TCCNN Reporter Randy Pifer
Op Ed
Updated 12/14/15 at 11:27 pm
Today I will forgo the usual fact based news article where I bring you nothing but accurate truth with no slant or bias. The reason for the switch today is the travesty that took place in Taylors, SC tonight. In all my years of covering Church league sports never have I witnessed what unfolded before me this evening. Art Modell moving the Browns to Baltimore, the '72 US Olympic Basketball team's silver medal, Irv Blitzer hiding weights in the front of the bobsled in the '74 games, and Tom Brady's tuck rule fumble are some of the most significant events that come to mind, but these will all now take a back seat to the TCC Fightin' Reformers 30 and over men's basketball league basketball debacle.
With just under 2 minutes to go and TCC trailing by 3, Malcolm Burgess hits a huge 3 to tie the game. This is significant in and of itself because TCC had been playing 5 on 7 all night. Earle Street Baptist must have slipped the 2 referees some bribes before the game because it was the most one-sided game I have ever seen. TCC showed tremendous moxie in the fact they were even in the game. With the game tied at 36, Earle Street missed a shot and their big guy, number 50 shoved Daniel Brown to the ground to get the ball and lay it back in with 2.5 seconds left on the clock. The ref allowed the clock to keep running down to .9 seconds left and decided they would not put any more time back on the clock because Earle Street told them not to. At this time, allow me to say that the guys at Earle Street we complaining and talking all night long. TCC held their composure and showed true class and sportsmanship. If not for the Fruits of the Spirit, I fear that some of the TCC players would have wanted to attack the referees. Here is a look at what I am sure some of the players were thinking about: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdHArJflXD4
With .9 seconds left on the clock and TCC down by 2, Randy Pifer threw a beautiful pass to Hugh Carson who turned towards the basket and went up for the shot. At this time, he was completely tackled from his left side. The referee blew his whistle and everyone assumed it was for the foul that had just blatantly taken place. "That's the end of the game" the referee said as he waved his hands in the air. Shocked is the only emotion that I could muster. I questioned the referee closest to me and his explanation was "it was the other ref's call to make, I was out of position and couldn't see the play" to which I responded, "you were 2 feet away from me and I saw him get tackled". He shrugged his shoulders and ran to the Earle Street huddle to join in the celebration.
It was most disappointing for the fans. The TCC faithful packed the stands and could be heard lowly talking amongst themselves at dead balls. Attendance was up 300% with the attendance of Tina Smerdon, Aaron Markham and Stephen Rutland. Rutland was heard saying "I don't know how you all kept your composure out there!" Tina Smerdon told me as she left the gym that she feared for her husband, Tim Smerdons, safety after he was knocked ankle over earlobe and called for a foul in the process. Markham just calmly said "just wait 7 years till I'm 30 and we will take them out!"
Donny Mathis was on fire early and scored 10 points, Carson paced the team once again with 15. Johnroy Joseph scored his first 2 points of the season and Pifer had 2 as well. TCC is now on Christmas break for 2 weeks and will have to figure out a way to get over this loss and prepare for the second half of the season. I, for one, won't get over it that easily.
Monday, December 14, 2015
Monday, December 7, 2015
TCC Wins Overtime Thriller
by TCCNN Reporter Randy Pifer
Updated on 12/7/15 at 11:32 PM
The TCC Fightin' Reformers finally got into the win column, but it was not without some serious drama as it took overtime to finally secure that elusive first win. The Reformers jumped out to a quick 12-0 lead led by 5 points by Randy Pifer to start the game, and it looked like smooth sailing for TCC. Edwards Road Baptist Church started to chip away at the lead when TCC went cold and they were able to close the gap to just 4 at halftime, 16-12. Edwards Road was playing a zone defense and leaving TCC shooters open on the perimeter. "We were hitting early, but kinda cooled off at the end of the first half" said Hugh Carson as they walked into the locker rooms at half time. Carson finished with 8 points and hit a few big shots down the stretch.
The second half started out much like the first half ended. Edwards Road continued to shave into the lead. They took what seemed to be an insurmountable lead at 24-20 with just under 3 minutes left in the game. Then it turned into the Donny Mathis show. Mathis drove into the lane and was double teamed but was somehow able to get the shovel pass into the lane to a cutting Pifer who layed the ball in trimming the deficit to 2. Then on the next possession, Mathis, who was being heavily guarded above the three point line, splashed home a bomb from close to half court to take the lead back for TCC. The crowd of no one erupted! Edwards Road had to call a timeout to recompose themselves. Mathis finished with 5 points but the importance of those 5 points can not be overstated.
The teams traded baskets and a few free throws down the stretch and with just over 10 seconds left and the scored tied at 27, Edwards Road had one chance left to end the game in regulation but their last second shot drew nothing and both teams began preparations for overtime. Daniel Brown, obviously exhausted from playing more defense then everyone else on the court combined, asked if the game could end in a tie. Brown set a new TCC record with 8 steals. He finished with 4 points.
Overtime began and both teams were tight, but then, Edwards Road made a huge mistake. They threw a lazy cross court pass that was easily stolen by Pifer who then hit the game winning shot with just over 1 minute remaining. TCC added 4 more points for good measure as Edwards Road was forced to start fouling. The final score was 33-27 in favor of the Fightin' Reformers. Pifer led the team in scoring for the first time this year with 11 points.
Jonathan Chasteen for the second week in a row was having trouble with getting any calls. His superstar status seems to be affecting the referees whistles and they refuse to give him any calls. Malcolm Burgess was heard pleading with the referee to "call it the same on both ends!" Burgess scored 3 points. Tim Smerdon, who was repeatedly shoved to the ground, asked "what does it take to get a foul called" to which the ref replied "no blood no foul". Smerdon was held scoreless.
TCC finishes the first half of their season on Monday night against Earle Street Baptist at 8:30 at Taylor's First Baptist Church. The whole team would love to have at least one supporter at one game this year.
Updated on 12/7/15 at 11:32 PM
The TCC Fightin' Reformers finally got into the win column, but it was not without some serious drama as it took overtime to finally secure that elusive first win. The Reformers jumped out to a quick 12-0 lead led by 5 points by Randy Pifer to start the game, and it looked like smooth sailing for TCC. Edwards Road Baptist Church started to chip away at the lead when TCC went cold and they were able to close the gap to just 4 at halftime, 16-12. Edwards Road was playing a zone defense and leaving TCC shooters open on the perimeter. "We were hitting early, but kinda cooled off at the end of the first half" said Hugh Carson as they walked into the locker rooms at half time. Carson finished with 8 points and hit a few big shots down the stretch.
The second half started out much like the first half ended. Edwards Road continued to shave into the lead. They took what seemed to be an insurmountable lead at 24-20 with just under 3 minutes left in the game. Then it turned into the Donny Mathis show. Mathis drove into the lane and was double teamed but was somehow able to get the shovel pass into the lane to a cutting Pifer who layed the ball in trimming the deficit to 2. Then on the next possession, Mathis, who was being heavily guarded above the three point line, splashed home a bomb from close to half court to take the lead back for TCC. The crowd of no one erupted! Edwards Road had to call a timeout to recompose themselves. Mathis finished with 5 points but the importance of those 5 points can not be overstated.
The teams traded baskets and a few free throws down the stretch and with just over 10 seconds left and the scored tied at 27, Edwards Road had one chance left to end the game in regulation but their last second shot drew nothing and both teams began preparations for overtime. Daniel Brown, obviously exhausted from playing more defense then everyone else on the court combined, asked if the game could end in a tie. Brown set a new TCC record with 8 steals. He finished with 4 points.
Overtime began and both teams were tight, but then, Edwards Road made a huge mistake. They threw a lazy cross court pass that was easily stolen by Pifer who then hit the game winning shot with just over 1 minute remaining. TCC added 4 more points for good measure as Edwards Road was forced to start fouling. The final score was 33-27 in favor of the Fightin' Reformers. Pifer led the team in scoring for the first time this year with 11 points.
Jonathan Chasteen for the second week in a row was having trouble with getting any calls. His superstar status seems to be affecting the referees whistles and they refuse to give him any calls. Malcolm Burgess was heard pleading with the referee to "call it the same on both ends!" Burgess scored 3 points. Tim Smerdon, who was repeatedly shoved to the ground, asked "what does it take to get a foul called" to which the ref replied "no blood no foul". Smerdon was held scoreless.
TCC finishes the first half of their season on Monday night against Earle Street Baptist at 8:30 at Taylor's First Baptist Church. The whole team would love to have at least one supporter at one game this year.
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