some deserved credit
I want to give credit to some of the people who don't get noticed, but have been working hard to help make their teams and us better. I'm talking about the team managers.
These kids tirelessly chart stats, carry game charts, and manage equipment, but most important to me is that they call the game results in every night.
A couple local managers have, as usual, been doing a fantastic job, and I'm sorry I don't know all their names. I can say we have come to recognize their voices on the other end of the phone.
Big cheers go to both Farmington basketball managers, who are typically the first to phone in basketball games each night. I believe the girls manager is Shannon DeBari, who is proving the be a great athlete and a great organizer as well. I don't know the boys manager, but excellent work as well. Timely, organized, efficient.
I also need to give extra credit to all the hockey managers that have been calling this season. Due to an earlier deadline than in the past, most local games end after our printing, and therefore don't get into the paper often. But a couple of these guys have been managing to call us as soon as the game ends and get the results in the paper. Last night, the Newington-Berlin manager called to report scores from the day before because their game had ended too late.
That's awesome. Your players will get the credit and recognition they deserve because you put the extra effort in. Awesome job.
Speaking of hockey, there are a couple interesting looking teams in the area. It seems these co-ops, while I am not a fan, are greatly helping competition. After a slow start to the season, Newington-Berlin is doing quite well lately, and looks on track for a tournament spot. Rocky Hill-RHAM continues to be far more competitive than either was separately. But the biggest success has been the Hall-Southington team. These two were made for each other. One was a defensive juggernaut will little offensive punch last year (Hall) while the other got used to 11-10 shootouts (Southington). Together they have proven to be very effective and are among the favorites in Division III (even though I don't think two schools that size should be in D-III).
I'm a little concerned for Farmington. The Indians have a very tough schedule remaining and have struggled all year. Ironically, a team that has done nothing but score goals in recent seasons is having trouble putting the puck in the net with some very talented players. I'm not sure what's going on with the Indians, but hopefully things will come together quickly.
If you get the chance, head over the Rocky Hill High on Monday. The Terriers girls basketball team will be making a nice gesture in honoring veterans at halftime and after the game. The girls were inspired by their annual trip to the town's Veterans' Home and Hospital and decided to invite all vets to their game for free. I hope they get a big crowd and both sides enjoy it.
Still very little love for the New Britain girls in the polls after losing first-place votes due to their forfeited games. The girls still came in at sixth this week and opinions are divided pretty evenly down the middle. But it seems things are going better than expected in the standings. I predicted earlier that the girls might lose a second-round home game because of it. But it's looking more like the team will finish in the top 8 spots in Class LL and still get those home games.
These kids tirelessly chart stats, carry game charts, and manage equipment, but most important to me is that they call the game results in every night.
A couple local managers have, as usual, been doing a fantastic job, and I'm sorry I don't know all their names. I can say we have come to recognize their voices on the other end of the phone.
Big cheers go to both Farmington basketball managers, who are typically the first to phone in basketball games each night. I believe the girls manager is Shannon DeBari, who is proving the be a great athlete and a great organizer as well. I don't know the boys manager, but excellent work as well. Timely, organized, efficient.
I also need to give extra credit to all the hockey managers that have been calling this season. Due to an earlier deadline than in the past, most local games end after our printing, and therefore don't get into the paper often. But a couple of these guys have been managing to call us as soon as the game ends and get the results in the paper. Last night, the Newington-Berlin manager called to report scores from the day before because their game had ended too late.
That's awesome. Your players will get the credit and recognition they deserve because you put the extra effort in. Awesome job.
Speaking of hockey, there are a couple interesting looking teams in the area. It seems these co-ops, while I am not a fan, are greatly helping competition. After a slow start to the season, Newington-Berlin is doing quite well lately, and looks on track for a tournament spot. Rocky Hill-RHAM continues to be far more competitive than either was separately. But the biggest success has been the Hall-Southington team. These two were made for each other. One was a defensive juggernaut will little offensive punch last year (Hall) while the other got used to 11-10 shootouts (Southington). Together they have proven to be very effective and are among the favorites in Division III (even though I don't think two schools that size should be in D-III).
I'm a little concerned for Farmington. The Indians have a very tough schedule remaining and have struggled all year. Ironically, a team that has done nothing but score goals in recent seasons is having trouble putting the puck in the net with some very talented players. I'm not sure what's going on with the Indians, but hopefully things will come together quickly.
If you get the chance, head over the Rocky Hill High on Monday. The Terriers girls basketball team will be making a nice gesture in honoring veterans at halftime and after the game. The girls were inspired by their annual trip to the town's Veterans' Home and Hospital and decided to invite all vets to their game for free. I hope they get a big crowd and both sides enjoy it.
Still very little love for the New Britain girls in the polls after losing first-place votes due to their forfeited games. The girls still came in at sixth this week and opinions are divided pretty evenly down the middle. But it seems things are going better than expected in the standings. I predicted earlier that the girls might lose a second-round home game because of it. But it's looking more like the team will finish in the top 8 spots in Class LL and still get those home games.
posted by Ryan Pipke at
2:42 PM
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