Oops, sorry about that LC

That's two years in a row that I've commented on how amazing the LC girls team is, only to have them get beat their next time out. Denison got 'em by two points to give the Titans their first loss. Is it a jinx? Is it coincidence? Coaches or players, if there is a team you would like to beat, let me know. I'll sing their praises.

From the Inbox (bluffssports@hotmail.com)

Uh oh, Lisa doesn't appear too happy here:

"Question: Why hasn't channel 17 been showing up for any girls basketball games? Or is it boys too? I so enjoy watching my kids watch themselves on TV. It makes them feel "cool". Who dropped the ball on this one? Or is it just St. Albert that is getting the raw end of this deal?"

First of all, we take great care to make sure no school gets favoritism over another, so no St. Albert isn't getting a raw deal. In fact on the show that began airing on the 18th, we have highlights of both the boys' and girls' teams. I will grant you that we've had less basketball on this year than last but here's why:

1. X-mas break at IWCC. Our show depends on the contributions of students, who were not available over X-mas break. Therefore, we had no shows between Dec. 14th and Jan. 11th.

2. The weather. Several games were snowed out or postponed which wreaked havoc on our scheduling.

But now, I think you'll noyou watch this week's show, we're back on track and we will have the LC-SA doubleheader covered and featured on next week's show. tice, if

On another topic, Dustin writes:

"I was wondering what you thought about the Sioux City officials in sports against Council Bluffs opponents (mostly AL and TJ). From my experience, and from almost everyone else's I have heard, their officials seem to get the better of us everytime. Much of what I heard during the TJ game vs. Bishop Heelan on the internet simulcast was about the pathetic referees and how they have always been pitiful. I just wanted to know what you think and what you have heard also. Either they hate us, they are just plain bad, or maybe a bit of both."

I would agree that yes, CB schools likely get "screwed" on the road at SC schools. But I would also imagine that the SC folk say the same thing about traveling to CB. Its life on the road, and it repeats itself all over the country in every sport on every level.

My theory is that referees are indeed human beings. Shocking, I know, but I also think even they don't like being booed and harassed. Therefore, the home team will always get more calls than the visitors. What ref wants to call a questionable foul in favor of a road team in front of a packed, partisan gym?

The easiest thing to do is to constantly berate the officials and blame a close loss on them. But if you're a team on the road, you must know that you will not get the calls! If it seems like everything is working against you, that's because everything really is! The truly great teams recognize this and play that much harder to make up for it.

If you find what I just wrote inspiring, please pick up a copy of my new book, How to Beat Teams on the Road, now available in your favorite non-existent bookstore.

Quick Slants

-The Iowa Blackhawks are back for a second season. This time with 5 home indoor football games at the MAC. Do the math, that's 4 more than they had last year.

-Iowa Western soccer just picked up another local. AL grad Sammi Fetch left USD, is enrolled at IWCC and will play in the fall. If you are friends with Sammie, then you already knew this, and its not news to you. Well, maybe it is news for other people, okay? Quit being so selfish. Geesh.

-I'm guilty of it too, but isn't it funny how much football is over-analyzed? Why teams win and lose, all things being equal, is turnovers. Turnovers. Turnovers. Turnovers. Its really that simple. Check this stat. In the history of the NFL, home playoff teams who win the turnover battle win 97% of the time.

-Saw a guy today whose license plates said "LVMYWFE"...now maybe I'm wrong but I think that works out to him saying "I love my wife." Poor dude, he probably really thinks that was a fresh thing to do. Not that there's anything wrong with loving your wife, but that's what you're supposed to do! You're supposed to love your wife! That's like putting "IDONTKILLPEOPLE" on your plates. Congratulations, you don't kill people, what do you want a medal? Oh well, guess its better than putting "LVMYNABRSWFE" on your car.