Davis: Basketball can break your heart

It's unfortunate for those who love the game of basketball that it rarely loves them back. Most careers end without a championship; some without many wins at all. Knees tear up, sometimes more than once. A good shooting night is bound to give way to a horrible one, and disappointment lurks around every screen.

Davis: Respect the game

Following her team's 74-67 win against Alabama on Feb. 18, Pat Summit said that her Lady Vols, "disrespected the game of basketball," with their performance.

Davis: Region 7-AAA basketball stands tall

Use clichés and give politically correct answers: That's what coaches are told about speaking to the media.

Davis: Flowery Branch girls give it all they've got

Here are two truths: The regular season and past successes guarantee nothing in postseason play.

Davis: Carter's skill set is unmatched

Canadian-born hockey star Mark Messier spent a quarter of a century playing in the National Hockey League.

Davis: Dragons too good to be ignored

The word virtual derives from the Latin word virtus, meaning strength and virtue.

Davis: Lots of things in this story are just wrong

Davis: Inclement weather freezes area teams

In case you aren't on the up and up where sports clichés and coach speak are concerned, it's imperative that teams are playing their best come tournament time.

Davis: Playing for a unifying purpose

At the midpoint of the high school basketball season little is known other than which teams have been good so far.

Davis: Seniors key success for area teams

Senior leadership is an integral part of success for high school basketball teams.

Davis: Gainesville-East Hall rivalry has lost something

It's strange to think that one of life's consistencies is change.

Davis: Good teams know how to turn the page

Any coach on any level knows there are three phases to a basketball season: preseason, region season and postseason.

Davis: Early in the season, not much is clear

It's early in the morning, early in the basketball season and I've still got football on the brain.

Davis: Proud teams live up to the hype with a game to remember

Words are a powerful tool. If used the right way, words can encourage and inspire or, if used the wrong way they can do just the opposite. Words can also take you places; make you smell the popcorn, hear the cheers, feel the beat of a band's drumline and immerse you in an atmosphere. Riding back after top-ranked Gainesville's ...

Davis: Yes, they are 'that good'

It's impossible to quantify the phrase, "that good," until you witness it.