Thoughts on the big game

Published 4:53 pm Tuesday, April 5, 2022

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I had trouble falling asleep after Monday night’s big game, so I decided to take a short stroll around the neighborhood.

Shortly after I arrived outside, I heard the unmistakable sound of sobbing up ahead.

As I drew closer, a figure clad in light blue from head to toe came into view.

It was my neighbor, curled up into a fetal position between his pool and the sky blue luxury vehicle parked in the driveway, with an almost empty bottle of vintage Merlot and a half eaten slab of cheese beside him.

“We had them,” he said. “The title was ours, what happened?”

Always ready to help a friend in need, I extended a hand to help him up, then sat on the ground to offer a consoling pat on the back.

I bolted upright in the bed at that point and it took a moment to realize I had been dreaming. Whew, close one, I thought while absorbing a solid kick from my rudely awakened wife.

You probably already figured out that I made up all of the above.

I slept just fine Monday night and didn’t bother staying up to watch the Heels blow a big lead.

I’ve played, broadcast and coached basketball on many levels and the part of the game I respect most is rebounding. Coaches will tell you rebounding is about heart and effort, not so much about height.

As much as it pains me to write this, kudos to UNC’s Armando Bacot, who became the first person in tournament history with six games of getting 10 or more points and rebounds each time.

The young man is a walking double-double and I’m impressed with his hustle and tenacity.

The above part about watching a big game is true. I witnessed a combined no-hitter at Washington High School as the Pam Pack softball team blasted Croatan, 10-0.

I know that going to a high school softball game is a stretch for most, but these girls deserve your support. Pitching dominates softball and a strong case could be made for moving the mound back and extending the bases, but the Pack has it going on.

They are 12-0 and on their way to a conference title and hopefully, an entertaining post-season.

They banged out 15 hits Monday night and have eight players batting over .300 for the season. Seven players have combined for 12 home runs so far.

Seniors Laci Campbell, Morgan Eisenzimmer, Abby Gardner and Olivia Paszt have sent the tone, while juniors Ava Shea Mizell, Shaelee Crismon and Erin Everett are huge contributors.

Freshmen pitcher Emma Orr and catcher Addison Miller have been pleasant surprises for coach Brad Horton and assistant Dallas Tucker.

The Pam Pack girls hit, pitch and play top notch defense, which I guess you could say, covers all the bases.

They have several home games left, so go watch them play. I guarantee you will be entertained.

One last note on basketball season. Congratulate Northside boys coach Jared Adams the next time you see him.

Before the men’s tournament, I asked the county coaches to pick their final four and national champion.

Adams claimed bragging rights as he was the only one to pick the Jayhawks to cut down the nets. He also had UNC and Villanova in the final four.

I really enjoyed watching the men and women compete under normal circumstances and both tournaments provided the usual crazy outcomes.

Where did March go? Now I remember, I spent it in front of the TV.