This game seemed like a lot of fun.
In 2000, the Japser County Coroner race made national headlines. Identical twin brothers, Ron and Don Mosbaugh became the first set of twins to run against each other in a countywide election.
Both men had a good sense of humor about the event. Don, who ran on the Democratic ticket, prided himself on only spending $1.50 on the race — buying a marker, then stealing 200 of his brother’s yard signs and changing the R to a D in the first name.
Ron said Don was jealous because he wasn’t as good looking as him. Don countered with a campaign slogan of “Time for a new face in the Japer County Coroner’s Office.”
The Mosbaughs said that people always mixed them up in public because they look exactly alike. In an Associated Press article, the twins joked about switching girlfriends during dates and once trading places during their high school basketball playing days.
Ron said that he was a far superior athlete, but became overzealous and fouled out in the first half of a game. During intermission, he and Don switched jerseys so he could help their team beat a rival.
It easy to find and understand the humor in the Mosbaughs’ tales and just wink and nod at their otherwise egregious actions and election tactics. Clearly, they were pandering to their interviewer and audiences. They even held a debate on Comedy Central’s The Daily Show.
As humans, we understand that there are times that it is appropriate to “look the other way,” at a youth basketball game. Not every foul, travel or double dribble is called by the officials. In a blowout, game officials swallow their whistles in an attempt to end the game more quickly.
On Saturday, Monett won the Blue Division Championship of the NEO Tournament in Miami, Okla. Despite it being against the state association rules, teams were allowed to dunk during pregame warm-ups. While I have no issue overlooking this rule violation, nothing could have prepared me for what happened during the contest.
Almost two minutes of game ran off the clock and Monett called a timeout. During the break, the opposing coach walked to the scorer’s table and asked game officials to switch the type of basketball being used. He passionately contended that the ball his team brought with them was superior to the one being used. He pointed to the fact that players from both teams were struggling with the grip.
He was unsuccessful. Game and tournament officials declared that both teams must finish with the ball that they were currently using.
Things only unraveled from there.
Over the next 14 game minutes, three technical fouls were called and a scoring dispute caused an official timeout, which led to a heated discussion over the number of personal fouls a certain player collected in the first half. There was also confusion over the number of team fouls assessed in the first half, which led to extra free throws and an incorrect halftime score.
Fans, coaches, players, officials and tournament directors were all red-faced by intermission.
As both team’s exited the floor, the opposing team took the original game ball with them to the locker room, then sent a team manager to the scorers table with the ball they originally tried to submit early in the first quarter.
Tournament officials immediately caught the attempted slight-of-hand parlor trick and replaced the missing game ball with another ball like the one they used in the first half.
The game’s officials chose not to act upon the deception, which deserved at least a second technical foul on the coach and his immediate ejection. After the game was over, tournament officials made it known that the opposing team would not be invited back next season.
I understand the will and desire to win, but to resort to childish tactics such as those witnessed on Saturday gives a black eye to a coach’s character and school’s reputation. It was embarrassing to all involved.
The coach thought he could tip the scales in his team’s favor with a wink and a nod. But cheating goes against every lesson coaches should be teaching their athletes.
Saturday should serve as a lesson for all. If you have to cheat to win, why are you even involved? What do you gain by cheating? The answer is simple – nothing.
That, and a column about your dirty deeds in the newspaper.
Jared Lankford is the sports editor of The Monett Times. He can be reached at sports@monett-times.com, or 417-235-3135.
In 2000, the Japser County Coroner race made national headlines. Identical twin brothers, Ron and Don Mosbaugh became the first set of twins to run against each other in a countywide election.
Both men had a good sense of humor about the event. Don, who ran on the Democratic ticket, prided himself on only spending $1.50 on the race — buying a marker, then stealing 200 of his brother’s yard signs and changing the R to a D in the first name.
Ron said Don was jealous because he wasn’t as good looking as him. Don countered with a campaign slogan of “Time for a new face in the Japer County Coroner’s Office.”
The Mosbaughs said that people always mixed them up in public because they look exactly alike. In an Associated Press article, the twins joked about switching girlfriends during dates and once trading places during their high school basketball playing days.
Ron said that he was a far superior athlete, but became overzealous and fouled out in the first half of a game. During intermission, he and Don switched jerseys so he could help their team beat a rival.
It easy to find and understand the humor in the Mosbaughs’ tales and just wink and nod at their otherwise egregious actions and election tactics. Clearly, they were pandering to their interviewer and audiences. They even held a debate on Comedy Central’s The Daily Show.
As humans, we understand that there are times that it is appropriate to “look the other way,” at a youth basketball game. Not every foul, travel or double dribble is called by the officials. In a blowout, game officials swallow their whistles in an attempt to end the game more quickly.
On Saturday, Monett won the Blue Division Championship of the NEO Tournament in Miami, Okla. Despite it being against the state association rules, teams were allowed to dunk during pregame warm-ups. While I have no issue overlooking this rule violation, nothing could have prepared me for what happened during the contest.
Almost two minutes of game ran off the clock and Monett called a timeout. During the break, the opposing coach walked to the scorer’s table and asked game officials to switch the type of basketball being used. He passionately contended that the ball his team brought with them was superior to the one being used. He pointed to the fact that players from both teams were struggling with the grip.
He was unsuccessful. Game and tournament officials declared that both teams must finish with the ball that they were currently using.
Things only unraveled from there.
Over the next 14 game minutes, three technical fouls were called and a scoring dispute caused an official timeout, which led to a heated discussion over the number of personal fouls a certain player collected in the first half. There was also confusion over the number of team fouls assessed in the first half, which led to extra free throws and an incorrect halftime score.
Fans, coaches, players, officials and tournament directors were all red-faced by intermission.
As both team’s exited the floor, the opposing team took the original game ball with them to the locker room, then sent a team manager to the scorers table with the ball they originally tried to submit early in the first quarter.
Tournament officials immediately caught the attempted slight-of-hand parlor trick and replaced the missing game ball with another ball like the one they used in the first half.
The game’s officials chose not to act upon the deception, which deserved at least a second technical foul on the coach and his immediate ejection. After the game was over, tournament officials made it known that the opposing team would not be invited back next season.
I understand the will and desire to win, but to resort to childish tactics such as those witnessed on Saturday gives a black eye to a coach’s character and school’s reputation. It was embarrassing to all involved.
The coach thought he could tip the scales in his team’s favor with a wink and a nod. But cheating goes against every lesson coaches should be teaching their athletes.
Saturday should serve as a lesson for all. If you have to cheat to win, why are you even involved? What do you gain by cheating? The answer is simple – nothing.
That, and a column about your dirty deeds in the newspaper.
Jared Lankford is the sports editor of The Monett Times. He can be reached at sports@monett-times.com, or 417-235-3135.
