James Harden and the NBA have no idea

James Harden was suspended for violating NBA protocol. A regular Joe would have been fired for less.

According to ESPN Harden was fined $50,000 and ruled “unavailable” for Wednesday night’s Rockets game against the Thunder. He was seen mask less at a Houston clubs Christmas party. Clearly against the league COVID-19 rules.

In a video published by Black Sports Online Harden is seen in a large group without a mask. He claims he was never in violation of the league rules. He said he entered through a separate entrance, sat with a private party and was only in attendance for 30 minutes.

The Rockets Vs. Thunder game was eventually cancelled because the team did not have the minimum eight players available for the game.

Take a moment to remember a short time ago as the NBA teams gathered to begin training camp. Harden held out and requested to be traded by the Rockets. During his hold out he attended a a party for rapper Lil Baby and the NBA required that he pass six straight days of Corona Virus testing before he could begin practing with his temamates.

I don’t believe him, He is a repeat violator and trying to bring down his team. What other team in the league would want the spoiled superstar. A stupid question I know because another team would grab him in an instant.

My brother-in-law is a family couselor, his boss came to him last week and fired him because two of his clients had complainded about him. Is that what the fans need to do to get Harden dismissed.

NBA basketball is a game that very gifted athletes get to play. In fact they are payed more money than most of us will earn in our lifetimes. They run up and down with a ball trying to score more than their opponents. At what point does Harden get held accountable for what he has done?

Harden earns lots of money for the league. It is obvious that they would never ‘fire’ him, but would the league fail if he was let go? The players voiced opinions of fair and ethical treatment. Explain to me how his suspension falls in that category?

A rule breaker should get canned.

State championships, later this summer? Its an idea…

I am so disappointerdd.

Like many high school sports fans including seniors and parents I think this spring has sucked. (sorry for the vulgarity)

The spring season had just begun. Some teams were lucky and traveled south to St George or Arizona to play several other games, but many had only one contest under thier belt when it was closed. At first it seemed to be only a temporary suspension, but as time passed it looked more and more grim.

Recently the Utah High school Activities Association announced the complete postponment of the entire season. I don’t believe they had much of a choice, but it still sucks.

So, its done, what can we do about it?

Could a summer time state tournament be held even after school is over? Giving anothe year of eligibility is out of the question. I really think post season tournaments later this summer is the answer. Who is with me?

I imagine all of the schools might not be intersted, but is there a way to hold some kind of championship? Don’t these kids deserve it.

So many school fields sit vacant during the summer, softball, baseball and tracks could easily do it. Lacrosse might conflict with football later on this summer. Golf and tennis could be done. Let’s do it.

Penalized for drinking from the wrong fountain…UHSAA, What?

As I sit here tonight, I realize that this blog is a place for my opinion, so here goes…

The Utah high School Activities Association is becoming useless and has exasperated its own issues. They support the big guy and have no use for anyone else.

We sit here with severe recruiting going on. Face it schools go after the exceptional players. The elephant in the room gets players from other schools and they become mega teams. No one can compete against them, and far worse than that some teams fall apart, their numbers decrease and the teams disappear.

We have regions that never win a state playoff game. In fact how many years has it been since Region 2 won any games in any sport?

Referees are disappearing. Sportsmanship is no longer, from coaches, players and the fans. Right now basketball referees are overworked because there are not enough. They are under trained and losing against the avalanche.

Are there enough qualified coaches? West Jordan had a football coach, he quit before the team even met him officially. Now they have another. Herriman has had three girls basketball coaches in just over a year.

Transfers come and go with no apparent control. A player doesn’t like the coach and heads across town next year.

Yet today they penalized Orem for wearing the wrong color uniforms at the state championship game…Really?!

Is this a kick back? Are they trying to cover something else? Is it time for the governing body to be overhauled?

 

Region 2 begins… no sound effects necessary

You may not have known it, but region play has begun.

On a cold Wednesday evening the schools in the often beaten down and certainly, maligned region number two faced off in their first counting contests of the season.

Region 2 takes a bad wrap by many of the state prognosticators and the basketball elites. It still contains teams. Teams that may not be as good as many of the states top teams, but they are kids. Kids playing basketball that deserve a chance to play, learn and have fun at the high school level.

I certainly agree that none of these teams deserves ranking or possible picks for state title runs. In fact, if one wins a state playoff game it would be a minor miracle. Last season all four qualifiers lost, by an average of 15 points in the first round. The true meaning of one and done.

It certainly aligns with my recent blog noting why four of these five schools will qualify for the state tournament when a very good team in another, better, region sits at home.

That said, these are students. Athletes that play basketball. Not for pay. Certainly not for accolades. For many this has been their dream, to play high school basketball. My son sat the bench on his high school baseball team and loved it. He loved putting on the uniform and being part of the team, let us give these kids their due. Just like any other, let them be a hero for a season.

Kearns is considered the favorite in the region. They began their season with a rousing 17 point victory over Cyprus. Coming into the season I think these could be the top two teams in the region. Hillcrest will probably fight and claw to get in the top also. I expect Hunter and Granger to vie for the final playoff spot.

These teams have done nothing wrong to earn them a lack of prowess. In fact, they may be victims of a system. We accuse schools in football of luring (recruiting is a bad word and against the rules, although we know it is done) away the top athletes. Thus making some schools better than others. Basketball does just the same, and so does baseball, etc.

“Play where you live” I hear all day long, but how can we fix a broken system. The top turns a blind eye. Just as in politics, the rich get richer because the poor have no way of defending themselves.

 

Freshman headed to Spain for soccer experience | West Jordan Journal

After a training session in South Jordan, Ridley Shaw learned he was chosen with 18 other players from around the country to travel to Spain and train with Real Madrid, one of the best soccer clubs in the world.

Source: Freshman headed to Spain for soccer experience | West Jordan Journal

World Cup short track speed skating inspires young athletes | Valley Journals

The Utah Olympic Oval hosted the World Cup short track speed skating event Nov. 9–11. It was an opportunity for experienced athletes to race for fast time, but young athletes learned as they watched from the sidelines.

Source: World Cup short track speed skating inspires young athletes | Valley Journals

A high school shot clock… in Utah?

Ok, I will weigh in on the subject everyone is talking about, a high school shot clock.

Is it time for it to be mandatory in the state of Utah, yes, but I think it comes with several issues that need addressing.

Officials, The UHSAA already has a lack of qualified officials. How can adding one more element for them to adjudicate help. I have seen under qualified officials being berated by coaches, players and fans. A shot clock just adds one more thing for them to think about. Can a high school official timer handle the responsibility? no. Sometimes they are unsure when substitutes can enter the game.

Strategy, I understand that it is not the most exciting, in fact it is an awful tactic to employ, but it does give an under powered team an option to compete. When I was in high school my school, West Jordan, employed this tactic against South. The final score ended up like 27-20. It was a boring game, but it gave the Jaguars a chance. The opposing team does have options, come out and guard them closely to force a five second count, but they rarely do. Even a trap could take the ball away from a stalling team. A last ditch option would be to foul. make them shoot free throws and get the ball back.

I could see games becoming more lopsided. Teams that are simply better would score more points while the lesser teams could not keep up.

Cost, Although minor it would force schools to improve equipment.

The UHSAA has an option to make the game better. I hope they figure it out.

#UHSAA #highschoolsports

What I wanted for Christmas…true playoff basketball

What did you get for Christmas?

I came away with a bunch of great family time and some special memories, but what I would like is a new format for high school state basketball tournaments.

The Utah High School Activities Association realigned its schools earlier this month. Their reasoning comes from several years of experience. I remember years ago when the schools were moved around about every four years. In recent history the association has changed it up every two years. They claim the fluctuation of enrollment numbers causes a shift in talent.

I understand completely the importance of putting schools into competitive regions, but is it really working?

This years boys basketball is a perfect example. Region one has some mediocre teams. Layton has been powerful in the past, but this year? Weber, Fremont or Davis really have no call to boast and that is just the beginning.

Region 2 is nothing to write home about. Kearns has played well, but does Hunter or Granger scare you?

That is where life turns in boys basketball.

Regions 3 and 4 are beyond competitive. I’d argue that the fifth place team (Taylorsville and Lone Peak respectively at press time) in either region would win out right Regions 1 and 2.

There in lies the problem. When the season ends four teams from each region advance to the state tournament. No matter what, and guess what Taylorsville and Lone Peak sit at home. Is there anything else more unfair?

I feel every team should qualify for the tournament. The first and second place teams in each region earn byes. Everyone else plays to advance.

I believe that gives and opportunity for Cinderella teams and gives every team a chance even if they play in a tough region.

 

Several new coaches on bench this season

The boys and girls basketball teams are settling in to start this season. Several local teams have new coaches to lead them.

Taylorsville

Reggie Jewkes takes over a girls program that has had several years of state tournament appearances under Jodi Lee recently. They have started the season with a 4-6 record and are led me senior 6-foot-2 senior Finau Tonga a St Mary’s signee.  Tonga is averaging 14.6 points per game this year.

Jewkes played at the University of Utah and coached boys basketball until recently. She said “this is a good group if girls and they are adjusting to the new stuff.”

Riverton

Jodi Lee left Taylorsville to step in at Riverton. She returns to the Silverwolves where she was and assistant to Ron Ence for several years.

Riverton has not missed a beat to start this year. They have won six of their last seven games headed into this weekends Summit Academy tournament. Several players have contributed offensively, but senior Kaitlin Burgess leads the team in scoring.

West Jordan

The Jaguars job could be considered one of the best in the valley. Mason Sawyer takes over for long time head coach Scott Briggs. Sawyer graduated from West Jordan and played collegiality. He is the school record holder in assists and played at Dixie State for the Red Storm.

He has installed and completely new offense, but the scrappy Jaguar defense and hard nose inside play is still evident on this team.

“I have coached in this system since many of these kids were sophomores. They know me well,” he said.

Herriman

Briggs has settled into his new home at the helm of the Mustangs. He brought over many of his philosophies and also some of his friends. Including his long time team manager.

The Mustangs have started the season 5-3. Briggs has implemented many of the off-season techniques he employed at West Jordan. Including a summer basketball program and off season conditioning.

Those new coaches are just a few taking on new positions. Summit Academy and Hunter also have new boys coaches.

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3 reasons why the Riverton Holiday basketball tournament one of my favorites,

Christmas is upon us and the NBA season is about to begin. (Just kidding it started around Halloween if you are living under a rock). Around here it is time for what I consider the best holiday tournament around.

The 2018 slate of games is the fifth annual Riverton Holiday Tournament. Originally it was held jointly at Riverton and Juan Diego high schools but now it is the sole property of the Silverwolves. It has become slightly smaller in numbers, but equally large in my eyes.

#1 – It is the holidays and what else are high school students supposed to do? Play video games. Get out and support your classmates. Lots of basketball is held at a close proximity to home. Junior varsity, sophomore and varsity teams all compete in the four day tournament.

Playing several games in a few days is beneficial for kids. Some of the players that sit at the end of the bench may get time just because of fatigue, it builds camaraderie with the teams and gives referees a chance to improve and learn quickly.

#2- No or little travel costs for the teams. In the beginning sponsors helped teams travel from southern Utah to participate and in today’s age of complaining to the Utah High School Activities Association about playing in Utah county (ie. schools that remain nameless…) It is relatively inexpensive and keeps kids close to home for Christmas. Riverton uses this a fundraiser for their team.

Some of our local teams have made the holidays a time to venture out of state for pointless games against teams we have never heard of.

Copper Hills has played in Florida the last few years and I really do not see the point. We all know that high school basketball means little in college coaches minds and what does playing out of state really do? There are plenty of teams in this area to compete against. It would be awesome if Salt Lake Community College or the Utah Jazz hosted holiday tournaments and kept these kids close to home (that is a blog of another time).

#3- It is fun! A tournament of any kind is great to support. The tournament director does a great job of getting diverse teams. This year it includes Kearns, Wasatch, Dixie, Provo, Cyprus, Cottonwood, Northridge and Riverton. The Silverwolves are the defending champions.

It begins Wednesday Dec. 26 and will continue through the weekend.