RSS
HAZLETON COACH: HOME PLAYOFF GAME WAS UNFAIR
There are certain things coaches are willing to look the other way on:
Hazleton Area coach Mike Joseph was furious with the decision to play Tuesday's PIAA Class AAAA play-in game at the site of the opponent: Glen Mills.
It's where the Battlin' Bulls were 9-3 entering the game. And it's where four players, including Aaric Murray (pictured) scored in double figures in Glen Mills' double overtime win.
"You know, we didn't get ourselves caught up with why we had to do it," said Joseph, whose team ended its season 20-7. "I think the PIAA really needs to re-think the idea of this play-in situation because this team (Glen Mills) didn't win a championship of any kind. We played in a championship game in our district. They played in playback games. For them to get a home game, for either team to get a home game or an advantage, I think, is unfair.
"We didn't sit around for the last few days and think, 'Oh boy, we have to go down there and play.' We looked at it as a positive thing, and another test for us."
For Joseph, he saw it this way: Hazleton, despite losing the District 2-4 combined region title, claimed the District 2 championship for a fifth time in six seasons.
For the PIAA, the governing body likely saw it this way: Glen Mills was the ninth-best team among District One's 51 teams in Class AAAA, which apparently outweighs being the second-best team in a region (District 2 and District 4) that has 6 Class AAAA squads. That's the reason for the home game.
Does that mean it's fair to do it this way? Absolutely not. But I think it's a fair compromise, considering Glen Mills had to win three consecutive single-elimination games just to get this far. All things considered, however, the game should be on a neutral floor.
In what other playoff system do you see a game this late in the year played on a team's home court? On top of that, Glen Mills is known state-wide for its built-in fan base, raucous home arena and decibels-loud crowd. It was unrealistic to think Hazleton Area had a shot to win this one.
- A turnover amidst a flurry of assists? Surely.
- A missed dunk during a blowout? Of course.
- A home playoff game in states? Ummm . . . .
Hazleton Area coach Mike Joseph was furious with the decision to play Tuesday's PIAA Class AAAA play-in game at the site of the opponent: Glen Mills.It's where the Battlin' Bulls were 9-3 entering the game. And it's where four players, including Aaric Murray (pictured) scored in double figures in Glen Mills' double overtime win.
"You know, we didn't get ourselves caught up with why we had to do it," said Joseph, whose team ended its season 20-7. "I think the PIAA really needs to re-think the idea of this play-in situation because this team (Glen Mills) didn't win a championship of any kind. We played in a championship game in our district. They played in playback games. For them to get a home game, for either team to get a home game or an advantage, I think, is unfair.
"We didn't sit around for the last few days and think, 'Oh boy, we have to go down there and play.' We looked at it as a positive thing, and another test for us."
For Joseph, he saw it this way: Hazleton, despite losing the District 2-4 combined region title, claimed the District 2 championship for a fifth time in six seasons.
For the PIAA, the governing body likely saw it this way: Glen Mills was the ninth-best team among District One's 51 teams in Class AAAA, which apparently outweighs being the second-best team in a region (District 2 and District 4) that has 6 Class AAAA squads. That's the reason for the home game.
Does that mean it's fair to do it this way? Absolutely not. But I think it's a fair compromise, considering Glen Mills had to win three consecutive single-elimination games just to get this far. All things considered, however, the game should be on a neutral floor.
In what other playoff system do you see a game this late in the year played on a team's home court? On top of that, Glen Mills is known state-wide for its built-in fan base, raucous home arena and decibels-loud crowd. It was unrealistic to think Hazleton Area had a shot to win this one.
Labels: Aaric Murray, Mike Joseph, PIAA Class AAAA basketball playoffs
posted by Chris Vito at
2:10 AM
5 Comments:
I agree 100% with Joseph. It was nonsense that Hazelton had to travel to Glen Mills. This probably should have been played mid way in Allentown or something. I prob would have been mad about that too though as I only went because it was so close!
I'm from the Scranton Area and I know in the past when Scranton High was the runner-up in district 2-4 their season was over. I'm sure those teams would have loved to play in a play in game and have a chance to advance. Here are the options as I see it, a play in game on the opponents home floor or nothing. The choice seems easy.
The District 2-4 region does not have anywhere near 18-20 AAAA teams. Try 6. Including play-in games the 2-4 region gets 33% of their teams into the state tourney. District 1 gets less than 18% in.
If Hazleton shoots better than 50% from the FT line, they win and go play in the old barn this weekend. That's why they lost.
http://www.piaa.org/schools/classifications/classlist.aspx?sportID=3
Further, if Hazleton's coach wants to complain, his ire is misdirected. The district approached to PIAA about getting a second team into states. The PIAA agreed with the following conditions:
-The 2nd team enters in the play-in round
-The play-in game is on the homecourt of a team from a larger district
The district agreed to the terms. Now I can't document this but it comes from a very reliable source.
Someone posted a message on PennLive, telling all Hazelton fans to write a letter to the PIAA and complaining that they did not want to play at Glen Mills...hmmmmmm I wonder if it was Joseph???? Stop being a cry baby Joseph and coach your team!!!
Post a Comment
<< Home