Game 40: North Fulton @ Brimfield (Girl's Basketball)

Game 40
North Fulton @ Brimfield (Girl's Basketball)
(12/6/10)

We interrupt this broadcast for technical difficulties...

It was close, but I was able to get all but the first 40 seconds of action. One of the biggest troubles in broadcasting is problems that can arise with equipment. When I first began broadcasting online with my own equipment, I was told that there are a few things that could occur and cause troubles. I find out quickly that first season.



I racked my brain for a few months on an issue, where audio was not getting directed from my mixer board to computer. I tried multiple headsets/microphones, a new IMic (a USB connection with A/V cables), a different computer, and a new mixer board. All for naught. In the end, thanks to my former co-worker at K100, Curtis Jay, we discovered it was my A/V (audio/video) cables.

The problem I initially had did not all of a sudden happen, it was a slow process of not working. It would fail at first, but then be okay. Then, it became more regular, before finally not working altogether.

Tonight, as I began my broadcast, I was getting no levels. I made sure everything was plugged in, all my knobs were pulled up accordingly, and my computer recording settings were correct. Check, check, and check. Still...nothing. Uh oh!

I unplugged everything, and plugged back in during starting lineups. Finally, I got something, but the levels were a little out of whack. I was able to go on the air about 40 seconds after tip off. Midway through the first quarter, I unplugged the cords once again, and when I plugged them in again, everything worked fine. There was one more hiccup in the 4th quarter, but a full broadcst aired.

This is going to be the final season for Brimfield basketball in their current gym, which is located across the street from the high school, in the grade school. A new high school is being built next to the current high school.

Lady Indians head coach Jim Blane has been telling me about the new plans for the high school and gymnasium since it was placed on a ballot for the citizens to vote on a couple years ago. The new gym will be up and ready to go for the 2011-12 season. When I arrived and spoke with coach Blane before the game, he was all smiles when talking about the new gym. He also informed me that the specifications for the new high school, are for an enrollment of 400 students. Brimfield's enrollment is around 200.

I arrived at the gym around 4:45. It gave me some time to talk with the custodians...the only other people there! Coach Scott Carlson was just finishing up practice with his Class 1A state-ranked Indians. I also took a few minutes to check out the trophy case outside of the gym.

Once the broadcast was under way, the host Indians jumped out to a 17-5 lead, however North Fulton would make a nice run and it was 19-13 after the first quarter. The visiting Wildcats chipped further into the lead throughout the 2nd quarter, and it was tied, 24-24 with under 0:30 to play before the half. Elizabeth Groeper converted a three-point play in the final seconds to send Brimfield into the locker room with a 27-24 lead.

Brimfield jumped out to a 38-31 lead heading into the 4th quarter, and held on to win, 54-47. McKenzie Kelly and MacKenzie Eisenbarth each scored 15 points for Brimfield, while freshman Kerrigan Dura added 12 points. Jessa Tompkins led North Fulton with 11 points.

Youth is served: Of the 15 girls that saw the floor for the two teams, only 5 are seniors. Here is the breakdown by class.

Seniors: 5
Juniors: 7
Sophomores: 2
Freshman: 1

Free Throws: North Fulton went 15-20 from the charity stripe.

Tradition: Brimfield has won four consecutive Regional championships. This year's team is off to an 8-2 start, with just two seniors in their regular rotation. The Brimfield 7th graders (24-1) will be playing for an IESA state championship this Thursday.

After leaving, I hit the "home" button on my Garmin. It told me to take some backroads back to Macomb. I knew better, since some of the in-town roads were snow covered. After covering a Brimfield baseball game last spring, I took this backroad route, and it was tough on a dry, sunny day. My estimated time (on that route) was 10:36. I opted for I-74 and Route 41, which estimated my arrival home at 10:40. I pulled in the driveway at....10:36.

Site I Saw
A Big Ten Network semi on I-74 near the Knoxville exit.

Lowest Gas Price
Abingdon Casey's was listing gas at $2.79, by far the cheapest gas I have seen in a long while. In fact, just down the road in Bushnell, Casey's listed gas at $2.92.

Ugliest Christmas Decoration
I don't think I've mentioned this before, but my least favorite yard decoration are the over sized inflatables. They look horrible and out of place at every address that isn't a county fair.

The Quest 2: 150 Stat of the Day
40 broadcasts in the books, in 22 days. That 22 days includes three Sundays and Thanksgiving Day.

Stat of the Day: Part II
After 40 broadcasts, 22 have been girl's basketball games and 18 have been boy's basketball games.

Total Miles in the Quest 2: 150
1,911

Game 40 Miles: 166