Too quiet

It's been nearly two days since our banquet awards and, so far, no one has called to complain about who won what or why. All is quiet ... a little too quiet.
I know some students and some parents didn't leave the banquet happy. Unfortunately, that's inevitable.
I really wish there was a way we could honor all of the athletes we invite to the banquet. My original idea wasn't to name ONE winner and FOUR losers but, I guess I can see why some might feel that way.
We've tried to emphasize that all FIVE of the finalists in each sport are winners. It's an honor to be one of the top five. Still, when you go the next step and crown one of the five as the best, there's no way to sugar coat it, being Player of the Year is better than just being a finalist.
If someone can come up with a way for us to make the four runner-ups not feel dejected, let me know. I don't think it can be done.
Obviously, some of the kids understand what we're doing. Some of them take it as an honor to be invited and leave the banquet with a smile on their face, even if they didn't take home a player of the year award.
I guess that's my reward - not the smile on the faces of the winners but the kids who were just happy to be included in the event, who enjoyed being in a room with the best of the best in Union County and knowing it's where they belonged.
As for the Players of the Year, I'm fairly happy with the ones I chose. A couple were close, could've easily gone to another athlete. I had a reason for every pick but someone else could've produced just as good a reason for another choice.
That's why these athletes shouldn't get their heads down if they didn't win the News-Times Player of the Year. Peyton Manning didn't win the Heisman and look at him, now. You don't need a trophy or a $20 plaque to tell you how hard you've worked on your game. You should know in your heart how good you are.
If you compete hard and give your best, you're a winner in whatever sport you choose.

Talking the talk II

We will reveal the name of our Scholar Athlete of the Year Award on May 28. I talked about the dilemma we had this year in choosing the winner out of five outstanding finalists.
I got a response, of course, from former News-Times photographer Steven Bridges who gave his opinion of what's more important, the great resume' or an outstanding personal interview.
"For the Scholar-Athlete Award, you got to go with the interview," wrote Bridges. "There are a lot of people that look good on paper. Just being slightly better on grades is not what brings people to the top. Being book smart will only get you so far. You want a well rounded winner."
That makes sense to me.
May 21, 2009 - the date I agreed with something Steven Bridges said.
***
Also today, I actually got a positive letter to the editor in the News-Times. Someone actually liked something I wrote enough to sit down and write a letter.
As a sports writer, I know I'm only as good as the last sentence I wrote. The same person might think I'm pond scum tomorrow.
But, I ain't even gone lie, a pat on the back feels real good every now and then.

Talking the talk

I've been interviewing kids in Union County for more years than I care to count. In that time, I've probably encountered 50 or 60 youngsters who I would consider to be well-spoken. Unfortunately, the number of black kids in that group would probably be about 5 or 6.
I don't know why.
Well, I understand it to a degree. Saturday night at the state track meet, I spoke to a black student-athlete who had won two events. The kid was nice enough but was painfully shy and never put a complete sentence together, no matter how many questions I asked.
I then went to a white athlete, Irene Jadic, who communicated clearly and beautifully, revealing all her emotions after an up-and-down meet. I asked this girl one question and was given enough material to write an entire article.
Now, Jadic's parents are a doctor and a teacher. I don't know the black kid's parents but they're probably not a doctor and teacher.
Obviously, how a child is raised tells a lot of this story.
But, as a black journalist, I can't help but be frustrated. I want to tell the black kid's story just like the white kid, but when it's not communicated to me, how can I tell it?
I'm not criticizing, I guess. As a kid, I was never interviewed by a reporter. I was shy back then so I might've come off just like a lot of the black kids I'm talking about, now. I'd like to think I'd express myself in complete sentences but, honestly, I have no idea what I would've sounded like in an interview in the 11th grade.
What's my point, you ask?
I guess I'm just venting. I wish more black youngsters were taught how to express themselves verbally. It's a skill that will serve them well when they go into job interviews or when they apply for scholarships.
This comes up now because we just interviewed 10 kids in Union County for our Scholar-Athlete of the Year Awards. Applicants must have a 3.5 so they're all pretty smart. But, one kid blew me away with the interview while another, whose resume' was better, did not.
Do I go with the person who made an incredible impression in the interview or with the one with a slightly better resume' and the personality of a squash?
My email address is tonybrns1@gmail.com if you have an opinion.

Lady Dragons take second

Junction City's softball team did not win the state title on Friday, losing to Foreman 4-0 in the championship game.
The Lady Dragons played about as well as they could. The Lady Gators didn't get a lot of hits but they took what they got and manufactured runs. Junction City, on the other hand, managed just one infield hit against Foreman's Kimmy Beasley.
Fastpitch softball is mainly about pitching and defense. The Lady Dragons have that. Now, they have to figure out how to take a hit or a walk, twist it and bend it and turn it into a run.
A little speed and aggression on the basepaths was the only thing separating the two teams in the finals.
Junction City is young with just three senior starters on this year's team. Star pitcher "Big Red" Courtney Lowe is just a ninth grader. And, with the athletes in that school, I would hope one or two speedsters would see a golden opportunity to make a difference on an already superb team and come out for softball.
Even if none of the other athletic girls want to join and work their tails off, the Lady Dragons will still be back. Unfortunately, so will Foreman.
But, hey, the Lady Gators have won four in a row. They can't win every year, can they?
Congratulations to the Lady Dragons for their state runner-up trophy. It took a lot of work to get to the finals. They should be proud of themselves.

Sit down for this

Alert the media.
Wait, I am the media.
In all the excitement, I forgot who I was for a second. Anyway, I just witnessed one of the most incredible things I've seen in the last 20 years.
Late Friday night, I got off work and headed to the El Dorado Wal-Mart. Okay, that's nothing special but what happened after I got inside the Wal-Mart will knock you off your feet.
Come to think of it, go ahead and sit down. I don't want to be responsible for any head traumas after you read what I have to say next.
Are you sitting down? Well hurry up.
Okay, once I was inside Wal-Mart, I headed to the kitchen section to look for a George Foreman grill. Now, here's the strange and very unusual thing that happened to me.
A Wal-Mart employee walked up to me and asked if I needed help.
I thought it might be a trap but instinctively, since I did need some assistance, I said, "yes, I'm looking for the George Foreman grills."
The employee then stopped what she was doing, showed me where the grills were and even suggested an item that was on sale.
That's right, somebody actually assisted me in Wal-Mart.
Gasp!!
I know. I was as shocked as you are. I'll bet you're glad you're sitting down, now.
I don't know what to think. First, a black man is President and now this.
***
Another thing happened last week that wasn't as shocking. Long-time boys basketball coach at Stephens, Richard Bradley, announced his retirement. The Roadrunners have traditionally one of the best small-school basketball programs in the state so this is a newsworthy item.
What was a surprise was Bradley's replacement. Roger Jones, the junior high girls coach, will coach the Roadrunners.
Okay?
I wonder if the players will transfer to Camden Fairview, Magnolia or perhaps Smackover?

Lady Dragons all the way

Junction City's softball program has certainly come a long way. The Lady Dragons will try to go ALL the way Friday when they take on perennial powerhouse Foreman in the 2A State championship game.
Junction City had to win three games in less than 24 hours thanks to a pair of rain delays. The Lady Dragons won twice on Monday, including late Monday night, then had to get up Tuesday morning and beat Western Yell County 10-0.
Junction City's win sets up an intriguing rematch with the Lady Gators, who have won three straight state championships and will be competing in the championship game for the fifth year in a row.
Foreman beat Junction City 10-2 in the regional final last week in Dierks. The Lady Gators' pitcher, at one point, hit three JC batters in a row, including two in the head. Law enforcement officers had to separate the two sets of fans in that game.
Somehow, I don't think the players have forgotten that incident.
Senior catcher Alex McDonald struck out for the first time all season in that game.
"Then, she hit me in the chin," said McDonald. "I'm really looking forward to playing her again."
The Lady Dragons, who made it to the state semifinals last year, are looking for respect despite a 27-5 record. They will be big underdogs against Foreman. I really don't think they care.
I wish I could get to Fayetteville for this one but I can't.
Let's get ready to rumble.

Can't spot success

What has been a fruitful sports year for most of Union County must be the Year from Hell for Norphlet. Not one Norphlet boys or girls team advanced to the postseason this school year.
Neither of the school's basketball teams made it to regional. Both the baseball and softball teams saw their seasons end in the district tournament. The football program also fell short of the state tournament.
I'm sure this has happened before at other schools but, off the top of my head, I don't remember a school that offered this many sports not having any success in any of them.
The good thing about athletics is, there's always next year. Next year can't get here fast enough in Leopard Land.

Marsha, Marsha, Marsha

For those who have heard the rumors, I have confirmed Marsha Cowling has coached her final game at Smackover. In a text, she told me her husband has a job offer in Texarkana they cannot turn down.
I'm giving her a couple of days before I interview her for the newspaper.
Cowling was blessed with good timing as she inherited classes in the seventh and eighth grades upon her arrival that would be quite special. Nevertheless, credit must go to her for taking a program that went winless one year and didn't even field a team the next and taking it to the state tournament two straight years.
Congratulations to Marsha, Marsha, Marsha for turning around the Titanic and sailing it to the promised land. I wish her and her family nothing but the best in the future. I enjoyed working with her the past few years.