TxHoops

If you were asking me, I agree with ST413. Both. The mere posting of the video was done to call a 16 year old out by an adult. I think that was childish in and of itself. A parent from Silsbee could have posted a video of his son getting sucker punched but has stated he had no desire to do so or even to call that opposing player out. Moreover, he has stated he forgives the kid and wishes him the best. To make matters worse, I've read on social media where the guy who plastered the video all over social media that he hopes Devon loses all his scholarship offers (I read his comments). So he obviously posted it with malicious intent. Yes, I know the same argument is made about Devon's actions. But we as adults, and parents, should be better than that. But I guess congrats to the guy. He had a video go viral and let everyone around know about a kid's grave mistake. Just to make a point, in the game prior to this fiasco, my own child was subjected to a play that most everyone on here would consider very dirty. It involved a kid who was involved in the fiasco on Tuesday. And it no doubt happened because that kid was frustrated over the play that just occurred. I didn't get the video and post it. I didn't even comment about it at the time. And i wouldn't call the kid by name here. I don't see the benefit for anyone. It was missed by the officials and I have no idea if his coach saw it at the time or on film. I assume if he did he at least had conversation with the kid. In closing, you guys are probably aware of this but there is a reason we have a different judicial process in this state (and country) for juveniles. Their proceedings are held in private, the information is sealed, and their records are cleared and not accessible when they reached adulthood. Why? Because we don't want people having mistakes made as kids following them around for the rest of their lives. I view this whole ordeal in the same manner.

I agree. And all this social media can cause a lot of ills. My son asked me yesterday after all the publicity, "Dad, what kind of a man would post that video on Facebook and Twitter and say he hopes a kid loses any scholarships offers he has?" My response was, "Not much of one..."

You two need to stop passing that stuff back and forth. Are we going to have to separate you two?

I would encourage the "adults" of Silsbee to try and ensure the whole point of the punishment is not missed. Devon is young and has 2 more years of high school ball. He is a good kid and is loved by many. Human nature, and especially for kids, is that when you get put on a pedestal for so long, you begin to think you can do what you want. This thing has gone viral thanks to a guy from Orange who thought it a good idea to post the video clip all over social media. Now I've seen it on Bleacher Report, etc. Regardless, I believe this will be largely forgotten by the public in general 2 years from now when he graduates. Assuming he learns and behaves the way he knows how to on the court. When you are as supremely talented as he is, you don't need to do a dang thing but play to shine. He has that advantage over 99 percent of the kids he will play at the high school level. Conversely, if this opportunity is taken to make him a martyr, the great benefit he can actually RECEIVE from this whole ordeal will be robbed from him. He won't be as likely to learn anything from this and will be prone to think he is being mistreated. That would be a HUGE disservice to Devon in my opinion. Because if he doesn't take this experience and grow from it, and makes any similar mistakes in the future, he could be branded beyond repair and just about as bright a future as you will see around here in basketball will be wasted. So I beg the adults around him to help him understand what is to be GAINED from this and keep the focus where it should be. He's a smart kid with a huge heart who has always been very coachable. That inherently means he's also teachable. Anyone with a dialogue with him should make sure that's exactly what happens with this.

Did you not even read the post you quoted. "Difference" was only in there twice...

But part of your point is well taken. Silsbee, deservedly or not, is getting a bad reputation that is not reflective of the good folks there. They do need to be mindful of how they handle things from here on out to improve that stigma and not add to it.

I saw with my own eyes plenty of support from his teammates and I'm sure he had it from the community. I'm not saying they should have cast him away. I hope he learned not to be an ignorant racist and has grown from it. I also see a difference in the actions of the two. And there was a difference in the punishments. One wasn't harsh enough imo. But that's up to the school and not my call. Therefore my opinion on that matter is irrelevant.

I can almost assure you the UIL agrees with you.

So we should say Bridge City's gonna Bridge City with what happened in football? I was disgusted by that whole ordeal but was very vocal in that didn't represent the community of BC. I don't have a problem with a community having a rally for the team and letting a kid know they still love and support him. Part of what he should learn from all this anyway imo. And don't know why anyone else would even care...

UIL generally leaves these matters up to the districts and the DEC. I would highly doubt they would interject themselves into this based upon the swiftness and the manner in which this has been handled.

Absolutely. They are very good and I very much enjoyed watching them at a football game this year. Maybe it's the acoustics in that gym but when they play, you can't hear the person next you. It's deafening. But you might be right...maybe we're just old....

I agree with just about everything in this post. I really believe both sides will be on their best behavior. As far as the last sentence, that will be an interesting matchup for sure. But don't be surprised if Bush is the best player on the floor on Friday . That little joker can go.

I did not hear of any Silsbee fans storming the court last night and my experience with WOS fans always been positive. I can't believe grown folks can't behave as such and students can't be adequately warned and dealt with by administrators.

I agree. I would hope that as adults, the fans would be able to behave themselves. Although some of what I've seen on social media today sickened me as much as anything that transpired last night. But bring a couple of more uniforms in there Friday and that usually people be on their best behavior.

Dove can't go to Memorial home games Nash. The band wreaks havoc with his hearing aids...

Here's to a good, clean, competitive game for those who will be playing. I expect both sides to be on their best behaviors and hopefully the fans and spectators will follow suit.

I apologize if this has already been posted but just saw where JP White, the longtime "voice of the Tigers" or "Tiger Voice" passed away and was laid to rest in the past week. I didn't know him personally but I have heard nothing but good things about the man and I know he was a mentor and dear friend of AAW's. Thoughts and prayers to his family and friends. Also, did he post here under the handle "Usedtobetigervoice" or something similar a few years back?

Coy is a fine young man who is one of heck of an athlete. Love to see great kids rewarded. I don't know Casey but I'm sure the same could be said. Congrats to both!

Out of likes but great post.

And believe me there was plenty of garbage thrown their way over the past two years. But that was an EXTREMELY disciplined team. I've drawn parallels as well to Mustang football with Tiger basketball. To me, Silsbee can be just as dominant and has the opportunity to bring home the ultimate prize this year as well as the next two at least. But they are going to have to learn to use restraint. If you watched the Mustangs play at all this year, you saw them play with a ton of emotion too. But it was mostly restrained, especially in the face of some inflammatory situations. Again, I hope we are all rooting for those involved to learn from this so they become better young men from the lesson.

Haven't seen it and don't know how it was handled. You commented that HJ issues a one game suspension for technical fouls and used it as an example of appropriate discipline. I just pointed out Sigler suspended a kid for 2 games for that behavior.

A player from Silsbee got a 2 game suspension for a technical foul (issued for mouthing to a ref) earlier this season.

Sadly, I am sure this is 100% true.

Amen

Folks, these are kids who did very dumb things and should be appropriately punished. But let's be careful with all this jail and criminal charges talk. Let the respective districts have a chance to mete out punishments. Personally, I'm sick about this whole ordeal. Good kids on both sides made some serious mistakes that I'm sure they wish they could take back. As for the one drawing most of the ire (and not undeservingly), I've known the kid for several years, love the kid, and know he's better than that. But you can't do what he did any time, any place or for any reason. My prayers are for the coaches and administrators tasked with making very tough decisions and for the kids who will hopefully take stock and learn some very serious life lessons from this ordeal.