Much More Than Timing Was Responsible for Mid-Valley’s Defeat in Las Vegas

In Heather Hafner’s article, “Timing Deserts Mid-Valley “ (July 26), American Roundball Corp. President Rich Goldberg complained that tournament seeding was responsible for their second-round loss to New York in the Las Vegas Summer Basketball Tournament. “We were just starting to jell as a team,” he said after consolation wins. How could he say that?

Mid-Valley had tune-up games July 5 (losing to Sonny Hill’s Philadelphia All-Stars), July 12 against Ventura ARC, and then waltzed through a weak field in the Slam ‘N Jam tournament at UCLA July 15-19 before being upset by a hungry, well-coached Los Angeles team, 95-89, in the final.

So, with all the major college talent that Rich Goldberg recruited to Mid-Valley, why did they really lose?

I’ve seen their players tell the coach when to put them into the game and complain loudly when taken out. I’ve also seen Mid-Valley players try to verbally intimidate opponents. And lastly I’ve seen an offense that averages one pass each time down the floor. It’s obvious that much more than timing deserted Mid-Valley.

MICHAEL MAYER

Northridge