One week at the BigSkinny Hot Dog Shop

The BigSkinny team now has exactly one week of restaurant experience and oh boy how appreciative we are with the way our community has supported us. Our first weekend was sensational and each day has been very steady. We are learning new things every day and you should see Skinny sling those dogs while Mrs Skinny works the dining area. Our whole staff is learning more each day and they are doing well for us as we are forming into the BigSkinny Team.

It is really wonderful to see our dream being realized in such a big way. In the first week we have used up over 2500 Smith's Dogs and still counting. We worked around the clock to keep stocked with our specialty sauces. We obviously thought it would be popular but we never imagined what has taken place the first week.

Girard Farrell Thoughts

First of all let me say that I love watching both of these teams. This was a very exciting game and the boys and coaches of both teams handled themselves in the heat of competition with great sportsmanship. I was proud of the way the Farrell boys handled themselves in what had to be a disappointing loss.

I sat with Farrell fans directly behind the Girard bench. I learned my lesson last year about sitting near Farrell Fans when I almost picked up a couple dollars left for the referees on the floor. I thought it was a tip for a job well done but the refs didn't seem to want it. Well, I was ready this time, if any tips were thrown around I was gonna be all over it. Well, I guess everyone was feeling in a hockey sort of mood tonight. One young man even thought he saw a hat trick and threw his cap onto the floor. The security people were not in a hockey mood so out he went. He is pictured here putting his hat back on. As he walked by me I was hoping he would flip me a buck or two but his eyes told me he wanted to flip something else. Maybe that is where the term "fowl mood" came from. I don't think he was tossed but one of last years ejectees followed him out because I am sure he figured it was just a matter of time anyway. Ok, they may go a little overboard but you gotta love their passion and no one was hurt by the hat and they did leave peaceably.

Just so you know, not all Farrell fans thought the refs beat them. I overheard a woman say the refs beat us and a very fine gentlemen, also a Farrell fan, said to her, " the refs didn't beat us, #15 did". I agree with that whole heartedly! Andrew Rickard is an amazing sophomore b-baller. You can read Heathers blog to get the details of the game but let me also say that #2 Traphael Stubbs of Farrell had an amazing game as well. I am a happy camper, I got to see two of my favorite players tonight (Rickard and Stubbs) and even though I didn't get to pick up a few bucks I was thoroughly entertained.

I got some good pictures tonight so check back for a link to them as I need to upload them. Here they are: http://www.bigskinnyonline.com/GirardFarrell.htm

I close by saying that I do not condone throwing anything on the court at anytime or verbally abusing the referees. These guys have a tough job and I would not last long doing it. I can't even bring myself to umpire a little league game so my hat is off to you guys. No pun intended, well, maybe a little.

Leading Scorer?

I am looking to find out who the leading per game scorer in District 10 is. Any help would be appreciated and it does not matter which classification. It can be anyone in A through AAAA.

Respond to: big@bigskinnyonline.com

Conneaut Valley 64 West Middlesex 52

I have had this date set on my calendar for a month or so because I wanted to see Troy Mild of WM before the playoffs begin. He did not dissapoint me but I saw oh so much more. Valley came to play on their Senior Night. I was very impressed with Doug Beil who tied Mild for high scoring honors as they both netted 25.

Valley won the tip but it was WM #11 Matt Murray who got on the board first with a long range 3 ball. It was quickly followed up by a two for Valley's Beil. After Mild hit for two, Valley went on a 4 point run to make the score 6-5 at the 4:16 mark. Mild then hit two free throws to give WM the lead again at 6-7. Valley's Beil regained the lead with a bucket just to watch Mild grab it back at 8-9. Valley scored the next 5 to grab a 13-9 lead with Freshman #3 Casey Baker scoring his fourth point. Mild hit another 2 but that was followed by Beil scoring 4 strait points to give Valley a 17-11 lead to end the first quarter.

This was an old fasioned shootout and boy was I enjoying it until it was marred somewhat by an ankle injury to WM guard Matt Murray while scoring in the lane. Murray would not return. Valley had a 5 point run and an 8 point run to build a 34-19 lead at halftime.

The third quarter saw Valley build the lead to 46-30 at the 1:50 mark but WM cut the lead a bit by outscoring Valley 5-2 the final 1:50 to make the score 48-35 after three quarters. Tyler Jones scored 6 in the frame for Valley and Mild netted 7 for WM.

The fourth quarter was much like the rest of the game with Valley holding WM to one shot on most possessions. At the 1:52 mark Valley held a 61-43 lead as Troy Mild's evening was over with his fifth foul. WM did end the game with a 9 point run to make the final score 64-52. Valley's Hakeem Spotswood made a WM comeback really tough as he came off the bench with a great effort to net 8 points in the final quarter.

BigSkinny Player of the Game goes to Valley's Doug Beil who had a monster night on the boards to go with his 25 points.

Observations - Troy Mild is the real deal and I am sure we will see him again in the playoffs.

Valley is certainly peaking at the right time and should make some noise in the A bracket of the D10 Playoffs. I really liked their effort and energy tonight.

More photos at: http://www.bigskinnyonline.com/ValleyWM.htm

Girard 53 Saegertown 27

I have always enjoyed statistics and tonight I saw something in the statistcal world that I have never seen. With 38.5 seconds left in the fourth quarter Saegertown's #13, Handel, stepped to the line and sunk two free throws to give a 100% free throw effort for the whole game for both teams. The interesting part of that stat is that those were the only free throws taken in the entire contest. There were only a total of 9 fouls called the whole evening and only three of those on Saegertown, two of which were charging fouls on Panthers standout player, Ben Wetsell.

The score at the end of the first quarter was 11-10 Panthers but it was all downhill after that for the hometown squad as they only mustard 3 in the second frame and 4 in the third. In fairness, several of the Panthers were battling the flu bug including Kyle Beatty who could not even be at the game.

Girard had four players in double figures with Andrew Rickard leading the way with 14. Carr, Ferrick, and McDonald each had 10 with Mike Droll close behind with 7. I might add that Droll has several very nice assists and Ferrick was tough on the boards. Zack Beatty led Saegertown in scoring with 13 while Ben Wetsell added 6.

My BigSkinny Player of the Game is Girard's McDonald who left pieces of himself out on the floor. While he and a couple Saegertown boys were diving for a loose ball right in front of me he chipped two of his front teeth. During a timeout the game trainer came over and recovered the two little white chickletts. McDonald was kind enough to give me a big smile after the game. I am sure he will be seeing a dentist soon.

Special Note: It was great to see some of my Farrell friends at the game this evening. I am sure everyone is getting ready for the playoffs and I am really looking forward to that. Skinny, Heather and I will try to bring you some great coverage this year.