TURNOVERS

by Alan B. Gibson

Big Bulldog finish

That’s the way a district tournament final should be. Fans standing on both sides, hard-fought battle, good clean basketball with no injuries.

One of the largest crowds I can remember in several years was on hand last Friday night in Russell Springs as the Bulldogs took on the Lakers of Russell County in the championship game of our 16th District Tournament.

Of course by now, most everyone knows that on this night, the Bulldogs owned the Laker House, jumping out to an early lead, stretching it out to a 21 point lead early in the fourth quarter, before coasting down the stretch to claim the 16th District Championship Crown for 2012. That 64-52 victory will send the Bulldogs to Bowling Green later this week for 4th Region Tournament play.

I’ve watched several C.C.H.S. teams claim district championships through the years, but watching those young men and the coaching staff that leads them put their hands on that championship trophy, then strand by strand cutting down the nets, was one of the best post-game experiences I can ever remember seeing.

When the game was over, with the crowd still standing and cheering, the players and coaches all took turns in recognizing the Clinton County fan base and the important part their enthusiasm played in pushing the Bulldogs forward during their performance Friday night.

Clinton County’s presence during the game, and the post-game – was one that can best be described with the two-word phrase – “Class Act”.

So, now it’s on to the next step – the 4th Region Tournament and the Dawgs will be one of two 16th District representatives in Bowling Green this week.

Clinton County will face Glasgow on Thursday night in Diddle Arena in an opening round contest slated for an 8:00 p.m. tip-off. It’s a relatively short drive to Bowling Green, and our Dawgs need to hear plenty of noise when they take the floor later this week.

The Big Blue fan base has earned the “6th Man Award” on several occasions this season already – now is the time to put it together for one final three-game push – a push that will hopefully send us driving north to Rupp Arena with a 4th Region title in tow.

Go Dawgs – it’s your time!

Segregated basketball fans?

More than one local fan has expressed their displeasure to me of the practice that went on last week when it came to parking at the 16th District Tournament – with Russell County fans being guided to parking places that were in close proximity to the Laker Gym, while others – namely Clinton County fans on the nights we played, being directed to the “south 40” lot, a considerable distance further away.

Being asked if fans were “home or away” or “where are you from” or even one Clinton County fan who said she was asked “who are you for” when she arrived, left a sour taste in the mouths of many Clinton County big blue faithful. Brings to mind the phrase “un-sportsmanlike conduct”.

Then there was the issue of Clinton County fans not even being afforded an entire side for their fan base, but instead only about two-thirds of one side in a nearly packed gymnasium while only two schools were involved Friday night, Clinton and Russell.

There was a time many years ago when Clinton County also played in a gymnasium that was too small to hold the crowds that would be on hand for a district tournament, and for several years, until our new gym was built, Clinton County wasn’t included in the normal rotation for hosting the tournament.

If Russell County can no longer properly accommodate the large 16th District crowd, maybe it’s time to go back to a three-school rotation.

It’s March in Kentucky – and I’m busy, don’t call me until April.