Well, you knew the Westview girls were going to the State Championships…TB himself spilled it in an interview five months ago. So today’s strip is anticlimactic. No matter; there’s plenty to goof on here. The girls’ penultimate victory seems to be celebrated by only two players, the coach, and four fans (one of them wearing UGG Boots®!). Assistant coach Fishstick Annie, ostensibly the reason for their remarkable success, is nowhere to be seen. Maybe that’s her, standing out of frame and bellowing “WE’RE IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME!!” at the top of her lungs (and in big, bold, Dr. Seuss letters).
Tag: Summer
Loser! Crybaby! Loser!
Helskor
February 20, 2012 at 10:31 am
Beginning writers are told to show and not tell, but if Batiuk wants to tell us that Westview won the conference instead of showing them win via another week of excruciatingly boring basketball strips, he can go right ahead.
Well, today’s strip nearly accomplishes that. Three panels, three opponents, three wins, including payback to those nasty Blue Valley girls. TB achieves not only economy of storytelling, but also of color and detail. While the action poses are painstakingly traced “inked over”, the backgrounds, color palette and “supporting cast” are positively minimalist. The Annie-Goats (love that nickname!) unis have lost their red accent and are now just black and white; and every player not named Summer or Keisha is a generic blue-ponytailed girl.
Conference News
Oh, you forgot that Jinx was a “sports junkie“? You must not remember her excitement when step-mom Linda signed her up to play girls’ softball a few summers ago (and guess who she volunteered to coach?). The news of the She-Goats’ advancing to the state tournaments is greeted with utter indifference by everyone but Summer, Cayla, and Les, who is smirking up a storm. Jim the science teacher isn’t even looking at the TV; he just stares into space, contemplating retirement.
Pass-ketball
“Coach” Fairgood has really had an effect on the heretofore hapless She-Goats: watch today as they flawlessly execute a complex play that Ann has pulled out of nowhere, and which they have never run in practice. And check out how #31’s hair color changes from blonde to brown to blonde again! How the hell do you defend against that?
Merry Pookster
January 24, 2012 at 12:58 am
…The real story is how Sum-mor, a girl (?) can jump so high as to rest the backside of her hand 10 feet at the rim…. or do girls HS girls in Ohio play with 8 foot rims like we had in grade school?
If not, there must be a trampoline beneath the hoop! Girls from both teams are getting some serious air in that last panel.
Fishstick Annie Breaks It Down
Fishstick Annie has completely taken over the helm at this point, and Bull (“I thought I told you to sit! Sit!”) is reduced to just standing around, arms akimbo, looking like he even has a clue what’s going on. I’m surprised Ann doesn’t make him carry her clipboard. Meanwhile Owen (or perhaps his “Clowen”) looks on pensively.
Son of Stuck Funky 
