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Sports Scene
I have seen it too many times in the past 17 years. We have been truly blessed in that several programs have captured titles in just about every sport offered. Saturday in Troy I saw pure joy in the faces of so many people. If will and hope can propel a team, then some of the fuel used by the Bulldogs to win the South Regional came from their fans. The Bulldogs knocked off two higher ranked teams in a very businesslike fashion to earn their first trip to the state championship tournament since 1990. That year they were looking to repeat as the 4A state champions, but they fell 87-85 to Lanett in double-overtime. Since then there have been teams that have had the ability and the opportunity to make a possible title run. But none were able to seize the opportunity. The key to winning is not being intimidated by the large surrounding of the big venues the games are played in. This group that played this past weekend in Troy looked and played like they were on their home floor. They never seemed fazed by the bigger crowds or the enormous gym. And that is what it takes. Now comes a trip to Birmingham and the state tournament. You can call it the final four but that name is owned by the NCAA so in this state it is the state championship basketball tournament. The Bulldogs have the task of playing the defending Class 3A champion, but as athletic as they play, it should not matter. If Clarke County goes out and takes the floor, plays the same type of game that they have been playing, then they have a great shot at playing in the finals on Saturday. It comes down to seizing the opportunity. In November there were 65 teams in Class 3A with dreams of being in Birmingham. Now there are four who want to bring home the blue trophy in the shape of the state. The ironic thing about CCHS is the total lack of a superstar. Most teams that get to play in Birmingham have at least one bona fide star. Not these guys. It is working class team ball. You never know who will step up and play. Looking back at Troy I thought two of the unsung heroes were Justin Burroughs and Marlon McConnell. Justin did the grunt work. He grabbed rebounds and hit key baskets, plus other things that don't show up on the stat sheet. Against Calhoun, when the Tigers had cut the lead to three points, Justin made a big save on a ball headed out of bounds, turned and flipped it downcourt for an easy layup and the lead was extended to five. Plays like that get teams into state tournaments. Not to just single out those two players. Ben Burroughs and Deforest Taite lifted a team on their shoulders with their scoring. They hit 3-pointers at times when it sent a dagger into the hearts of their opponents. Kenneth Kimbrough, Ronnie Osborne and Justin Hill worked the inside of the paint like they had set up house there. The funny thing is that none of them is over 6'3". Not exactly what some would consider a big, powerful line-up. Three weeks ago I heard so many people in the community complaining about how many kids were being played in close games that allowed other teams to get back into the contest. I guess you would call that coaching....something 95 percent of all people talk a lot about but know absolutely nothing about.....because the Bulldogs now, instead having five strong players, have a bench that allows for at least 10 or 11 players to give quality playing time. It was that ability to shuttle alot of players in and out of the lineup that gave them the opportunity to be in Birmingham. That depth is what allowed Clarke County to keep pushing while their opponents were in foul trouble. I guess Coach Kendric Davis knew what he was doing. The time is now and the opportunity is there to play for and possibly win a state title. I feel like these guys have what it takes, but it still gonna takes those hopes and wishes to provide the energy. First, congratulations on what has been a fine season and good luck in Birmingham.
That's all folks......
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