Tuesday, March 31, 2009

A Life Without Sports (Or at least a weekend)

Do you think you can go a weekend without sports? That means no catching a glimpse of a sporting event on TV (even highlights), checking up on a score online or picking up a newspaper and reading a story on the game the previous night.
That was my life this past weekend and until late Sunday night I did not even realize I had done that. My life seems to be dedicated to sports and I cannot remember going 24 hours without at least flipping through the channels to see a game or getting online to check what my baseball team did.
But this weekend, it was not about sports and it felt kind of good. It helped that I was very distracted and did not have the easiest means to get my sports fix.
My wife and I moved into our new house this weekend. We did not have cable hookup — it was turned off at the old house on Friday and connected at the new house Monday — so no Sports Center this weekend. There also was no computer being opened up or newspaper being read.
However, our weekend had plenty of excitement that would rival any sporting event.
We had serious drama – a small attic fire in the old house on the first morning of our move. We were blessed as no one got hurt and there was very little damage. Got to give major props to the Palestine fire department for getting the fire under control very quickly.
There was strength and muscle being used — There was a lot of heavy lifting going on during the two days. I never realized how much stuff my wife and I have. It seemed like after we moved one load, we went back to the old house and there was more stuff to move. The toughest things to move were the BBQ grill and the full-size coach.
Satisfaction and enjoyment at the end — Know that feeling you have when your team wins a game, that is how I felt Sunday night after everything had been moved in. It was a sense of relief to be finished but also a fullfillment of joy being in our new house.

Friday, March 20, 2009

Tourney Time

I am a little late doing this but due to some R&R the last couple of days, I have not been able to get my bracket posted before the tournament started. The first day went pretty well for me, but that is usually how it goes. I do well the first day, start thinking that I have it all figured out and then my bracket starts to bust open the second day. Here is how my bracket looks from the first day of action down to my national championship. I will keep updating my blog after each round with my wins and losses and thoughts on the tournament.

First Round

Thursday
The only game I got wrong was Butler against LSU. I went with Butler, not a good move. I know that Maryland, Michagan and Western Kentucky (which was my 12 over 5 pick, because there is always one of those) were techincally upsets but I thought those three were the easy upsets to pick in the bracket. I did not go with the popular upset choice of VCU over UCLA and in the final minute of that game, I thought I was wrong but somehow the Bruins decided to play defense for the last possession after not playing any for the final five minutes.
So after the first day, I have Louisville, Connecticut, Texas A&M, Purdue, Washington, Maryland, Memphis, UCLA, Villanova, Texas, Duke, North Carolina, Western Kentuck, Gonzaga, Michigan and Oklahoma.
After the first day, I still have all my sweet 16 teams alive, but that does not say much.
Here is my bracket for the rest of the tournament:

Midwest Region
Second Day:
Ohio State over Siena
Utah over Arizona (For those who don't know, UA is my arch enemy as I am a proud alumn of ASU, more on that later in the South region)
Wake Forest over Cleveland State
West Virgina over Kansas
USC over Boston College (My upset not only of the day but USC is my surprise team of the tournament)
Michigan State over Robert Morris

Second Round (my picks to make the Sweet 16)
Louisville over Ohio State
Wake Forest over Utah
Kansas over West Virginia
USC over Michigan State (I can see my bracket falling apart about now)

Sweet 16 Round
Wake Forest over Louisville
Kansas over USC

Regional Final
Wake Forest over Kansas (In the past, when I pick against Wake Forest, they win and when I pick Wake Forest they loss, lets see if fortune changes)

West Region
Second Day
Marquette over Missouri

Second Round (To reach Sweet 16)
Connecticut over Texas A&M
Washington over Purdue
Missouri over Marquette
Memphis over Maryland

Sweet 16 Round
Connecticut over Washington (At least I think one Huskie squad will be heading to the regional finals)
Memphis over Missouri

Regional Finals
Memphis over Connecticut (For the second region in a row, the No. 1 seed is going down. But this pick is very shaky after the kind of game Memphis had Thursday afternoon).

East Region
Second Day
Pittsburgh over E. Tenn. St
Tennessee over Oklahoma State (These are the type of 8 vs 9 games that I just flip a coin)
Wisconsin over Florida State (My second of the 12 over 5 picks. Do not feel real good about this pick, but I always take two 12 over 5 picks to cover my basics and we already had a 12 over 5 upset with Western Kentucky).
Xavier over Portland State

Second Round (On the way to the Sweet 16)
Pittsburgh over Tennesee
Xavier over Wisconsin
UCLA over Villanova (Can you start to see my Pac 10 bais)
Duke over Texas (Even though I really considered Texas. I have always liked Duke, but they have been so over rated the last number of years)

Sweet 16 round
Pittsburgh over Xavier
UCLA over Duke (See above posts on Pac 10 and Duke)

Regional Finals
Pittsburgh over UCLA (my first No. 1 seed to reach final four)

South Region
Second Day
Arizona State over Temple
Syracuse over Stephen F. Austin State University
(Before I go on with my picks, let me get sidetracked for a couple of seconds on these two games. Like I said before, I am a graduate of ASU, so go Sun Devils. My wife is a graduate of SFA so we have a potential ASU-SFA matchup in the second round which means the Tyler house may not be very pleasant come Sunday. However, there is a problem and that is Syracuse. Don't really think the Lumberjacks have much of a chance, sorry sweety. Then again, I have that deep don gut feeling that ASU not going to be playing Sunday as well, but I will be making those picks with my heart and not my head.)

Second Round (Sweet 16 here we come)
North Carolina over Butler (actually it would now be LSU)
Western Kentucky over Gonzaga
ASU over Syracuse (Again heart over head)
Oklahoma over Michigan

Sweet 16 Round
North Carolina over Western Kentucky
Oklahoma over ASU (This is when the head takes over against the heart. If ASU makes it this far, will be rooting all for the Sun Devils, but have no idea how they stop Blake Griffin.)

Regional Finals
North Carolina over Oklahoma (I am making the North Carolina pick based on Ty Lawson finally coming back. If he does not, my bracket is over)

Final Four
Memphis over Wake Forest
North Carolina over Pittsburgh

National Championship
Memphis over North Carolina

National Champs
Memphis

Saturday, March 14, 2009

Slocum vs Nazareth, Class A, Division II state finals

SLOCUM STATE CHAMPIONS!!!!!!

Fourth Quarter
32 sec - The bench has come in for Slocum as this one looks to be over.

Fourth Quarter
55 seconds - Slocum looks like they are going to be winning a state championship - the first for the boys' program. Lane at the line and makes two more free throws and Slocum leads 43-27

Fourth Quarter
1:29 - Jared Lane goes back to free-throw line and he makes both and Slocum leads 40-23. Lane having MVP type game with 20 points.

Fourth Quarter
1:41 - Slocum calls a timeout as Steven Prater gets caught in back court. Mustangs lead 38-23 and while there is still time left, it looks to pretty much over unless a miracle happens.

Fourth Quarter
Nazareth not fouling a Slocum just running ball around and running clock. Runs 30 seconds off before Swifts finally foul Jared Lane. He misses first but Slocum still leads 38-23.

Fourth Quarter
2:52 - Brody Sizemore hits FT and Slocum leads 38-21. Nazareth starting to foul when Slocum gets ball.

Fourth Quarter
3:08 - Timeout Nazareth, one more left. Slocum's Brody Sizemore gets fouled and misses first of two before timeout called. Mustangs still lead 37-21. Slocum already showing signs of slowing ball down and with way they shot free throws in the semifinal game, if they do it again tonight, they will have a state title.

Fourth Quarter
4:10 - Offensive foul by Nazareth. With just over four minutes to play, what time does Slocum start slowing down.

Fourth Quarter
4:40 - Nazareth has had ball for minute, put up multiple shots, could not score and Brody Sizemore gets steal. Lead still 37-21

Fourth Quarter
5:39 - Logan Foster gets three pointer to roll in and Slocum leads 37-21. First player other than Lane and Thomason to score.

Fourth Quarter
6:28 - Jared Lane hits back to back three pointers and Slocum leads 34-18. What a time for the leader of this Mustang team to nail two daggers. He has 18 points on the night and has five three pointers. Slocum needs to play tough defense, limit it to one shot and not turn ball over.

Fourth Quarter
Slocum extends lead to 10 points on two Steven Prater free throws.

End Third Quarter
At buzzer Randall Thomason gets a layup and Slocum extends lead to 26-18 with eight minutes left for a state championship. Slocum has to take care of basketball, had five straight turnovers at one point in third quarter. Nazareth continues to struggle from field, 6-33 (18 percent)

Third Quarter
:59 - Finally Slocum does not turn ball over and good things happen, Lane three pointer and Slocum leads 24-18

Third Quarter
1:435- Four straight turnovers by Slocum but Nazareth turns it right back.

Third Quarter
2:02 - Slocum timeout. Swifts just hit a three pointer and cut the lead to 21-18. Slocum has to get it figured out on offense and not turn ball over. 11 turnovers for game and three straight.

Third Quarter
2:23 - And the sixth team foul for Slocum, Nazareth shooting free throws for rest of game. Only place they seams to be consistent is from free-throw line.

Third Quarter
2:39 - Another turnover - three straight - and another foul on Slocum, five team fouls.

Third Quarter
3:43 - Two straight turnovers for Slocum and Nazareth cuts the lead to 21-15 and Mustangs have picked up four team fouls.

Third Quarter
5:18 - Randall Thomason scores four straight and Slocum leads 21-13.

Third Quarter
6:38 - Brody Sizemore picks up fourth foul going after a rebound. Slocum leads 17-13 as Kendell Redd heads into game. No body else for Slocum in foul trouble.

Halftime
Slocum leads 17-11 at the half. Not much scoring in this one. Slocum used most of the final minute for a shot, which Jared Lane missed a three pointer. Nazareth had one last shot, but missed as the Swifts tried to drive to the basket. Missing has been the name of the game for Nazareth in the first half. The Swifts are 3-23 shooting, including 0-5 from the free-throw line. Nazareth is trying to drive to the basket and get a foul called, but the rests are allowing both teams to play. Other than the first could of minutes, Slocum has done a solid job on blocking out and limiting Nazareth to one opportunity each time. The Mustangs need to continue doing that in the second half and they have to cut down the turnovers. Slocum turned the ball over eight times, many coming of of passes that they are trying to thread through the middle inside the lane. Lane and Thomason are the only two players to score for Slocum. Lane has nine points and Thomason has eight points. Not sure if Slocum can win if that continues, but we have seen stranger things.

Second Quarter
2:03 - It has been Jared Lane and Randall Thomason for the Mustangs. Thomason hits another jumper for his 8th point and Nazareth just hits 2 FTs. Slocum leads 17-11

Second Quarter
3:19 - Nazareth full timeout. Jared Lane hit a jumper from free-throw line for 15-7 lead and then blocks a shot at the other end. Lane misses a three pointer and Nazareth calls the timeout after a Swift player got trapped in the corner. Nazareth now is shooting 3-20 on the night. If the Swifts continue to shoot like that, Slocum must block out and not allow multiple attempts.

Second Quarter
3:58 - Randall Thomason another putback and Slocum leads 13-7.

Second Quarter
4:49 - Slocum picks up two quick fouls including third on Brody Sizemore. Still 11-7

Second Quarter
5:18: Slocum leads 11-7 as neither team is shooting very well, Slocum 4-12 and Nazareth 3-19. Mustangs hurting selfs with turnovers on offense, trying to throw passes in to tight of areas.

End First Quarter
Slocum gets a last second shot when Randall Thomason grabs an offensive rebound and hits a mid-range floater from baseline to give Slocum an 11-5 lead. Nazareth struggling from the floor, shooting 2-for-13 in the first quarter while Slocum was 4-for-11. Slocum has to make sure they keep Nazareth off the offensive boards, it looks to be what the Swifts try to do, put up a shot and crash the boards.

First Quarter
2:30 - Nazareth timeout. Randall Thomason on a curl gets a layup and Slocum leads 9-3. Mustags have tightened the screws on defense and have outscored Nazareth 9-0. Slocum's Brody Sizemore did pick up his second foul and Kendell Redd now is in the game.

First Quarter
4:17 - Jared Lane now gets inside and gets fouled for Nazareth's third foul. Lane makes one FT and Slocum leads 7-3 early on.

First Quarter
4:44 - Jared Lane another three pointer and Slocum leads 6-3.

First Quarter
5:33 - Jared Lane three pointer to tie game at 3-3. Needs big game for Slocum to win

First Quarter
6:07 - Early on it has been offensive rebounding for Nazareth, who has three points, (3-0 lead) all coming after getting offensive rebounds. Slocum is going to have to block out.

Pregame
After a long season, many and many hours dedicated to basketball, it all comes down to one game for the Slocum Mustangs, who are preparing to face Nazareth for the state title in Austin. Slocum has a record of 28-8 and Nazareth has a record of 24-12. Again, for the Mustangs, they play another team who is very familiar to Austin. After defeating reigning state champion Laneville in the regional finals, Slocum topped Lipan, who has been to the state tournament nine times, Friday in the semifinals. Now it is Nazareth, who may be considered the elite of the Class A teams with 13 state tournament trips. These teams look to match up well, and experience at state should not be a problem for Slocum from indications of how the Mustangs played at regionals and Friday in their first game at the Erwin Center.
Starters for Slocum are Logan Foster, Steven Prater, Brody Sizemore, Jared Lane and Randall Thomason.
Starters for Nazareth are Sage Black, Nicky Rowland, Clint Huseman, Cluck Brennan and Sid Sheffy.

Friday, March 13, 2009

Slocum vs. Lipan - Class A, Division II state semifinal game

End of Game
SLOCUM WINS 59-47 and will play in state title game on Saturday. Jaered Lane led the way with 22 points,

Fourth Quarter
Subs in for both teams with 12 seconds to play. Slocum going to state title game at 7 p.m. Saturday against Nazarath.

Fourth Quarter
39 seconds: Another miss three pointer by Lipan, another rebound by Lane and two more FTS, looks like Slocum going to play for state title. Lane makes one and Slocum leads by 10.

Fourth Quarter
54 seconds - Lipan misses a three pointer and Jared Lane gets rebound and fouled by Ryan Drake, who fouls out. Lane at the line with chance to close out, he makes both and Slocum leads 56-47

Fourth Quarter
1:02 - Slocum breaks press, Logan Foster layup and gets fouled. Makes FT and Slocum leads 54-47
Fourth Quarter
1:08 - Lipan timeout, they have one more, after Seth Riddle gets an offensive rebound, drives baseline and make the shot. He seems to just float up to the basket and has 26 points. Slocum looks to be trying to run time off clock by going four quarters. Look for Lipan to go full court press.

Fourth Quarter
1:23 - Jard Lane finally fouled and makes both and Slocum leads 51-45.

Fourth Quarter
1:42 - Slocum goes into stall mode up by four.

Fourth Quarter
2:16 - Jared Lane fouled in the corner and heads to the line where he makes both and Slocum leads 49-45.

Fourth Quarter
2:45 - Lipan timeout after Seth Riddle gets a steal and goes length of court for basket. Slocum leads 47-45 as Steven Prater hit pair of free throws in one and one situation. Slocum now in double bonus and will shoot two free throws each time.

Fourth Quarter
4:11 - Slocum 30 second timeout after Brody Sizemore gets trapped at mid court. On Lipan's possession, Slocum double teams Riddle, who gets rid of ball and Lane Hedeman misses open three pointer at top of key. See if Slocum continues to double on Riddle and make someone else beat them.

Fourth Quarter
4:31 - Lipan full timeout after fight on the floor leads to jump ball, giving Lipan possession and Slocum leads 45-43. Slocum in the penalty and is 1-for-3 on one-and-one opportunities and is 6-of-12 at the free throw line for the game. Game will come down to wire, Slocum has to find way to stop Lipan's Seth Riddle and then needs to make free throws. Randall Thomason still in game with four fouls, he needs to play smart and stay in there for the rest of the game.

Fourth Quarter
5:25 - Slocum 30 second timeout after Seth Riddle, off a sreen get the pass and hits the floater to cut the lead to 44-43. It was Riddle's first points of the fourth quarter and he has 22 of Lipan's 43 points. He has a knack to find his way into middle of paint and score

Fourth Quarter
6:32 - Randall Thomason picks up his fourth foul and Lipan cuts the lead to 44-41 with two free throws.

Fourth Quarter
6:57 - Logan Foster hits three pointer in corner and Slocum leads 44-39.

End Third Quarter
Jared Lane hits a three pointer in the final minute but Lipan gets a putback and Slocum leads 41-39 with eight minutes to play for a berth in the state championship game against Nazarath, who won the earlier semifinal game against Leggett.

Third Quarter
1:34 - Thomason is fouled while shooting and Slocum will be in the bonus from now on. He makes one FT and Slocum leads 38-37

Third Quarter
2:45 - Slocum still has not found an answer to Seth Riddle who is at the line shooting two and has 19 points. He makes one FT and Lipan leads 35-34

Third Quarter
4:33 - Slocum leads 32-30 in a game that is very methodical.

Halftime
Game tied 27-27 as Lipan erases an eight-point deficit. For Slocum, Jared Lane has eight points as he has two three pointers. Lane started out hot making two three pointers in the first four minutes of the game, but he has cooled down, missing his last three shots from behind the arc and is 3-of-7 shooting. Logan Foster has seven points and Randall Thomason has six points. Lipan's Seth Riddle leads all scorers with 14 points, more than half his team's totals. Slocum needs to find a defensve answer for Riddle, 5-for-7 shooting and 5-for-6 from the free-throw line. On offense, Slocum needs to keep working the ball around, not turn it over - Lipan has six points off turnovers. If they can do that and knock down a couple more shots, the Mustangs will have a chance to win this game.

Second Quarter
2:29 - Brody Sizemore picks up his third foul trying to guard Riddle who gets into the paint and leans into the body to get the foul. Slocum leads 25-24

Second Quarter
Lipan cuts the lead to 25-23 on four straight points by Riddle. He has three steals for layups, stepping in front of the pass each time.

Second Quarter
3:35 _ Steven Prater gets a putback to push the lead to 25-19.

Second Quarter
5:27 - Lipan gets called for its first team foul, a shooting foul sending Thomason to the line. He misses both and Slocum leads 23-17.

End First Quarter
Slocum leads 19-13 as Logan Foster has seven points, including a three pointer with a minute left. Slocum does have six teams fouls while Lipan does not have a foul yet.

First Quarter
3:36 - Jared Lane hits his second three pointer and gives Slocum a 12-6 lead. Lane looks like where he left off in the regional tournament.

First Quarter
4:31 - Lipan 30 second timeout. Randall Thomason feeds Logan Foster on the move for a layup and Slocum leads 9-5. Slocum has scored on four of its six possessions.

First Quarter
519 - Brody Sizemore picks up second foul as Slocum leads 7-5

First Quarter
7:18 - Slocum's Jared Lane hits three pointer to start the game. 3-0 Slocum

Pregame - The Class A, Division II semifinal game between Slocum and Lipan will begin in three minutes. Slocum comes into the game with a record of 27-8 and Lipan has a record of 28-8. Slocum starters are Logan Foster, Steven Prater, Brody Sizemore, Jared Lane and Randall Thomason. Lipan starters are Seth Riddle, Lane Hendeman, Derek Brabson, Bradley Waldrup and Ryan Drake.

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Mini Tournament Time

The NCAA Tournament does not start until next week but right now we are in mini tournament time, which is almost just as enjoyable as the big show. Currently, the NCAA conferences are having their conference tournaments. Think mini NCAA tournaments all around the country with every team in the country having a chance to make the big dance. That is what makes the NCAA Tournament so wonderful, every team has a chance, all they have to do is win their conference tournament. There is no computer telling us who plays where, no voters who have never seen some of the teams they are casting votes for. Sure, some teams may not have as good as chances as others, but there is always that chance. In the smaller conferences, the conference championship usually in the only way to get to the NCAA Tournament, which makes those games so exciting to watch. In the bigger conferences, it is the bubble teams that have so much at stake. This is there final chance to prove if they deserve the chance to go to the big dance or not. So sit back and watch plenty of college basketball this week. It is not the NCAA Tournament, but it is very close.

Saturday, March 7, 2009

Slocum vs. Laneville, Class A, Division II, Region III Finals

End of Game
Slocum is getting regional trophy, going to the center to pray and then will cut down the net. Slocum stayed tough throughout the game, never let Laneville's pressure to get to them and made the shots down the end. There were several key players that hit shots in the fourth quarter and Slocum makes some history. Jared Lane led the way with 27 points. Randall Thompson had 12 points and made his only two free throws of the night, the biggest shots he has ever taken.

Fourth Quarter
SLCOUM WIN AND IS GOING TO THE STATE TOURNAMENT


Fourth Quarter
Thomspon hits the second free throw for two point lead and 3.9 seconds left and Laneivlle calls timeout. Slocum still has foul to give, my opinion, they use it and that helps cut down on time. But if so, cannot foul again.

Fourth Quarter
makes first, slocum leads by one. Slocum calls a timeout. With 3.9 seconds remaining not much time to get ball down for Laneville if it is a make or miss. Also Slocum has a foul to give, will it come into play.

Fourth Quarter
3 seconds left and hearts are beating fast. Laneville missed second FT, Slocum ran time down, got ball to Randall Thompson and foul was called on the floor. Randall is going to shoot one and one, Laneville trying to ice him with the timeout.

Fourth Quarter
34 seconds - Slocum full timeout. Laneville's Gerraylon Carey is at the free throw line but just airballed his first attempt. He has missed five straight at the line and is 5-of-13 on the game. Slocum needs to make sure they get the rebound if there is a miss and they will have a chance to win this game.

Fourth Quarter
49 seconds - Laneville timeout as Slocum ties game on two Jared Lane free throws and a steal by Steven Prater that leads to Logan Foster layup. Laneville ball underneath their own basket. Slocum needs to make sure if a shot goes that they rebound and don't allow another shot. Slocum is in the one-and-one bonus and has two fouls to give.

Fourth Quarter
1:21 - Back and forth scoring and Laneville leads 56-52

Fourth Quarter
3:37 - Laneville gets a steal and score and leads 52-47

Fourth Quarter
6:35 - Steven Prater hits a layup and Randall Thomason hit a jumper and Slocum leads 46-44. Mustangs need to keep Laneville off the offensive boards, right now Yellowjackets getting multiple looks.

End Third Quarter
Tenaha hits a three pointer to take a 44-42 lead at the end of the third quarter. Right now, the game is being called very loosely, which is in Laneville's advantage with only three fouls called. In the first half, more than a dozen fouls were called in the first six minutes.

Third Quarter
3:27 - Jared Lane has another three pointer but then Laneville's Gerraylon Carey has a monster dunk on a putback after a steal. Slocum leads 40-39 in a game that looks like it will go down to the end.

Halftime
Jared Lane hits another buzzer beater, this time just inside the arc and the game is tied 35-35. Lane has 18 points at the half. It will be interesting to see what halftime adjustments will be made and how the officials will call the game in the second half. If they let the game go, that will be in Laneville's favor, but if it is called tightly, Slocum as the edge. Slocum's Brody Sizemore, a defensive specialist, and Logan Foster, their ball handler, are in some foul trouble and that could come into play in the second half. Slocum has to keep Laneville to one shot a possession, the Yellowjackets have been getting several offensive rebounds and second-chance points. Jared Lane is going to have to keep shooting and while Slocum has other scorers, with a chance to go to Austin, Lane needs to put this team on his back and lead the way.

Second Quarter
1:46 - Laneville leads 32-30 as they have scored nine unanswered. Hate to complain, but there is no consistency in the whistles, at times everything is called and at times nothing. Has to be calld one way or the other.

Second Quarter
4:30 - Jared Lane is on fire and Slocum leads 30-23 because of it. Lane has hit seven straight points, including walking up and draining a three pointer. He has 16 points in the game and Slocum needs Lane to continue this shooting performance.

End First Quarter
Slocum's Jared Lane makes a three pointer as the buzzer sounds to give Slocum a 18-17 lead. Lane is picking up were he has left off the last two game and has nine points in the first quarter to lead the Mustangs. Both teams are in the bonus so the second quarter could feature lots of free throws, which may play in Slocum's advantage

First Quarter
1:30 - Slocum takes a 15-12 lead as Jared Lane hits a pull up jumper

First Quarter
3:14 - Laneville leads 9-8 in a game that is being called closly. Slocum already in the one-and-one bonus.

First Quarter
6:53 - Slocum has to take a quick 30-second timeout when the Mustangs cannot get the ball inbounds against the Laneville press. Laneville has an early 2-0 lead after Slocum missed two shots on their opening possession

Pregame
The old saying is that it is hard to beat a team three times in one season. Slocum hopes that holds true. The Mustangs play Laneville in the Class A, Division II, Region III finals at SFA in Naogdoches and the winner advances to the state tournament. Laneville has defeated Slocum twice this season in district play and this is the third time the two teams meet. Today's game will be a battle of who controls the tempo. Laneville wants to run, run and run some more. Slocum needs to slow the pace down, take care of the basketball and hit shots.

Cayuga vs. Tenaha - Regional Finals

End Game
Tenaha wins 59-51 and is heading to Austin. Tenaha's full-court pressure was something Cayuga has not seen this season. The Wildcats are suppose to be the team that forces turnovers, but that was not the case today. The Tigers were the more aggressive team as Cayuga seemed to wait for things to come to them instead of going after it. Cayuga kept getting the deficit to three points, but never were able to get over that hump.
As the Tenaha players celebrate the win and cut down the net, Cayuga players sit on the bench, heand in their hands in disbelief. With only one senior on the team - Kyle Wiseman - most likely Cayuga will be back here again next year. But for now, three years in a row, the Wildcats have not been able to get out of SFA with a pair of wins.

Fourth Quarter
6 seconds left but the game is over. Tenaha leads 59-51 after a layup. Traylon Shead is hurt against the wall and cones up limping but looks to be OK. They are taking him to the lockeroom. Tenaha wins this game by outhustling Cayuga nad playing strong defense with their full-court press.

Fourth Quarter
51 seconds: Cayuga trails 57-51 and has the ball. Tenaha made one of two on free throws then Cayuga missed two. Had a chance at putback but was called for goaltending as the ball had not come off the rim yet. Cayuga NEEDS a score here and then needs Tenaha to miss free throws.

Fourth Quarter
1:41 - Fifth team foul, going to come down to if Tenaha can make free throws. Still 56-51 Tenaha. Now six team fouls, next one puts Tigers in bonus. Timeout Cayuga.

Fourth Quarter
1:49 - Cayuga is starting to foul and have four team fouls.

Fourth Quarter
1:58 - Tenaha leads 56-51 and is starting to run around running clock. Cayuga only has three team fouls and will have to get four more before Tenaha in bonus

Fourth Quarter
2:52 - Another steal by Tenaha, who leads 55-49. Cayuga waiting for ball instead of going for it and Tenaha being more aggressive in the press.

Fourth Quarter
3:46 - Cayuga timeout after Wildcats' C.J. Wagner as a putback to cut the lead to 53-49. Wildcats keep battling, but they need to make stops on defense and not give up second-chance opportunities. Plenty of time left in the game.

Fourth Quarter
4:42 - Tenaha leads 53-47. Cayuga got back to three again but can't get over the hump. Wildcats have missed a couple close to the rim

End Third Quarter
McClure makes a three pointer with five seconds left and a three point lead turns to an eight-point lead, 48-40, with one quarter to play. It is Tenaha's biggest lead of the game. Cayuga has its work cut out for them in the final eight minutes if the Wildcats hope to get to Austin.

Third Quarter
1:13 - Tenaha calls its third timeout after Cayuga scores four straight points to cut the lead to 43-30. Cayuga is crashing the defensive glass and is limiting the Tigers to one shot each possession. Cayuga keeps getting close but since early in the second quarter. Cayuga needs to keep making defensive stops and playing under control.

Third Quarter
2:00 - Tenaha has tightned up its half-court defene anad lead 43-36

Third Quarter
4:09 - Tenaha has taken a 41-34 lead after another three pointer

Halftime
Cayuga's Malcome Kennedy gets a putback in the final five seconds and Tenaha leads 34-32 going into the break. Kennedy leads Cayuga with 10 points, C.J. Wagner and Shak Jenkins both have nine points. For Tenaha, Jakendrick Cooper has come off the bench and has 10 points including two three pointers in the second quarter. Marion McClure had nine points despite being on the bench most of the half because of three fouls.
Bottom line in the second half, Cayuga has to protect the basketball against the press. The Wildcats have turned the ball over 15 times and Tenaha has scored a majority of its points off those turnovers. If Cayuga settles down and gets into the half-court they will have a chance to win. If not, it will be over.

Second Quarter
43: There is an issue of blood on one of the Tenaha players jersey and he switches to another number but because he was shooting free throws, that allows Tenaha to put McClure in to take the free throw. Tenaha right now is outhustling Cayuga to every loose ball and that is the difference in the three point score.

Second Quarter
1:02 - Tenaha timeout with the Tigers leading 33-30 and forcing another turnover. Tenaha continues to push the pace and it has been to their advantage.

Second Quarter
3:52 - Cayuga timout as Tenaha scored four straight points on the press and leads 30-24. Cayuga struggling to get ball over halfcourt with the press and needs to find the adjustments. Hate to sound like a broken record, but if they can't figure it out, there will be no Austin for the Wildcats.

Second Quarter
4:18 - Tenaha hits a three pointer and takes a 25-24 lead.

Second Quarter
6:19 - Cayuga scores first six points of second quarter and leads 22-20, the Wildcats excellent interior passing

End First Quarter
Tenaha scored six points in the final 15 seconds after two steals with the press to lead 20-16. Cayuga needs to settle down against the full-court press or they will be in for a long day. With McClure on the bench with the fouls, Tenaha is going to have to use its full-court press to get points.

First Quarter
2:17: Tenaha leads 14-11 as McClure has hit two three pointers but he just picked up his third foul and is on the bench. He has 8 of the 14 points. Cayuga has played well in its half-court sets but already has six turnovers. They need to settle down againt the Tenaha press.

First Quarter
3:54 - Tenaha has early 9-8 lead and Cayuga has turned ball over four times.

Pregame

Cayuga and Tenaha are nearing the start of the Class A, Division I, Region III finals with the winner earning a trip to the state tournament. Cayuga defeated Bland in the semifinals Friday and have a record of 20-3. Tenaha beat Waskom Friday in the semifinals and have a record of 28-5. This game should be high paced as both teams want to run as much as possible. Cayuga has the height advantage that should help the Wildcats on the board. Tenaha has an advantage in its shooting, with the ability to hit from anywhere on the court - expecially Marion McClure. Cayuga will have to know where he is at all times on the court. Tenaha also may have a little revenge on its mind, remember it was Cayuga who knocked the Tigers out of the football playoffs.
Starting lineups: For Cayuga - Shak Jenkins, Malcome Kennedy, Billy Duncan, Traylon Shead and C.J. Wagner. For Tenaha, Jay Moore, Jacobi Steadman, Cameron Choice, Marion McClure, Reginald Davis.

Friday, March 6, 2009

Slocum vs. Avalon, Regional Semifinals

End Game
Slocum will get a rematch with Laneville after the Mustangs defeated Avalon 71-53 Friday in the semifials. Jard Lane finished with 28 points. The regional final game will be at noon Saturday in Nacogdoches.
Fourth Quarter
2:33 - Jared Lane scores another basket, his 26th point of the game, and Slocum leads 62-44. Looks like the Mustangs will be getting a rematch against Laneville, who defeated Slocum twice in district this season.

Fourth Quarter
6:11 - Jared Lane continued his hot shooting with another three pointer and Slocum leads 56-33. Lane has five three pointers and 24 points.

End Third Quarter
The final two minutes of the third quarter belonged to Jared Lane. He had nine points in the final 2:35, including a three pointer with five seconds left and Slocum is out to a 53-29 lead. Lane has 21 points including four three pointers.

Third Quarter
1:54 - Slocum breaks the press and Jared Lane gets a three-point play then Logan Foster gets a layup after breaking the press to lead 48-27. Slocum is having no problem against the Avalon press, attacking the basket each time down the court.

Third Quarter
2:32 - Avalon calls a 30-second timeout after Jared Lane drains his third three-pointer of the evening and Slocum leads 43-25, the Mustangs biggest lead of the game.

Third Quarter
3:09 - Slocum extends to a 40-25 lead as Brody Sizemore twice finds Logan Foster down the court for transition layups.

Third Quarter
5:54 - Time out on floor for Avalon injury as player turned ankle sliding on court. Slocum leads 32-17.

Halftime
Slocum finishes the half og a 12-2 run to lead 29-16 going into the lockerrooms for halftime. Jared Lane hit two three pointers during that run and has 12 points in the game. Slocum allowed eight points in each quarter and the defense picked up at the end of the half. The Mustangs have forced eight turnovers and Logan Foster has three steals.

Second Quarter
3:19 - After Avalon scored four straight, Slocum returns the favor as the Mustangs score five on one possession. Brody Sizemore got fouled when he made the shot. After a missed free throw, Slocum got the rebound and Jared Lane drained a three. Slocum leads 22-14.

Second Quarter
4:23 - Slocum extends to a 17-10 lead as Logan Foster gets a steal and layup and Jared Lane hits two free throws.

End First Quarter
Slocum leads 11-8 as Jared Lane works off a screen and hits a three pointer. Randall Thompson has six points and Lane has five points in the first quarter. Avalon staying tough inside, getting two baskets on second-chance opportunties.

First Quarter
3:15 - Early in the game and tied 4-4. Randall Thomason has both baskets for Slocum. Avalon playing a box and one against Jared Lane.

Pregame
Slocum faces Avalon in the second Class A, Division II, Region III game at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches. Slocum comes in with a record of 28-5 and Avalon has a record of 22-8. Laneville won the firt semifinal game 74-52 and will play the winner of this semifinal game at noon Friday in Nacogdoches.

Cayuga vs. Bland - Class A, Division I Region III Semifinals

End Game
Cayuga wins the regional semifinals for the first time in three years, defeating Bland 72-51. Cayuga faces Tenaha at 10 a.m. Saturday for the chance to make the state tournament.

Fourth Quarter
3:05 - Cayuga leads 68-49 as the benches start to come in for both teams. Looks like Bland is going to get some of their younger players some experience.

Fourth Quarter
5:06 - Bland has hit three three pointer to cut into the lead, but C.J. Wagner's putback helps get the lead back to 65-46. Bland just made its first sub of the game.

End Third Quarter
Cayuga leads 60-33 as the Wildcats hold Bland to six points in the third quarter. Bland did not make a three pointer in the third quarter and are looking like they do not have their legs anymore. Cayuga continues to use its whole bench and looks as fresh as they did in first quarter.

Third Quarter
1:20 - Cayuga has complete control of this game, leading 60-33. It has gotten so bad, I have time to give a shout out from Cayuga AD Tommy Allison to his brother Danny. At least I know someone is reading this blog.

Third Quarter
4:08 - Bland calls a timeout after the lead is extended to 55-31 on a Dalevin Campbell jumper. Cayuga is starting to push more and more and is on the verge of breaking this game completly open.

Third Quarter
4:48 - Cayuga has extended its lead to 53-31 on four straight points by Billy Duncan. Bland is starting to look tired playing at Cayuga's pace as the Tigers have not used their bench. On the other side, Cayuga continues to sub freely and every player is contributing.

Third Quarter
7:00 - Cayuga scores seven straight points in a minute for a 47-27 lead. The Wildcats got a basket by Shak Jenkins followed by a steal by Traylon Shead that turned into a three-point play for C.J. Wagner

Halftime
Cayuga leads 40-27 at halftime. The 13-point lead is the Wildcats' biggest of the game. C.J. Wagner leads Cayuga with 11 points, Billy Duncan has nine points and Malcome Kennedy has eight points. The Wildcats are playing at high-paced game which is hurting Bland. Cayuga has forced 11 turnovers and has seven steals. Bland has stayed in the game with its three-point shooting, but Cayuga has answered from beyond the arc, hitting four three pointers in the first half. If Cayuga continues to keep up this pace, the Wildcats will be in good position to win the semifinal game for the first time in three years.


Second Quarter
5:48 - Cayuga takes a timeout after the Wildcats increase the lead to 30-18. Cayuga scored on a pair of steals by Traylon Shead and Malcome Kennedy as the plays were finished on the other end of the floor by Malcome Kennedy and Billy Duncan. Cayuga has forced seven turnovers.

End First Quarter
Cayuga leads 24-14 at the end of the first quarter. Dalevin Campbell hit a jumper with 13 seconds left to give the Wildcats the double-digit lead. C.J. Wagner leads Cayuga with 10 points and Billy Duncan has seven points.

First Quarter
3:21 - C.J. Wagner hits three pointers to give Cayuga 16-10 lead. The game is being played at Cayuga's fast pace which is in the Wildcats' favor.

First Quarter
5:50 - Bland takes second timeout. Down to 3 full timeouts. Cayuga 9-5 after Shak Jenkins steal and layup.
First Quarter
7:23 - Bland takes a quick 30-second timeout after Cayuga scores on its second possession of the game as Traylon Shead has a putback. A very early 2-0 Cayuga lead.

Pregame
No. 1 Cayuga gets set to take on Bland in the Class A, Division I Region III semifinals at JohnsonColiseum on the Stephen F. Austin State University campus in Nacogdoches. Cayuga has a record of 19-3 and Bland has a record of 23-7. The winner will face Tenaha Satruday morning. Tenaha defeated Waskom 69-47 in the first semifinal game.

Thursday, March 5, 2009

T.O. Goodbye

According to reports, the Cowboys have cut wide receiver Terrell Owens. Good riddance. It is a surprise to see this happen. Usually when a team with high expectations completely crash - at the beginning of the season, the talk was about the Cowboys winning a Super Bowl and they did not even make the playoffs - it is the head coach that gets the axe, even though that may not be the problem.
For once, Jerry Jones made the right decision in saying goodbye to Owens, who has been a problem child anywhere he goes.
For Owens, when things go bad, his mouth starts to run and last year, things went really bad. Not only did the Cowboys not make the playoffs, but Owens contributed to that with his worst season in Dallas with lows in receptions, yards and touchdowns. The only category he was in the top 10 in the NFL was in touchdowns with 10.
It is not worth putting up with his attitude and cancer in the clubhouse if he cannot produce big numbers on the field.
However, with the decision to cut Owens, the Cowboys have some major questions to their offense and where they go. The biggest question will be if Roy Williams, who was traded for during the season, can became a No. 1 wide receiver. Williams, the UT grad, never filled that role in Detroit where he only has had an 80-plus reception, 1,000-yard plus yard season once.
Williams is going to have to be the answer at the wide receiver position because there are no answers in the free agent market. Sure, the Cowboys need to sign some lower talent at wide receiver, but the top names already are gone.
For the Cowboys to have success next year on offense, they need to rediscover their running game. The Cowboys were 21st in rushing last season. With a healthy Marion Barber and Felix Jones, the Cowboys should do a better job in the running game and take some of the pressure off Tony Romo.