Jim Alred Column: Time for some spring cleaning

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Although the winter weather continues to hamper spring sports teams, the high school spring sports season is well underway.

With the final sports season of the 2014-15 school calendar in full swing, it’s time for me to do a bit of spring cleaning of my own.

Rosters and schedules

All told, there are nine boys and girls sports our 16 local-area schools compete in during the spring.

Those 16 teams will hit the field, track, course, court and other playing surfaces multiple times throughout the next three months.

While some coaches have done a phenomenal job of sending us schedules and rosters, we’re still lacking both for more than half of our local teams.

Having schedules and getting schedule updates allows us to plan our coverage, while accurate rosters — preferably with first and last names along with numbers — help us keep names straight and keep coaches from having to spell out athletes’ names every time they report scores.

Rosters and schedules can be sent to sports@RN-T.com.

Reporting scores

I’ve still not perfected teleportation technology and apparently I’m a squib, because I can’t manage to apparate — yes I’m a Harry Potter fan — either.

With two writers, we can’t be at every offering each day, so we do rely on the generosity of coaches to report scores.

I know calling or emailing the newspaper after a game is probably the last thing on most coaches’ minds, so I do understand.

However, we can’t read minds either, so if scores don’t get reported, we can’t put them in the newspaper or online.

Coaches or assistant coaches can call us at 706 290-5254 or email us at sports@rn-t.com. Even taking photos of the stat book and emailing them in gives us enough information to write up a short piece.

And we do appreciate all the coaches who take the time to help keep us informed.

All-area squads

We’re in the process of compiling the Rome News-Tribune All-Area teams for boys and girls basketball and for wrestling. Several coaches have already submitted nominations.

For those that haven’t, coaches can send us athlete’s names, statistics and reasons for nominating to sports@rn-t.com.

While we covered many games and matches this season, it’s always helpful to get a coaches perspective on their players.

Quick reflection

On the evening of Dec. 19 around 10 p.m., I couldn’t help but think highly of the 20 teams that participated in the 61st edition of the Seven Hills Rotary Rome News-Tribune Holiday Festival Basketball Tournament.

I felt the competition on the court had been outstanding, and I also felt like several of the squads would have a chance to make some significant playoff runs.

While none of the 20 teams managed to reach the state finals in Macon, 12 squads from the tournament field did reach the state playoffs in their respective classifications.

Eight of those teams reached the second round of the playoffs with three teams reaching the Elite Eight. That’s not too shabby.

As we begin putting the brackets together for the 62nd edition of the tournament, I can’t help but think we will once again have some pretty darn good basketball to cover come late December.

Jim Alred is the Sports Editor for the Rome News-Tribune.

Source: Rome News

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