Posted by Dan Jensen
Our guys are stumbling to the finish line in basketball, wondering if they will get a third or fourth place ticket to the playoffs. Anybody excited? Not me. Not at all. I remember too well the days of yore and the thrill of beating back all opponents in district play and standing alone as the playoffs began. To the victor went ALL of the spoils.
Why do we reward such mediocrity? Finances? It's usually one game and out for those kind of stragglers, so does that really help the coffers all that much? I do wonder about such things.
Are trophies given to any other than the district champion? I surely hope not. Now, wouldn't a trophy for third or fourth place district finish look plumb loverly sitting next to our state championship trophy!
Despite Clear Creek winning back to back district championships and finsihing undefeated last year, the new coach did not inherit a warm bed as he had no returning starters. I cannot tell from this distance whether he has done a good job or not, but I know he has nothing but a .500 team and such mediocrity should not be rewarded with a playoff spot.
I hope that all who are reading this blog will share your opinions, too.
Even though I hate to admit it, I agree with Dan on something. I am a big fan of sending only the district champ to the playoffs. The way it is now just seems too watered down to me. But, I know there must be reasons for doing it the way they do it besides the money issue. I am sure Buddy will enlighten us on this issue, Dan.
Posted by: Ed Davis | February 13, 2007 at 11:22 PM
It's pretty much common at all levels of sports now. The only explanation I've ever heard for it is that it increases interest for more teams and fans for a longer period of time to keep as many teams as possible "in the running". It probably accomplishes that objective. I can think of only one instance where a team with a so-so record may deserve such consideration. Some teams are far better at the end of the year than the beginning. Other than that, it's too much like Little League baseball where every player gets a free snow cone after the game whether they won or lost.
Posted by: Pat Jensen | February 14, 2007 at 09:41 AM
Interesting topic and the Wildcats did thrash the B'wood boys on Wednesday 69-50 and we are 16-16 to finish 4th in district. We were also 6-6 in district action.
As for why four teams to the playoffs, you both touched on the main reason-money. More teams in means an extra round of games and more $$ for the UIL to take in. Yes, it also makes the race more interesting, especially to the teams who aren't the best.
With the team we had this year, I would have been for the 4th team for sure and I knew that going in. We were lucky to finish 4th as I think Alvin should have been right there with us and Brook but they lost their close games and we won ours. So credit to us for doing that.
We will play Elkins, the district champ from 23-5A, next Wednesday at a time and site to be determined tonight when their district finishes their last game.
I have heard possible sites of Dobie, Manvel(the new Alvin high School) or maybe Pearland. I will try to remember to post it when I find out.
Posted by: Buddy Carlisle | February 16, 2007 at 03:10 PM
It wil be Clear Creek(17-17) vs. Fort Bend Elkins(29-4) Wednesday at Manvel High School in Alvin and game time is 7 pm. I will be broadcasting the double header between Pearland-Ft. Bend Marshall and Clear Brook-Ft. Bend Hightower at Dobie High School at 6 and 8pm on 1540 AM. I'll try to remember to report on results on Thursday.
Posted by: Buddy Carlisle | February 19, 2007 at 05:54 PM
One of my fondest memories as I stroll down the glory road of Clear Creek basketball is our game at Alvin in 1963. The last game of the regular season. If we lose, our long string of district chammpionships is ended and we start playing baseball. Because in the good old days, only the district champion advances to the playoffs.
We already had had one string broken when Deer Park upset us in the district opener. First district loss in a long time. Then Alvin beat us at home and no one still knows the last time that had happened in district play at home.
So, we go to Alvin with two losses and the Yellowjackets, with one, have the home court advantage too. Big, big game. Big, big, big game for us.
But it would not have been in our current pitiful watered down system. A loss would likely have had us finish in a tie with Deer Park for second and third but so what? We still qualify for the playoffs.
So what, you say? Poof, there goes a golden memory in Clear Creek basketball lore--a game for the ages. That's so what.
Posted by: Dan Jensen | February 20, 2007 at 12:22 PM
I responded to the thread, "Wildcats Off To A Great Start", before reading this one by Dan Jensen just last night. My oversight. I should have presented my thoughts on districts allowing the "top" four teams into the playoffs, even when some have a losing record. The appropriate place to add my opinion would have been under this thread, Rewarding Mediocrity. Nevertheless, I agree with Dan and many others that it is a system created to award mediocrity. What a shame. dll
Posted by: Dwayne "Curley" Lenox | February 24, 2010 at 03:53 PM
I do not recall a single player from the golden days boasting about his performance. Plenty of them could and would be justified.
Posted by: Dan Jensen | April 20, 2017 at 10:31 PM
Such a great example of revisionist history. How many high schools were in the district during the "golden era?" Can we discuss redistricting and how it has gutted the flagship CCISD schools; reallocating the once overgrown talent bed Clear Creek enjoyed. Has it occurred to you the path to the playoffs is far more difficult now than it was in the mid 50s and 60s? I'm sure you also believe that the Boston Celtics are the greatest franchise because of the 11 titles from Russell's era when there were only 7 or 8 teams in the entire NBA.
Posted by: Rudy Biggs | August 16, 2017 at 04:21 PM
Clear Creek did indeed have a golden era in basketball and how can any informed observer say that the path to the playoffs is "far more difficult" now? Only the district champion advanced in those days and now the top four qualify. Much easier now.
Posted by: Dan Jensen | September 01, 2017 at 07:52 PM
At one time there were only two schools in the bay area, Clear Creek and Clear Lake. Now there are 5 with the addition of Brook, Springs and Falls. As a result the districts were redrawn which resulted in Creek and Lake losing talented players. Of course it will be harder to make the playoffs when talent is divided among 5 schools rather than two. Do we need to look at a pie chart to see that something divided by 5 is less than something divided by 2?
Posted by: Rudy Biggs | January 02, 2019 at 04:50 PM