Letters To The Editor
No love for tennis
It’s time to change the way high school tennis matches are reported on the Stat Sheet.
The scores of No. 1 singles and No. 1 doubles are the only outcomes printed despite that three other singles matches and two more doubles matches are played, each carrying equal weight toward the final team score.
The Spokesman-Review claims lack of space is the reason for such a small printout, but after seeing how much space is given for each individual weight class in wrestling and numerous other sports with many statistics and individual names (i.e. basketball, football, volleyball, track), the paper’s excuse is ludicrous. In addition to the scores and statistics, it is often that most basketball, football, and volleyball games receive a summary of the highlights.
I have played No. 1 singles at Gonzaga Prep for three years, and I am dumbfounded every time I see my name in the paper, but not my teammates. Their matches carry equal weight; don’t they deserve equal recognition? Lisa Van Gemert Spokane
Much love for B tournament
I am a sportscaster with KELA-K103 radio in Centralia, and recently visited Spokane to broadcast games from the State B basketball championships.
It was the second straight year I’ve made the trip, and I just wanted to say “well done” to Spokane for making this the best-supported tournament in all of Washington prep sports.
The involvement of the community was nonpareil, media coverage was excellent and the basketball was entertaining. I’d sure like to see (St. George’s star) Wenchi Liu in a WSU uniform next season. Lord knows the Cougs could use her.
Again, thanks and kudos, Spokane. I hope to return in the future. Bruce Baskin Centralia, Wash.
Pot calling the kettle black
I am writing this letter in defense of the Ferris student section that was the subject of a letter on March 5 (“Taunting doesn’t belong in GSL”).
The writer of the letter said that Ferris’ taunting was worse than Gonzaga University’s, and it had no place in the Greater Spokane League. Look in the mirror!!!
I was elected Ferris Super Fan this year and find myself leading many of the chants. We as a student section feel that it is our job to get in the heads of opposing players.
In the first game between Gonzaga Prep and Ferris we did chant Al-Co-Hol-ic, but we never yelled D-W-I. Before you place blame on us, your own student section was chanting White-Power-(player’s last name). The chant was referring to one of our players, who happens to have a shaved head. We may chant things you find inappropriate, but we draw the line at racial remarks.
The next two games the student section chanted nothing that was inappropriate because school administrators told us to stop. We listened.
In the third game, the district championship, when we happened to be winning by 15, we chanted “We’re No. 1.” I considered that appropriate. The Gonzaga Prep student section’s reaction was telling us they also thought we were No. 1, by giving us the finger.
I would also like to add that at the regional tournament we received an unsolicited compliment from a Big Nine official. He told two of our administrators that our school had the best behaved coaching staff, players, and students throughout the tournament.
We appreciate your concern for how your players’ feelings were hurt, but let kids be kids. Don’t blame it all on Ferris, we are definitely not the only ones. Adam Oakley Spokane