Gate City 82 Wise Central 53

[sharkfan83]

The Devil's came out sluggish tonight. Started the game down 2-0 before the tip....Refs walked in but didn't blow the whistle to let the players know like they do at GC when they enter the court so GC got a technical for dunking during warmups. Then Wise scored the next 5 straight and went up 7-0. Wise held the lead most of the 1st qtr until the last minute and GC took the lead. Game was very chippy in the first half...Very intense game. A few technicals from both sides and some craziness from fans and parents. McClung got shoved into the wall as he was trying to dunk the ball on a fast break after he made a steal. The boy that hacked him got an intention foul called....But the boy that shoved him into the wall 2 seconds after he landed had nothing called on him and at that point everything got wild.

At halftime GC led 46-38. Came out in the 2nd half and GC blew the doors off and didn't look back. GC embarked on a 35-3 run that was a continuation from the end of the first half and lasted through half of the 4th qtr...at that point the starters were pretty much pulled.

This will definitely be one to watch when it's played at GC. I for one will be there with bells on. I'll take off work if I have to in order to see it.

 

[Marshall-Dillon]

I never have understood the technical for dunking in warm-ups. It is legal in the game so why not warm-ups? I have heard some say that it is illegal because the officials want to dissuade players who can't dunk from trying in warm-ups. That is BS...nothing illegal about trying in a game even if you can't do it. Most can't make a half court shot either but...

 

[sharkfan83]

I really have no clue what the reasoning behind it is. Pretty ridiculous though. GC has 6 or 7 kids that can dunk and they like to warm up with it. Minus it making me paranoid that one of them might get hurt in warmups dunking the ball, I don't really see that's it's a HUGE deal like they make it out to be. The only time I have a gripe with it is when the kids are goofing around and not being focused and are increasing their chances of getting hurt. When it starts looking like an And1 mix tape....Might need to tone it down a bit.

The difference last night was these refs didn't blow the whistle to let everyone know they was walking onto the court during warmups like they do almost every other place GC plays at. So they assumed the refs weren't out there and they are allowed to dunk up until that point. Oh well, too many shades of gray for me. Either needs to be dunk or no dunk.

 

[Marshall-Dillon]

I have never heard of officials blowing a whistle to announce their presence. Most of the teams I follow have an assistant coach stand on the baseline under the goal and let the players know when the officials enter the area.

 

[sharkfan83]

We usually have both... the assistant notifying the players and the refs will blow their whistle too. I'm not sure if we had an assistant watching last night or not....I didn't notice. Would assume we did though.

With the direction the game was going in the first 10 mins I'm not sure what to think really. Both Central fans and COACH were cheering on the fact the boy shoved Mac into the wall 2 secs after he landed after his dunk attempt. Called the first boy that hacked him badly on his way up for an intentional....But the other boy didn't even get a foul (should have been an ejection) for the shove that sent the gym into an uproar. Then Mac glances at the Wise bench after he sinks his FTs for the intentional foul and grins and their coach goes hysterical wanting Technicals called. After that it was absolutely wild til the first half was over. Mac made it a point to pick the Coaches sons pocket at halfcourt and tear the rim down a couple times. After that the tension ended and the 35-3 run began.

Later last night I found out there was tension all week due to Wise players/Coach claiming they would do whatever it took to keep Mac from dunking on their goal. I guess that's why Macs parents and some fans were going crazy other than for the obvious reasons. This isn't the first incident this year with the bunch from Wise. Their Coach is a disgrace to the game and sets an awful example for all kids watching the game. I really feel sorry for some of the kids on Centrals team though....They really do have a few talented players. But under him it will be nearly impossible to succeed.

 

[Marshall-Dillon]

I do not know why people get so upset over a dunk on their home court. It still only counts as two points. Sounds like there are some spirited games down in the good old SWVA. I am looking forward to the post season to see how the East stacks up against the West.

 

[sharkfan83]

Haha I can't figure it out either. No matter how much commotion it causes....Still only counts the same as a layup. I can tell you this much, GC and Union (Powell Valley) rarely ever agree on anything.....But when it comes to talking about Wise even the hated rivals can agree that Central is bad. They've already witnessed it this year and the GC fans didn't really believe it I don't think. GC fans are now believers and don't doubt one word the Union fans mentioned about their matchup.

There's definitely some heated matchups in SWVA....Whether the score is close or not. You get your money's worth. Might even get to see a fan come out of the bleachers and hit someone with their padded seat. (Central). I think there will be some good games in the post season. GC will have to play better team ball and rebound better later in the season to achieve what they would like to achieve. I'd like to watch Madison, Lee, and ER play a game or two before the post season starts. Just too far to travel

 

[JJK fan]

I have never heard of officials blowing a whistle to announce their presence. Most of the teams I follow have an assistant coach stand on the baseline under the goal and let the players know when the officials enter the area.

Agreed, I have never seen officials make their entrance by blowing the whistle.