Excitement. Talent. Top-notch entertainment. Community college basketball.
Doesn't really add up, does it?
felt the same way. When I was first assigned to cover the Community Colleges of Spokane basketball team, I reacted with as much enthusiasm as someone forced to watch a children's junior-league team: Yeah, it's basketball, but what's the point?
Nevertheless, I headed out to the campus at Spokane Community College, undoubtedly doing a job my boss promised as a favor to someone at the school. Upon finding myself at a gym whose exterior can only be described as looking like a giant air conditioner, I longed for the comforts and amenities of the McCarthey Athletic Center.
What am I doing here? Couldn't there possibly be something more important to cover? I can't believe I was roped into doing something as menial as ... as ...
Whoa.
These guys can ball.
For the next 40 minutes, I was glued to the action on the court as the Sasquatch put on a dominating performance for their home crowd. There was sharpshooting from the perimeter, crisp passing, lock-down defense and alley-oops. There was smart play, team basketball and enthusiastic fans. In all, there was a 100-57 win, and some of the best basketball I've seen in a long time.
Of course, it's not like this performance came out of nowhere. The Sasquatch (not "Sasquatches," I made that mistake in my first five seconds there) are currently at the top of the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges at 23-1, and are a perfect 10-0 in their division. The last time these guys lost was Dec. 7, and in all, only one of their wins came by fewer than 10 points.
They are a junior college team, yet they are playing to packed houses. This isn't just a passing fad; there is genuine love for this team.
And man, do the fans love it. Keep in mind, the team actually represents two schools: SCC and Spokane Falls Community College, which means that they have double the fan base. The fans show up in droves for Sasquatch games, getting free "We Will Stomp You" T-shirts and even heckling the opposing team. If success breeds support, these fans are living proof.
It helps to have a good coach at the helm. Mike Burns, in his first season with the Sasquatch, learned the ropes under coaches Ray Giacoletti and Dick Bennett while an assistant at Eastern Washington University and Washington State University. After a stint as head coach of EWU for three years, he brought his Division I mentality to the junior college level. No difference there, though, as his players bought into his system and continue to excel no matter how hard he pushes.
It's too easy to look at this community college basketball team and think of all the reasons why it shouldn't matter. You could see Burns' job as a huge demotion from D-I. You could see a league relatively unknown in its own region. You could see teams composed of 18-year-olds and not care. You could see that tiny, cramped gym and dismiss this team altogether.
Or you could choose to see a coach who is relishing his new role as a leader. You could see the intensity and passion with which the Sasquatch play. You could see young men wanting to be worked like Divison-I players in order to dominate their opponents. You could see players and fans truly taking pride in their team. A team doesn't have to be D-I to matter to themselves and their fans, they just need to have a true love for the game of basketball. The Sasquatch matter.
They may just be a junior college, but their devotion to the game can equal even the biggest schools. The talent may be smaller, but their heart is unmatched.
No comments:
Post a Comment