Heartbreak in Taylors

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.