https://www.reddit.com/r/Montana/comments/1ifb0pu/hs_basketball_experience_in_small_town_montana/
created by Represent403 on 01/02/2025 at 17:13 UTC
57 upvotes, 18 top-level comments (showing 18)
This week, I happened to be passing through Shelby and was interested to learn that the Coyotes had a basketball game against Cascade.
First, some background. I host a daily radio show across Western Canada on 20 radio stations from Manitoba to the British Columbia coast. Additionally, for the past 20 years, I've been the announcer for the Medicine Hat College Rattlers of the ACAC (Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference). Some of your readers might be familiar with our school as the college hoops home of Dutton's Colby Bliss—a bit of a legend in Alberta basketball.
As someone who has been around the game for many years, what I witnessed in Shelby was something special. Keep in mind, in Canada, hockey is THE big sporting event, and basketball has a much lower profile. So, setting foot in the Shelby High School gym, I was completely blown away by the facility, the fan support, the cheer team, and even the band! It was beyond anything I have ever seen in Canada. I pulled out my phone to capture some of the excitement for my listeners and our Canadian college hoops fans.
Well, this is where my story takes an unfortunate turn. At halftime, while in the concession line, I was approached by—whom I later learned was—the Toole County Sheriff. He pulled me aside for a line of questioning, including why I was filming the game, the atmosphere, and the cheer team, going so far as to say my behavior as a visitor was unusual and concerning considering young ladies were playing.
Honestly, I was taken aback by the bizarre encounter. Never having had a brush with the law in my life, I was definitely rattled—and truly felt unwelcome. Despite thoroughly enjoying my Shelby experience up until that point, I left.
The takeaway perhaps is a reminder that friends and neighbors should be welcomed, greeted, and encouraged to soak in the experience of Montana's small towns. Visitors come from all corners of the world, and if they have a great experience, they'll come back—and probably bring others with them. I don’t know if or when I'll ever return to Shelby, but I hope future visitors are given a more positive experience than I had.
Let me conclude with GO COYOTES.The kids played hard, and that part was excellent. I’ll be cheering for them from afar.
Comment by Zanderson59 at 01/02/2025 at 21:01 UTC
28 upvotes, 1 direct replies
If you read check out blind your ponies by Stanley Gordon west. He encapsulates small town basketball in Montana so well. It's fiction but really one of my all time favorite books.
Comment by SergeantThreat at 01/02/2025 at 18:05 UTC
70 upvotes, 2 direct replies
The Toole County sheriff is a tool, sorry he wrecked the experience for you
Comment by nithdurr at 01/02/2025 at 21:57 UTC
10 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Oh gosh Class C basketball.
Power, Dutton, Highwood (Reece Glinko and a blonde named Dani Davidson (?), Geraldine (Darren Engellant) Belt, Cascade
Comment by hamilton_morris at 01/02/2025 at 23:41 UTC
6 upvotes, 0 direct replies
These sorts of encounters with law enforcement are super common across the country, but most especially in rural areas.
There is a strong cultural tradition of expecting the police to enforce not just the law but social norms in general. So being approached about how you are dressed, speaking, walking, gesturing, or whatever is generally accepted and supported by everybody who is not the target of their interest.
Add to this a worldview that sorts human beings into “good guys” and “bad guys“ and police are allowed considerable latitude since It is believed they have an immutable and intrinsic knowledge of who is bad and who is good. A deputy feeling suspicious is for many Americans a perfectly sufficient substitute for a criminal complaint or probable cause.
Also, there is a vein of vigilantism in American culture that loathes institutions and distrusts legal process, so there is also considerable popular support for police taking the law into their own hands. This theme accounts for about 80% of our movies and television scripts. Add all of these things together and you’ve got cops of all kinds who are perfectly happy to behave like private security.
Comment by CorporateCollects at 01/02/2025 at 17:34 UTC
23 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Didn't live in MT at the time but relevant;
I got called a pedophile for attending one of my wife's games when she was a senior in high school. I was only a year older and we've now been together 16 years. The coach who gave me shit, his daughter fucked a teacher the next year.
Men aren't allowed to do innocent shit in this backwards ass country. I completely avoid interacting with kids and teens because of it.
Comment by four_oh_sixer at 02/02/2025 at 08:09 UTC
5 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Won't someone think of the children!? Kids are getting abused by their parents, family members, teachers, coaches and priests. People they know who are part of their lives. Not random fans watching a basketball game that was probably posted on social media by dozens of people. Then when that abuse happens half the town will run to the defense of the abuser, bury the story and blame the victim. Those are small town values, too.
Comment by streamerjunkie_0909 at 02/02/2025 at 18:15 UTC
4 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Fuck that Sheriff, he’s the get off my lawn type in a small bumfuck town with nothing better to do.
Comment by bsomppi at 01/02/2025 at 18:43 UTC
31 upvotes, 1 direct replies
It’s small town living. Everybody knows everybody. And when someone comes in and is videotaping their kids and no one knows who they are, yeah people are gonna get upset. I think if you would have asked before hand if it’s ok, then it wouldn’t have been an issue. Just so someone in charge at the game knew what you’re doing. Think about it, if I just showed up in Canada and started filming high school girls at a school event, I’m sure the Mounties would have been called.
Comment by Wandering_Turtle24 at 01/02/2025 at 21:12 UTC
3 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Was not expecting to see a Colby Bliss reference. Offensively he was probably the best player I’ve ever seen in high school. Also was one of the biggest egotistical jackassee I’ve ever been around. Everyone always wondered where he could have gone had he stopped being so full of himself.
Comment by ResponsibleBank1387 at 02/02/2025 at 02:38 UTC
3 upvotes, 1 direct replies
A while back the U did a television special on “Class C”. Basketball for the pbs channel.
Comment by Snoo_2648 at 02/02/2025 at 16:02 UTC
3 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Look up "Class C", a documentary by Montana PBS about girls basketball. Absolutely electrifying.
Comment by TaxApprehensive8024 at 01/02/2025 at 17:43 UTC
4 upvotes, 1 direct replies
So did you present your credentials to the Sheriff and did he apologize, or what? Story lacks some critical context in that regard.
I see nothing wrong with people looking out for their own, especially in the smaller communities where everyone pretty much knows everyone.
Had I been in your shoes, I would have been quick to point out my job and pull up an article, website, whatever, to assuage his concerns.
Now if you actually did all that and the Sheriff was still a prick, then he can fuck right off and I can see your point.
Comment by Acrobatic_Pattern_14 at 03/02/2025 at 20:05 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
As a local I can say I defined don’t want anyone coming to our state it’s turned into a giant tourist attraction…
Comment by Acrobatic_Pattern_14 at 03/02/2025 at 20:07 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Also that sheriff sounds like a d bag I wouldn’t say that behavior is common
Comment by oIVLIANo at 01/02/2025 at 19:59 UTC
-3 upvotes, 2 direct replies
A couple of things to mention, here:
First, we live in a world full of predators. Montana, surprisingly, has an unusually high amount of human trafficking being perpetrated across the state. So, I for one, appreciate the fact that small town law enforcement is taking someone potentially conducting surveillance on children as a serious thing. Especially in a small town, where everyone knows who their neighbors are, and suddenly there's a stranger filming.
Second, high school athletics programs across the State have exclusive broadcast rights. There should have been signs that you missed as you entered, letting you know that filming isn't allowed.
A little professionalism, and basic human decency on the part of that deputy may have helped you understand the situation better.
Comment by [deleted] at 01/02/2025 at 20:33 UTC
0 upvotes, 1 direct replies
[deleted]
Comment by Huckleberry_Hound93 at 01/02/2025 at 17:39 UTC
-22 upvotes, 2 direct replies
Montana does we can to protect our kids when possible. It is uncommon for this type of local event to have a man not connected to anyone in the crowd that no one knows. These are events that are close knit, even the rival’s crowd is full of faces the locals know.
I am sorry you felt uncomfortable, but not a single person in that town will apologize for checking and being sure their girls are safe.
Comment by CriticismPositive208 at 01/02/2025 at 22:53 UTC
-9 upvotes, 2 direct replies
Maybe you should just put your phone down and enjoy the game. If I had a kid in that place and you were filming, I would be uncomfortable as well. I don't care about your listeners or college friends, and the parents wouldn't either. Stop being creepy and live in the moment. Put your phone down.