Hartley Miller's Slap-Shots - February 22nd Edition

By Hartley Miller

Imagine you are hosting a provincial basketball championship. How would you feel if you were one of the 12 teams (6 men's and 6 women's) throughout the province that didn’t qualify for the tournament?

Furthermore, imagine if one of the participants is a women’s team from your university, who earned a direct berth to the semi-finals. In addition, you nearly beat the odds and were about to receive a spot,

but a second half collapse, in your last game, sent you golfing.

Welcome to the world of Head Coach, Zane Robison, and his UNBC Men Timberwolves. The BCCAA basketball Provincials start next week (Feb 28^th to March 1^st) at the Charles Jago Northern Sport Centre.  Because the UNBC Lady Timberwolves placed second in league standings they have secured a berth in the semis. On the other hand, the UNBC men will spectators, watching the games. Now, this hurts!

On the last day of the regular season in Kelowna, The UNBC women needed either a win or a loss by less than six points to the UBC-Okanagan Lakers in order to claim second. Hence, the Lady T-wolves lost the game (68-65), but achieved their overall goal, so they had reason to celebrate.

Meanwhile, the men’s game! UNBC entered with a record of 5-10 and Okanagan 11-4. The Timberwolves needed a victory, or a Capilano loss, to last place Kwantlen to protect the final playoff spot. Capilano didn’t help UNBC’s cause as they dumped Kwantlen 82-68. What were the ramifications of the Capilano victory?  The T-Wolves were faced with a “must-win” situation as an upset victory meant a playoff sport and a loss meant no post-season party. 

Surprise! Surprise!  The T-Wolves started well, and led by sixteen (39-23) early in the 3^rd quarter. They were ahead by seven (68-61) midway through the 4^th, but the lead evaporated slowly. Then, with approximately two minutes left, UNBC's top offensive player, guard Jay Gladdish, fouled out, ending his college career. “The ref made a tough double foul call that was absolutely wrong. It was an unnecessary call and it cost us the game”, said a beleaguered Robison minutes after the match. “The guy was holding on to Jay and Jay was trying to pull his arm away and the guy (ref) yelled at them first and then he knew he made the wrong call and then called the double foul”, added Robison.

With Gladdish only able to watch, the Lakers scored the final seven points of the game, a 78-72 triumph, thereby ending the season for the men Timberwolves. “I don't really care for myself, but I feel very bad for the guys. They deserve to be in and I feel terrible for them. Yes it is the toughest loss of my career, but you have to forget about it and move on and focus on the following year.”

There was one silver lining in this loss. The out of town fan support for both Timberwolves teams was memorable. “It was incredible. The President stepped up and paid for a busload of UNBC students to come down and cheer for us and I think that really gave our guys a lift. I think it is a turning point for UNBC basketball. We are getting a lot more students involved. They are feeling very proud of their team”, said Robison.

With a record of 5-11, I'm not sure the UNBC men deserved a playoff spot. Alternatively, the Lady Timberwolves finished 11-5, including 8-0 at home. Two more wins for the UNBC Women means a (first) Provincial title. A championship is something the men can only dream of.

From the quote rack:

“Eleven percent of all businessmen prefer golf to having sex. The other 89 percent said they prefer to have sex with a woman whose husband was out playing golf.”NBC's Jay Leno, commenting on a recent survey.

“Bad news for Roger Clemens. Today he tested positive for B.S." Jay Leno

“Any truth to the rumor that if Roger Clemens takes the mound in 2008, his entrance song will be “When you wish upon a star?”Contributor Janice Hough of Palo Alto, California (www.leftcoastsportsbabe.com)

Roger Clemens was obviously having trouble with his facts during his testimony because everyone knows he dated Miss Remember after Miss October.”
Contributor Derek Wilken of Calgary (http://smacksport.blogspot.com/)

“The Yogi Berra Museum has taken down Roger Clemens' jersey. When Clemens came to the fork in the road, he didn't take it.”Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California

And in case you missed it:

“You heave, you leave." Motto for the Wing Bowl, Philadelphia's annual chicken-wing-eating contest.

 And how was your week?

Hartley Miller is the sports director for radio stations 94X and the Wolf@97fm. He also writes for the PG Free Press. Send along a quote, note or anecdote to hmiller@94xfm.com

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