~ From the Braintrust ~
With the conclusion of the 2023-24 winter sports season, a final look:
Things I Think I Know
- The WIAA girls and boys basketball ´bracket reveal´ was a flop. With all the technology we have at our disposal, basketball fans deserve better:
- Announcers pronouncing schools incorrectly. ‘Śhuh no´(Shawano) is one of at least a dozen mistakes. Practice, folks, it matters.
- The girls brackets were difficult to read on television. The quality from the 1970´s was better.
- Basketball ´Homer Announcers´ blatantly criticizing officials and one-sided announcing. In watching broadcasts from across the state, it is a problem for some broadcasters.
- Heard on broadcasts this fall: ¨That´s a bad, bad call, a bad bad call.¨ ¨Terrible call, that is a terrible call.¨ For any broadcaster to criticize officials in this manner, shame on you. Itś likely broadcasters like this have never tried refereeing or umpiring, but yet feel it is ok to tell viewers/listeners they think a call is bad? Classless.
- Broadcasters that are over the top for one team. It is one thing to know one team better than the other, that is customary. To not give proper coverage, though, to both teams, should not happen.
- Gymnasts at the WIAA State Meet take the top prize for demonstrating the best sportsmanship of all state championships. Imagine this: gymnasts clapping for their fellow competitors, showing support for gymnasts from other schools. When is the last time this was witnessed in any sport? Amazing demonstration of class.
- Broadcasters that lack respect during the national anthem, talking DURING THE ANTHEM. It is flat-out disrespectful, disgraceful and a blatant lack of class. This has been observed in person, and should never be tolerated. If you cannot stop talking during the anthem, perhaps broadcasting is not for you.
- The Shot clock in Wisconsin Basketball discussion will continue, but broadcasters who make it seem like a shot clock has all pros and no cons are living in alternate world:
- Offenses will struggle to produce GOOD shots in 35 seconds.
- A third table worker manning the shot clock? The clock operator taking on this task? Administration of the shot clock is not some simple task, and it is far more complicated than some make out to be on broadcasts.
- The Public and Private School tournament/playoff debate is not going away. Take a look:
- Girls Basketball teams at state: 14 public, 6 private. In the five championship games: 7 public, 3 private. This year, the state teams were real close to the ratio of public/private in the state, a rarity for Wisconsin.
- Boys Basketball teams at state: 12 public, 8 private. In the five championship games: three public, 7 private. About 29% of the schools in Wisconsin are private. 40% of the teams at state were private. Things that make you go hmmmm….
Bring on spring sports. It is time to enjoy warm weather.
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2023-24 Area Conference Schedules: Conference and Team Links
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Author: David Keech
David Keech is a retired teacher and works as a sportswriter, sports official and as an educational consultant. He has reported on amateur sports since 2011, known as 'KeechDaVoice.' David can be reached at [email protected]
