Pitchin with Pritch: Plainsmen teams off to good start

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The high school athletic season has already gone deeper into the schedule than I once thought it would. 

I know there are a lot of things that people feel are more important than high school activities. 

But those activities are more important than a lot of people give them credit for being. 

So, I hope the year goes uninterrupted for classes and activities.

I didn’t get to watch all of the volleyball game versus North Platte St. Pats due to a school board meeting, but what I did get to see was impressive in many ways. 

I thought our team competed very well against a traditionally strong volleyball team in NPSP. Although the gals didn’t win the match, they played hard and the games were close. That should help build confidence in coming matches. 

Get better each week and good things happen.

On Friday night, the football team played pretty well and put 72 points on the scoreboard against Maywood-Hayes Center. 

There are always things you want to improve on from game to game but I saw some great blocks, outstanding tackles, and a team that has good offensive and defensive potential.

There is always a learning curve when a new coach takes over and players get stronger and faster. But the Plainsmen have put together two pretty decent games to start the year and again, if they keep improving each game, they should be a difficult team to defeat. 

This week’s game with Dundy County Stratton should be a pretty good chance to see just where the Plainsmen are three games into the season.

Good luck to all the fall teams as the season gets into full swing.

Lost another great coach 

We lost another great basketball coach this past week with the news that legendary Georgetown coach, John Thompson, had passed away. 

Coach Thompson was one of the most important and prominent coaches in the history of the sport. 

His career was more than just outstanding. 

He spent his entire college coaching time at Georgetown University (1972-1999) and had a career win-loss record of 596-239. His team won the NCAA National Championship in 1984. 

Thompson had 26 players drafted into the NBA. He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1999 and the College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006. 

Thompson’s legacy extended way beyond the basketball court as he was a strong voice for racial justice—a fight that still continues to this day.

Husker football?

Last but not least for this week, will the Huskers have a football season this year or not? 

Right now the prestigious Big 10 at times doesn’t appear to know if they are coming or going! Back in early August, the Big 10 released their 2020 football schedule and then just three days later told the teams of the Big 10 that they were NOT to practice in full pads until further notice. 

That had to be a blow to all the coaches and eventually the players in the Big 10. Apparently, no reason came with the edict. If football continues to be played in high school and colleges around the country and no major Covid-19 outbreak interfers, I would think the pressure on the Big 10 will intensify. 

It will be interesting to see what happens. Right now there seems to be a slight disconnect with the leadership of the Big 10 conference. 

I do realize that no one wants the Covid-19 to run rampant and cause people to die, so hopefully some compromise can be found and soon.

 

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