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Running clock spins both ways, the ups and downs of sports

February 21, 2017

Two-faced running clock - Cape boys’ basketball, who lost by 16 at Smyrna Feb. 15, dismantled Sussex Central on Senior Night 74-42. The margin got to 35 in the second half, and the “running clock rule” locked into gear. The night before, the Cape JV girls’ basketball team won 26-3 at Central, dressing only six players, with two of those being managers. That’s not funny, just another side story that sometimes you’re on the wrong side of. I was at Princeton Feb. 18 and watched Temple lacrosse (2-0) get shellacked and knick-knack paddywhacked by Princeton 19-3. The clock ran in the second half, but players still tried to score because that is the purpose of the game. I thought varsity coach Vince Evans of Sussex Central and assistants Leroy Mann, Desmond Hughes and Frank Roach did a good job standing behind their athletes and shaking hands afterward with heads held high. At Princeton, I witnessed Temple coaches Bonnie Rosen, Jen Wong and Claire Hubbard coach hard the entire game, moving players in and out. There was no gnashing or questioning character and commitment afterward. Good coaches and most athletes understand that in the aftermath of a “what was that all about running-clock loss” the only place to look is forward.

Face in the crowd - I looked into the Cape stands Feb. 17 and I saw a man from 35 years earlier. I called him down, took a photo, and we talked face to face with much respect. Dexter Kellam was a no-talking and nonperforming student back in the day. I talked him into coming out for track with the help of the Gibbs boys from Harbeson (Mike, Wayne, Tony, Lloyd). Dexter began to open up, in language and in speed. He was one fast cat and a great kid. Dexter, now about 53, is married with children and has driven a truck his entire adult life. He has never drank, smoked or done drugs (it’s just not him) and his language is best described as clear and respectful. I hugged him and said, “You are looking good, Dexter." He responded, "So are you, coach." The man is out there making it and being a man, and he loves Cape because Cape never gave up on him. That's it, I'm done! 

The Pledge of Allegiance - The DIAA Handbook for scholastic sports in Delaware stipulates that the athlete owes allegiance to the school team first before venturing out in the world of travel and AAU. DIAA has no enforcement power on this issue. The position is to clarify that DIAA will hear no grievances from DIAA member athletes who have been disciplined by the school coach for missing practices or a game. The climate is sometimes crazy out there, which is not a news flash. You just can’t be two places at once, so conflicts are inevitable. This goes on in the summer where town ball and travel ball sometimes conflict, or my personal favorite the well-planned-in-advance family vacation. Grand Mom Rose: “A family vacation is when you get to go someplace by yourself for a week.” Seriously, I’m just glad I’m out of that game. I was often the last option when I was coaching track.

Snippets - Kat Judge (Cape) scored three goals and had seven draw controls as Winthrop beat Siena 11-10 Feb. 19 for the first win of the season. Kristin Shriver (Worcester Prep) had two goals and three ground balls. Allie Yeager (Cape) is injured. Delaware baseball lost to Pitt Feb. 19 at the Sunshine State Classic in Kissimmee, Fla., dropping to 0-4 on the season. Diaz Nardo is starting at third base for Delaware - he has two hits in 10 at bats. South Carolina softball dropped a game to Louisiana Tech 5-1 Feb. 19, the first loss of the season. The Gamecocks are now 8-1. Tiara Duffy (Cape) had two hits in the loss and a stolen base, her third of the season. Wrestling season is long and grueling; it’s no wonder that in some matches grapplers just short circuit. Look at boxers. You don’t see them fighting 35 times a year, nor do you see a 400-meter runner competing in 35 races over three months. Take the SATs 35 times in three months, trying to beat your score each time. Relentless focus is not normal, just scope out the treadmill runners in gyms. There is something seriously wrong with those people, and I’ll be the judge of that. Go on now, git!

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