A new attitude in El Dorado?

While digging up stats for my All-Area section, which will be coming out on Monday, by the way, I stopped into the El Dorado coaches' office. With coaches Corey Smith and Henry Harrell and student teacher Coach Hooks, there was a lot of good-natured ribbing, mostly at my expense.
They asked me about the All-Area Team and who would be on it. When they thought they'd guessed the selections, they proceeded to tell me how horrible those girls were as players.
Smith even insinuated one of the All-Area girls couldn't even play on his great 10-15 El Dorado squad.
Anyway, I'm not sure how serious the remarks were but I'm treating them as jokes.
Smith then asked my opinion on how the Lady Wildcats would do against Camden Fairvew next year. I took this as a serious question and gave a serious answer. He seemed genuinely upset when I predicted a pair of relatively-easy wins for the Lady Cardinals.
I like Coach Smith. Without a doubt, El Dorado has more young talent coming up in the next couple of years than at any time during my tenure in Union County. The Lady Wildcats are clearly headed in the right direction and Smith and Harrell deserve some of the credit.
To be honest, I'm already trying to figure out which bandwagon I want to jump on as both Parkers Chapel and El Dorado have seasons in the sun coming up.
My biggest problem with El Dorado in the recent past has been the attitude. Not necessarily of the players but of the administration and coaches.
Years ago, El Dorado hosted a junior high tournament. They invited Strong, which had a pair of seventh graders named Jasmine Canser and Destinee Rogers and an eighth grader named Maranda Parker. Strong crushed the Lady Wildcats' freshmen girls to the point of embarrassment.
Guess what happened next?
El Dorado didn't want to have anything else to do with Strong and the tournament was dropped.
I couldn't believe they were actually embarrassed they had lost to that team, even after Strong put an even bigger whooping on Camden Fairview.
Any "real" program would've been trying to get three or four games with that kind of a team. Do you think the girls at Fort Smith Northside have ever not scheduled an opponent because they were afraid to lose? What about Mountain Home? Or Conway?
After that, the Lady Wildcats would load up on a bus and drive to Springdale so they could find some "good competition." Meanwhile, the best competition they could find was 30 minutes away.
You can't build a winning program if you're scared to play good people. "Real" basketball powers don't look at classification. They look at talent. If you're not smart enough to recognize talent when you see it, you'll never be able to beat it.
That was a different regime. Hopefully, a new coach and a new athletic director will have a new attitude that doesn't look at the size of an opponent but focuses on the way they play. Hopefully, the Lady Wildcats will seek out the best competition, whether that's in Sheridan, Camden or Cutter Morning Star.
There are people in El Dorado who look down their nose at Fairview because some of their players are from Strong. Game recognizes game. If you don't recognize game, that means you've got NO game.
I have no problem being honest with coaches. I don't think losing to Fairview next year is anything to be ashamed about. If the Lady Wildcats beat them, I'll be surprised and happy at the same time. I don't think it will happen but I've been wrong before.
Perhaps they will have a better shot if they look at the Lady Cardinals as one of the best teams in the state and gear up their own games in preparation, rather than seeing them as those girls from Strong, who couldn't possible be very good because they're from a small school.

Time to relax?

Well, I went back to the doctor today and my blood pressure was down, which is good. It's still way too high but at least it's headed in the right direction.
The nurse told me to take it easy so I'm at home and not at the office.
It feels nice to relax especially after a pretty stressful month of driving, hotels, basketball games and writing deadlines.
Anyway, I sat down on my doctor-ordered day off and watched some basketball. I soon realized the last thing I wanted to see was basketball so I turned on the Xbox to continue with my college football dynasty.
I led my Hawaii team down the field against USC, entering into the red zone. I called an out-route, which should've been an easy touchdown. Unfortunately, my five-star, All-American senior receiver rounded off his route, for some reason. The next thing I know, the cornerback steps in front for the interception.
I had plenty of time for reflection as the cornerback danced and taunted his way down the field for a 102-yard interception return.
Man, this friggin' game is so dadgum relaxing. I could just take this freakin' controller and freakin' heave it out the freakin' window.
Hey, Doc, how's my blood pressure doin' now?
Dadgummit!!!!
Okay, maybe I'll take two days off.

Wide World of Dizzy

Since Monday or Tuesday, I was feeling dizzy and light-headed. I'm 42 years old so, every now and again some part of my body will start to creak and I'll wonder what's wrong. But, the creak usually goes away and I'm back to my OLD self again.
But, feeling dizzy isn't exactly a creak. This was different. I lay in bed the other night and the room was spinning so fast, I grabbed the edge of the bed because I thought I was about to fall on the floor.
If that ain't a warning sound, I've never seen one.
Thursday morning I got up and made an appointment to see a doctor. As I expected, they told me my blood pressure was too high. Everytime I go to a doctor, they tell me my blood pressure is too high.
This time, however, I got the message when the nurse practicioner said, "Your blood pressure is at stroke level."
That's an attention grabber even for someone as stubborn as yours truly. I should've been on blood pressure medicine years ago but never had the time to get the proper prescription.
Now, I have no choice. If it's not already too late.
I took two pills that brought my blood pressure down some, which kept me out of the hospital. Hopefully, the medicine will do the trick and my dumbass will keep getting treatment.
I'm pretty much banned from going to the office for a couple of days. I can handle that.
From here on out, I'm following doctor's orders. I don't care what it is. If the doctor tells me to shave my head and go on Dancing With The Stars with Mark Young as my partner, then get out the razor and crank up the music.
Nothing is more important than your health.

Decisions, Decisions?

The News-Times All-Area Girls Basketball Team came into the office over the weekend to take pictures. I had big plans for this photo but, of course, they fell apart.
That's another story, however.
While one of the young ladies was waiting, she asked my opinion on a dilemma.
She has received scholarship offers from a few colleges, including one college that she could see herself attending and playing basketball. However, another college coach told her he will make her an offer but hasn't done it, yet.
The girl's dilemma? Does she accept the scholarship or wait to see what the other coach offers. The problem with waiting is, the offer she has will not be on the table for very long as that school is recruiting another girl. But, she thinks she might like the new school and coach better, if and when they offer her something.
The girl asked my advice and, while I can say what I would do, ultimately, as her parents have already told her, the decision is all hers.
Welcome to the adult world.
High school seniors, for the first time, now face decisions that will impact the rest of their lives. I'm happy this particular girl understands the importance of this decision. It's the first of many important choices she will have to make but you can't help but feel a little bad because of the stress it is causing her.
Still, choosing which scholarship to accept isn't the worst thing that could happen to a young person. Believe it or not, the decisions get more and more difficult as you get older. Wait until you have to decide between paying your electric bill or your gas bill?

Cheating is cheating

Can someone explain to me the difference in what Guy-Perkins did and what Conway did?
Guy-Perkins played a girl who was ruled ineligible and got kicked out of the state tournament. Conway played a girl that was ineligible and played for a state championship.
"That seems fair," he said with sarcasim dripping from his chin.
The Arkansas Activities Association should be ashamed of how it has handled this state tournament situation.
I know everybody hates the Guy-Perkins coach. He has been accused of recruiting for years. He finally got caught with an illegal player and most everybody I talked to loved seeing his team get punished.
But, you can't punish one and not punish the other for committing the same violation.
Reportedly, the girl Guy-Perkins got in trouble for didn't even play that much. Conway's Sidney Stewart is a Louisiana Tech signee who scored 35 points in the semifinals of the state tournament.
Conway goes no where without Sidney Stewart and she was illegal. Yet, the Lady Wampus Cats got to use her to get to the state finals.
I don't get it. I don't know how the AAA can get away with what they did.
It certainly doesn't pay to cheat ... if you're a small school.

Thirteen to two

Does 13 fouls for one team and two for the other seem fair to you?
Bearden lost to Jessieville in overtime Saturday at the 2A State Tournament semifinals. In the second half, officials blew the whistle 15 times. Thirteen times the call went against the Lady Bears.
A lot of the fans left the gym believing Coach John Traband's girls had gotten shafted.
I will say this, they definitely didn't get any breaks. But, the fact is, Bearden plays a very aggressive style. The Lady Bears do commit a lot of fouls and I have no doubt, they probably did commit 13 fouls in the second half.
I also have no doubt, Jessieville probably fouled more than twice.
Clearly, the foul trouble hurt the Lady Bears, who had to play a lot of the fourth quarter without Mariane Rogers. Nekeia Rideout played a lot of the second half with four fouls, which probably cramped her playing style a bit, also.
It's unfortunate the striped shirts played such a huge role in a game of this importance. However, I stop short of calling it biased officiating.
I think it was just one of those days when nothing was going a particular team's way. It happens to every team and it sucks every time it happens.
Traband took the high road when I asked him about it after the game. He was very classy, giving all the credit to Jessieville's players.
I thought that was fitting considering the class his players showed, fighting so hard and coming up just short, against all odds.
By the way, I loved how Junction City's fans got behind Bearden. That's what makes the state tournament great. South Arkansas teams and fans stick together.

Will league's success in state end?

With Bearden advancing to the 2A State semifinals, the Lady Bears gave the league its fifth final four participant in a row. That’s pretty impressive for any league.
*2007 – Bearden
*2006 – Strong – state champion
*2005 – Strong – state champion
*2004 – Parkers Chapel and Union – state semifinalists
*2003 – Union – state runner-up
In 2002, Sharonda Davis and Mary Beth Gilmore led Union to the state quarterfinals before they got bad-called against Poyen. So, that’s six years in a row our league has advanced in the state tournament.
That’s quite a resume but does it end this season?
I’m concerned.
Strong coach Gerrald Koonce hopes his team can get back. The Lady Bulldogs lose just one player from this year’s state quarterfinal team. I’ve already written about how much Maranda Parker means to Strong both on and off the court.
On the court, how do you replace somebody who can play point guard on offense and defend the post on defense?
That’s Koonce’s task and while I’m not sure he can get it done, I wasn’t sure he could get this year’s team in the state tournament, either.
I like Parkers Chapel from a talent standpoint. They lose Destiny Harper and some other good role players but the Lady Trojans have a chance to be good if they have a productive off-season.
In my opinion, the players at Parkers Chapel will have to get a little stronger and a little meaner. The girls’ game gets more and more physical as the season progresses. Touch-me-not fouls are no longer called especially in the postseason.
The Lady Trojans have the reputation of being a finesse team. They will have to shed some of that if they want to compete for a state title.
Top-notch players like Carlisle’s Julie Inman and Jessieville’s Mandy Masino – they have the skills and finesse of a ballerina but also the horns of a bull.
A couple Lady Trojans need to grow some horns this summer.
Norphlet will desperately miss Ellana White, who stepped up big time as a senior. But, with what the Lady Leopards have coming back, they will contend in the conference. I don’t know if they’re ready to compete outside the conference, however.
Of course, I’m the one who underestimated them this year.
Obviously, Bearden loses its heart-and-soul in seniors Nekeia Rideout and Mariane Rogers. Junction City has other problems to worry about before it can even get to basketball.
I’m pretty sure the best team in the area next year will be in Smackover. I should say the most talented team will be in Smackover. The Lady Bucks had everything set up perfectly to get to the 3A State Tournament this year and didn’t.
That bothers me. Coach Marsha Cowling needs to upgrade the schedule, as that conference provides nothing in the way of competition. That might’ve caught up with her team in the regionals.
Of course, Smackover is no longer in the 2A.
The original topic was our area 2A league’s success in state and does it end this season.
I hope not. But, I am concerned.

Marvel not marvelous

I said I was not going to the gym early on Thursday. But, duty calls so when Strong coach Gerrald Koonce said he was taking the Lady Bulldogs to the state tournament to watch the one o’clock game, since I needed to talk to him for a preview, I loaded up and drove to Danville early.
Unfortunately, Coach Koonce either flat-out lied to me or he simply had a last-minute change of plans. I’ll choose to believe the latter.
I arrived at the gym early, tape recorder in hand but my interview subject was nowhere to be found. I sat and watched a decent game, which saw Rector’s girls beat Augusta. Next up was a boring encounter in which Earle dispatched of Clarendon in a boys matchup.
Still, there was no Koonce on the premises.
I thought that was a bad game until the girls of Bay and Marvel stepped on the floor. Bay has a decent team but Marvel?
Well, it’s a marvel they made it to state.
Marvel would’ve lost to Stephens by 20 points, easily.
They were the worst team I’ve ever seen in a state tournament. That’s what consolidation and reclassification has done. There are now pockets in the state where the talent level has pretty much dried up, which leads to the occasional horrible team in the state tournament.
The really unbelievable thing was Marvel was the No. 3 seed in the region. That means they actually beat a team in the tournament. The team they beat was Hazen, which upset Buffalo Island Central in the first game of the tournament.
I watched Hazen Thursday night against Mineral Springs. Hazen isn’t real good, either but they do scrap. Mineral Springs didn’t have a whole lot of trouble with them but I still don’t know how they lost to Marvel.
There must’ve been a forfeit or something.
Anyway, after about a minute of marveling at Marvel, it was time to get something to eat. I ate and began watching another game before Koonce and his Lady Bulldogs finally showed up.
I know he’s got a lot on his mind as he ponders how to beat Carlisle. I’m going to let his little oversight go. Getting to the gym wasn’t a total waste. I did get to see perhaps the worst team in state tournament history.