Time to play ball, and follow the guidelines

At the time of this writing, Tuesday morning of this week, we were set to make the short drive over to Burkesville and get this belated basketball season under way.

With a double-header night in the plan, what would have started in late November, hopefully was able to get underway this week.

Going forward, we’re looking at two more outings this week, including the first home game of the season this Friday night, when we play host to Russell County in The Castle, then a trip to Franklin-Simpson on Saturday afternoon. Both of those outings are set to be double header nights as well. Russell County girls’ action will tip at 6:00 p.m. with a 2:00 p.m. tip for girls’ action on Saturday.

So, although we’re set to play a little basketball this week, don’t be expecting necessarily to head out to the gym and watch the action – probably not going to happen.

As of right now, the games are going to be played in front of no more than 15 percent capacity, and first priority is going to be for student-athletes involved (players and cheerleaders) to receive an allotment of four tickets each.

Spectators who do make the list, as per the above, will pay for admission as normal, when it is determined at the door that their name is, in fact, on the list.

Athletic Director Brandon Pharis stressed that there will be no walk-up tickets sold at the door/gate – you must have your name on the list in order to gain entry.

While at the games, social distancing of six feet must be observed, with family groups who travel together sitting together.

What is the gym going to look like if you do make it inside for a game? Included here is the layout, or at least the layout as to how the year will begin.

Remember, with this COVID-19 going on, the layout, the schedule and the guidelines could all change on short notice.

Let’s hope for the best!

Word of another Bulldog death

My good friend and Bulldog standout Larry Hatfield called me Monday morning to tell me of the passing of yet another well-known name to the Bulldog basketball family.

Paul Denney was a member of that famed 1962 team that was touted to have been perhaps the best team that Coach Lindle Castle put together back in that time period.

With teammates like Kenneth Chuck Conner, Jackie Sewell, Sherman York, and Tom Neathery, just to name a few, Denney and that 1961-62 team finished the year with a 30-4 record after losing 53-47 in what has long been said to have been a very questionably officiated 5th Region semi-final game against Allen County High School.

Playing in some 30 games in his senior season of 1962, Denney dropped in some 138 points that year.

Denney, who died January 1, moved to Monticello after playing some college basketball, and was a business owner, operating Monticello Machine Shop.

Once a Bulldog, always a Bulldog!