FanSpeak 1/26/03

It's not all about offense

I ATTENDED a Notre Dame girls basketball game and was impressed with the defensive strategy that won them the game. Nothing was mentioned in the newspaper article about the defensive game. I do realize you must score points to win, but without defense, no one would win a game. I really wish the media and coaches would not single out players who score and stop overlooking defensive players. As a coach, I give credit to every player who is part of a team.

Uninformed voters

I'D LIKE to know which media members vote for the boys and girls basketball polls in Southeast Missouri. Seeing the Delta girls team ranked third is a good indication of the lack of knowledge of the voters. Dexter beat Delta at Delta, and Notre Dame defeated Dexter at a neutral site. I doubt Delta could defeat Jackson's junior varsity team. I do think they have a good Class 1 team, but they do not play the stronger teams in the area.

Bad, bad calls

I APPRECIATE good teams, good coaching and good officiating. The HealthSouth girls basketball tournament had all these. The seMissourian boys tournament lacked good officiating. I know you had nothing to do with selecting these officials, but I appreciate HealthSouth's support of the three-official format and quality officiating.

Glad to see baseball

I'M EXCITED to see the Southeast baseball Indians will begin their season soon. Coach Hogan and his staff have done an excellent job. I hope both the 1998 and 2002 teams eventually make it into the Southeast Sports Hall of Fame. Good luck to the 2003 Indians as they strive to take the program to a higher level, and good luck to major-leaguer Kerry Robinson and the other Southeast baseball stars striving to make the show.

Roll, Tigers

HOW 'BOUT those Tigers? Central will definitely have a winning season, and who knows, they just might win 16-plus games. That's quite an accomplishment from last year's 4-21 season. Big shout out to coach M. This sure is a good outlook for the future.

Pride in Saxony team

I'M SO proud of Saxony Lutheran and the JV basketball coach. I can't wait to see them play a varsity schedule next year. I know it's not fair to put huge expectations on them, but I'm curious to see them go to the next level.

Suspect choices

DO THE sports writers and sportscasters who vote on the local basketball polls watch all the teams, or do they rely on their records to place their vote? In the girls poll Notre Dame is ranked eighth, and Dexter is third? ND beat Dexter by 20 in the Christmas tournament, but I guess that doesn't count. ND also beat Poplar Bluff, ranked second. They have seven losses, but each loss is to someone in the top 10 poll as well as St. Joseph's and Anna-Jonesboro. Strength of schedule should count for more than it does in this poll.

It's sad beyond words

HOW SAD that the area's top newspaper can't manage to send a reporter to the semi-finals of the Scott-Mississippi Conference boys basketball tournament.

So true. We'll forward that suggestion to the area's top newspaper.

Something's missing

IT SEEMS like 2002 was the year of the bombshell in sports. Players were tattling on each other's drug use or threatening to go on strike, football players were running over people or causing a stir by signing autographs during games, basketball players were getting busted for one thing or another. This year so far just seems to be ho-hum.

Go, go, Gruden

I HOPE Jon Gruden and the Bucs kick some butt Sunday. I'll be cheering them on.