• Parking will never be pretty around here, or Hayward Field. The new arena can’t open too soon, or have too much parking.

• Perhaps after the new arena opens, they can replace Mac Court with a parking lot. It would benefit the Softball stadium and Hayward Field.

• The best thing about covering games at any level in Eugene are the Jerry Allen jokes.

• Even though it’s now an internet era in sports most places; what you find in the wiring around here is as scary as it was 25 years ago, when the “AA” tournament was still being held here. And as far out of code compliance as it was then. The new arena can’t open too soon.

• It’s interesting how, despite being a “neutral” site, the Mac Court atmosphere means favor the local favorite.

• The “allure” of the Mac Court atmosphere is often promoted. That “atmosphere” is mostly unvented cooking odors. I guess it takes you mind off hard seats, no leg room, etc. The new arena can’t open too soon.

• The scoreboard, clocks, possession arrow, etc. are as good as it gets. What the UofO does well they do very well. However, the new arena can’t open too soon. (Oops, spoke to soon; it still requires an operator to enter the correct data.)

• The popular urban myth that low-scoring defensive playoff games are confined to the lower classes, and less capable teams was debunked by this morning’s games.

• I’m relieved to learn the problem seen all season at the 4A level, where there is no clear definition of charging vs. blocking, none of which actually match the printed rule, is not limited to 4A games. I’m disturbed that there is no clear definition of charging vs. blocking, none of which actually match the printed rule. I know enough coaches to know there would be unanimous acceptance of any of the definitions in use, if they will just stick to one.

• Did I hear the pre-game announcement right? Where they implore everyone to let the players over-play, the coaches over-coach, and the officials over-officiate?

• I do hope the new arena doesn’t introduce too much distance between the game and those watching (aka Pauley Pavillion), though space for cameramen would be a good addition. I do realize cameras hadn’t been invented when Mac Court was built (I can’t actually believe this place was ever designed). The new arena can’t open too soon.

• Thurston’s 6’7” Drew Wiley is as good as advertised (I’d only seen him on film before). A head-turner.

• If you sound “good” you can use any name, or pronunciation for players’ names, you want, even those that aren’t correct. At least here (contrast Willamette), you can hear, and usually understand most of, what he’s saying.

• Compared to Willamette & Gill, the Mac floor is dead. A high dribble call here isn’t seen, because, well, it’s impossible. The rims are better than either place though. And the OSAA’s Steve Walker is still working on those globetrotter-esque ball handling moves.

• The Duck sausage dog is definitely better than the Beaver dog. Costs even more, but still the better buy.

• Comparing day games yesterday with today, the weekday vs. weekend factor couldn’t be more drastic, even considering the differences in class size.

• If Sunset’s Garrett Sim doesn’t get a good scholarship deal, with his boyish good looks, I recommend hiring out as a “transfer”. He could swing that for a year or two, and there are coaches who might save their job with a scorer like him. Couldn’t hide him in the Metro, but there are other places…

• Year after year, the sea of light blue that is Corvallis is one of the unmistakable sites in Oregon H.S. sports. 

• I must discuss with my band contacts how the drummer with the cymbal mounted to his head in the Corvallis band makes that work.

• Why was the Fan 1080 guy wearing last year’s press credential?

• Watch for Don Francis’ upcoming column on “The Art of the Charge.” Boy, do we have material to work with!

• It appears we are a “blue” state this year, at least for hoops. Grant & Jeff joined Marist & Sutherlin, all very “blue”, in hoisting blue trophies this weekend. Oregon City was the only “red” team even in a final.

• As a parent who pays shoe bills, I’m not sure the adults are going to like the new trend that appeared this week, where a hoard of 10 & 12 year olds swarm in search of collecting the shoes, preferably autographed, of the varsity players after their last game of the season. However, it is an interesting site to see a 10 year old wearing a size 14 sneakers so large that the kid could put both feet in one shoe, and still have room for extra socks!

• I missed the “price” on the PIL daily double, but given the pre-game spread, it had to be pretty good! Even if you had Jeff & Grant as an “entry” out of the PIL stable.

• Even given the relative limitations of the facility, you can tell the U of O is a PAC-10 operation. At Gill, you can tell OSU might have been at one time.

• In the “friendly” confines at Mac Court, the press is imbedded with the fans. One classic effect is the ability to interact with fans. One of my lasting memories will be of a gentleman from Portland who came to support both Jeff & Grant, and sat right behind Don & I. I wish I had gotten his name. From the lines on his face, you could tell he had seen more basketball, and life, than almost anyone else in the place. As the games went on, you could tell he was feeling the pain and excitement of every missed shot and great pass of his beloved PIL guys. As the Grant celebration settled down, he was one of the last to head out, sitting back in his seat one last time. I asked him how he was doing. Thru genuine tears that come from an evening like we had just experienced, the old man (and I use that phrase with the utmost respect) said “I’m fine now!” I doubt he would trade that 5 ½ hours for anything.

CC