Playing catch up at the end of football season…

Good stories lost in the gridiron craziness will finally get written

Nov 16, 2023

Gilman on Sports is an online publication that is aimed at covering a wide range of athletic endeavors. It is not just Gilman on Football or basketball. However, those two sports tend to dominate media coverage in our state.

I didn’t start out working as a weekly update reporter for particular sports, but as a need was identified for such coverage, it was time to fill the gap. I believe it was the right move.

With all Salem-Keizer 6A teams out of the prep football post season, other story items of interest will be dealt with after sitting idle, unwritten for weeks. These stories are timeless in many respects and are still worth your while as readers. No hints—but these features are a little out of the mainstream.

It will also be time to compile some smaller sports items as part of the ongoing “Bits and Pieces” feature that crops up from month-to-month. Still worthwhile pieces to consume.

That leads to some readers who might ask—what are you doing between now and basketball—relaxing? Well, there is some of that scheduled, but preparation for the next season takes a bit of work when you are a staff of one.

South Salem’s Tko Westbrook and West Salem’s Jackson Leach are back for 2024. Images courtesy of LE Sports Photography.

First, communication with basketball coaches (boys and girls) about their teams for the upcoming season in the Central Valley Conference (CVC). Some Q and A forms, a profile photo, review of returning players, etc., etc., etc.

McNary’s Avery Buss and West Salem’s Emma Zuniga are two girls hoops returnees Photos from LE Sports Photography.

As a radio sportscaster, I scrambled to pull together a prep basketball broadcast schedule for the conference games which begin in January. Still need to do some last-minute checks for conflicts with Oregon State broadcasts on “my” broadcast station in town (KBZY, 1490 AM).

The break from writing is something that is needed for both me and my bride. I know she tires of seeing me in front of my laptop for hours-on-end every day. Better we go out together for a walk, or for some dinner, or time in a warm swimming pool. This isn’t negotiable time—I have already overdone the writing part of my retirement for the last two years. Adjustments are in the works.

Aside from the crazy re-edits I have to make every so often (being without an editor truly stinks)—I sincerely enjoy the writing. However, I spend too many late nights finishing up some projects, which leads to oversleeping and all the problems that are associated with such poor work habits. And because I keep the subscription rates low… well—you know—the work days don’t pencil out to minimum wage.

Thanks for your patience during the seasonal transition.

Football post script: the OSAA’s football playoffs have reached the semi-final round, with games slated for this Friday.

At the 6A level, the two games in the semis are #4 Central Catholic vs. #1 West Linn at Oregon City’s Pioneer Stadium; and #3 Sherwood vs. #2 Tualatin at Hillsboro Stadium. In the Columbia Cup (consolation) bracket, #24 Barlow faces #21 Sunset at Wilsonville High School, while #22 Clackamas faces #18 South Medford at Willamette High School in Eugene.

In the 5A championship bracket, the semis are being played in the Salem-Keizer area.

In one match-up, #5 Summit of Bend meets #1 Wilsonville in a 7:00 pm game at Willamette University’s McCulloch Stadium. The other game features #3 Mountain View of Bend against #2 Silverton at McNary High School’s Flescher Field in Keizer, also at 7:00 pm.

Football fans should make plans to attend these games—they are usually exciting and a lot of fun.

Check out all the OSAA football brackets HERE.