High School Hoops Wind Down

Last year, the weather really messed up the high school basketball schedule and compressed it into the last few weeks of February. This year, the schedule is normal, with maybe a game a week for most teams. Since I am the South Kansas City Observer, we always concentrate on the schools on the south Missouri side. So here are the remaining games for Ruskin, Grandview, and Center.

For Ruskin:

Today, 2/7 at North KC

2/10: Truman

2/14: at Central in St. Joe

2/17: Lee's Summit West

For Grandview:

Today, 2/7: Kearny

2/10: Platte County

2/14: at Oak Park

2/15: Park Hill

2/17: at Liberty

For Center:

today, 2/7 at Clinton

2/10: Smith Cotton

2/17: O'Hare

Take in a game--it is fun!

Update: All three teams won tonight--Center and Grandview are having very nice years with Center having lost just 5 games and Grandview on a 9 game win streak. Ruskin is playing .500 ball this year--a bit inconsistent...

High School Hoops Are Back!

Took in my first high school basketball this season during my travels--watching my alma mater win two (boys and girls) from a nearby rival. Every season when I start watching basketball closely again I remember what a love I have developed for this simple game of putting a ball through a hoop. The love affair is especially renewed by seeing a game live, even at the HS level. To see the strategy, the physicality, the style of the game up close is to remember.

More hoops photos will follow, and it will be fun right to the end.

P.S. My alma mater's boys team had not lost a game as of Friday.

NBA Lock Out: Yawn...

I used to be a bigger pro hoops fan, especially when I lived in New York City. The Knicks were the bomb in the early 1970s and I continued to follow them off and on for years. When I lived in Philly, I followed the Sixers and they are still one of my favorite teams.

As long as I can remember, the NBA regular season has been 82 games. However, play was done in late spring, and the draft in May. Now it seems that the NBA season drones on indefinitely and decides very little, and professional basketball continues deep into May and on into the first part of June. This after starting in October. Include the draft and "silly season," and the NBA seems impossibly diluted, droning on and on, and having no real off season. In addition, NBA players have proven to be impossibly human. Young, frequently clunk headed, one dimensional, tattooed, promiscuous, and for some (not myself--the annoying manage to come in all colors), too Black. Yes, I have to think for some, the NBA's majority Black make up is an issue.

So, we have a lock out by NBA owners who say they cannot afford the players' salary demands. I don't have specific figures but we are talking a substantial separation in the numbers. No where close. Further, there is little agreement on things like salary caps and luxury taxes. Unlike football, there are several franchises on shaky financial ground, and not a few with uncertain ownership. However, unlike football, people are not trampling down the door to buy an NBA franchise.

The NBA has encountered rough times before, but they risk with a long lockout/strike losing the fan base--especially since some fans may already have issues with the way the league has been running these past years. The players especially may need to be careful not to kill the goose with the golden eggs. Meantime, I probably won't miss it.

NBA: Dallas Mavericks Win--I Like

If the Mavs win was a Facebook post, I'd click the "like" button. There are a lot of reasons for this, including an enjoyment of team oriented basketball, a dislike of LeBron and all the stuff that has emanated from the Miami Heat, and a just reward for the long and great career of Dirk Nowitzki of Dallas.
Once this series was established, everyone was just about crowning Miami champion before the first tip off. However, Miami's lack of ability to finish kept the talented team from winning the series. Dallas was just too good for Miami to overcome with its less than perfect chemistry and team work, and its tendency to fade in the fourth quarter.

The turning point was without a doubt game two in Miami, where Dallas came back from a double digit deficit half way in the forth quarter to win that game and keep the series from going 2-0 Heat. If the Heat win that game the series was essentially over. This showed that Dallas could keep up with the athletically gifted Miami team. It was funny though, even after this win, people were still crowning the Heat, saying they'd win the next three.

The pattern of Heat fade and Mav push in the last quarter maintained through out the remaining games--even the second Miami win was nearly a Miami loss in the late fourth quarter.

Miami has questions to answer--Dallas has celebrated. Assuming the NBA can avoid a nasty labor situation, next year looks to be a fun year for the league, which is wide open for new heroes and teams in a way it hasn't been for a long time. (Good night, Kobe.)

Photos from the Dallas Morning News.

Professional Basketball Winding Down

Four teams left:

Oklahoma City Thunder

Dallas Mavericks

Miami Heat

Chicago Bulls

What?! No Celtics? No Lakers? Nothing to love--or hate?

The best I can do is work up annoyance at LeBron because he is not a New York Knickerbocker.

I hear tell the basketball has been pretty good watching though.

College Hoops Championships and Stuff

So what were you expecting from a Butler-Connecticut title game?

Not what we got, especially in the second half, when a tiring Butler team could not hit from outside or in, overwhelmed by UConn's length and quickness inside. A scintillating defensive game by UConn but very bad basketball at bottom. (Bill Walton on radio was awesome on this--in fact, the radio side with Gus Johnson, Bill Raftery and John Thompson is a better team than the TV announcers at the final--just saying.)

Butler shot 19% for the game. The halftime score was 22-19 Butler. Final 53-41 Connecticut.

The ladies halftime score was 35-33 Notre Dame. The final score 70-76 Texas A & M.

Both games were exciting in their own way, but the ladies game had momentum flowing back and forth and more exciting plays. The men just were grinding it out. There are lots of critics of the lack of "athleticism" in the women's game but in this case, I would say the women were just as exciting to watch as the men. All that flying through the air isn't very effective if you can't put the ball through the hoop.

A & M's Kansas City connection served them well as Danielle Adams (Lee's Summit) led scoring with 30 points and Tyra White (Hickman Mills) made an important late hoop. Nice ESPN article by former Star newsie Mechelle Voepel here.

Oh, yes, the Mizzou coaching drama ended with the controversial hiring of one Frank Haith, a coach from a football school (Miami) with a losing record. Mr. Haith is going to have to win over skeptical fans in both Columbia and in the conference that he is a serious possibility to do well and stick around for a while. I think when he gets in a full Mizzou Arena and realizes that these fans do give a damn is when he realizes what a tough job he has.

NCAA Final: Connecticut and Butler

Huskies and Bulldogs will fight it out on Monday night for the NCAA mens basketball championship. Both semis were tense tight games, but you could see the eventual winner drawing away with a couple minutes left.

56-55 Connecticut

70-62 Butler

No KU in Houston

VCU could shoot and make baskets from outside and the charity stripe; KU lost this ability this game. (Kansas City Star photo)

Do I really have to?

I have to write about Kansas' loss to VCU?

I guess I have to do my sports bloggy duty.

Kansas spit the bit on Sunday against Virgina Commonwealth University. They wanted it "too much," tightened up and lost the game due to poor execution to a team that was too good to execute poorly against and win.

You can still hear the sound of three point shots and free throws clanking off the previously friendly Alamo Dome rims even now. This team that swaggered through much of their schedule and the tournament up to this point ran into a team that played better than it did, especially under pressure.

Here's what I thought would transpire after the first few minutes of the game. You'll remember that Kansas went out to a lead at first, looking impressive. VCU then responded, gaining the lead themselves. I thought at that point we would see a taut back-and-forth basketball game with runs by each team, rather like the scintillating Arizona-UConn match of Saturday.

What did happen: VCU kept on with their run. KU, despite multiple time outs by coach Bill Self, could not stop them and ended up behind 14 points at the half. OK, KU fans said to themselves, we come roaring out in the second half and we catch and surpass them. It almost happened too, except the fouls and mistakes caught up with the Jayhawks, killing their momentum and letting VCU continue to lead. When clutch shots needed to be made it was the Rams that made them, not the Jayhawks. Final score: 71-61. KU's last play? Two missed three point attempts.

So no Kansas Jayhawks in the Final Four this year. The "if-only's" have to be making Kansas faithful crazy...

Two in for Final Four

Well, we have two of four. Butler upset Florida in a game I really thought Florida should have won. Butler was just better under pressure, better coached and just generally better. It was a great college basketball game!

If I read the bracket right, if Kansas prevails over Virgina Commonwealth, it will be Butler they face.

The second game put rebuilding basketball powers UConn and Arizona against one another. This was a game of surges but UConn always seemed to have the last word. Arizona had several solid chances to win or tie the game but just could not get the ball to fall.

Connecticut now awaits the winner of Kentucky and North Carolina.

Not to look too far ahead, but KU would end up playing one of these classic programs from the southeast should they get by the streaking VCU Rams and the tough Butler Bulldogs.

Elite Eight

The games start in less than an hour to determine the Final Four. One more 1 seed fell on the way here--Ohio State was not able to best a young Kentucky team. You have to give the annoying Kentucky program and its equally annoying (and cheating or at least around when cheating happens...) coach John Calipari its due--they've won two tournament games with last minute buzzer beaters. Meantime, VCU's dream is still intact--someone pointed out yesterday that they are from the same conference as George Mason.

Kansas and North Carolina both cruised last night in games that were over after the first half.

Today it's Butler (8) and Florida (2) at 3:30 CDT and Arizona (5) vs. Connecticut (3) at 6:05 CDT.

Tomorrow it's Kansas (1) and VCU (11) at 1:20 CDT and Kentucky (4) vs. North Carolina (2) at 4:05 CDT.

I have no more predictions, since I was convinced that it would be Ohio State and Kansas in the final!

NCAA March Round Up

March Madness is pretty nuts this year and it could have been nuttier.

Duke almost lost. VCU--yes, they had to play in!--is through to the Sweet 16.

The Big East has stunk it up pretty good including the lost of #1 regional seed Pitt.

Kansas is lone Big 12 survivor--and looks good to have the chance to win it all. The Morris twins were on fire against Illinois.

Heart breaking loss for Kansas State against Wisconsin in a game I thought was very badly officiated.

Ohio State lurks though and the Buckeyes have just been taking care of their business.

So...here are your match ups:

Ohio State (1) vs. Kentucky (4)

Marquette (11) vs. North Carolina (2)

Duke (1) vs. Arizona (5)

UConn (3) vs. San Diego St. (2)

Kansas (1) vs. Richmond (12)

Virgina Commonwealth (11) vs. Florida State (10)

Butler (8) vs. Wisconsin (4)

Brigham Young (3) vs. Florida (2)

There are parts of the bracket that are quite intact and there are parts that are blown up completely. And the prez didn't do too badly--he got 10 of the 16 teams correct. Considering the upsets that's pretty good.

A few high seeds just escaped loses in the early rounds--Kentucky, North Carolina, Duke all came within a whisker of being upset. I would watch for these teams to be more focused. However, it does mean that vulnerability have been shown and better teams might be able to take advantage.

Basketball, Basketball, Basketball!

Kansas started the tournament run against America East's Boston U (Kansas City Star photo)

The college basketball post season is in full swing and the NCAA March Madness thing is down to 32 teams before play started today. As usual, there were bracket busting upsets, mostly in the match ups between the 11-12-13 seed and the 4-5-6 seed. To wit:

Xavier (6) lost to Marquette (11)

Vanderbilt (5) lost to Richmond (12)

Louisville (4) lost to Morehead State (13)

Georgetown (6) lost to Virgina Commonwealth (11)

Texas A&M (7) lost to Florida State (10)

St. John's (6) lost to Gonzaga (11)

UNLV (8) lost to Illinois (9)

In addition Arizona (5) and Kentucky (4) just escaped the upset bug--Kentucky with a last second hoop against Ivy League school Princeton. (Darn, that's too bad...and it might have woke them up too. Today they had no problem with West Virgina [5])

Locally, Missouri, seeded 11, lost to Cincinnati. The Tigers continued to shoot poorly and they could not stop the Bearcats on defense at all. Any time Mizzou got a little run on, Cincinnati would just breeze through the Tigers' half court defense and score pretty easily. The team needs to be bigger, and perhaps just a little tougher next year to progress in the tournament.

Kansas State's game--and seed (5)--scared me. That 5-12 match seems especially susceptible to upsets. Kansas State prevailed over a game Utah State team. Jacob Pullen had a nice game leading the Wildcats but many contributed to a good firm win. Next up for K State is Wisconsin tonight at about 7:40 pm our time.

Kansas (1) started slow and tight, but in the second half got their act together and pulled away from America East rep Boston University (tabbed with the dreaded 16 seed). The Terriers showed well for the conference of the UVM Catamounts giving Kansas everything they wanted until just wearing out in the second half. Next up for the Jayhawks: Illinois (9) who won their 8-9 match handily over UNLV.

Speaking of Vermont, the Catamounts played in the NIT. Seeded No 7, they drew No. 2 Cleveland State. Playing without Evan Fjeld, UVM gave the Vikings all they could handle, but ended up losing 60-63. UVM ended the year with Fjeld's injury stealing precious momentum and wins. It might have been the Cats giving the Jayhawks a tough time instead of BU.

Plenty left to watch--sorry for all you who filled out brackets. Take heart though--your chances of winning were pretty slim to begin with as this article points out.

UVM played tough against Cleveland State without vital cog Fjeld. (photo: Cleveland Plain Dealer)

College Hoops Round Up

The UVM men's basketball team will not be dancing in the big dance this year. They took a bad defeat from .500 NY-Stony Brook 69-47. They were undone by good defense by Stony Brook, injuries to important players and poor shooting.

The Vermont men are going to the NIT by virtue of their regular season championship. They will find out who they play Sunday night. Hopefully by then they will have their momentum back.

Their loss in the America East tourney illustrates how important it is to have some good flow going into the post season. Of our three local teams, two have good flow, Kansas and especially Kansas State, who has been playing very well. Missouri? Not so much. The loss to Kansas in Columbia was a tough one, the Tigers couldn't shoot a lick in that game. 28%? Two three point goals the whole game? Mizzou stayed close by dint of Kansas turnovers and making most of their foul shots. Still it had to be a bit of a demoralizing loss for the Tigers. That, coupled with the loss to Nebraska in Lincoln gives negative momentum for MU. Also they have no bye in the Big 12 Tournament.

Kansas State has been winning consistently for about a month now, and is playing its best basketball. Kansas is winning ugly, has point guard and chemistry problems, but as long as the Morris twins and Robinson keep up their strong inside work, Kansas will be tough to beat. The Jayhawks are likely a #1 seed in some region or another. Both KU and K State have byes in the Big 12 tourney so they will be less worn out if they go all the way to the finals.

March Madness (copyright NCAA) is here!

Ruskin Boys Beat Rockhurst 63-61 In 2 OT Nail Biter

Tick, tick, tick. When's the bomb going to go off?

Happy Eagles celebrate District 13 Championship win.

This was really a terrific game to watch--close throughout with good basketball played by both sides. Rockhurst with their designed plays and strong outside shooting, Ruskin with its speed and quickness of hands and feet and ability to run the break and penetrate. However, I will remember this game for the way that each team handled stalling, or holding the ball.

There is no shot clock in Missouri HS Boys Basketball, and that leads to some different strategies when the game is close. At the end of regulation, Ruskin held the ball for close to 20 seconds. Rockhurst declined to defend closely, thus keeping the five second rule out of play. It was the first time we saw the full stall, but it would not be the last.

Rockhurst tried it later in OT when they had the ball and the lead. Ruskin came out and played defense. Rockhurst turned the ball over. It seemed the right strategy to me at this level of basketball. It's hard for young players not to get nervous when holding the ball for any period. Ruskin stalled later on and Rockhurst still declined to play close defense.

It came down to some clutch shooting in both the field and foul line for Ruskin as they were able to regain the lead in the second OT period after going down to Rockhurst a point or two at the beginning. A really nice win that is a tribute both to Ruskin's physical ability and their mental toughness and coachability too.

Next game on the road to State is Wednesday, March 2 at 6:30 pm at the Independence Event Center against Lee's Summit North.

Ruskin in District 13 Game

I can't think of any more of a contrast between Ruskin High School and Rockhurst High School.

The bird fight will be at 1:00 pm at the old Hickman Mills High School on Saturday.

Go Eagles!

Anticipating Lots of Basketballs!

It's all drawing down to a close. High schools will be in Districts shortly, with Ruskin looking good for their first season in the higher class.

Missouri, Kansas and Kansas State disposed of their opponents today. K State is now .500 in the conference, warming at the right time. Think if they had made a few more free throws at Colorado...

Oh, and TEXAS lost to Nebraska in Lincoln. How sad for the Longhorns! ::grin::

Observer pic of Ruskin High action against Truman High.

UVM Men Win America East Regular Season

The University of Vermont men's team beat the University of Maine to go to 22-5 and win the regular season America East title. A pretty big accomplishment, but there is still more work to do. The Catamounts must win the America East post season tourney for a seat at the Big Dance.

Congrats and Go Vermont!

Freeps file shot of Matt Glass against New Hampshire earlier this season.

Kansas State in Trouble

Kansas State took a pounding from Kansas tonight 90-66 at Allen Field House. The Wildcats have troubles...lots of troubles.

College Hoops

With Fan Fest here (can't go--no money : P), and the NFC and AFC championship this weekend, you know then that we are a couple of weeks into the conference college basketball season.

Kansas has rocked steady generally, they did have a close call at Allen Field House against Nebraska but that home win streak is intact and they have not been defeated this year.

Missouri has been mostly up. The team is young, and sometimes inconsistent, but has done OK so far, and should make the tournament.

Kansas State, who had the most preseason hype and much to the consternation of Jayhawk Nation was ranked over KU, has been very disappointing. The team has lacked court leadership and reports are that the team is not responding as well to Frank Martin.

O by the way: UVM is 15-5 overall and 4-2 in conference play. The UVM ladies, who made a big bang in the tournament last year, lost both their coach and all their seniors and so have just won 2 games so far this year. That's life in midmajor land...

LeBron James to Miami

OK, I'm disappointed. A lot. It would have been wonderful for the Knicks to actually play meaningful basketball games again. It would have been nice if Cleveland, one of the most woebegone sports cities in the US, had been able to keep him. The Daily News brings that New Yawk attitude to the situation...

Commentators have been pretty hard on James, calling him out for avoiding the spotlight and pressure that going to New York or staying in Cleveland would have given him. The Cavs' owner basically called his ex-player a selfish loser. Rush Limbaugh analyzed the tax situation: for James, getting out of Ohio, staying way away from NYC, and heading to Florida was the best tax option for the NBA star...

Michael Beasley, the ex-Kansas State player, was traded to Minnesota to make space for a three point specialist for the Heat.

NBA's silly season...annoying fans everywhere.