FanSpeak 1/25/04

Hooray for Derek Winans

I AM a Derek Winans fan and wanted it to be known that Derek is one of the best college basketball players around. Any person in their right mind watching a SEMO basketball game would see how Derek is always hustling no matter what the score is. He is an excellent shooter (but needs to shoot more) and has a good overall attitude about the game. I would like to see his assist stats. If it weren't for Derek and the minutes he plays in the basketball game SEMO would not have won the games that they have. So to whoever thinks Derek gets the ball all the time, you need to review the reason for the game. If there is a player who is good at shooting, that person needs to shoot, because the goal of basketball is to see who scores the most between two teams. Are you sure you're at the right sport? Derek Winans does not get the ball all the time, and SEMO doesn't need so-called fans like you anyway.

Defending the cheerleaders

NOT ONLY am I a proud Jackson fan, but also a dedicated Jackson cheerleader. It disappoints me that people expect us to attend every boys and girls, JV and varsity game without our fans. The team is greatly supported at most of the games by our cheerleaders and our fans; however, are the fans supporting the cheerleaders as well? Last football season we attended every game and even provided a pep bus for student fans to travel with us; only three people showed up throughout the entire season. Other than the expense of traveling, it is a strain on our schedules. We are students first, then cheerleaders. My attendence has no reflection on my school spirit; I will always support my team whether I'm there or not. Being a part of the "tribe with pride" isn't about making sure you're at all the games; it's about supporting the team and us when you are there.

More on cheerleading

I AM a Jackson cheerleader and I speak for all 12 of us. First off, it is not our decision if we cheer at away games or not. Maybe you fans aren't aware of the budget crises that our school system is facing this year and the fact of how much money a bus would cost to send us to every away game. If you'd like to see us show more support, instead of criticizing the cheerleaders, maybe you should take it up with the administration. Secondly, as of right now, the cheerleaders show their support at both junior varsity and varsity boys and girls games each week. I don't think you understand the effort and support we make.

Garner is rebuilding

I'M RESPONDING to the comment in Fanspeak in last Sunday's paper about Coach Garner not being suitable to coach at a Division I school. First of all, every coach is going to have their ups and downs -- they are human. Garner had to rebuild the program and then had an extremely successful season in which everything gelled perfectly - from the coaching staff to the players' chemistry with each other. That led us to the first round of the NCAA Tournament. After that year, the three top players for SEMO either graduated or their eligibilty was up. It was inevitable that there was going to have to be some rebuilding. No one, not even Coach Garner, could have known some of the troubles to be faced with Terry Rogers and a few other recruits that proved to be less than impressive. Those things happen. Coach Garner and his staff are working very hard to rebuild the program. Coach Garner is a great coach with a great attitude about his team and his staff. He isn't God, and he's not going to make any huge miracles happen overnight.

The way it oughta be

GEORGE HALAS and Vince Lombardi surely had to be smiling last Sunday evening. NFL playoff football in January the way it was meant to be played: outside.

Columnist plays favorites

I AGREE with the previous caller that says Marty Mishow seems to have a love affair with the coach at Cape Central. Mr. Mishow responds in his column on Sunday by saying that he has nothing to gain by bragging on Derek McCord. Oh, yes, he does. Coaches can make sure that sportswriters have access to things and they give them interviews and they tell them information. Granted, it's not like he's writing about world secrets, but he is helping him better his career.

I AM an avid, maybe too avid, sports fan from the area. I know the teams that everyone expects to be competitive year in and year out. Saxony Lutheran is not one of those teams. You're coverage of Saxony Lutheran is almost sickening. It was bad enough that I have had to sit through and read write ups about Notre Dame and Cape Central constantly just to get to the good stuff. These two teams are not contenders for a state title, and neither is Saxony Lutheran. So find yourself a contender. Milk it for all it's worth. A 10-0 record against teams who combined may have five wins is hardly reason to give them the credit you have disgustingly given them. So get a grip, give them what they deserve. Credit for being better than the terrible teams, which still makes them bad. Bring them to the Bootheel against the decent Class 1 squads, and they wouldn't stand a chance. So please, quit making fools of yourselves. They are not any good, and no one wants to read about them.