Bucks defeat Broncos 67-50

SPORTS SHORTS
by Scott Boyle

The Monticello Bucks won round two convincingly in the annual two round basketball war.  After the first game, a double overtime affair won by the Broncos in December, the anticipation for the second game was sky high.  And indeed, the packed gym at the Buckaroo corral symbolized the eagerness. The fans were treated to a 67-50 Buckaroo victory.

It was all Buckaroos this time, as they jumped out to a early ten point lead, 16-6 after the first quarter.  The Broncos found their shooting touch in the second quarter, though the Buckaroos didn’t lose theirs, and we found the halftime with coach Rhett Maughan’s boys sporting a 32-20 lead led by Steven Redd and Cory Young, who both had seven points at halftime.  

Already playing shorthanded, in the second half, the Broncos soon found their scoring leader Cameron Shumway in foul trouble after he picked up his third and fourth fouls to find himself sitting.  

Young and Redd continued their scoring blitz as the Buckaroos executed on offense and played pressure defense to find themselves up by 22 after three quarters.  

When Shumway fouled out with almost seven minutes remaining, the door seemed shut on the Broncos.  But there was no give up in the boys from Blanding, who closed the gap a little by pressuring the ball and getting to the foul line.  

Coaches’ son, Tyrell Nielson, showed great shooting touch, connecting on 12 for 12 from the foul line in the fourth quarter, but it was to no avail and the Bucks, playing an energetic game throughout, garnered the confidence building win.

Redd led all scorers with 20 points, with Young close behind with 18, including two treys.  Dallin Duncan added 10 points.  

Nielson led the Broncos with 16 points, with AJ Slavens, Seth Moses, and Shumway all tossing in seven.

Rivalry history
The earlier game drew this comment from Bronco coach Ryan Nielson, “That was the most exciting Monticello, Blanding game I have ever been a part of.  The fans got a great show.  Two teams worked their guts out and we were fortunate to be on top. Those kinds of games are nerve racking but a lot of fun.  Monticello has a great team.  Like most games, that game came down to free throws, but I am dang proud of my boys and their effort.  That is what a rivalry is all about.”

The Buckaroo win was the first for the Buckaroos over the Broncos since 2005, when the Bucks triumphed 54-44.   The teams split in 2004 as well, with the only sweep of the annual two-fer by Bucks coming in 2001.  

The Broncos own a 14-5 record over the Bucks since 2001, including 2003, when the teams played not only their two in December, but met in the first round of the state tournament, the Broncos winning all three that year.

For the school year, the rivalry is alive and well, with the Bronco boys winning in football, and the Lady Buckaroos winning three matches in volleyball.  Boy’s cross country would have to be a tie with both teams placing third.  

The nod would need to go to the Lady Broncos in cross country, based on their state championship while the Lady Bucks grabbed third place.  The Lady Broncos won round one in basketball, with round two coming up.  Wrestling gets started this week in a match that will have been played out by press time.

Golf language?
Last year I queried whether golf is a verb or a noun. Does one “golf” or “play golf”?  I came down on the side of playing golf.  

According to Meriam Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, “golf” is first a noun and then a verb.  I’ve always preferred using golf as a noun, as in “Let’s play some golf.”

Using golf as a verb, “I golfed a 42 today” has always kinda grated on my nerves... well maybe annoyed my nerves.  

After all, we don’t say “I basketballed today and scored 20 points” or “Hey, let’s football ‘till the cows came home,” or “We croqueted at the party and had a swell time.”  

We “play” golf, we “play” basketball, football and croquet.  Don’t we?  Reminds me of the hip phrase of a few years ago, “my bad”, used when one made a mistake and it was one’s own fault.  “My bad” one would say.  

In that case, one uses an adjective as a noun.  Sorry, but it’s like having paper crinkling in your ear while trying to go to sleep.  I say “golf” is a noun.”  

Finally, some corroboration, from Jay Nordlinger, a contributor to National Review.  Writes Nordlinger, “Maybe we should entertain a language question. A reader wants to know about golf - and “golfing.” He says, “I was raised in a pretty serious golf family. From early on, I found the word ‘golfing’ to be odd, even irksome. Is it really a word at all? You never hear Tiger or Jack or Freddy say that they are ‘golfing.’ They ‘play golf.’ But you hear weekend warriors say ‘golfing’ all the time.”

Yes, I have considered this question and I agree with the letter-writer. In my observation, serious golfers talk about “playing golf.” More casual types are apt to say, “I’m going golfing this afternoon” (on the order of, “I’m going bowling”). But is “golfing” a word, and can you say that you’re “golfing”? Why, sure.”

“Serious golfers talk about playing golf.”  Right on.