Over the years, the cover date of this publication has coincided with significant or holiday dates on the calendar. Frequently, when this has occurred, I have written this column to be in keeping with whatever that special date may have been. As one looks at the cover of this January 20, 2021 publication, when the 46th President of the United States is inaugurated, marks a date in our nation’s history that reflects a troubled nation that may be as divided as at any time since the days of the Civil War.

The top of this column states “Scott on Sports.” A man, whom I consider to be quite wise, once told me, “If you are going to write a sports column, make sure your keep your comments to the subject at hand — sports. Those who may choose to read it, whether they agree with your particular topic or not, are interested in sports. They don’t care about your politics or religious views. Everyone has an opinion. Keep yours to yourself on those matters, and use the space provided to you to write about sports.”

Thusly, the occupant of the White House, both past and present, is of no consequence to this sports column in Webb Weekly. At the risk of dipping my toes in some very hot water, I can only suggest that the politicians among us and those choosing to follow their rhetoric take a lesson from the world of sports about how competition works.

Regardless of what sport you may choose to follow, the outcome directed at all of us is the final score posted on the event scoreboard. When the game is over it determines the victor. The loser may scream at the referees, dislike the opponent and make disparaging remarks about the opposing fans; but it isn’t going to change the outcome of the game. The loser feels the hurt of the loss, searches for the causes leading to defeat and heads back to practice with determination to get better for the next game. The winner shakes hands with the opponent, recognizes their effort and doesn’t seek retribution because the victory is now registered in their win column.

For those of you that don’t think sports are important, take a moment to reflect on the above. Some like the outcome and some don’t. But there are many ‘games’ on the schedule left to play and we all need to go about playing the game in accordance with the established rules.

Regarding the game itself, last week’s column referenced the new basketball format established for the 2020-2021 season by the expanded Mid Penn Conference, which has added new members, Northwest and South Williamsport, and divided itself into two five team divisions, east and west. Conference play commenced last week and if the St. John Neumann/South Williamsport game gives any indication, it could be a crowd-pleasing season. (oops, forgot — there aren’t crowds there to see them play).

That January 11 game at South Williamsport was the Mountaineers first game in the new Mid Penn Conference. Neumann’s Knights have assembled a talent-laden squad and are a clear favorite to win the league title. Their fast-paced style not only serves them well on the basketball court but would be a lightning-fast track team if St. John Neumann offered that sport to its students.

On that evening, the assembled ‘crowd’ (17 by my count) was treated to a competitively high-scoring entertaining game won by the Knights 80-70. The outcome was in doubt until the Knights all-state sophomore Davion Hill took the game into his own hands in the fourth quarter with three-point shots and drives to the hoop and led all scorers with 32 points. His brother David Hill chipped in with 19 points and newcomer guard Hanief Clay added 13.

South’s Mounties shook off the offensive woes of last season when they averaged only 46 points per game, which included seven games when they failed to score 40 points. Leading the way were two new members of the starting lineup, guard Secoy Roberts (25 points) and forward Grant Bachman (12). Three-year starting forward Evan Laudenslager contributed 16 points and played a strong game on the boards.

Who knows if things will improve to the point where family and friends will be permitted to once again frequent local gyms this winter, but from what I have witnessed in the early going the young men and women playing the game are giving it their all in sadly what have been practice-like atmospheres. They know that truly, each time they step on the court it could be their last game of the season. Yet, they are thankful for that opportunity and welcome any support you can provide during this most unusual and pandemic season.

At game’s end, fist-bumps and hand waves have replaced handshakes and back-slaps, but they know they have given their best effort and played the game by the established rules. Too bad the same can’t be said by those teams sporting donkey and elephant mascots.