HOLIDAY BEAUTIES AND BEASTS: Talking the highs, lows of two wild weeks of hoops

It was two laborious weeks of high school basketball, one each on the boys and girls sides, and I am only speaking from a reporter’s perspective, so I can only imagine the work it took for people at Twin Rivers, Bloomfield and Poplar Bluff high schools to host events that brought in plenty of teams and spectators.

Bravo to you all and thanks for all you do.

I saw a lot in my first dance with winter tournaments here in SEMO and I came away with a lot of good and some bad impressions, but in the end, the positives outweighed and I am grateful for this.

It was quite the ride into 2023.

THE BEAUTY

I did not know Kyle Smith.

A lot of people that I am acquainted with did.

I likely would have liked him as much as they loved and/or respected him. His loss is clearly fresh even after so many months. That should say just how impressive a man he was.

But, what also impressed me, was that in an age where journalists are not seen with much overall respect (and quite frankly, I can’t blame many for feeling this way in the current state of the profession. Thankfully, I have met Rust employees who are the exception more than that rule) that Bloomfield High School took the time to show one of us glowing recognition.

The Wildcats athletic department named press row for Kyle and that said oodles that there were and are still those who do the job right. Right enough that a school would do something like this.

I appreciate Bloomfield for appreciating one of our own.

“Kyle did a lot for student-athletes in our immediate area,” Bloomfield athletic director Jason Karnes told one of our reporters recently. “He was kind of a staple of athletics. We did a lot of work with him and after his tragic passing in the spring, I wanted to do something nice for him back in the spring but didn’t have a chance until now. We thought dedicating media row would be fitting.

“He worked hard … he did a really good job.”

Current DAR staff writer Mike Buhler was given his first job at the paper in July 2000 by Smith and then-editor Stan Berry.

He summed it up best.

“I think it’s a nice tribute to Kyle,” Buhler said. “Kyle was my mentor and a consummate pro. Covering the Bloomfield Christmas Tournament was one of the highlights of his year, so naming the media row in his honor is such a great fit.”

• Bloomfield High School’s gym is as cool as a tray of ice cubes. Midwestern basketball gyms are comparable to Texas football stadiums — although 60,000 people packing it in for a prep game? Y’all can’t find hobbies? The Wildcats court is so cool that I sent a video text of the place to friends who basically said, “Man, I wish I could have played there.”

No kidding.

• That Twin Rivers chili though?? Heck, they win the hospitality competition going away. Thanks to EVERY school that did their best to provide drink, food, and a place to chill amidst the action. Now, go out for some filet mignon. My treat … in spirit.

• It was nice to see the Poplar Bluff boys get things right and wrap the 2022 part of the slate with dub-ya. They seem like such a nice group of young men and that makes it easier to not maybe cheer, but at least hope for the best for them.

• The LRCC final still resonates after Doniphan and East Carter locked horns in a grit fest of two tough teams. It is so wonderful to see the girls game continue to excel in the Midwest — the mecca for the sport. But it also leaves one to wonder why so many schools choose to not have a team. I mean I get the whole Title VIIII hocus pocus, but does anyone think that some of these boys teams are a better watch than what the girls could offer? If someone thinks that, you clearly have zero clue about what you are watching.

• Speaking of Doniphan, what’s in the water?!?! Both boys and girls played for titles and the Dons finished second in Bloomfield while the Donettes held on for the crown in Broseley. They play hoops in a fun way to watch and both look like they can make serious district runs. My only question is: Why aren’t they in the SEMO Conference? I think they’d do decently, wouldn’t they? (Although the OFC looks like a bunch of good fun!).

• The Poplar Bluff Showdown was a lot of fun. The teams that came in all had some serious athletes that could play and that made it a fun watch. What made it even better was the Mules student section. They were decked out in different costumes each day (although the last game they seemed to have lost some of their mojo). I will say, the students showed a lot of class, were really loud, and seemed to be a collection of overall good dudes and dudettes. Keep up the good work.

• Remember to thank a lot of the organizers, the coaches, players, and everyone else associated with these events for their time and commitment during the holidays. Even the refs, who spent the time out, and local website media that provided coverage for those who could not attend. I also appreciate all they did to help us get your accomplishments documented for the history books. Well done.

THE BEAST

• An unnamed ref threw out a fan at one of the tournaments because reportedly a fan yelled out: “NAME…you suck!” Upon further review, I found out that this ejected fan did not swear at the ref in question, did not threaten him or say anything foul or suggestive about his children or spouse. If in fact only, “You suck,” got him tossed? Well, that is one ref who needs spinal surgery and likely shouldn’t be refereeing if he is a member of the Charmin Army. However, if there is more to this (and I asked multiple people) and this fan did in fact do anything beyond that, then yes, I and others should support the ref’s decision. If not? I know a good surgeon or two.

• Can someone please tell me why during a skills competition, a grown adult would almost antagonize a crowd when downgrading a high school athlete’s performance upon being called out for it? You are how old and what, you think you are cool for doing that? OK, so the kid wasn’t awesome, that’s fine. Give the score and zip it. Move on. But to act like you are BA because you could downgrade a maybe 16-year-old and you also clearly never played the sport and/or well? Please never ask this person to be a judge again. Thanks, signed maturity. Think I’m wrong? Tell that to the adults and students who all noted it and told me as such.

• Not necessarily a beast, but more of a curiosity. I have learned that teams can be in more than one conference. Now that is a very Missouri-unique style type of thing. To me, that is something I’d love to learn more about how and why that can happen. I also think it is like hedging your bets: Can’t win in one, but you might win the other. That looks like smart planning to me.

Not shocking to see the overall wonderfulness of SEMO people and their sports. Happy New Year and wishing all of you - even the beasts — the best 2023 you can possibly have.