Thursday Grab Bag: Exploring The Pit

My first experience at The Pit last night ended with No. 23 New Mexico (19-3) beating No. 12 BYU, 76-72.

The facility, packed with red-clad fans, induced a sweat from many in my section, crammed together on metal bleachers. Still, the crowd was loud and rambunctious.

Jimmer Fredette, one of the nation's leading scorers, was impressive for the Cougars. He didn't shoot the ball well but still finished with 27 points and seven assists.

BYU fans complained about the officiating. The refs allowed some physical play near the basket on both ends.

New Mexico never could put the game away despite two or three runs that earned them seven to nine-point leads.

It may be tough to duplicate the performance in Provo, Utah. But one thing that struck me is that the Lobos garnered production from so many different players.

Each seemed to know his role and stick to what he did best.

The best part may have been watching my girlfriend's reaction to her first college basketball game. That is, other than the milanesa, quesadillas and guacamole she cooked for dinner.

She burst out laughing when she saw the crowd and heard the noise, delighted with the atmosphere.

*****

Rankings: Kirtland Central took back the No. 1 4A spot from Shiprock with two blowout victories following the 42-40 loss to Thoreau. Meanwhile, District 1-4A placed two in the top 10 of the boys' poll for the first time this season in Shiprock (No. 9) and Piedra Vista (No. 10).

4A Girls

1. Kirtland Central (6), 114 points
2. Shiprock (6), 112
3. Española Valley, 97
4. Roswell, 72
5. Los Alamos, 62
6. Piedra Vista, 43
7. Volcano Vista, 39
8. Del Norte, 38
9. Capital, 20
10. St. Pius, 18

4A Boys

1. Roswell (10), 109
2. Española Valley (1), 99
3. Albuquerque Academy, 89
4. Volcano Vista, 67
5. Belen, 58
6. Los Alamos, 53
7. Santa Teresa, 38
8. Grants, 21
9. Piedra Vista, 18
T10. Capital, 13
T10. Shiprock, 13
T10. St. Pius, 13

3A Boys
1. Hope Christian (11), 110
2. Sandia Prep, 98
3. Robertson, 69
4. Santa Fe Indian, 66
5. St. Michael's, 65
6. Lovington, 54
7. Pojoaque, 40
8. Wingate, 25
9. Bloomfield, 23
T10. Portales, 15
T10. Socorro, 15

2A Girls
1. Santa Rosa (10), 100
2. Texico, 87
3. Navajo Pine, 68
4. Clayton, 58
5. Rehoboth, 50
6. Navajo Prep, 41
T7. Mora, 31
T7. Tularosa, 31
9. Penasco, 29
10. Mesa Vista, 24

*****

A.I. the All-Star: Allen Iverson will start the NBA All-Star game.

Thanks to the fans.

Iverson's numbers: 14.2 points, 4.3 assists, 2.7 rebounds in 23 games.

He is shooting 44.4 percent from the field, better than his career percentage, but his career averages are 26.7 points, 6.2 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 2.2 steals a game.

I don't have a problem with the fans getting a say in the voting process. After all, they do pay the salaries and provide millions in revenue.

But maybe their input should get limited to determining the reserves.

Check out the three backups.

Joe Johnson, Atlanta: 21.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 45.7 percent shooting, 34.9 percent 3-pointers, 1.1 steals.

Rajon Rondo, Celtics: 14.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, 9.7 assists, 2.5 steals, 53.4 percent shooting.

Derrick Rose, Chicago: 19.8 points, 3.7 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 47.7 percent shooting.

If you haven't heard, NBA players are competitive. Whether it's cards on the team plane, post-practice shot competitions or All-Star appearances, they care.

Any one of those three deserves a start over Iverson based on their play on the court. They aren't as popular, so they don't get it. That means something in their minds.

I think Iverson should be on the team if fans want him there, but he shouldn't earn the honor of a start.

Stay true and keep pounding,
Christopher