What'd he say?
While broadcasting a live game, NKY Sports Hall-Of-Famer Dave Schabell and his guest announcers try to paint a picture for their listeners. Sometimes, in-game references and coined phrases can be confusing, so we thought a glossary might help. “Schabs” is known for coined phrases, so we’ll continue to add to the list.
The Christmas Tree
Refers to when the venue displays the scoring and fouls of each player on the scoreboard and it’s lit up like a Christmas tree.
We swing the ball to the short corner and attack the zone
The juncture where the free-throw lane meets the baseline. It is a strategic offensive area especially used against zone defenses. A pass to the short-corner which draws the defense and opens the middle is especially effective.
Our big men set up on the blocks & blocks-extended
The block is a buffer area painted on the lane lines separating offensive and defensive players during a free throw attempt. It’s also a very strategic area for players to post up for high-percentage shots. Blocks extended is an imaginary line horizontally across the floor at the blocks.
The ball is passed to the Elbow
Refers to the area of the court where the free throw line meets the lane. Like the block, the elbows become important on dribble penetration.
The Free-Throw Line Extended-extended
Refers to the imaginary line through the free throw line, across the width of the court. Establishes defensive rules & offensive player alignment.
Live from the Sydome!
Refers to the Mustang’s home court, named after long-time principal, Tom Seither. He served as principal for 36 years and retired in 2008, with 43 years of service.
Dribble drive, dribble drive
Refers to the dribble-drive motion offense in a guard-oriented offense that focuses on spreading the floor and attacking the rim with a dribble to either score or create a shot for a teammate. The key to this offense is being tough to guard by attacking the defense so you make multiple defenders have to stop you.
Water cooler corner / coffin corner
Refers to the area in the furthest corner of the court, next to the team’s water cooler. The corner opposite of the player benches is called the coffin corner. A player should avoid this area, which usually results in a turnover.
Corey Pelle-esque
Refers to an extremely deep three-point shot, from the range where former Silver Grove star, Corey Pelle (Liberty University) used to launch them. Also can be referred to as from NBA range, or from the Hinterlands, or the Horses Head, referring to the logo on the gym floor.
Two of a kind bookends!
Refers to when a player, shooting two free throws, makes both attempts.
Give 'n Go
Refers to when one player makes a short pass to a teammate, then cuts to the basket and receives a pass back from that teammate.
Gets His Name in the Morning Paper
Refers to the old days of print media, where the box score of each game played was published in the “Morning Enquirer.”
Bingo, Bango, Bongo!!!!
When one of our guys hits three consecutive free-throws after being fouled on a three-point shot attempt.
Shooting from the port side
Refers to a left-handed shooter or shooting from the left side of the court.
No time for long sentences
The period of time winding down where a team needs to make a big play on short timing.
Carries the piggy into the end zone
Refers to a football player carrying the football into the end zone for a touchdown.
We'll keep our eye on the white hat
When fans are waiting for the head football official to make the call when a flag is thrown.
Comes Over Ussery Hill
Basketball reference when a player swings over the high elbow to attack the basket, much as former jockey Bobby Ussery used to swing wide into the stretch slingshotting to the lead in a horse race.
A Common Foul
Any non-shooting foul that does not result in a bonus situation. All fouls leading up to the seventh team foul is a “Common Foul.”