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Doug Pape
Tuesday, January 25, 2000 Page: 3B
The following is a list of observations, questions and solutions concerning
boys high school basketball.
MERCY, PLEASE MERCY: During the recent Seton Catholic/Meyers game, the
Eagles entered the fourth quarter trailing, 52-39. Seton fouled Meyers in
hopes the Mohawks would choke at the line, giving Seton a chance to cut the
difference. The period lasted an eternity and the strategy failed as the
Eagles lost by eight points.
But what about the fans?
It was Friday night. Swinging cats want to go to the disco to get their
groove on. They don’t want to spend an entire weekend watching a basketball
game.
High school basketball needs a mercy rule. After the third quarter, the
clock should run continuously when there is a 10-point lead. Or they should
just quit calling fouls in the fourth. Yep, hack away boys.
Intentional fouling must be stopped or limited to Tuesday games – a night
when there’s no night life.
So coaches, remember the words of Roy Orbison in his song “Pretty Woman,”
“MERCY!”
OBNOXIOUS FANS: Students aren’t the problem here. It’s the dads. Because
basketball is an indoor sport, everyone can hear daddy’s disapproval with the
players, referees and coaches.
These armchair Bobby Knights tell kids where to go on the floor, how to
play defense, when to shoot. Coaches are paid to teach players, not papas. Let
the kids play and let the coaches instruct.
If you feel the need to get back into basketball join one of those adult
leagues with the rest of the ham-and-egger Michael Jordan wannabes.
WHAT’S WITH THE WARM-UPS? Remember when high school basketball players
just wore polyester shirts over their jerseys?
Now, the pregame warm-up is a fashion show.
GAR and Nanticoke wear warmup jackets, pants and shirts. These kids have
more warm-ups then the Miami Heat.
Who knows, maybe in the future teams will receive extra points for fashion.
WHAT’S GREAT ABOUT THE GAME? Things such as Meyers and GAR battling for
the Wyoming Valley Conference Division III first-half title in front of a
packed house and Nanticoke defeating Crestwood in overtime for the Division II
first- half championship. Then Crestwood coming back on Saturday and handing
Hazleton Area its first WVC loss of the season.
There’s more: game-winning buzzer-beater shots, three-point baskets from
the hinterland, students with painted faces, fast breaks, parity.
Now that’s the stuff that puts butts in seats.
Call Pape at 829-7227 or e-mail at dpape@leader.net