The "Cabby ONeil" Experience

     I hope all of you enjoyed the recent Thanksgiving break from school and work.  The "athletic" highlight of the long weekend was the Pike Central Boys Basketball team's first game.  Annually the Charger boys play Jasper in the first game of the season and this year's game was played at the renovated "Cabby O'Neil" gym.  I don't know how many people even remember being/played in the gym.  My only experience was when my son played basketball in the gym in his middle school years.  Believe me, it's changed!  The Jasper community raised over $225,000 dollars to restore the facility and it looks great.  The pre-game (varsity) ceremonies were a little too long and the half-time show was hard to hear and understand because of the sound system, but overall it was a nice evening.  I appreciate the help and support of the Jasper High School Athletic Department (Denny Lewis and Theresa Stenftnagel) and the school's principal(Bob Hacker) for all their help and professional approach to the evening.  Our basketball coach, Kyle Runyan, also granted his permission for this event to take place.  Our Pike County fans also seemed very supportive, as many probably remembered their time in the gym.  The only bad result of the night...was the score at the end of the game!!  For all those attending, thank you and thanks for supporting athletics in Southern Indiana.

Sportsmanship

     Probably everyone has what's called-pet peeves; one that is at the top of my list is sportsmanship.  Webster defines sportsmanship "as the ability to play fair and win or lose gracefully".  A lot of fans don't see it this way and often times look to others to blame for their child's poor play or team's poor play.  How can sportsmanship improve?  This is always a good question, but perhaps it could improve if people (athletes, parents and fans) would just take a couple of minutes to reflect upon their actions before actually doing anything.  I've always encouraged our Pike County community to applaud good play and effort and many always do that, but some "don't think" before they act.  This can lead to an ugly situation with other fans, players and unfortuately sometimes; administrators.  Those who decide to become/act abusive never stop to think what their actions do to the school and the community.  They selfishly take things too far and are then reprimanded for bad behavior.
     What can you do to increase good behavior by all?  If you have a child playing athletics at school, talk with them at home about good sportsmanship; however, in order to do that the parent/guardian always has to demonstrate good sportsmanship at all events as well.  Be a good example; if your child/team plays poorly, there will be another chance somewhere down the road; it's not the end of the world.  How important is your child's performance/team's performance with the way of life?  Another way to be a better sportsman is to always talk postive about your child's teammates and coaches.  Being negitive never helps.  If you have a problem, talk with the coach(s) at an appropriate time and be sure to ALWAYS use the "chain-of-command".
     Blaming an "outside force" for a team's/child's poor play is also a copout.  Officials often make hundreds of calls during a sporting event.  Did one (bad) call lose the event?  Do fans understand that in the officials view, they saw something completely different than you did?  Are the officials always correct? No.  They're human just like us and they do sometimes make mistakes.  Fans who constantly or even often criticize officials have never officiated themselves and have NO idea how difficult it really is.  I think if they did, they would have a different feeling about sportsmanship.
     My advice is to always support your child and your child's team.  Be supportive of the coaches and opposing fans as well.  When attending events at Pike Central we always want fans to enjoy the game/event; win or lose and we sincerely want the experience to be a positive one, one so that you will come back again.  Here at Pike Central-Sportsmanship is an Expectation; Be a Positive Spectator!

PCHS Sports Accomplishments-Fall 2010

     At Pike Central High School, we have so much to be proud of; our academic standards are high, our teachers are professional and friendly. our building is modern and kept update-to-date, technology here is first-rate and our music and theater programs are solid.  In athletics we have much to be proud of and thankful for, let's review the Fall of 2010 in Pike Central Athletics.
     Our Boys Tennis team won their 9th Tennis Sectional Championship this fall and our number one singles player, Chanz Parson advanced to the regional.  Both Parson and Allen Clements (Allen was honorable mention) were named PAC All-Conference.  Girls Golf enjoyed a good season as well.  PC's Ali Henson became the first Charger Golfer to ever be low-medalist at the PAC Tourney in October.  Ali also became a regional-qualifier and barely missed advancing on. Boys Soccer set a team record with 8 regular season wins and advanced to the finals of the IHSAA Soccer Sectional.  Allen Clements was selected PAC All-Conference.  Girls/Boys Cross Country enjoyed another good season.  The girls team finished 2nd in the sectional to qualify for regional.  Cain Parker for the boys team and Sarah Yager for the girls both advanced (individually) advanced to qualify for the semi-state. Sarah, Cain and Colton Reed won PAC All-Conference while Kelsey Reising and Kelsey Lemond were named honorable mention.  Volleyball enjoyed an up-and-down season with key wins over Forest Park (a first) and once-beaten Vincennes Rivet were 2 highlights.  Jordan Simpson and Shaley Jenkins were named honorable mention in the conference.
     As anyone can see, the fall sports season at Pike Central was very successful; we don't take a back seat to anyone when it comes to competition.  We are looking for the same kind of success with our winter sports as well.  Hope to see and visit with you all at the games this winter.  Go PC!