Does this irk anybody else about preps coverage?

Before I say this, let me preface it with this: I know the drill -- high school kids are young and they don't deserve to be dogged in print like the pros or college kids do. This I understand well. I don't know if "don't deserve" is the right phrase there, but hopefully you get my drift. It's late.

I'm writing a story tonight on a game that ends in this bizarre fashion - bizarre enough that at least part of it needs to be told in full - and I find myself tapping the breaks on possible avenues into the story because it would A.) upset mommy dearest, B.) come across as too harsh, C.) not be painting a rosy enough picture. We all know the pitfalls that come with writing preps, but does anybody else find themselves subconsciously pulling story ideas from the chute because they're too "controversial" for the HS level? And does anybody else find it as troublesome as I do?

I always do this. I understand there are certain things you can and cannot say when you're dealing with high school kids... that's fine, I don't have a problem withholding some of that stuff. But does anybody else find all the gray area in the middle somewhat irksome? Some of these stories would be much better if I could include some of these things, but I don't know, maybe I'm just howling at the moon on this.

 

Spud, someone told me this a long time ago and perhaps it may help you. High School kids play for the love of the game. They are not on scholarship or getting paid for it. (At least that is what we are supposed to believe).
With that being the frame work, write as if it were your child playing. You can make a dull story great on the prep level. Just use your imagination and be cognizant that these kids play because they love to play.

 

What's annoying is this: The parents and coaches who complain if you point out that the point guard made a critical mistake are the ones who want you to cover their team as if it's the NBA. Can't have it both ways, folks.

 

You read that preface, dripster?

 

Eff the gray area.
You write the good and the bad.
I was told by a coach the other day that the parents of the seniors weren't so happy because my preview article talked about the strength of their sophomore class and this would be a rebuilding type of year. Told him that's what I saw, that's what he talked to me about and that's what I reported on.
There is no gray area if it's the truth.

 

So, what was the bizarre end to the game?

 

Agreed.

 

If it happened during the athletic event, people saw it. (Well, except track and field.) So of course you should write it.

If it's off the field and pertains to rules/eligibility, of course you write it.

Home/personal life (Mom's a prostitute and the kid is being raised by wolves), nah. Nobody's business. I hate those stories in which a newspaper goes all sociological on a 15-year-old. Even if the kid's willing to talk, he/she is too young to understand that nothing good's gonna come from turning his life into a public freak show when there's no good reason to do it.

 

If it's the truth, go with it. It goes with being on the varsity.

I had a soccer district first-round playoff game where a bad team ended its season with two players kicking the ball into their own goals and taking their shirt and basically embarassing themselves and their school. Of course I mentioned that and their names.

 

As a track guy whose parents attended exactly one of my meets (didn't bother me, they were both working and I sucked) in four years, that really made me laugh.

 

I love writing about errors, missed field goals, bricked 3s at the buzzer, own goals and balks. That's why I got into this business.