worst team in all of
baseball. For him to say that is like for me to say I’m going on a diet but
refusing to take Domino’s off speed dial.
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