Turner Slighted Yet Again-by Rep-Am

I couldn't help but notice the Republican this morning when, in a season wrap-up, it was noted that Josh Turner didn't win the Gatorade Player of the Year Award. The author of the column also called out the NVL for not having any representatives in the crowd for the St. Paul girls' state championship win.

Last week the same paper ran an article (different writer) listing the all-time leading scorers for each school in the area. Not listed as Sacred Heart's all time leading scorer for boys.....Josh Turner. When I saw Joe at the Heart's quarterfinial game the next night I mentioned to him that, from stats I compiled from box scores in their paper over the last four years, I had Turner more than 200 points over the 'school record.' Even his own article, written a week earlier after Turner was slighted by the NVL for post season awards, had Turner with over 1600 points in his career. Now, more than a week and several articles later, Turner still hasn't been given the recognition he deserves as the school's all time scoring leader by the paper.

As far as challenging the selection of the state player of the year award and attending games in general, Joe was no where to be seen for any other games during the weekend including the Stratford game where he could have seen Sharrod play. I wonder just how many games he attends when he is not covering a game for the paper. He had already driven to the site, and I am sure was reimbursed for mileage, and his press pass was good for all the games, yet, because there was no NVL team playing, he left after the St. Paul game and missed some outstanding basketball.

I root for NVL teams as much as Joe does, but, after calling six of the eight state title games for CTSN with TheVoyce, I believe the NVL teams this year would have a tough time beating any of the six teams that played in the Class M, L or LL title games. There is outstanding basketball played by teams in all areas of the state and how someone can vote in a statewide pole without seeing teams play, other than if they happen to meet a team from that writer's area, is the reason I don't pay attention to any of the poles.