Before I finish my previews of the Canada West ‘Play-In Series’ for this coming weekend –
I want to write openly to Coach Barnaby Craddock of the Alberta Golden Bears and Coach Mike Hansen of the Lethbridge Pronghorns.
Barnaby and Mike,
I want to apologize for my characterization of your coaching decisions for the game on Sunday. In that piece I accused you of ‘agreeing’ somehow to ‘soft-play’ that final game. I wrongly accused Barnaby and the Bears of dropping the game on purpose.
I feel my article was mean-spirited, presumptive, and too precipitous. A deep breath is always a better option. Both coaches had good reason to go with an ‘alternate line-up’, so as to protect their players in advance of upcoming play-offs. The decision to play the rotation they did was one they arrived at with due consideration for their team as a whole, and for the better rest or protection of some key individuals.
I never meant any slight on the efforts or skills of those non-starters who played a big part in a very close game. I appreciate the work that all players at that level put into their sport. I think I’ve tried to promote Canada West Basketball with this blog, and I’m sorry that this post was so negative and unnecessarily critical.
I appreciate the hard work coaches in Canada West have in their many roles with their teams. I am among your biggest supporters. I hope we can go forward with the positive promotion of the game we all love.
Sincere apologies,
Wayne Thomas
Editor
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