I don’t think I will ever understand.
I know I’ve gone on and on about referees this season. And I know I’ve been forced to write article after article about losing for some kind of reason. But please, take the time to really read and think about this one.
After defeating the Brush Arcs 60-48 in the sectional tournament, the Rangers advanced to play their rival, the Willoughby South Rebels in the district tournament. Now of course, everyone knew this would be one of the biggest games in high school sports history, especially because it was in the tournament. And North actually had a chance. When the two faced off in the regular season, North hadn’t lost by much either time, losing one game 47-46, and the next 61-35, so North had a chance. Fans actually believed, stereotypical of Eastlake. This was going to be a good one.
Now typically, referees during the tournament season are way better than the one’s the OHSAA provides during the regular season. Gosh, it’s the tournament whoever loses is out, there better be some good referees in the game, right? Unfortunately, that statement was anything but true for the Rangers on Saturday February 27. After leading the Rebels 15-14 at the end of the first period, the referees came to rescue the Rebels. By halftime South led 34-28 with the foul count being 9-2, the Rangers with the majority of the fouls. Now tell me, isn’t that a bit much? 9-2? That’s a 7 foul difference, going into halftime. By the end of the game, the foul count had to be at least 23-9. Being at the game myself, I must say I was quite displeased by the equality of the calls. How come the North defense couldn’t lay a hand on the South players, but the South defense could push senior point guard Travis Picquet all over the court and not get called for one thing? And whatever happened to the 3-second key rule? Is this really what sports are coming to? North ended up losing the cold-blooded battle 58-71. Boy, what a cruddy way to lose the last game. Not even cruddy, heart-wrenching. And it feels like I’m the only one who actually wants to stand up and speak out against it. If we all don’t agree with this conspiracy, why don’t we speak out? Will someone please stand up? Or are we just going to let every single person on this earth tell Eastlake how awful they are and continue to pound us into the ground? I’m telling you, referees are just throwing rocks at a dead bird on the ground at this point. It’s just not fair.
And how could you watch a kid, frustrated and annoyed, throw himself on the bench after fouling out his last game of senior year? I could go on all day, just because this was such a frustrating loss.
Thank you to the Eastlake North High School 2015-2016 Rangers for an eventful season. Keep your heads high.
I know I’ve gone on and on about referees this season. And I know I’ve been forced to write article after article about losing for some kind of reason. But please, take the time to really read and think about this one.
After defeating the Brush Arcs 60-48 in the sectional tournament, the Rangers advanced to play their rival, the Willoughby South Rebels in the district tournament. Now of course, everyone knew this would be one of the biggest games in high school sports history, especially because it was in the tournament. And North actually had a chance. When the two faced off in the regular season, North hadn’t lost by much either time, losing one game 47-46, and the next 61-35, so North had a chance. Fans actually believed, stereotypical of Eastlake. This was going to be a good one.
Now typically, referees during the tournament season are way better than the one’s the OHSAA provides during the regular season. Gosh, it’s the tournament whoever loses is out, there better be some good referees in the game, right? Unfortunately, that statement was anything but true for the Rangers on Saturday February 27. After leading the Rebels 15-14 at the end of the first period, the referees came to rescue the Rebels. By halftime South led 34-28 with the foul count being 9-2, the Rangers with the majority of the fouls. Now tell me, isn’t that a bit much? 9-2? That’s a 7 foul difference, going into halftime. By the end of the game, the foul count had to be at least 23-9. Being at the game myself, I must say I was quite displeased by the equality of the calls. How come the North defense couldn’t lay a hand on the South players, but the South defense could push senior point guard Travis Picquet all over the court and not get called for one thing? And whatever happened to the 3-second key rule? Is this really what sports are coming to? North ended up losing the cold-blooded battle 58-71. Boy, what a cruddy way to lose the last game. Not even cruddy, heart-wrenching. And it feels like I’m the only one who actually wants to stand up and speak out against it. If we all don’t agree with this conspiracy, why don’t we speak out? Will someone please stand up? Or are we just going to let every single person on this earth tell Eastlake how awful they are and continue to pound us into the ground? I’m telling you, referees are just throwing rocks at a dead bird on the ground at this point. It’s just not fair.
And how could you watch a kid, frustrated and annoyed, throw himself on the bench after fouling out his last game of senior year? I could go on all day, just because this was such a frustrating loss.
Thank you to the Eastlake North High School 2015-2016 Rangers for an eventful season. Keep your heads high.