Carrier Classic: Final Thoughts

Sailors have spoken. The teams have spoken. The Navy has spoken. But where were the locals at the ? Patch finally found two, and appropriately enough, they were from the Coronado High School basketball team.

John Scales Jr., 16, brought his friend Dylan Gouthro to the game after his father, a lieutenant commander assigned to North Island Naval Air Station, scored tickets.

He was quite happy in the end, as the University of North Carolina Tar Heels prevailed, and labeled the game “a great experience.” Gouthro had to settle for the novelty of the experience – he had favored Michigan State.

“I like seeing upsets,” said Gouthro, also 16.

“I didn't expect it to be like this – crazy,” Scales said. 

Gouthro said his favorite part in the end was the VIP's. But even President Barack Obama can't measure up to a hoops legend. His favorite celeb was retired Laker Magic Johnson.

Here's a round-up of perspectives on the game: 

Sports Illustrated: The event was beautiful, but the game ugly; also, put sports in perspective at a time when the NBA is locked out and the Penn State scandal is rocking fans everywhere.

FOX Sports: It was a Michigan State player's idea to give military personnel in the crowd the teams' game jerseys.

Los Angeles Times: Magic Johnson, not just an honorary captain, but a political pundit.

San Diego Union-Tribune: Agrees with Sports Illustrated, the game was not the part of the Carrier Classic people will cling to.