Why do people attend basketball games?

The fast-paced nature of basketball lends itself to a lot of scoring and exciting plays and nothing excites a crowd more than slam dunks.

In high school games, dunks are generally foreseen, coming only on a fast break or when the path to the goal is unobstructed.

Dunks are not worth any additional points, but it’s the ability to change a game’s momentum that gives them strategic value.

“You can tell our energy goes up,” Selma’s Charles Eaton, the most prolific dunker in Dallas County this season, said. “And (the opponent’s) momentum goes down.”

Eaton usually attempts at least one dunk a game, but only goes for it when the opportunity presents itself.

“I’m always watching players’ feet,” Eaton said. “If they’re off balance they’re not going to be able to defend it. And once I’m in the air, there’s nothing (they) can do.”

Selma coach Woodie Jackson said he’s OK with dunking in games as long as the players are smart about it.

“I don’t encourage dunking,” Jackson said. “If you can dunk, that’s fine, but it needs to be uncontested. Today’s players are concerned about dunking and shooting the three, and they forget about the fundamentals.”

Dallas County High School coach Willie Moore is less restrictive, banning dunks from his players unless the Hornets are winning by 10 or more.

“When you’re up 10, if you miss it still takes four (possessions) to beat you,” Moore said. “But it’s under 10, a miss can swing the momentum.”

Eaton keeps himself in check, only going for simple dunks he has a high probability of making. Only if the game gets out of hand will he go for something more complex as he did Tuesday against Wilcox Central, a dunk that he didn’t make.

“I talked to (Selma girls) coach (Anthony) Harris, and he said I put it in too hard,” Eaton said. “If it’s something easy, I’ll make it nine out of 10 times, but if it’s a fancy dunk it’s about 50 percent.”

Eaton said he is conscious of the game situation when he goes for a dunk, but certain situations are dunks no matter what.

“It bring more people,” Eaton said. “If it’s a close game, I won’t go for anything fancy, but if I get a fast break I’m going to dunk, that’s just how aggressive I play.”