Open tourney facts

While it is true that everyone is entitled to their own opinion, however erroneous it may be, I feel compelled to refute a letter (BDN, Feb. 27) regarding the merits of an open tournament. First of all, the writer makes the statement that it should not matter where a team finishes in the standings. In fact, in the open tournament, where a team finishes is important.

Teams who finish in fourth place get a bye in the playoffs and subsequently need to win three games to win an Eastern Maine Championship. Teams in fifth through eighth must win five games on their way to an Eastern Maine Championship, two playoff games and three at the Bangor Auditorium. Anyone who feels that where a team finishes in the standings is not important obviously is not in tune with how this tournament works.

The writer states that if a sixth-place team was beaten by an 11th-place team, then the higher-seeded team was not worthy to participate in the tournament in the first place. What an insulting, arrogant, and ridiculous statement. It might behoove the writer to check the facts. The team he insulted in such a back-handed manner was the only team to beat the Eastern Maine Class D champions. Does this mean that they should not have participated in the tournament having been beaten by a lower-seeded team? I think not.

The difficulty with the open tournament lies in the fact that many teams did not find out until Thursday that they would play off on Friday. A snowstorm caused those games to be rescheduled and some teams had to play back-to-back playoff games. This was not the most optimal situation and the Maine Principals’ Association is directly responsible for the lack of organization.

This idea that the regular season should not be important is encouraging mediocrity. The coaches are teaching our children that getting by is acceptable rather than giving their best. This is what happens when everyone has a shot at the tournament. Students are told that their record means nothing because they will make it to the tournament anyway.

We need to go back to the old system where students worked hard throughout the winter to finish in the top eight. Hard work, dedication, teamwork, and sportsmanship were rewarded with a trip to Bangor.

I have had the privilege and opportunity of knowing some of the finest young men that Aroostook County has to offer. Coach Scott Young and his Easton Bears are a class act. As a die-hard fan, I know that one of the best teams was not present in Bangor. You are all champions to me, with or without a gold basketball.

Velda Buckingham

Washburn

MPA’s money maker

It has come to my attention that the Maine Principals’ Association doesn’t pay for practice sessions for teams who won their way to the state-title games. These teams must pay $200 an hour to practice at either the Augusta Civic Center or Bangor Auditorium. Imagine having to pay money when you’re successful. It certainly doesn’t seem right, especially when you know the MPA makes large amounts of money with admissions charges, T-shirts sales and program sales.

Let’s take the Mount Desert Island girls, for example. How much money did the MPA make when MDI kept winning? MDI is one of those communities that really supports its kids and the MPA still makes them pay for rental of the Augusta Civic Center.

I feel it’s unfortunate for MDI, Camden Hills, Dirigo, Rangeley and Valley should have to pay money to practice at a facility where their opponents in these big state games played three games already and are familiar with the floor, the depth behind the baskets, and so on.

Success should never be punished and the MPA should know that.

Charlie Farley

Trenton

Official catastrophe

I am writing this letter concerning the recent catastrophe involving the John Bapst vs. Nokomis boys quarterfinal high school basketball game. Anyone who saw that game knows where I am coming from.

At the end of three quarters John Bapst was up by eight points when the officials went into their holier-than-thou-we- are-going-to-decide-who-is-going-to-win-the-game-mode.

Now, before you count me out as a disgruntled parent, let me explain. Foul calls were made on Bapst players that were no where near where the infraction occurred. Calls were made on Bapst players who were standing still. Three times the amount of foul calls were placed on Bapst players in the second half as opposed to Nokomis.

Now you might say Bapst was more aggressive, however, Bapst was playing a half-court game while Nokomis was playing a full-court pressure defense. In fact, it appeared as though Nokomis players could literally push and shove their way to victory without one single call made on their pressure defense. What a travesty.

I was told that Nokomis decided to push and shove their way to victory, and if the officials didn’t make the calls then so be it. What does this teach our children? That playing unfair and not living by the rules is the only way to succeed and get anywhere in life?

A prominent official has stated to me on many occasions that a defensive player is not allowed to impede the offensive player’s progress -either by contact, including hand-checking or by direct fouling. Did anyone watch that game? Are these the same officials that belong to the same group?

Perhaps in the future, Eastern Maine tourney competition should be officiated by Western Maine officials and Western Maine tourney competition by Eastern Maine officials.

Kudos to Mike Miragliuolo, the John Bapst coach, for keeping his cool and not letting the situation get to him. He has shown a lot of class despite adversity and deserves his position.

Perhaps Bob Cimbollek was right when he said the game has become so physical that the art of playing basketball is no longer the chief objective. Who is to blame? The players, coaches, or officials who let it happen?

Zev J. Myerowitz

Holden

Brewer ice success

For the first time this season, Brewer Youth Hockey formed a team of middle school-age players. The late Tom Caldwell, president of the program, saw talent two years ago.

Tom took Zachary Wilson, a house player at the time, to the tryouts for the Maine Select 12 team. Zack was chosen to the team. This brought a lot of excitement to the program.

Now, two years later, four of Brewer Youth Hockey’s middle school players have been chosen to play on the Maine Select teams. Zachary Wilson made the Select 14 Team. Matthew Wilson, Zack’s brother, Davey Perry and John Ambrose II, made the Maine Select 12 Team.

These boys are longtime friends who started skating together at the Mite level. These boys will experience a showcase event in Milford, Conn., March 23-25. This is a dream come true, a dream these boys used to read about in their hockey magazines.

The Brewer Youth Hockey Association would like to thank area businesses and organizations who donate and sponsor the program. Their help keeps the costs down so families are better able to afford programs like this.

Congratulations and good luck goes out to Zack, Matt, Davey and John. We wish you well.

John Ambrose

Head hockey coach

Brewer middle school

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