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How quickly we forget

Yesterday, May 4, marked the 38th anniversary of the shootings at Kent State University. Four students were shot and killed by Ohio National Guardsmen that day. Anti-war protests were common then during the Vietnam War. It was an incident that shocked the country, horrified many of us and prompted Neil Young to write the song, 'Ohio'. An Ohio newspaper devoted all of 15 words in Sunday's editions to what was a dark day in U.S. history.

Hide and seek

First of all, congratulations to the administrative staff at Detroit Mercy for hiring Ray McCallum. He looks to be a good choice; time will tell. Secondly, they also must be congratulated for being so tight-lipped about the whole affair. Leaks were few. The name Brad Soderberg slipped through the cracks and the more obvious candidates like Mike Jackson and Kevin Mondro were easily detected. In hindsight, perhaps the match could have been detected. McCallum was left stranded by the Kelvin Sampson situation and the "word" was UDM was looking for a current head coach or a former head coach to take the reigns after Perry Watson's retirement.

One of the best week in sports

This week has just about everything a sports fan could want. The NCAA men's and women's basketball finals were Monday and Tuesday. The Tigers are in full swing on the tube and the NCAA men's hockey tournament, featuring Michigan, has its Frozen Four beginning on Thursday. Then there's two of my favorite events - the NHL playoffs and The Masters golf tournament. The NHL gets under way tonight and the Wings open at home on Thursday. And on Thursday Tiger Woods goes after yet another major. What could be better? I know, you avid NFL can't wait until the Lions open pre-season football. For others it's comforting to know that won't start for awhile.

Don't panic

The unusually wet weather we've expereinced, including all that snow, in late winter and early spring has forced the postponement of many high school baseball and softball games. This has fuled the voice of those who wish to move the start, and end, of spring sport season. There's talk that the baseball and softball seasons should be played two weeks later, meaning the end would be, at times, the first weekend of July. This isn't good. I could see the finals played the last weekend in June but that's as far as I would take it. Many baseball players would be forced to choose between playing with their summer baseball teams and their high school teams. Remember, this was an unusual spring. Let's wait before we do anything drastic in trying to mend the change of seasons that has caused some difficulties. We all want to more participation in our athletic teams. Further discussions, and time, are needed before we make these changes.

Time for a change

This jump ball/tie up has gone far enough. Let's say there's 13 seconds left in regulation. A jump ball situation takes place. Team B gets possession and the game goes into overtime. Why doesn't team A get possession to start the overtime. Any logical answer will do.

NCAA Tournament

I'm not sure what CBS in the Detroit is thinking. It's Friday evening and we're watching North Carolina and Mount St. is up 48-33...and counting. We don't want to watch a No. 1 seed vs. a No. 16 seed. Does CBS understand this? No Michigan team is involved. No Big 10 team is involved. There is not even a MAC team playing. We would like to watch...Hmmm, like me think... a closer game! Yeah. That's it. How about Malik Hairston and Tajuan Porter (both from Detroit Renaissance) of Oregon vs. Mississippi State? Knock, knock, CBS? WAKE UP!

Saginaw wins, 69-49

Saginaw advances to face the winner of the second semifinal (Romulus vs. Detroit Pershing) tomorrow.

He's not Mr. Basketball

Throw out all the hype about Brad Redford and look at what Saginaw's Draymond Green has done. He had an outstanding Class A championship game last season and has gotten the Trojans back to the final this year also. He plays well in every big game and puts up huge numbers when his team needs it.

Is Brad Redford a great high school player? Sure. But, is he better than Draymond Green? I don't think so.

Saginaw stretches lead to 57-34

The third quarter was Draymond Green's personal highlight reel, with an alley-oop from Daniel West and a 3-pointer from well beyond the arc. He had 12 points in the period, showing his versatility from inside, outside and on the fast break. Green now has 24 points and 13 rebounds and has helped turn this semifinal into a blowout.

Saginaw leads, 39-24, at halftime

It's been the Draymond Green Show so far, as Saginaw has stretched the lead to 15 at halftime. Green has 12 points and 10 rebounds (five offensive). Saginaw cooled down a little, but they still shot 47 percent in the first half. They're only 4-of-16 from 3-point range, but they've done the damage inside with several easy baskets from Green and others.