In between the Columns for Monday, May 12
It’s Monday early morning, so it’s time for me to let you all know what’s been on my mind the past week. Graduation today lined up quite well with when I initially started on the beat for the Jefferson City News Tribune, so I figured I would have a look at some of my preferred games to cover from the previous 4 years that hopefully lines up quite well with the graduating seniors’ memories.And since average trainees do not move as much as athletes, nor do they get COVID years and redshirts(though I did take a fifth year), we’re just looking at the previous four.Let’s get to it.1. Border War basketball 2024 The very first rekindled Border War played
at Mizzou Arena back in 2022 was at the
top of my list of games I got to cover personally for a long time.The energy in the stadium, the excitement that originated from the early success at the start of the
Dennis Gates period, the possibility to prove that the 9-0 start was for real. And after that the game was a let down.But it nearly all happened once again in 2024. It wasn’t a 9-0
start, but it was a 7-1 start
with a seven-game winning streak that occurred with a highly-touted transfer class and the clear development of some essential guys early on.The excitement was back, the arena was packed and fans were beginning to think again that the second-year letdown of the Gates period might be a one-off. And this time, the team came through.The stadium just got louder and louder as the Tigers dominated the early going
to get out to a 20-10 lead, then the energy kept growing as Tamar Bates(who, if you missed it, earned his method into the NBA integrate with his performance in the G League Elite Camp over the weekend) took over on offense and Josh Gray kept grabbing every possible rebound en route to a 34-17 benefit with a couple of minutes left in the first half and a 39-25 lead at halftime.As it ended up being a close game down the stretch, the energy began to decrease, however I do not think I’ll ever forget the mix of relief and surge of
energy that came when Mark Mitchell hit that left-corner 3 with 2 minutes left, getting the Tigers back on track to develop out the win.And then obviously, Mr. Brightside with the students on the floor.That’s a memory I’m going to hold onto for a long time and one I hope this finishing class will always remember …