My 2015 State C Boys' All-Tournament Team

Well,

After calling all 12 games at the MHSA 2015 State C Boys' Basketball tournament for the NFHS Network, I had the privilege in voting all-tournament team.  For anyone who may be curious, here are my picks:

1.  MVP - Parker McCafferty, Belt
2.  Koltin Hagrouse, Belt
3.  Monte Cayko, Fairview
3.  Ben Hardy, Fairview
4.  Cooper Olson, Westby/Grenora
5.  Daulton Holecek, Westby/Grenora
6.  James Ramirez, Manhattan Christian 
7.  Luke Davison, Highwood
8.  Patrick Big Sam, Arlee 
9.  Tyler Tanner, Arlee
10.  Josh Smith, Northern Cheyenne

Honorable Mention: Paxton Maki, Belt; Pat Hardy, Fairview; David Keena, Manhattan Christian; Kevin Blanksma, Manhattan Christian; Jordan LaFontaine, Highwood; Taylor Bienvenue, Broadview/Lavina.

This weekend also wraps up my basketball broadcasts for the 2014-15 season.  Some interesting tidbits (well, at least to me):

• Tonight's championship game between Belt, who finished with a perfect 26-0 season after defeating Fairview 61-39, is the 435th documented basketball broadcast of my career.  This was the seventh Class C tilt (Boys-2001, 2004, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2015; Girls-2005) I have had the privilege to call.  It's my twelfth basketball championship (three in AA (one color) and two in A), and 27th MHSA championship event: nine football (including one doing color), four volleyball and two wrestling finals.
• Tonight's consolation game, a great one between Westby/Grenora and Manhattan Christian that saw the Thunder beat the Eagles 60-57, was the 13th State consolation game I've broadcast.
• 26 of the 29 basketball games I called this year have been in the past three weeks (2/21-3/14).
• I added a 68th station and new state to my station list after calling first round GNAC Tournament action between Western Washington and Central Washington for AM1160 KPUG, Bellingham, WA.  I think I have two additional stations, one in ND and one in SD, but that's solely from memory, which is starting to fade.

Restart...?

<Sarcasm>Because I will have copious amounts of spare time this summer following broadcasting pursuits </Sarcasm>, I'm thinking of restarting posts on said blog.  Blogging is something I've never done with regularity, and from the number of posts listed to date, it's been infrequent at best.  Nevertheless, in a continuation of my personal exploration of various outlets for my thoughts, I've been pondering such.  This would be more for my amusement than for anyone else, but I'm always a sucker for feedback.  Thoughts?

That's all for now.

Emotive response to a fictional film

I'm still wrestling with a visceral response I had after seeing The Hunger Games this afternoon.  While I thought the film was extremely well acted and directed, I found myself becoming angrier with the premise of the "game" as the story continued.  I presume my response is what the author, director and actors wanted to elicit…or perhaps I hope it is.  

(Spoiler alert) The supposition of the story is nothing new. The occurrence of human killing for sport/entertainment goes back thousands of years. Throughout history, mankind has proven time and time again it can be exceedingly cruel, especially when displayed in its basest form.  And, yes, I realize this is fiction, and that the story is not new.  We’ve seen it retold numerous times in books or in Hollywood.  Yet, despite the countless hours of entertainment I’ve taken in over the years, I’ve not had this much sentiment over a film since after screening Schindler’s List in a packed-yet-silence theater.  But, Schinder’s List was recounting history. This is purely fiction. So, why such a response?

I believe it has to do with the fact that as celebrated as this movie and the book series have been, especially by the young, I was honestly surprised at the plot line.  I left wondering whether we as a society have become so desensitized to what's portrayed in entertainment that we do not stop to consider what's being presented. Specifically, do our youth truly understand what situations like this one with the “games” portray? 

My reaction is probably in part because my three daughters have read the book, after my discerning wife had already read the book.  As even our youngest has an advanced reading level, I feel confident they adequately comprehended the story.  In fact, as I've yet to read the book, they probably understand the nuances of the narrative better than me.  But, did they see the big picture?

My girls all thought it was a great book, and the two oldest enjoyed the movie.  When they asked me what I thought of the movie, I shared that I thought it was an intense, well presented story.  I was drawn into this intriguing story this afternoon.  While I didn't tell them this, know that I was rooting for the protagonist, along with the rest of the audience, although I was hoping she’d take out the President or one of the other game organizers with an arrow…but I digress.    But, I did share with them that I was a bit conflicted that the hype over the film might allow them to overlook the serious overtones of the story.  I wanted them to consider with me what the “game” was portraying.  It felt good to dialogue with them about it.

Now, please don’t read this as a call for censorship against the book or movie.  I may well—in my copious amounts of spare time—read this book and the rest in the series.  Additionally, I’ll be the first to admit that claiming entertainment is desensitizing our society to mankind’s ills is a slippery slope argument.  But, it was to that point that I wanted to converse with my kids about my thoughts and theirs.  That was probably the best outcome of the experience.

My 2012 Boys' State C All-Tourney Team Ballot

Well, I just finished announcing nine of the twelve games in the 2012 State Class C Boys' Basketball Tournament from MetraPark in Billings.  Overall, it was a fun tourney to watch as well as to call.  It was enjoyable to see basketball return to Montana's largest venue, this being the first state tournament, and only the second tourney overall, since the 2010 Father's Day tornado wreaked havoc on the arena roof.   

The overall crowds were down this year from those of Class C tournaments past.  Our "guesstimate" in the radio press box was 5500-6000 tonight, as opposed to the 8000-9000 that have packed the Metra on Saturday nights of yore.  Speaking of press box, I do have a few suggestions for the press box redux: more electrical outlets, new chairs, let radio down on the floor...please. :)  While it would have been very cool to see a new hardwood surface, rather than the repainted original, the subtle differences in the acoustics and the added amenities on the concourse were appreciated. 

I was surprised by how physical the play was this year, and how much the officials allowed play of such nature to continue.  That, by the way, is not a slam.  I thought the officials did a fine job throughout the tournament; I hold high respect for anyone who is willing to do their job while getting yelled at by spectators, coaches and players alike.

The best game played was the semifinal on Friday night between Fairview and Twin Bridges.  It was a “rematch” of the State C 8-man Football title game, which the gents from Southwestern Montana won 44-28.  The battle on the hardwood went to overtime, with the Warriors avenging their gridiron loss, outlasting the Falcons, 63-55.  It would have been great to see that as the matchup for the championship, but the bracket prevented such.  Twin Bridges proved in the consolation game tonight--they beat formerly top-ranked St. Labre 84-61-- that they were the second best team in the tournament. 

As a member of the media covering the tournament, I was asked to submit a ballot for the "All-Tourney" team. After taking a bit of time to review, I've narrowed/ winnowed/pared it down, but I had to add an "honorable mention" section.  That said, I still had a hard time not expanding my ballot to 12, as is normally found on a tournament roster.  

Here's my ballot for the State C Boys' all-tourney team.

MVP: Tim Hurley, Fairview

2. Brock Schriver, Fairview

3. Nick Willis, Highwood

4. Cole Miotke, Twin Bridges

5. Tyler Lott, Twin Bridges

6. Jeff Robinson, St. Labre

7. Justin Stevens, Big Sandy

8. Kyle Wilson, Melstone

9. Cole Robinson, Saco-Whitewater

10. Travis Tammaro, Noxon

Honorable mention: Cody Vitt and Justin Bieber, Fairview; Cody Pierson

(really, really close to the top ten in my book) and Jory Chrest, Twin

Bridges; Grant Christopherson and Jace Anderson, Saco-Whitewater; Ty

Emerson and Chauncey Foote, St. Labre; Nick Nelson, Melstone; Banks

Stocking, Noxon; Sam Davison, Austin Malek and Darren Malek (for his

moxie), Highwood.

Postscript: My thanks to John and Jo Ann at KBEV in Dillon; Stan at KLTZ in Glasgow, and Mark at KTHC in Sidney for allowing me to cover the games for their stations.  A big shout out to my engineers (board operators) for keeping us on the air: Dave and Linda at KBEV, Mary and Matthew at KLTZ and Mark and Cody at KTHC.  And, special thanks to Joey Taylor for helping with color commentary, Bob Rittierodt for the use of his extra gear, Rocky Erickson for letting me sit in with him a few quarters, and my dad Dave for his color on Friday night and a great job on the sidelines on Saturday night.

Indescribable

Scripture--Ezekiel 8-11; Revelation 4
“You are worthy, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they were created
and have their being.”  Revelation 4:11

Observation--Ezekiel and John both try to use terms we understand to describe the throne of heaven in these passages. They both use descriptions of semiprecious and precious stones and metals to describe the colors they saw: chrysolite, jasper, carnelian, sapphire, emerald, gold, crystal.  Yet, I'm having a hard time seeing what the throne looks like, and not just because I had to look up some of the stones.  And the four beasts.  I can picture the individual faces, and wings, and hands, but how does that work all together?  I suddenly see a cross between Napoleon Dynamite's Liger and "Trogdor the Burninator." 

Film makers have captured the imaginations of millions with amazing cinematography, live action and/or CG.  I wonder if the writers of Scripture had the technology we have available today--CGI animation, the magic of Industrial Light and Sound--could they describe it in a way I could better understand?  

Tangent.  Look at the change in technology used in film.  Compare the 1930's King Kong to any of the last three versions to have come out in the last decade.  Compare Star Wars: A New Hope to Revenge of the Sith.  The Ten Commandments to The Prince of Egypt.  Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark.  Aslan's kingdom in The Chronicles of Narnia movies.  The realm of Asgard in Thor.  

Man, if John and Ezekiel could use those tools to describe what they saw....I still am not sure I could see what the throne looks like.  Who God really is.  The reason being, with our finite minds, I think humans cannot adequately describe the throne of God, let alone God Himself.  

Don't get me wrong.  I believe God has revealed through His Word descriptions of Him, of His character, of His Kingdom.  But, I don't think full understanding will happen until we stand before him.  And, I don't think it will all be understood in a day.

So, why did I write all that when the verse that stuck out to me had to do with a quote of the 24 elders that sit around the throne.  We know very little about them. Who are they? Where did they come from? Is that really all they do, say this phrase when the living creatures praise/thank God?


It's what they say that resonated within me.  I don't know that they even have a complete understand of God.  That is not of importance.  What they say is of great importance.

“You are worthy, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they were created
and have their being.”


God created the universe.  God created me.  For that alone, he deserves to receive glory and honor and praise from me.


Application--Often, I become so focused on other things that I neglect to focus on God, on spending time with Him.  That's evident in the frequency of my journal entries and blog posts.  Sure, I acknowledge with my words that he created me.  That I, as a wretched human being am lost without Him, and that I need His leadership in my day-to-day happenings.  I will quote the psalmist in stating that the whole earth (and universe) is the Lord's, and everything in it.  But, do I truly take time to acknowledge with my heart that His Lordship is worthy of my praise?  I need to take time to do that, and that time needs to be when I pause and reflect on His Word.  

I may not even be able to adequately describe my thanks and praise to Him, but I need to make a daily attempt at it.


Prayer--God, thanks for the blessings that you have given me in family, friends, daily provisions, talents and dreams.  Help me to not lose sight of you in the circumstances I encounter daily.  Remind me that when I fail, I can still enter your indescribable throne room to find grace and mercy to help in a time of need.  May the words of the 24 elders come to mind when I have reason to praise and honor you.  Every breath should be enough of a reminder to me that your are my Creator and worthy of my thanks and praise.  Amen.

surroundedbyair: Atlantis

This is a great description of the NASA Tweetup Atlantis landing from another pilot's perspective. I'm bummed that I didn't get to meet Dr. Wolper in person, seeing as how we're nearly neighbors. But, I now follow him on Twitter, @DrATP.

I think I'm going to have to load the simulator to which he refers.

surroundedbyair: Atlantis

Where's my zeal?

Scripture--Isaiah 63 & 64; Psalm 107; John 2
"His disciples remember that it is written: "Zeal for your house has consumed me." John 2:17 (This cross-references back to Psalm 69:9)

Observation--This Scripture passage has always interested me.  It is one of the only times in the Bible where we see Jesus display anger.  We so often see his compassion, mercy, love, even sorrow, for mankind.  When speaking with the Pharisees and Sadducees, we even seen disdain for their actions.  However, this scene in the temple courts brought about a righteous indignation that moved him to immediate action.

The vendors there weren't having a bake sale for missions.  No, they were looking to profit off of the sacrifices that others were intending to make.  They were concerned for their house, not God's house.  The Jews, after Jesus "cleaned up shop," asked by what authority he did this.  They thought his actions were unwarranted.  Who was right?  Jesus.

I see from this that there is a time for righteous anger.  We know that we are supposed to be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to anger (James 1:19).  But, this is different.  Zeal for the Lord should insist that we honor and respect the Lord's house.  Christians, and others, often get angry about various social ills in our society.  Often times, that anger is justified.  But, how often do we get upset at how his church is handled--treated--by others, or by us?  How often do we feel angry enough about how the temple is being used for things other than to worship God?

I could go off on a tangent and specifically talk about how we treat our own bodies, for we are the temple of the Holy Spirit (I Corinthians 6:19).  But, I'm going to keep this more generalized.  How often do I show my zeal for God, to stand up for his Church and his Word?  Do I have a zeal for him that consumes me? I can be a zealot for other things: sports, flying, music.  What about God?

Application--I need to be zealous for the Lord's house...my own body, my family, my church.  It's not that I need to just go off on a rant about anything just to vent pent-up anger.  No, I need to know his Word so that I can know how to live a life that will adequately represent him.  I should be more consumed by God, by his Word...consumed by a desire to live a life that honors him, by making sure he is honored among family and friends, more than I am consumed by my "for profit" interests.

Prayer--God, let your zeal consume me.  Let it burn in my heart and soul.  Let it be seen, in the proper way, at all times in my life.  Amen.