FanSpeak 12/29/02

No competition, no fan

I READ Jamie Hall's column on the seMissourian Tournament, and I, like the schools involved, also have a vote: I refuse to spend money and invest my time to watch such abysmal mismatched games which are the norm of the first round.

No fan of Garner

I AGREE that Gary Garner needs to go to a program where he will be appreciated for the person and coach he is. They deserve more than they are getting.

Games, officials a plus

AS A follower of high school basketball, I want to thank you for a job well done on the girls' Christmas tournament. I can see this tournament getting bigger and better in the next few years. The one thing I did notice was the three-person officiating crew. If it's good enough for the girls' tournament, why can't the organizers of the boys' tournament use three for them?

Coverage was lacking

I WAS very disappointed with the coverage by the Southeast Missourian of the HealthSouth girls basketball tournament. It appeared from your coverage that Central was the only team the writer was interested in following. There were several other games that deserved more than the few lines they received. It would also be nice if things that helped a team be competitive and win would be more emphasized in your writers' stories. It appears that points are the only things that matter. What about rebounds, assists, value to a team?

Chock full of wisdom

I LIKE the sports commentary David Wilson has. It's very informative and it helps let you know about what events are coming up in the area. Otherwise you might not know. He makes some very good comments.

Leave Mom alone

IN RETROSPECT we shouldn't have been so hard on Mom. Sometimes games get intense, and some people cheer more than others. Some are content to be quiet, and some get emotional. So I'll be more careful, and let's not destroy the team. OK?

Take that, Mizzou

I-L-L! I-N-I! I-L-L! I-N-I! Hey, it's been a long wait since Aug. 31.

Want to make your voice heard? Write to Southeast Missourian, FanSpeak, P.O. Box 699, Cape Girardeau, Mo., 63702, or e-mail sports@semissourian.com, or fax to (573)334-7288. "FanSpeak"appears each Sunday.