Editor, Times-Union: I would like to respond to the letter from Heath Miller.
I wonder if Mr. Miller attended the same Valley/Manchester game we did. Did he notice the Manchester student section waving derogatory posters about Valley's ISTEP scores? Did he notice the homemade T-shirts the student section wore depicting the infamous "chicken incident"? If so, he didn't mention it in his letter. The only thing Mr. Miller noticed was that Manchester lost, at home.
While the posters and T-shirts were probably in poor taste, I can think of a lot of other things that are worse. And we are talking about kids. Kids do that kind of thing, that's why they're kids. At least they were at the game supporting their school activities.
Mr. Miller, do you know what TRC stands for? Three Rivers Conference. Our boys were simply celebrating defeating a worthy opponent. And the possibility of a chance to win the TRC again.
If visiting fans weren't jammed into a tiny corner 40 feet from the court, next to the Manchester band, maybe the team would have celebrated in front of their fans. The band, by the way, was very good.
We take offense at the idea that the Valley coaching staff would engage in unsportsmanlike conduct. Bill Patrick and his staff have restored school pride and turned a lackluster program into a respected ball club. And they have done it in three years.
The only unsportsmanlike conduct occurred when Mr. Miller picked up his pen to write that letter.
Marc and Sonya Allen Rochester via e-mail
Basketball Tourney
Editor, Times-Union: On Monday, Jan. 29, the local elementary city basketball tourney got under way.
I realize this extracurricular event may not have this type of "effect" on some people, as it did with me, but I hope someone will take notice (the WCS School Board).
The "effect" I speak of was the boys basketball game, Atwood vs. Sacred Heart. It was an exciting see-saw battle throughout the game. With nine seconds remaining in the game, a young man from Sacred Heart made a shot to tie the game. A young man from Atwood dribbled the length of the floor and made the final shot of the game at the buzzer, with Atwood prevailing.
Sacred Heart defeated Atwood earlier in the season and they have a fine team. But in case someone is keeping track, Atwood hasn't won a first round game in the last five years.
I'm reminded of when the IHSAA didn't have class basketball and 1954 when tiny Milan won the state tournament.
We may not win the city tournament, but we still have the dream!
I currently have a son who attends Atwood and is in the fifth grade. He also plays on the basketball team. This game was played at Claypool Elementary School and both teams were represented well. The gym was at near capacity.
I realize this story is one man's opinion, but what I am trying to point out is, I'm really talking about an entire community (Atwood School).
I feel when the IHSAA adopted class basketball the tourney was ruined.
So school board, I plead with you! Don't take away our "Milan Miracle," and if I may, Silver Lake's "Milan Miracle," too.
