The Farmville herald and farmer-leader. (Farmville, Va.) 1934-1957, 1954-12-21
Sideline Views
BY JOHN STICK

LET'S WIN THE STAT
TITLE might be rallyine call
for the start OF an elementary
level program in basketball for
FaImville and the county, since
most OF the county students
come into town for high school
classes.
III sense w dread prospects
Of another trip by Coach Gilmer
and the FHS to Blacksburg and
the State Group II tournament.
OF course Farmville hasn't won
he district title yet by any
stretch OF the imagination. but
based on past performances
Coach Gllmer viii have his VOL
verincs at The top tr close to it by
tournament lime.
What were leading up to is
THIS Why shouldn't We send q
I, am to BfackSburg with an even
chance Of Getting into the finals
OF even OF capturing the coveted
state utle2 II seems to us that.
III We have the responsibility
or frequently do-of representing
District 3. then District 3 OUGHT
10 send a squad on a par with
he top ones met at Blacksburg
II we don't or can t--and we
havnt year after year. whether
the team was from Falmville
High or some other school in
District 3 then maybe we'd bet
ter step down IN classification to
Group III
The Big Difference
But hat isn't necessary What
would make the difference in our
opinion. Is a good elementary bas-
ketball program We've got the
hA.h school coach who can bIlnp
along a state winner II he gets
them with the raw edges taken
oil and with some basketball
Sayvy already acquired by the
time the kids r. ach the Eighth
Grade He can't do il If the first
lessons must start with sopho-
mores OF juniors.
Every time @c drive around
town We see groups OF kids play
lne IN som hodya yard they
want instruction. but all they get
from such heiter-s SHELTER play Is
n little tlnesse at shooting. moth
M absolutely nothing else and
frequently they pick up lot Of
faulty playing styles as we'll
II may be too much to ask con-
stituted school authorities to Of
fer basketball coaching in ele-
mentary grades. but what about
!, the Recreation Association? What
about some volunteers from the
ranks Of former players now liv-
inc IN toWn} A fw conferences
with Coach Gilmer would set the
coaching pattern to be followed
from start to high school finish
What about some fathers. who
once played?
Maybe with another gymnu-
SUM available when the new ar
mory is a reality year from nov.
such a system can BE started For
myself, l hate TO think of anoth-
CT Frustrating trip to cold. windy
and dreaiy Blacksburg.
Let's win that state title We
could do it within a couple Of
years Who wants to see our kids
goine up there year after year
already counted out before the
first round IN the state sports
pages
BIG SPORTS BUDGETS run
nlng into hundreds Of thousands
Of dollars at some institutions
OF higher learning. are in direct
contrast With the recent an
nouncement that LonRwood Col
lege operated its sports program
last year for 1898
That provided for hockey. bas-
ketball and tennis probably
swimming and riding as Well.
Only question about such pro-
cram is also in direct opposition
70 what might be asked by the
million dollar programs maybe
LongWood's isn't enough.
Anyway between Hampden-
Sydney's close to-the- belt attn
let!c program and the 1893 out
lay at Longwood we don't have
to Worry about eXtrayagant ath-
letic OUTLAWS in our midst