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SALT LAKE CITY — From the time a kid learns how to shoot a basketball, the desire to make the game-winning shot is only overshadowed by the persistent practicing of that desired real-life moment.
You know the drill; you've practiced it a hundred times on your tattered basketball hoop that has only remnants of a net and a bent rim from some aggressive dunking from the neighborhood kids. Counting down, with five seconds left in this imaginary game, your team is down two points. You dribble behind the chalked outline of a 3-point line, using your stellar ball-handling skills that even Pistol Pete would be jealous of. With time quickly expiring, you put up a shot in desperation, as the ball, which seemingly takes an eternity to approach the basket, finds the bottom of the net, with the imaginary crowd erupting in cheers.
But for a high school basketball team in Alabama, the dream became a reality. Twice. With time running out in the first quarter, Saint James High's Slade Methvin hurled the ball down the court 90 feet, scoring a once-in-a- lifetime shot. Not wanting to be shown up, teammate C.J. Duncan lobbed a near half-court shot up to end the first half with another great shot.
Gordon Hayward technical foul:
In an unprecedented expression of frustration, Utah Jazz small forward Gordon Hayward received his first technical foul while playing the Los Angeles Clippers Wednesday night. Hayward received the technical in the second half after he and Clippers player Mo Williams jockeyed for positioning on an inbound pass.
The technical, however, was not only the first of Hayward's NBA career, but the first technical in his basketball career, including junior high, high school and college. And while Head Coach Ty Corbin will likely not encourage such behavior from any of his players, Hayward's passion and ability to fight is starting to develop as he makes a name for himself in the NBA.
And although Hayward's technical did not come as a result of Blake Griffin's monstrous block early in the first quarter of Wednesday's game, it is still fun to watch.
Egypt Soccer Brawl:
On a serious note, 74 people were killed, with hundreds more injured, following a soccer game in Egypt. After an upset victory by the home team, hundreds of fans rushed the field, attacking players and fans alike. The violence was the deadliest worldwide since 1996.
Johnson named Utes OC:
The University of Utah has confirmed that the school's quarterback coach Brian Johnson will be named the team's offensive coordinator. The announcement comes on the heels of the departure of Norm Chow, who accepted the head coaching position at Hawaii after spending a season with Utah as offensive coordinator.
Johnson recently completed his second year as the team's quarterback coach after leading the Utes in 2008 to an undefeated season and a win in the 2009 Sugar Bowl. Johnson, who will turn 25 on Feb. 16, will become the youngest current offensive coordinator in Division I football. He is currently the winningest quarterback in the school's history. Johnson's coaching influences include: Ohio State Head Coach Urban Meyer, Utah Head Coach Kyle Whittingham and Hawaii Head Coach Norm Chow.
