UFF-DA

By: Coach Christian

  

There is no hiding the fact the BGMR Gator Boy’s Basketball team has had their trouble winning close games this year.  The fact that the Gators were 0-8 in games decided by 6 points or less going into Saturday night’s game against Warroad was starting to ride on the Gator program a bit.  Saturday’s game moved the Gators record to 0-9 in games decided by 6 points or less as the Gators dropped a bewildering, astonishing, and controversial, 52-49 decision to the Warriors.

    

Like many Saturday games the Gators and Warriors were sluggish out of the gate.  In the first half neither team could find an offensive rhythm and both teams were struggling shooting the ball.  The Warriors would however heat up a bit and take a 27-18 halftime lead.

    

With action continuing to be sluggish much of the second half the Gators started showing some life with about 8 minutes to go.  Coming back from as many as 11 points down the Gators and Warriors would trade baskets and the lead multiple times in the last 2 minutes.  BGMR scored a basket to take a 1 point lead with just over 25 seconds to go.  This is when things started to get rather interesting as the game would end amidst some controversy.  The Gators defended the Warriors well and ended up securing what appeared to be a strong rebound and potential foul against the Warriors.  It was determined that there was a jump ball rather than a foul.  With the Gators owning the possession arrow BGMR was setting up to inbound the ball.  Knowing the Warriors were going to have to foul the Gators made a substitution to get one of their better foul shooters in the game.  It was then determined by the officials and official score keeper that the substitute did not legally report and BGMR was assessed a two shot technical foul.  As this was happening and before the ball was inbounded the Gator coaching staff tried calling a timeout to rectify the illegal substitution problem.  Much to the chagrin of the Gator coaching staff they were told by the officials that the Gator could take a timeout but the technical would stand.  Much to the Warriors credit they stepped up and made two free throws to put them up by 1.  Warroad had possession of the ball and the Gators were forced to foul.  The Warriors again made both free throws and BGMR’s desperation 3 pointer fell short and ended the hard fought and heart breaking game.

    

Nick Rodriguez was the only Gator to land in double figures.  Rodriguez dumped in 14 points.  Tanner Creviston and Aaron Dostal had solid offensive games with 9 points each.  Dostal also managed to grab 7 rebounds.

    

After the game Gator Assistant Coach Brad Dahl felt that the player who entered the game was never illegal because the ball was never put in play.  Much to Coach Dahl’s credit and after reviewing the rule book the Gator coaching staff found the following:  Rule 3 Section 3 Article 3 . . . “A substitute becomes a player when he/she legally enters the court.  If entry is not legal, the substitute becomes a player when the ball becomes live.”  With this interpretation the Gators probably should have been allowed their timeout and been given the chance to redo the sub.  However, after discussing the call via email with the officials of the game it should be pointed out that their call WAS CORRECT as they referenced Rule 10.2.1 . . . “Substitute A1 enters the court without reporting to the scorer.  The infraction is discovered before the ball becomes live a technical foul is charged.”  As a person can see the basketball rule book can take on more interpretations than the Bible, Koran, and Torah.

     

When all was said and done the Gators do not have an excuse for going 0-3 from the foul line down the stretch with all 3 being the front end of bonus shots and 5 for 13 from the charity stripe for the game. 

     

Saturday night’s contest is a great learning experience for the Gator team and Gator Nation that things may not always go the way we like and overcoming adversity is one of the strongest lessons that can be learned in high school athletics.

    

BGMR will need to put the latest setback in the review mirror.  BGMR will take a couple days off before returning to practice on Tuesday.  BGMR will travel to Grygla on Friday to take on the ever improving Charger team and will take on the running Warriors from Red Lake on Saturday.  Saturdays game will be on the campus of NCTC as part of the Super Saturday Basketball Day.  Things are winding down and the Gators are gearing up for tournament time.  It should be an outstanding tournament as several teams are hoping to hit their stride at the right time.