Putting Up Zeroes
As a sports writer, you never know what you might see when you go to cover a game. If you attend enough games, you’ll witness just about everything that could possibly unfold. That’s why when you see something you’ve never seen before, it can be pretty cool.
Such was the case on Tuesday night at the Highland Park-McKinney North boys basketball game at Highlander Fieldhouse. After a rough first half, the Scots found themselves trailing by 12 early in the third quarter. Highland Park was able to whittle that lead away and tie things up on an Andrew Barnes layup with 21 seconds left in regulation.
The game ended up going to overtime. And that’s when the weirdness ensued. Neither team scored in the first extra frame. That’s right, zero points in five minutes. Making things even more astonishing is the fact neither team scored in the second overtime until Chase Fletcher gave the Scots a lead on a layup with one minute left.
Although quite a bit of it had to do with the Bulldogs stalling the ball on offense, we went 9:21 of game clock without a single point. Crazy.
The Scots ended up winning, 48-45, to wrap up a playoff spot and extend their winning streak to 10 games.
I feel sorry for anyone that had to sit through that.
I do not know this young man at all. However, yesterday I was in the same store with him and his manner was so polite and courteous to the fellow customers and the employees that it made a strong impression on me. So I hope his mother is reading this or someone tells her: when your son is out and no one is checking up on him– he is representing your school and family with honor.
Great game. Funny thing…when you all you do is dribble and pass the ball for 3 minutes it only takes….3 minutes. The overtimes went quickly because of the stall. Personally, I think it took more energy out of McKinney to do the stall than it would have to play the game.
To Cynthia, who posted her comment about my son, on February 1.
I want to thank you for taking time to log such a sincere and positive note. I am very glad that you were encouraged by Chase’ positive regard for the people around him. Not everyone takes the time to document the good things they see. Thank you for affirming the good in our youth!
Best
Cathy