Ragan's Roosts

There's an article in this morning's Hutch paper that really stirs the juices in me, and yes, its about the Hutchinson's News beloved girls basketball team, the Central Christian Cougars.

After writing a blog about the possibilities of playing the Cougars and seeing what the outcome would be, ( read: “What say you, a mini sports editorial”), I thought I was finished with the subject, knowing it would be like Don Quixote chasing at windmills.

But after seeing this “fair and balanced” article in this morning's Hutch paper, I started heading towards the medicine cabinet looking for the Pepto-Bismo.

When Hutch News reporter Brad Hallier's front page headline screamed out,”COUGARS CLASS SITS AS ONE OF THE GREATEST, and goes on clarifying “in Reno County history” – that at least I can stomach. (However, I do feel sorry for the Hutchinson and Buher High School girls, standing in Central's shadow.)

Its what Mr. Hallier doesn't know or doesn't say that gets stuck in my craw.

In State Volleyball, the Kansas High School Activities Association lists St. John-Hudson with 11 State appearances and nine final fours in IIA and IA. That does not include St. John's 2011 1A (Div. I) State Championship. Not only that, the Tigers have won 1A State in 2010, 2008 and IIA in1993, not to mention taking third in 2009, and second in IIA in 2007.

In mid season tournament play, the Lady Tigers have played in the Great Bend Volleyball Tournament for a number of years, winning matches against teams such as 5A Great Bend, 6A Wichita Northwest, 3A Elsworth, and 5A Hays. Other tournament victories came from playing 3A ranked Phillipsburg, 3A ranked Smith Center and 3A ranked Hoisington – all three were listed as 3A's top three teams this year.

Now – let's see what Central Christian's volleyball team has done at State. Well, they won this year's 1A (Div.II) State Championship, and that's great, and I congratulate them. But what other State championships come to mind? Gosh that's a tough one – how about none.

St. John's Beth Cornwell has received not only the Hutchinson Paper's area “Player of the year ” award “in all divisions” in 2008, but also the State's “Player of the year” in 2008 1A volleyball. Teresa Wade has also won “Player of the year” twice, in 2010 and 2011. St. John has had a number of players making All-State and All-State Tournament.

Jamie Patrick won the 1A (Div. II) “Player of the Year” award in 2011. And I'm sure she's won several other State awards and area awards along with some of her teammates.

Now comes the basketball side of it. The Lady Tigers won State in 2009, took third at State in 2010, and earlier in 2008 took second in II A.

The Tigers won the championship trophy in McPherson's Basketball Classic in 2009 defeating 5A Salina Central, 4A ranked Buhler, and 6A ranked Goddard in a run-a-way by 28 points (or was it 38 points?). Cornwell broke some McPherson Tournament records having a triple double, scoring 33 points, having 10 blocked shots and grabbing 12 rebounds. In that year, the Lady Tigers were ranked fifth “in all classifications” in MaxPreps.

Also in the past years, the St. John Lady Tigers have defeated teams in all classifications, with much of the Tigers's schedule comprised of 2A and larger schools. They have defeated teams such as Wichita North and 4A Pratt.

Central Christian's basketball schedule is made up mostly of small division teams from the “Heart of the Plains” league, with only one 2A team as a member.

Central Christian has lost three games this year – one to a 1A (Div.II) team, another to a 1A (Div. I) and one to a IIA team. St. John has lost two games, one to ranked 4A Pratt and the other to Word of Life by two points. To Central Christian's credit, they did defeat Word of Life.

But to compare Central Christian to a 4A St. James Academy or a 6A Washburn Rural, that's a bit of a stretch.

I just wish that Mr. Hallier (who used to write great articles about the St. John Tigers ) would renew his acquaintance with the Tigers and see them in action. Its not too late. There's a few games left in the season.