A couple pet peeves of mine and "We are the Buffalo"

I want confront the public about a few disturbing trends in high school basketball (feel free to comment in the forum). Three issues need to be addressed in the high school game and beyond. In light of what's been going on in the NBA for the past decade, it was just a matter of time before this happened.

Palming the ball on the dribble, the hippity-hop on the catch-and-shoot, and giving fist pounds to referees and coaches during pre-game introductions - they all need to stop.

I don't know what happened to proper dribbling, but how hard is it to teach a kid to dribble without putting his hand on the side of the ball or under it? And why aren't the referees calling it?

And, I'm sorry, but a hop after the catch before shooting is a travel. Getting set on the catch is a skill and it needs to be encouraged by coaches and referees.

And fist-pounds are cool between buddies. But referees and coaches are clearly uncomfortable when players fist-pound them during introductions, and players appear disrespectful when they do it with them. Handshakes or nothing at all will do.

Has anyone seen the guy at Wichita Southeast sporting events who leads the crowd in this one particular cheer over and over? It goes something like "We are the Buffalo. You are the Buffalo..." - something like that. Anyway, he does it at football and basketball games. He's always on the sidelines, so obviously the sports administration at Southeast gives him permission to be there.

Whatever the case may be, right now, after watching Southeast play a couple times this season, I'm a Buffalo, you're a Buffalo, we're all Buffalos. At least we should be. I won't make a prediction yet on who's going to win the first East-Southeast showdown of the year on January 4 at East, but I know the Buffs are very good.

Jordan Cyphers plays above the rim and beyond the perimeter. Cortez Barnes is long and athletic; his mid-range game could explode if he starts hitting the 15-footer. Adonis Gantt is fast and acrobatic. Cecil Shaw gets to the rim, and DeAndre Tomlin leaps with each step when putting the ball on the floor. Southeast plays nearly 10 guys, and all can contribute.

Their 79-61 drubbing of Derby on Friday night put the area on notice: you can't compete with Southeast. East's big win over Hutchinson reinforced the City League's claim as the tops in the area. The City League reigns again, probably more so this year than last. At least Maize was a formidable opponent last season, comparable to every team in the City League.

I watched Derby point guard Cammi Stith on Friday night. Southeast could do little to stop her. Her shot from eight feet and out off the dribble is a bit lacking, but her drive to the hoop is sensational. She finishes underhanded layups at full speed from awkward angles. Stith is definitely a player to go out and watch - very exciting. If Derby can figure out how to get the ball to Joanna McFarland in the post more, they'll get much better. She seals her defender so well, it's a wonder they can't get points through her on the low block every other possession.

Boys Class 4A is very confusing. Douglass creamed Rose Hill 60-40 Friday night, which was disturbing; then Rose Hill came back to beat Mulvane 52-50, two days after Mulvane had beaten Andale 54-44. Then Andale smoked Douglass 75-47. Class 4A will be impossible to figure out this season. Andover High is at the top in this area. Then comes Andover Central, probably. After that, I have no idea.