Does this irk anybody else about preps coverage?

[spud]

Before I say this, let me preface it with this: I know the drill -- high school kids are young and they don't deserve to be dogged in print like the pros or college kids do. This I understand well. I don't know if "don't deserve" is the right phrase there, but hopefully you get my drift. It's late.

I'm writing a story tonight on a game that ends in this bizarre fashion - bizarre enough that at least part of it needs to be told in full - and I find myself tapping the breaks on possible avenues into the story because it would A.) upset mommy dearest, B.) come across as too harsh, C.) not be painting a rosy enough picture. We all know the pitfalls that come with writing preps, but does anybody else find themselves subconsciously pulling story ideas from the chute because they're too "controversial" for the HS level? And does anybody else find it as troublesome as I do?

I always do this. I understand there are certain things you can and cannot say when you're dealing with high school kids... that's fine, I don't have a problem withholding some of that stuff. But does anybody else find all the gray area in the middle somewhat irksome? Some of these stories would be much better if I could include some of these things, but I don't know, maybe I'm just howling at the moon on this.

 

[Drip]

Spud, someone told me this a long time ago and perhaps it may help you. High School kids play for the love of the game. They are not on scholarship or getting paid for it. (At least that is what we are supposed to believe).
With that being the frame work, write as if it were your child playing. You can make a dull story great on the prep level. Just use your imagination and be cognizant that these kids play because they love to play.

 

[Seattle Hurler]

What's annoying is this: The parents and coaches who complain if you point out that the point guard made a critical mistake are the ones who want you to cover their team as if it's the NBA. Can't have it both ways, folks.

 

[spud]

Spud, someone told me this a long time ago and perhaps it may help you. High School kids play for the love of the game. They are not on scholarship or getting paid for it. (At least that is what we are supposed to believe).
With that being the frame work, write as if it were your child playing. You can make a dull story great on the prep level. Just use your imagination and be cognizant that these kids play because they love to play.

You read that preface, dripster?

 

[Rhody31]

Eff the gray area.
You write the good and the bad.
I was told by a coach the other day that the parents of the seniors weren't so happy because my preview article talked about the strength of their sophomore class and this would be a rebuilding type of year. Told him that's what I saw, that's what he talked to me about and that's what I reported on.
There is no gray area if it's the truth.

 

[fossywriter8]

So, what was the bizarre end to the game?

 

[luckyducky]

Eff the gray area.
You write the good and the bad.
I was told by a coach the other day that the parents of the seniors weren't so happy because my preview article talked about the strength of their sophomore class and this would be a rebuilding type of year. Told him that's what I saw, that's what he talked to me about and that's what I reported on.
There is no gray area if it's the truth.

Agreed.

 

[Frank_Ridgeway]

If it happened during the athletic event, people saw it. (Well, except track and field.) So of course you should write it.

If it's off the field and pertains to rules/eligibility, of course you write it.

Home/personal life (Mom's a prostitute and the kid is being raised by wolves), nah. Nobody's business. I hate those stories in which a newspaper goes all sociological on a 15-year-old. Even if the kid's willing to talk, he/she is too young to understand that nothing good's gonna come from turning his life into a public freak show when there's no good reason to do it.

 

[daytonadan1983]

If it's the truth, go with it. It goes with being on the varsity.

I had a soccer district first-round playoff game where a bad team ended its season with two players kicking the ball into their own goals and taking their shirt and basically embarassing themselves and their school. Of course I mentioned that and their names.

 

[BYH]

If it happened during the athletic event, people saw it. (Well, except track and field.)

As a track guy whose parents attended exactly one of my meets (didn't bother me, they were both working and I sucked) in four years, that really made me laugh.

 

[mike311gd]

I love writing about errors, missed field goals, bricked 3s at the buzzer, own goals and balks. That's why I got into this business.

 

[jps]

I love writing about errors, missed field goals, bricked 3s at the buzzer, own goals and balks. That's why I got into this business. Well, that and the free hot dogs and popcorn. And sometimes the entertainment writer lets me borrow some of the promotional DVDs that get mailed in to us. I'm really anxious waiting for the Full House reunion movie packet. God, I hope Gibler can find the time.

 

[BYH]

I love writing about errors, missed field goals, bricked 3s at the buzzer, own goals and balks. That's why I got into this business.

Do you have any earthly clue how many scholarships you've cost kids?

Rot in hell, Hater.

 

[schiezainc]

About a year ago I witnessed the absolute worst girls basketball game I've ever seen.
I considered revising my lead and fluffing it up but the more I thought about it, the more I thought the overwhelming 'negativity' in it was deserved. It was what happened.

Like some sort of elaborate game of ‘hot potato’, the [home team] and [visiting team] girls basketball teams spent 32 minutes Wednesday night seeing which squad could perfect the art of giving away a victory.
In the end, however, the Wizards found a way to win at losing. Namely, they were able to cough up the ball more than the Mariners –14 times in the second half to be precise—and completely forgot how to rebound the ball on key possessions to watch a once comfortable lead turn into another head-scratching defeat.
[visiting team] senior [name] scored a game-high 17 points to rally her team from a deficit as large as 15 points as the Mariners outlasted the Wizards, 57-50, in an exhibition on poor shooting to improve to 3-3 in league play and 4-3 overall on the season.

Needless to say I got several phone calls and many people told me they didn't like that I phrased things the way I did. My reply? "Did you watch that game?"

 

[shotglass]

I once pointed out that a cheerleading squad got off the floor faster after its time-out routine than the boys' basketball team moved down the floor on its subsequent possession.

I heard about that one.

 

[schiezainc]

I once pointed out that a cheerleading squad got off the floor faster after its time-out routine than the boys' basketball team moved down the floor on its subsequent possession.

I heard about that one.

That. Is. Awesome.

 

[mike311gd]

I love writing about errors, missed field goals, bricked 3s at the buzzer, own goals and balks. That's why I got into this business.

Do you have any earthly clue how many scholarships you've cost kids?

Rot in hell, Hater.

Yep. I think of that every night. It helps me sleep better.

 

[jps]

bitching parents, 9 out of 10 times, are very often just bitching because they heard about their kid's screw-up at work by someone the read the story and they are embarrassed or upset about it. the kid doesn't mind that it's in there - (s)he was there. the team saw it, most friends saw it, etc. if it happened, if it was important, write it. it's what you are paid to do. and if you treat it fairly, more often than not, your work will ultimately be respected by the majority of players, coaches and fans.

 

[schiezainc]

I love writing about errors, missed field goals, bricked 3s at the buzzer, own goals and balks. That's why I got into this business.

Do you have any earthly clue how many scholarships you've cost kids?

Rot in hell, Hater.

Yep. I think of that every night. It helps me sleep better.

Not only does Mike write in a way intended to take away scholarships, he calls the schools interested and tells them that little Jack or Jennifer "loves to take drugs" and he hasn't reported on it because they've offered him sex to keep his mouth shut. :)

 

[jps]

shotty, like the imagery, but it is boys basketball team -- no '
just sayin.