The words of Jack Buck describing the majestic home run of Kirk Gibson from Game 1 of the 1988 World Series could have been used Friday night in Sebewaing. The statement would not have been describing something beautiful. It would have described something very very ugly.
Cass City High School played Unionville-Sebewaing Area (USA) High School in a contest of boys varsity basketball. You can read a game story at The Tuscola Today or the Huron Daily Tribune website. I want to tell you about the ugly part of the game.
With one minute remaining in regulation, Cass City had possession after a stoppage in play. Only down by nine points, Cass City worked the ball around for about 12 seconds before missing a shot. USA rebounded the miss and was immediately fouled. USA went to the line to shoot their two free throws. At this point in the game things still looked up for Cass City, despite a poor shooting half. USA was only 4-13 from the line and promptly missed both free throws. USA jumped on the rebound and passed the ball to the top of the key. This is when the ugliness began.
With only 43 seconds remaining, Cass City only needed to foul to put USA back at the line. Cass City did not foul. In fact they backed away from the USA ball handler. Thinking this may a mistake by the players, I looked at the bench and realized this was coached. The Cass City coach was not screaming at his players to foul. He just sat on the bench doing nothing. I believe he instructed his players to not foul USA. In other words, he gave up. Only down 9 points (possible 3 shots) and 43 seconds remaining, he gave up. This is not only ugly but down right irresponsible. The coach should be asked to resign immediately. That will not happen because guess what he is the athletic director as well. What type of lesson is he coaching his players? The lesson taught last night: give up. Disgusting, ugly, reprehensible, use any adjective you want. Jack Buck's line fits.
8 comments:
First off let me say I like what you guys are doing on this blog. It's got alot of info and you update it on a regular basis. But I strongly disagree with they way you handled the Cass City situation. Although you may be right you can't bite the hand that feeds you. You're talking like this is college or pros. It's not it's high school coaches don't get fired like the way you suggest.
I wasn't at the game by to say "This is not only ugly but down right irresponible. The coach should be asked to resign immediately. That will not happen because guess what he is the athletic director as well. What type of lesson is he coaching his players? The lesson taught last night: give up. Disgusting, ugly, reprehensible, use any adjective you want." is way over the top.
Good luck in any future dealings with coach Fernald. I don't know if you are scheduled to do a game at Cass City this year but if I were coach Fernald i would tell you to find another game after the comments you made.
I will probably not make his Christmas list this year.
Also thanks for reading.
If the coach decides to do that, that's his choice. It would be a childish, self-absorbed decision...one that would not only make him look like foolish but in the long run, it would only hurt the kids on his team.
Exposure in the press is not a right for these teams...it's a privilege. And for a coach to turn down coverage just because he doesn't like what someone said...that would just be stupid!
Andrew you may be right but what if coach Fernald feels you unfairly critized him? I mean come on Christian called for the guys job that to me a way over the line for covering high school sports.
Needless to say.......THE MAN GAVE UP! especially in a League, rivalry game.....the man gave up. I was stunned. This team was not out of the game with a minute left, nor at any point in the game were they out of reach. Especially with the teams 3 point shooting, the Red Hawks threw away a very good possibility at a victory.
Maybe he did or maybe he didn't. After scoring 9 points in the second half maybe he realized his team wasn't going to put up 9 in the final minute.
That still doesn't mean he should be fired as Christian eluded to.
Criticism is part of the game when you work in a public job.
Unfair or not....an opinion is an opinion.
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