Inside Pitch

Not everyone happy about Adrian Peterson Day

2010-06-12T09:00:00.000-07:00

While Adrian Peterson waved to his fans in his hometown of Palestine Saturday morning, there were some folks up north who were not all too happy about Peterson riding in the back of a car.
According to reports by ESPN and the Associated Press, Minnesota Viking head coach Brad Childress was not thrilled about Peterson being in Palestine. The reason: this weekend was the Vikings' mandatory minicamp.
Here are some of the comments Childress made in the Associated Press story.

“I just know that there’s a bunch of guys here,” Childress said. “This has the term mandatory for a reason. The work’s here.”
AND
“I don’t know if it’s going to be like every year they’re going to have that,” Childress said, “but we’re going to have this too.”

Childress may even be more upset because according to the Associated Press story, Peterson did not tell his head coach about not being there until last week.
Palestine has held an Adrian Peterson Day each of the last four years since Peterson was drafted by the Vikings. While it is nice for his hometown to honor the running back, maybe they should check the Vikings' schedule first to see if there are any conflicting dates.
In an story last week in the Herald-Press, previewing Adrian Peterson Day, Peterson's aunt and event organizer Carol Pegues said one of the reasons was so local young people and athletes can meet Peterson and learn what can be accomplished from hard work.
Maybe all Peterson showed them this time was how to skip out on a mandatory practice. Probably not the right message he needs to be sending to those he is trying to reach out to.

Dogwood circle losing a good one

2010-06-04T09:37:00.000-07:00

Earlier this week, Curt Faigle resigned as the Grapeland athletic director and head football coach. With this happening, the area is losing a very good coach and a very good person. I have had the chance to work for Coach Faigle for the last three years during his tenure as Grapeland's athletic program leader. In my experiences with Coach Faigle, he has always been open and honest and has been a great pleasure to work with. There was never a time where I would leave a message for Coach Faigle and within the next few hours I would get a phone call back. Does not sound like a big deal, but in this business, there are many coaches that don't return phone calls. Coach Faigle is one of the good guys and I wish him the best in his future.

STATE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME - Slocum vs Bronte

2010-03-13T06:05:00.000-08:00

STATE CHAMPS. STATE CHAMPS. STATE CHAMPS. CAYUGA WINS STATE CHAMPIONSHIP. OW MY GOSH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Overtime
MISSED SHOT MALCOME FOULED!!!!!!!!!!

Overtime
36 sec - Billy Duncan fouled and goes to line for 2 FT. Makes both, up by five!!!!!!!!

Overtime
Misses both Cayuga up 3

Overtime
1:01 - Blocking call on Cayuga and that sends Bronte back to line for two FTs. Misses the first and Bronte calls a full timeout. Cayuga to lead by at least two after next free throw. Anderson checks in and Traylon goes out. Best free throw shooters on floor for Cayuga

Overtime
1:20 - Bronte fouls Traylon, who goes to line for 1-and-1. Traylon makes one. Up by three

OVERTIME
Cayuga defensive rebound. 1:33 working clock.

Overtime
THREE ANDERSON, Cayuga up by two

Overtime
2:25 - Bronte at line for two FTs. Anderson checks back in. Bronte makes one and up by one.

Overtime
PUTBACK SHEAD, tied game.

Overtime
Cayuga has not been able to crash boards and are only outrebounding Bronte 46-36 now

Overtime
3:31 - Cayuga has to use their only timeout in overtime because cannot get ball in. Bronte leads by two.

Overtime
Bronte takes first lead by two

Fourth Quarter
Cayuga goes down low but Wagner can't get basket as double teamed. Going to OT

Fourth Quarter
9 seconds left and Cayuga takes a timeout, last one 30 seconds. Going to set up a play to win this game. Traylon Shead checks back in. Look for some kind of shot early on and Cayuga crash the boards. WHAT A GAME!!!!!!!!!!

Fourth Quarter
Cayuga looks like playing for last shot.

Fourth Quarter
43 sec - Missed three pointer by Bronte and Cayuga has ball with game tied. Billy and Preston check back in

Fourth Quarter
55 sec - Timeout Bronte has Cayuga traps ball. WOW WHAT A GAME!!!!!! Cayuga needs to find a stop on defense. Can't let Rawls get any kind of look. What about the freshman Anderson, he is a pure shooter and when they get hot, it is something special.

Fourth Quarter
PRESTON ANDERSON 3 POINTER!!!!! TIE GAME!!!!! 59 seconds left

Fourth Quarter
1:14 - Bronte gets fouled and at FT line. Misses both, Cayuga down 3

Fourth Quarter
Jenkins trying to find some kind of combination right now to put on floor as Cayuga misses twice but gets ball back. Preston Anderson 3! Down three

Fourth Quarter
Cayuga calls a much needed full timeout. Something has to happen on this possession. Cayuga forcing too many three pointers (6-of-31 from behind the arc). Could be their downfall.

Fourth Quarter
I know still 1:55 left, but it is slipping away. To get to the championship game and have this happen, it is heart breaking to say the least. Bronte leads by six points.

Fourth Quarter
My hands are shaking as Bronte going to be going up by four with 2:13 to play.

Fourth Quarter
By the way, my heart will not stop racing!

Fourth Quarter
Rawls three pointer and Bronte up by four with three to play. But Duncan gets thre of own

Fourth Quarter
3:54 - Malcome picks up fourth foul on block and Bronte takes one-point lead on three point play.
Fourth Quarter
Wagner 1-2 from FT and Cayuga up two. Misses golden chance as Kennedy steal but shot missed by Cayuga

Fourth Quarter
Duncan fouls Rawls on a three point shot and he gets three FTs. That also puts Bronte in the bonus. FTs could determine this game. Rawls makes two FT and Cayuga leads by one

Fourth Quarter
Kennedy putback and Cayuga up by three

Fourth Quarter
6:32 - Billy Duncan gets fouled and gets two FTs. That puts Bronte over seven fouls, Duncan makes one and Cayuga leads by one.

Fourth Quarter
CJ Wagner ties game at 44-44 after Billy gets three pointer. Crazy game right now, Cayuga just needs to keep pushing ball.

End of Third Quarter
Bronte leads 42-39 going into fourth quarter. Wow what a game, again many not expecting this kind of game but give it to Bronte for giving Cayuga everything they got. Fourth quarter will come down to can Cayuga stop Dakota Rawls, who already has 21 points and can hit from anywhere on floor? Can Cayuga show their senior leadership and come up with big plays down the stretch? This is the time for Malcome Kennedy and Traylon Shead to lead the way just like in football!

Third Quarter
Three pointer Duncan, down by one

Third Quarter
Thee pointer by Rawls and Bronte back up by four. All of a sudden Bronte gets flow back on their side

Third Quarter
Bronte gets basket to get lead back and Malcome gets called for a charge for third foul and he comes out.

Third
Cayuga leads as Traylon steal and layup. And gets ball back on turnover. Momentum shifting!

Third Quarter
Preston Anderson 3 pointer cuts lead to one.

Third Quarter
2-for-19 three pointers by Cayuga. Shooting may cost them a championship

Third Quarter
3:06 - Dakota Rawls cleans up offensive rebound with a dunk and Bronte leads 35-31. That leads to Jenkins calling a full timeout. Cayuga not looking in sync on offense and not being able to run at all as Bronte getting back on defense. They need to look inside to Traylon Shead and pound the boards. Can see Bronte's confidence continue to rise after each minute and each basket.

Third Quarter
Dakota Rawls with another dunk and Bronte leads 33-31.

Third Quarter
Traylon Shead with another putback and Cayuga ties game 31-31. Then Traylon gets block on other end of court

Third Quarter
Dalevin Campbell makes one FT and then gets a jump ball to give Cayuga possession. Bronte leads by 2.

Third Quarter
5:54 - Bronte takes a 30-second timeout as one of their players has blood on elbow and they don't want to sub.

Third Quarter
5:55 - Bronte strikes first again in the half with a three pointer and leads 31-28

Third Quarter
6:50 - No one has scored in the second half. Each time has had a couple of looks but nothing has gone down

Halftime
Game is tied 28-28 at halftime. Maybe a little (or a lot closer) than some would have thought, but should not be a surprise with a team like Bronte being able to make this a game. Cayuga is not shooting like they did Thursday morning where the 3-point shot gave them a big lead. This morning, Cayuga is only 2-of-17 in three pointers as Cayuga went 0-for-14 to start the game before Preston Anderson and Billy Duncan. From the field, Cayuga is shooting only 30 percent. On the plus side, the Wildcats have outrebounded Bronte 23-4, including 14 offensive rebounds. Cayuga has to tighten up its half-court defense. Bronte has been patient on offense, waiting for Cayuga to over pursue or make a mistake and then Longhorns getting someone underneath basket for open shot. Cayuga needs to be sure it does not give up the middle. Also need to make sure Dakota Rawls is covered at all times, right now he has 14 of Bronte's 28 points. Look for Traylon Shead to stick on him in the second half.
As far as stats, C.J. Wagner leads Cayuga with 10 points as he has cleaned up on the board. Traylon Shead got out to a quick start and has eight points and eight rebounds. The bench has disappeared for Cayuga as Preston Anderson's thee pointer is Cayuga's only bench points.

Second Quarter
Billy Duncan 3 pointer but Rawls hits a three pointer with three seconds left to tie game 28-28 at halftime

Second Quarter
1:25 - Bronte again holding ball at midcourt, slowing down the pace as Cayuga leads by 2. Bronte been patient on offense and results in Rawls close shot to tie game.

Second Quarter
3 by Anderson and Cayuga leads by 2

Second Quarter
Bronte just working ball around the top, running some clock and not looking to attack Cayuga defense. Transition and CJ Wagner layup gives Cayuga lead

Second Quarter
4:21 - Right now Greg Jenkins trying to find a combination from the bench that is going to produce. Nothing working from the bench

Second Quarter
5:17 - Wagner cleans up own shot and lead back to one. Pace being played high speed right now in Cayuga favor. The Wildcats have 10 second chance points and are outrebounding Bronte 17-2. Wildcats need to keep going to boards as that is what is keeping them in game despite shooting 0-12 thre pointers and 31 percent from floor

Second Quarter
6:08 - Billy Duncan gets fouled while shooting a three pointer and gets 3 FTs. He makes two and lead cut to one

Second Quarter
6:56 - Preston Anderson trying to find his shot but 0-4 from three pointers. Cayuga continues to get

Second Quarter
7:09 - Wagner again on a putback to cut lead to three points and Cayuga gets a turnover

Second Quarter
7:30 - Bronte's Rob Rosson slips into the paint wide open for layup for 19-14 lead. Someone blew responsibility on defense and Jenkins calls a full timeout. Right now Cayuga defense being shredded apart in the half-court sets.

Second Quarter
7:45 - CJ Wagner with putback to cut lead to 17-14. Cayuga has to take advantage of size inside.

End First Quarter
Bronte leads 17-12 to start the first quarter. Not what expected by the Wildcats, who shot 6-of-17 from the field and are 0-for-7 from three-point range. Much different from Thursday's game were Cayuga hit first four three pointers. With Malcome picking up the two fouls, that changed Cayuga's defensive pressure and Bronte been able to find ways to get to basket. Traylon Shead has come out strong with eight of Cayuga's 12 points.

First Quarter
1:14 - Dakota Rawls scores five quick points and Bronte leads 15-12. Coming back in are two starters, Billy Duncan and Traylon Shead. Look for Shead to stick to Rawls

First Quarter
2:16 - Traylon gets a tip in, his sixth point of game. Cayuga leads 12-10 as Preston Anderson, Caleb Sumemrville and D'onte Jackson all check in

First Quarter
3 min - Shak Jenkins down low and Cayuga leads 10-8

First Quarter
3:44 - Malcome Kennedy picks up two fouls in span of 30 seconds. Traylon Shead going to check if for Malcome. This is where not having Chris Turner hurts Wildcats.

First Quarter
Traylon Steal and dunk and Cayuga leads 8-7

First Quarter
4:31 - Traylon Shead with a putback as he has four quick points. Cayuga trails 7-6

First Quarter
5:20 - Dakota Rwals throws down a dunk for 5-2 lead. Cayuga trying to figure out 2-3 zone. Inside to Traylon for layup. Lead down to one

First Quarter
6:02 - Cayuga gets its first basket as C.J. Wagner gets break away layup on transition. Bronte turns ball over and Cayuga has it back.

First Quarter
6:21 - Bronte strikes first with a three pointer and Cayuga has their fourth turnover of the game.

First Quarter
Another turnover by Bronte as Cayuga defense traps ball handler and he travels. But Cayuga turns ball over again down low.

First Quarter
Really quickly, Cayuga turns ball over trying to go inside but Bronte throws ball away.

Pregame
It is finally here, the Class A, Division I state championship game between Cayuga and Bronte. Cayuga is trying to become only the fourth team in school history to win a state title in football and basketball during the same school year. The Wildcats have won 21 straight games since opening the season with two consecutive losses. The Wildcats will be without back up point guard Chris Turner, who had to have surgery on a finger Thursday after injuring it in the game against Spurger. As Greg Jenkins said after the game, that could give Cayuga even more motivation for this one. 15 minutes to go, can't wait till this one gets started.

Slocum vs Nazareth, Class A, Division II semifinals

2010-03-12T16:56:00.000-08:00

End of game
Game is over as Nazareth wins 57-48. No doubt, difference in game when all is said and done was Slocum only making 4-of-16 from the free-throw line while Nazareth 13-of-17. Despite the loss, Slocum needs to be proud of what they accomplished. Losses the Class A player of the year off of last year's team and ends up holding No. 1 ranking the whole year and getting back to the state tournament for the second time in school history. Just tonight, it was one of those games.

Fourth Quarter
OK, one more unprofessional comment. Refs have been very inconsistent. Not a reason why Slocum lost (4-for-16 FT shooting one of the reasons), but still, refs have not been that good. Expect a little better in state tournament game.

Fourth Quarter
Slocum trying to hang in there as lead has gone from 19 to 6 points. Swifts to the FT line for 1-and-1, makes one but Nazareth offensive rebound second and back to FT line. This one is over.

Fourth Quarter
53 sec - Turnover and goes back to Slocum. Bickerstaff two points and down by six.

Fourth Quarter
58 sec - Prater makes both FTs and Slocum trails by 8

Fourth Quarter
1:13 While Slocum only 2-for-14 FT, Nazareth 10-for-13. Steven Prater going to the line for one and one with Swifts leading by 10

Fourth Quarter
When Slocum tries to foul they can't get a call and then Foster steals ball and gets fouled while shooting. 1:15 left and Slocum down by nine going to the line for two. 1-for-12 so far from FT line. Foster makes one and down by 8

Fourth Quarter
Slocum just makes first FT and trails by 9

Fourth Quarter
1:54 - Bickerstaff to the line with Slocum trailing by 10 points. Got to make the FTs!

Fourth Quarter
2:!2- Slocum's Fletcher Larkin his a three pointer and lead down to 10 points. By the way, Slocum 0-for-10 in FTs. Difference in game?

Fourth Quarter
2:58 - As for the game, Slocum trails 50-37 with just under three minutes to play. Nazareth may start to stall and if so, Slocum can either foul, sending a good free throw team to the line or go for the steals.

Fourth Quarter
3:41 - Slocum's Kendell Redd fouls out. It is a shame that something like that happens in final game of career. He is a heck of a player and really became something for Slocum the last two years. He became the sixth man last year and played a huge role in the championship game because of foul trouble. This year, he moved into a starer role and was a great defensive player.

Fourth Quarter
OK, I know this may not be very professional, but the Nazareth fans behind me are really annoying! I guess a million times to the state tournament gives fans the chance to act like, well you know what.

Fourth Quarter
4:39 - Redd hits a three pointer to cut lead to 16, first points for Slocum in quarter.

Fourth Quarter
More bad news to report. Nazereth three pointer from corner and then steal and layup. This one looks to be done even with 5 minutes left. Nazareth has scored the first eight points of the quarter to start running away with this one. Seems like this is what happens when teams get to Austin, once it starts to roll the wrong way, there is not much a team can do to get back into it. That is what is happening to Slocum right now

Fourth Quarter
6:04 - Nazareth now has a 14-point lead. Slocum getting one and done as Nazerth cleaning up on the defensive boards

Fourth Quarter
12 point lead for Nazareth. Slocum not able to get anything going there way.

Fourth Quarter
7:08 - Nazareth gets 10 point lead and Slocum throws ball away. Right now things not going Mustangs way, got to turn it around real quickly or else, no repeat of a state title.

Fourth Quarter
Nazareth opens fourth with basket as loose ball goes straight to player underneath basket.

End Third Quarter
Steven Prater steals the inbound pass, after missed shot Slocum gets ball back and Thomason hits long jumper with one second left. Nazareth leads 35-29 going into fourth quarter. Slocum chipped into lead, now needs to make that charge in the fourth quarter. Thomason playing like he needs to with 14 points. Foster did not pick up another foul in the quarter so he still has three. This is going to come down to getting defensive stops and making most of opportunities on offense because Nazareth will start to stall soon in the fourth if they have the lead.

Third Quarter
Nazareth trying to go four corners but stolen by Redd for layup with 20 sec left. Lead 35-27

Third Quarter
Looks like Bickerstaff is mugged after a defensive rebound but no call as ball goes OB to Swifts

Third Quarter
Foster misses 2nd FT but Bickerstaff with offensive rebound and Mustangs have ball back and Thomason long jumper and lead is now 32-25

Third Quarter
2:18 - Logan going to the line for two FTs. Slocum still has not hit a FT and Logan misses first one and the Nazareth calls a timeout. Not sure what is going on with the FT situation but Slocum 0-for-7 with Foster getting one more

Third Quarter
2:35 - The refs are consistent on the charge calls as Nazareth just gets called for two. Top scorer Sage Black picks up his third foul but stays in game.

Third Quarter
3:19 - Redd dish to Thomason for layup and lead cut to 32-23. Turnover Swifts, Slocum needs to take advantage.

Third Quarter
It is very interesting how refs are letting both teams play and then out of nowhere a big whistle. It has been a little inconsistent right now.

Third Quarter
Another close blank shot missed by Slocum, 9-of-31 shooting.

Third Quarter
5:19 - Foster gets his first two points of game but Nazareth right back to keep 11 point lead. Steal and two more for Swifts.

Third Quarter
5:41 - Logan Foster nearly picks up his fourth foul, but a block called instead. Nazareth still leads 28-17

Third Quarter
5:52 - In just over two minutes, Redd picks up three fouls. He will stay in the game but Slocum in major foul trouble. Three for Redd and Foster, two for Bickerstaff

Third Quarter
6:11 - Kendell Redd get called for a charge, Slocum third charge of the game. Nazareth just packing the middle of the lane.

Third Quarter
7:04 - Slocum does not pick up coming down the court and an easy layup by Nazareth who now leads 26-15.

Halftime
Nazareth's Sage Black hits a three pointer with 30 seconds left and the Swifts have a 24-15 lead. Slocum has some work ahead of them in the second half, but from we have seen last week, the Mustangs have the ability to come back from a deficit. Mustangs have had some good looks, but are 7-of-25 shooting. Randall Thomason leads the team with eight point on 4-of-10 shooting. In the second half, Logan Foster cannot pick up his fourth foul and be back on the bench. Nazareth looking for Foster to drive to the hoop and putting a body under the basket looking for a call. Both times the call went Nazareth's way. Slocum just needs to stop giving up offensive rebounds and needs to be able to knock down the close looks that they are getting.

Second Quarter
2:03 - Randall Thomason with a long two pointer to cut lead to six points. Slocum needs big things from Thomason with Foster on the bench. Mustangs need to try to keep close and get into lockerroom where they can make some adjustments.

Second Quarter
2:32 - Nazareth 19-11 as one Slocum player picks another and Swifts get an easy layup.

Second Quarter
4:06 - Slocum trails 17-11 and Steven Prater to the line for two. Slocum has missed all four FTs so far and Prater misses both as well. What is going on

Second Quarter
5:49 - Logan Foster picks up his third foul - second charge, and he is on the bench for remainder of quarter. Slocum just needs to stay in the game in this half.

Second Quarter
Another offensive rebound and putback for Swifts who have a 17-9 lead.

Second Quarter
6:18 - Slocum with a turnover after Nazareth takes a 15-9 leads prompts Slocum head coach Jay Bruce to take a timeout. Slocum playing out of sync against a tough Nazareth defense. The shots have been there but Slocum just seems to be playing too fast right now.

Second Quarter
7:03 - Randall Thomason gets a basket inside but Nazareth with another offensive rebound and putback along with foul on Thomason for a free throw. FT missed but Nazareth leads 13-9. Right now, Nazareth taking advantage of offensive rebounds.

Second Quarter
7:23 - Dillon Bickerstaff picks up his second foul and looks like Logan going to check in for him. Nazareth two FTs and leads 11-7

Second Quarter
The second quarter starts with Logan Foster remaining on the bench as Fletcher Larkin is in the game for him.

End First Quarter
Randall Thomason gets a basket in the lane to cut the lead to 9-7 at the end of the first quarter. The first quarter ends quickly as both teams struggling from the field. Both teams shooting 3-for-12 in the first quarter. Only difference right now is a pair of free throws by the Swifts. Not sure if it is paying in this arena or nerves, but Slocum has had some point blank shots that they have not been able to put down.

First Quarter
15 sec - Logan Foster just picks up his second foul, critical for the Mustangs as he goes to the bench. Wonder if he will stay there at the start of the second. Nazareth hits 2 FTs and leads 9-5

First Quarter
1:40 - Nazareth's Sid Sheffy hits a three pointer and the Swifts lead 7-5.

First Quarter
2:18 - Slocum still leads 5-4 as both teams are a combined 4-for-18 shooting. A lot like last year's championship game between the two teams.

First Quarter
Slocum is only 1-for-7 to start the game. Mustangs have missed some point black shots. But Randall Thomason gets a shot in and Slocum leads 5-4.

First Quarter
4:30 - Dillon Bickerstaff gets Slocum on the board with a three pointer from the corner. Nazareth leads 4-3.

First Quarter
5:45 - Nazareth gets on the board first with a layup. The Swifts have three offensive rebounds already.

First Quarter
6:22 - No score in first minute and a half. Each team has a turnover to start out with.

Pregame
Not much pregame as teams are being introduced. Traffic in Austin, like usual, was just aweful as we sat in traffic forever, arriving just 15 minutes before the start of the game. But we made it and I am here typing. So whey! Let's get this one started.

Cayuga vs. Spurger, Class A, Division I staet semifinals

2010-03-11T07:33:00.001-08:00

Fourth Quarter
Freshman Deon Shoffer gets a basket in the state tournament. Cayuga going to win this one, leading 80-44 right now. Going to call it a morning for the blog. Look for stories on the Herald-Press web site later today.

Fourth Quarter
2:59 - Zac Bowman gets his first two points of the game on a putback. Cayuga 74-39.

Fourth Quarter
3:39 - Dalevin Campbell with another three pointer and Cayuga leads 72-39. Cayuga has made 7-of-12 three pointers. They have shot astonishing 62 shots in the game.

Fourth Quarter
5:07 - D'onte Jackson hits a 15-footer for his first two points of the game and Cayuga leads 69-39.

Fourth Quarter
6:23 - Here comes the defense again as Billy Duncan gets a steal and feeds to Campbell, who gets the layup and the foul. Makes the FT and Cayuga leads 66-35.

Fourth Quarter
7:09 - Traylon Shead with a putback and Cayuga leads 61-35. Dalevin Campbell and D'onte Jackson check back in for Cayuga.

End Third Quarter
Cayuga goes into the fourth quarter leading 59-35. Unless there is a big letdown from the Wildcats, they will be heading to the state championship game. This game has turned into a defensive showcase by the Wildcats, who have 16 steals, have forced 25 turnovers, 24 points off of turnovers and 29 fast break points. Cayuga set the tempo early on and has not let down.

Third Quarter
13 sec - Cayuga finishes off an 11-0 run on a Jenkins basket. Cayuga leads 59-35.

Third Quarter
59 - Another steal, this time a combo by Kennedy and Billy Duncan leads to Duncan layup. Cayuga leads 57-32.

Third Quarter
1:56 - Kennedy putting on a defensive show, getting his fourth straight steal. He has five points off the steals and Cayuga leads 55-32.

Third Quarter
2:37 - Cayuga has its biggest lead as Malcome Kennedy with steal and layup and Wildcats leads 52-32.

Third Quarter
Spurger just picks up its sixth team foul and Cayuga will be in bonus from here on out.

Third Quarter
With the way Cayuga hitting the three pointer, waiting for freshman Preston Anderson to get involved. He has taken only one three today, which was a long one that missed.

Third Quarter
3:48 - Spurger being very aggressive going after the ball. It has resulted in a few turnovers, but also four team fouls just halfway through the third quarter. Anytime Cayuga gets defensive rebound, couple of Spurger players trying to slap ball away. Pirates also trying to bring late pressure on the inbound pass, which has caught Cayuga off guard a couple of times. Seems like the only thing Spurger can do right now to try and stay in this thing.

Third Quarter
4:02 - HUGE block by Shak Jenkins. What looked to be break away turned into Shak coming back down court and blocking the shot from behind

Third Quarter
5:00 - Spurger putting some pressure on Cayuga off inbound pass and it has resulted in a couple of steals, but each time Cayuga gets ball back.

Third Quarter
Another three points by Cayuga, this time on a three-point play by C.J. Wagner and Cayuga leads 48-29.

3rd Quarter
Three pointer by Duncan and Cayuga leads 45-27. His fourth of the game. He is doing great job looking for his shot today.

3rd Quarter
7:19 - Shak Jenkins starts quarter with basket for 40-23 lead and C.J. Wagner takes a charge. Cayuga rotating well on defense

Halftime
Cayuga leads 38-23 going into halftime. Cayuga has scored 19 points in each half and built as big as a 17-point lead in the second quarter. Cayuga hit from outside to help build this leas as the Wildcats have made five three pointers, led by Billy Duncan's three from behind the arc. Duncan has a team-high 11 points. Dalevin Campbell has given the Wildcats a big spark off the bench with nine points in nine minutes of play. For Spurger, it has been all about Daniel Blankenship and George Whittaker, who had combined for 20 of team's 23 points.
The pace has been in favor of Cayuga, who has 13 points off turnovers and 18 fast break points. Spurger just cannot keep up with the pace Cayuga has set. If that continues in the second half, the Pirates won't get back into the game.

2nd Quarter
1:09 - Steal and layup by Shak Jenkins and then Campbell jumper and Cayuga leads 38-21

2nd Quarter
1:54 - Cayuga starting to get a little careless with basketball as lead cut to 34-21. But Shak Jenkins just gets a charge called on Spurger

2nd Quarter
2:59 - Cayuga calls a full timeout to get its team under control a little bit after the Wildcats got two straight offensive rebounds but could not hit from up close. Spurger now shooting only 33 percent for the game as Cayuga on a 6-0 run.

2nd Quarter
3:23 - Chris Turner gets steal but then goes hard to the court and looks to be a little shaken up. He is heading back to the locker room with Cayuga AD Tommy Allison

2nd Quarter
4:21 - Chris Turner in transition for layup and now as steal by Kennedy. Cayuga leads 32-17 and starting to open this one up.

2nd Quarter
5:08 - Steal by Chris Turner, who picks off pass and takes it other way for break away layup and Cayuga leads 28-17. Spurger calls 30 second TO. That is Cayuga's fifth steal and Spruger's eighth turnover

2nd Quarter
5:45 - Pull up jumper by CJ Wagner and Cayuga leads 26-15. Right now, the pace in Cayuga's favor as Preston Anderson, Chris Turner and Dalevin Campbell waiting to check in.

2nd Quarter
6:47 - Billy Duncan with long three pointer and Cayuga leads 24-13. Duncan's third three pointer of the game and Cayuga's fifth.

2nd Quarter
Cayuga starts the second by getting turnover on trap and leads to Malcome Kennedy layup between two Spurger players to lead 21-13.

End of First Quarter
Preston Anderson misses a long three pointer with two seconds left to end the quarter. Cayuga leads 19-13 after the first quarter. Cayuga has the lead despite shooting under 36 percent for the game, but it has been the shots from the outside that have sparked the Wildcats. Cayuga makes four three pointers and gets at three-point play in the first quarter. Coach Jenkins came into the game feeling like Cayuga would have to hit from outside for the Wildcats to win.

First Quarter
21 sec - Two straight TOs by Spurger and Cayuga has last possession.

First Quarter
1:02 - Caleb Summerville down low and he gets fouled while making the shot. Summerville makes FT and Cayuga leads 19-13. Great to see Caleb on the floor here is Austin.

First Quarter
Caleb Summerville, Chris Turner and Preston Anderson in the game for Cayuga. Only starter on the floor is Wagner.

First Quarter
1:54- Campbell three pointer and Cayuga leads 16-10. Raining downs three for the Wildcats in the first quarter.

First Quarter
2:47 - Malcome Kennedy three pointer and Cayuga leads by three. Three straight threes by Cayuga.

First Quarter
Another three by Duncan ties the game at 10-10. Spruger giving the outside shot and Duncan making them pay. Dalevin Campbell checks in for CJ Wagner.

First Quarter
3:42 - Billy Duncan hits three pointer which cuts lead to one point. Need to be able to make outside shots today.

First Quarter
Spurger's Daniel Blankenship hits a three pointer and Pirates take a 8-4 lead and prompts a Cayuga 30-second timeout. The Wildcats have had some looks but just cannot find bottom of basket.

First Quarter
4:20 - Spurger takes 5-4 lead. On defense, Pirates putting everyone in the lane and Cayuga having trouble getting shots,

Steal by Shead goes to a layup by Billy Duncan for 4-0 lead and Spurger calls a 30 second timeout. How often has it been that we see Cayuga's opponent call a quick timeout after the Wildcat early pressure leads to a steal. This time, Shead and Malcome Kennedy trapped the ball handler that led to steal and basket.

First Quarter
Another foul against Traylon Shead, this time on Spurger's other big man Christian Norsworthy, who just checked in and now will be going back to the bench. Shead hits both FT and Cayuga leads 2-0.

First Quarter
A quick foul on Spurger's big man George Whittaker sends Traylon Shead to the line on Cayuga's first possession. Shead misses both but hustles for the rebound. Ball still goes over for Spurger, who subs for Whittaker

Game time
Teams have been introduced and it is finally game time. Getting the chills, but that is because it is cold here on press row.

Pregame
Just under 10 minutes before Cayuga takes on Spurger in the second of the Class A, Division I state semifinals. This is new ground for the most part for both teams. For Cayuga, it is the school's fifth time at the state tournament, but the last time was in 1958. For Spurger, this is the first time the Pirates have been in Austin for the state tournament.
Cayuga comes into the game ranked No. 1 in the TABC polls with a record of 20-2. The Wildcats have won 20 straight games after losing their first two of the season in the Whataburger Tournament. Spurger is 25th in the TABC polls with a 27-5 record.
This looks to be a matchup of two teams at the opposite ends of the spectrum. Cayuga will run 10-12 deep trying to run and gun whenever possible. Spruger has only nine players on the roster and the Pirates are going to try and slow down the pace and try to beat Cayuga from behind the three-point line.
If this gets into an up tempo contest, Cayuga will be the favorite but as Coach Jenkins told me this week, he is not worried if Spruger does control the tempo. The Cayuga coach believes his team can play at a slower pace, evident by what happened against Marti's Mill in the regional finals.

Bronte wins first semifinal game

2010-03-11T07:33:00.000-08:00

In the first Class A, Division I semifinal game in Austin Thursday morning, Bronte shook off a sluggish start to defeat Gruver xx-xx. The Longhorns play the winner of Cayuga and Spruger in the championship game at 8:30 a.m. Saturday.
Gruver led by three at haftime and by five in the third quarter but Bronte got hot near the end of the third quarter and the game was tied in the early moments of the fourth quarter. Bronte then hit two three pointers and from there it was all Longhorns.
Bronte's Dakota Rawls, a 6-5 guard, led the Longhorns with 26 points and 10 rebounds.

Getting ready for the state tournament

2010-03-11T06:31:00.001-08:00

In Austin this morning at the Frank Erwin Center, waiting for Cayuga to play its semifinal game. First off though is Gruver vs. Bronte in the first semifinal game. Cayuga has a chance if it wins the state title this weekend to win a title in both football and basketball. I talked to a UIL representative this morning and was told that it has happened three times before - a team winning both in football ans basketball. I also asked about how many times a county had three state champions in basketball. It could happen for Anderson County after Neches girls won last week and Cayuga and Slocum playing this week. However, that question was a little tougher and could not be answered. Maybe by the end of the weekend, we will have an answer to that one.

Cayuga vs. Martins Mill, Class A-Region III, Division I finals

2010-03-06T10:33:00.000-08:00

END OF GAME
CAYUGA GOING TO STATE. WILDCATS WIN 61-39.

Fourth Quarter
1:08 - Traylon Shead comes in for a second, but after a foul on Caleb Summerville, the Cayuga bench enters and the starters are off the court.

Fourth Quarter
1:46 - Layup by CJ Wagner and Cayuga leads 57-32. This one is over. Calling it. CAYUGA TO STATE!

Fourth Quarter
2:32 - MM starts to foul Cayuga trying to get in the bonus. It is desperation time for the Mustangs.

Fourth Quarter
3:13 - MM ends Cayuga 12-2 run but Jenkins gets his 17th point of the game and Cayuga starts to slow down. Wildcats look like on their way to the state tournament.

Fourth Quarter
4:43 - And there comes MM final timeout as Davelin Campbell gets a steal and finds Chris Turner for the layup and Cayuga leads 50-29. Wildcats are less than five minutes from finally breaking through the SFA barrier and getting to state.

Fourth Quarter
Cayuga has outscored MM 12-2 in this quarter and MM really cant call timeout since only have one left.

Fourth Quarter
5:51 - Cayuga starting to run way with it. Steal by Kennedy and layup by Jenkins for 46-29 lead and have ball back to Shak for another basket, 48-29,

Fourth Quarter
Steal and layup by Campbell makes it 42-29. Traylon Shead back on the bench with his team as Greg Jenkins talks to doctor about him.

Fourth Quarter
Cayuga gets putback by Wagner and steal by Kennedy for basket by Shak Jenkins to increase lead to 40-29. Martin's Mill calls its fourth timeout of the game, a full timout, after they get trapped in the back court. MM only has one timeout left. Cayuga starting to increase the pressure. As for Shead, he is getting his foot wrapped by the Cayuga doctor and the ankle brace in going back on. Not sure if he will be able to come back in, but with the way they are taping him up and putting every thing back on, he will probably at least try it out and see if he can get back in.

End Third Quarter
Cayuga heads into the fourth quarter with a 36-27 lead. MM dictated pace in the third quarter as Cayuga only scored eight points in the frame. Traylon Shead still down on the floor being looked at, he has 11 points to lead Cayuga and it is hopeful for the Wildcats that he could return.

Third Quarter
39 sec - Traylon Shead goes down hurting after tying to make a pass. He comes out of the game and goes to the side of the arena where assistant coach Russell Holden and a SFA trainer looking at him. Looked to be something with his leg or foot.

Third Qaurter
1:17 - Traylon gets basket inside and Cayuga leads 36=27. Slow pace game right now ans MM really been able to dictate it,

Third Quarter
3:29 - MM cuts the lead to eight points before Cayuga runs the floor and Shak Jenkins gets a layup to increase the lead to 34-24. Game is being played at MM's pace but Cayuga just needs to continue playing good defense and not try to do too much that someone will get open.

Third Quarter
5:44 Traylon Shead has a couple of free throws and Shak Jenkins has a basket as Cayuga leads 32-19,

Halftime
Cayuga takes a 28-15 lead into the break. Coach Jenkins probably pleased for most part, expect for the last foul which allowed MM to get two points from the free throw line. The Wildcats setting the tempo with their defense as MM having a hard time, other than two three pointers, to get an open shot. Cayuga also forcing MM one and out, not allowing any offensive rebounds. Traylon Shead leads Cayuga with eight points and CJ Wagner and Shak Jenkins each has five points.

Second Quarter
Cayuga works the call and Preston Anderson hits a three pointer to increase lead to 28-13 but before end of half, Cayuga fouls Boot Brantly, who makes both FT.

Second Quarter
With a minute left, Cayuga holding the ball at midcourt, guess looking for last shot since Martin Mill going to allow it. MM starting to put pressure.

Second Quarter
1:47 - MM has to call their third timeout of the game to avoid a 10-second call. Traylon Shead just got a steal and got the ball back for the basket to increase the lead to 23-13. Cayuga is playing as fast as they can against MM, which wants to slow the ball as much as possible, but the Wildcats still finding ways to run when they can. Defense for Cayuga has been tremendous as MM has had difficulty looking for open shots against the athletic zone.

Second Quarter
2:41 - Billy Duncan forces a charge after MM cut the lead to 21-13. The Wildcats take a full time out to get some subs in. The Wildcats are subbing a lot of players in while MM is only subbed two players in. May take a toll on the Mustangs later in the game against a fresher Cayuga team.

Second Quarter
4:55 - Cayuga has outscored Martin's Mill 6-1 so far as CJ Wagner makes a nifty pass to Shak Jenkins for a layup and a 21-9 lead.

Second Quarter
6:13 - Shak Jenkins hits a baseline jumper to get the lead back to double digits, 19-9.

Second Quarter
7:04 - Malcome Kennedy just picks up his third foul on a charge and heads to bench for rest of half. Cayuga leads 17-8.

End of First Quarter
Cayuga leads after the first quarter 15-8. The Wildcats have shown that they can pressure MM, who wants to try and sit back on offense. The only thing keeping MM in the game right now is a couple of three pointers and keeping the Wildcats off the offensive glass. Cayuga just needs to keep up its pressure.

First Quarter
32 sec - MM has hit two three pointers to cut lead to 14-8. Only way for MM to stay in this game is to make those long shots because Cayuga too athletic inside.

First Quarter
2:03 - MM head coach upset because he feels Cayuga defenders are riding his ball handlers.

First Quarter
2:50 - Dalevin Campbell gets a steal and layup for a 12-2 lead. Martin's Mill calls its second timeout and head coach Trae Moore is all over the refs unhappy about some call. Not really sure why fired up, Cayuga is just playing with more intensity than Mustangs.

First Quarter
3:14 - MM is trying to hold ball on offense but just wasting time as Cayuga gets fourth steal and Shak Jenkins makes one Ft and Cayuga leads 10-2

First Quarter
5:03 - Cayuga back at it. Malcome Kennedy hit a three pointer at top of arc. Shak Jenkins then steals inbound pass and gets to Traylon Shead for layup and Wildcats lead 7-3 and force MM timeout.

Pregame
Few minutes before game time for the second game of the regional finals at SFA - Cayuga vs. Martin's Mill. Can the Dogwood Circle have two boys teams heading to Austin next week after Slocum just topped Laneville in overtime in the DII finals. This game has the No. 1 Wildcats facing a familiar face in Martins Mill, who was in the Wildcats district before the last realignment.

Slocum vs. Laneville, Class A-Region III, Division II finals

2010-03-06T07:21:00.000-08:00

SLOCUM GOES BACK TO STATE WITH 57-55 WIN.

Davis makes both free throws and it is a 56-55 game with .4 seconds left. Some how foul called on Laneville before inbound. Slocum gets two shots and the ball

.5 sec - Reginald Jordan gets fouled and at line for two. Will have to miss second and get tipin.

1.7 sec - Slocum leads by two points when Jacob Bowman gets fouled. Laneville out of timeouts and needs miracle - bowman makes one.

3 sec - Slocum breaks press for Steven Prater layup and four point lead, 55-51, Carey gets fouled by Foster, who is out of game, and Carey makes first and misses second. Rebound goes to Reginald Jordan who had a shot miss but was fouled, he makes one and two point game

OT
19 sec - Lanevile still in game as Carey gets to basket for layup. Slocum has to finish this thing from the FT line. They are 4-for-8 from FT line in OT

OT
33 - Larkin Fletcher going back to the line after another foul. He misses both and Laneville has ball.

OT
37 sec - Kendall Redd gets steal but Laneville gets ball back. Laneville gets fouled and makes one FT. Scramble for the rebound on second shot and Redd gets rebound and calls timeout before going to ground. Slocum leads 53-49 and has the ball.

OT
53 sec - Laneville tries to trap and foul called. Fletcher Larkin to line and makes one for 53-48 lead. Slocum calls a timeout to set up defense. Mustangs need to limit Laneville to one shot and not give up multiple opportunities.

Overtime
56 - Slocum with ball and four-point lead, 52-48. If Mustangs can get past full-court press, then Laneville is going to have to foul and Slocum can win from free throw line.

Overtime
1:21 - Four corners again and Prater goes to line for two. He misses both but Redd gets putback and lead by four. Then missed shots by Laneville and Redd gets defensive rebound. Before going out of bounds, he calls a timeout and Slocum has ball with 56 seconds and a four point lead.

Overtime
Laneville goes hits a FT and lead down to two points.

Overtime
2:10 - Here comes four corners for Slocum, trying to run clock and Kendall Redd gets fouled, fifth by Colin Anderson and he fouls out. Redd makes one and Slocum leads 50-47.

Overtime
2:30 - Another close call but Randall Thomason called for his fifth foul and it looked like Carey walked before hand. One ref had walk, one had the foul and the one who called the foul won out on that call. Carey made he shot but refs say foul happened before the shot so Carey gets two FTs. Thomason had 13 points before fouling out. Carey makes one FT to cut lead to 49-47 and Laneville calls a timeout. In the fourth quarter with a two-point lead, Slocum started to run clock at this time, expect them to do that again, trying to force time off the clock and make Laneville possibly foul them.

Overtime
2:53 - Kendall Redd slashes and scores and Slocum has ball back leading 49-46. But just turns it back over.

Overtime
Randall Thomason picks up first fourth foul to send Carey to the line. Carey makes one Slocum leads by one.

Overtime
Logan Foster goes hard to basket and on a close call, blocking is called. Could have been Foster's fifth foul. He makes two FT and Slocum leads 47-45

Fourth Quarter
Laneville cant get a shot up and this game going to OT. Laneville trying to work ball into Carey but Slocum denies. Ball finally gets there with 2 seconds left, but double team and Cary losses possession. Throws shot up after buzzer but it misses anyways. Slocum has momentum right no and needs to keep playing their ball for next four minutes. Foul situation, Laneville has two fouled out including top shooter Anderson. Slocum's Foster has four fouls.

Fourth Quarter
Laneville calls a timeout with ball and 10 seconds remaining, game tied 45-45. Yellowjackets will have one chance to tie game or going into overtime. Possession arrow to Slocum in case a jump ball in the final 10 seconds. Slocum needs to play tight defense here for final 10 seconds and not foul. If game goes into OT, advantage to Slocum as Laneville has two players fouled out.

Fourth Quarter
16 sec - Slocum runs clock and then Anderson going for steal fouls Prater four his fifth. Prater at line for 1 and 1 with game tied misses first

Fourth Quarter
48 - Laneville misses shot loose ball out bounds to Slocum with game tied.

Fourth Quarter
1:10 Thomason basket ties game up.

Fourth Quarter
1:53 - Laneville scores four straight, gets basket to tie then gets a steal that leads to offensive rebound and another basket. Laneville leads 45-43 and Slocum calls a timeout to set up offense. The Mustangs have to try to find a way to either slash to the basket or find Randall Thomason, who has been hot in the second half.

Fourth Quarter
2:33 - Slocum working ball and running clock with two point lead before called for travel. Time for defense to make another stop but Laneville ties game 43-43

Fourth Quarter
3:41 - Laneville's Anderson picks up fourth foul and Prater back at line where he makes both and Slocum leads 43-41.

Fourth Quarter
4:33 - Laneville's Coy Townsend fouls out as Steven Prater goes to the line for one and one. He makes both and Slocum leads 41-39.

Fourth Quarter
4:45 - Slocum has just tied the game with another shot by Thomason and a tough layup by Prater, who went length of court against pressure. Laneville calls another timeout as Slocum has scored seven straight points. Slocum continues to play tough half-court defense as Laneville keeps trying to go down to Carey in the block but the Mustangs are making life tough for him and Laneville in the paint.

Fourth Quarter
6:14 - Randall Thomason hits a three pointer from the corner to cut the lead to 39-35 and Laneville takes its second timeout. Thomason had a quiet first half but has come on and now has nine points. Slocum coach Jay Bruce talked earlier this week about needing Thomason to become a beast on offense and this is the time for it to happen for the Slocum senior.

End Third Quarter
Laneville heads into the fourth quarter with a 39-32 lead. Yellowjackets have the momentum and are controlling the pace of the game. Slocum has to force it back into a half-court game. Logan Foster comes back into the game. This is the time the three Slocum seniors are going to have to make plays.

Third Quarter
52 sec - Laneville starting to make another run as Isaiah Blanton gets fouled while making a shot and YellowJackets take a 39-30 lead.

Third Quarter
1:47 - Laneville's Carey gets a three-point play and then another turnover by Slocum leads to two free throws. Laneville leads 37-28.

Third Quarter
3:21 - Logan Foster just picks up a technical after he thought he was fouled going to the basket. Anderson goes to line for two free throws but even worse, that is Fosters' fourth foul and he has to come out. Laneville leads 32-26.

Third Quarter
5:37 - Michael Anderson its another three for Laneville who increases lead to 30-26.

Third Quarter
Slocum opens up quarter with back door layup by Steven Prater to cut lead to 27-24 but Logan Foster just picks up third foul. He stays in game but needs to be careful because he has to be on floor for Slocum to win.

Halftime
Slocum cuts the lead down to 26-22 going into halftime. The Mustangs score the final five points of the half after Laneville used that big run to take a nine point lead. Slocum has to find a way to get past Laneville's pressure defense as Mustangs have 15 turnovers in the half. Foul trouble could affect Laneville and may make them less aggressive.

Second Quarter
49 sec- Logan Foster stops run with a layup and then gets Michael Anderson to pick up third foul. Foster hits two FT and Slocum trails 26-21

Second Quarter
1:45 - This is the one thing Slocum could not let happen, allow Laneville to start playing chaotic basketball. Laneville leads 26-17.

Second Quarter
2:39 - Laneville scores seven straight points to storm into a 24-17 lead. During that time, Slocum has turned the ball over three times. Mustangs call a 30-second timeout to try and settle down. Need to get back to playing their style and not trying to run up and down with Laneville.

Second Quarter
3:24 - Starting to go downhill for Slocum ans Anderson hits three pointer for 20-17 lead and then a turnover give ball back to Laneville. Right now being called very light and Laneville taking advantage of that with their physical play.

Second Qaurter
3:51 - Laneville ties game 17-17 as Slocum starting to geta little careless. Now Logan Foster has to switch jerseys as he has blood on his No. 1 Jersey and takes No. 24 from sophomore Wade Mitchell Lets see how he plays in 24.

Second Quarter
5:53 - Slocum continues to play well in half court defense, getting a turnover. The Mustangs lead 15-13. Right now refs letting both teams play, and that is to Laneville's advantage.

Second Quarter
6:52 - Two straight turnovers have led to two Laneville baskets and the lead is cut to 14-13. Right now only thing going for Laneville is pressure defense.

End First Quarter
Slocum ends the first quarter on a 6-0 run as baskets by Kendall Redd and Steven Prater give Mustangs a 14-9 lead. Mustangs playing very well on defense, forcing Laneville into tough shots and for most part, getting defensive rebounds. Offense, when Slocum runs their sets, they have been able to get shots near the basket.

First Quarter
1:19 - Slocum takes it first lead as Fletcher Larkin gets inside and gets layup. Mustangs, up 10-9, call a 30-second timeout as Steven Prater gets trapped. Laneville is getting Slocum to stop dribble just past halfcourt and then trapping. That is what has given Mustangs the most fits.

First Quarter
2:06 - Slocum continues to struggle against Laneville half-court pressure defense as Mustangs have nine turnovers. However, Slocum getting back on defense, not giving up easy points, keeping it a one point Laneville lead, 9-8

First Quarter
2:44 - Logan Foster again making things happen. Gets a layup and then steal the inbound and gets fouled while shooting. Makes both to tie game and Slocum in the bonus

First Quarter
3:37 - Laneville has forced Slocum into seven turnovers already and leads 8-4.

First Quarter
4:43 - Laneville scores on two quick baskets but Logan Foster gets fouled again and makes one from line to cut lead to 6-3.

First Quarter
5:27 - Logan Foster goes hard to the rim and Michael Anderson picks up his second foul and goes to bench. Foster makes both FT and game tied 2-2.

First Quarter
6:04 - Laneville already has gotten the the line twice, making only two FT for a 2-0 lead. Slocum only has shot attempt as Laneville defense being aggresive

1st Quarter
Right from the start, Laneville wins the tip but then has to call a 30-second timeout when Slocum traps the ball handler in the corner. Always good when you force a team to use a timeout 11 seconds into the game.

Pregame
It is a rematch of last year's regional finals between Slocum and Laneville. Game time in about 30 minutes. The two teams are very familiar with each other, spending the last two years in district and then facing each other in the regional finals last year. In that game, Slocum stayed close and then rallied at the end to win by one point after two Randall Thomason free throws with seven seconds left. This year, the teams split their district games with each team winning on the others home court. Yesterday, Slocum topped Hampton Prep and Laneville defeated Kopperl in the semifinals. Questions coming into the regional finals: Will Laneville's press be able to get turnovers against Slocum or will Slocum be able to break the press which could lead to easy point? How much confidence does Slocum have after what they did last year against Laneville? Can Slocum's tough defense slow down Laneville's Michael Anderson, who had five three pointers against Kopperl? The answers to those questions will determine who heads to Austin.

Cayuga vs. Avery - Class A-Region III, Division I semifinals

2010-03-05T13:46:00.000-08:00

End of Game
Cayuga finishes off Avery for an 83-46 win in the regional semifinals. Cayuga scored over 20 points in three of the four quarters. C.J. Wagner had a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Check out the Herald-Press web site for complete story.

Fourth Quarter
5:19 - Freshman Preston Anderson having an impressive regional tournament debut. The lanky shooter just hit his third three pointer and has 13 points. Cayuga leads 70-42.

Fourth Quarter
6:44 - Malcome Kennedy just had his second big dunk of the game and now slices through the defense for a layup while getting fouled. He misses the foul shot but Cayuga leads 67-38.

End of Third Quarter
Cayuga leads 63-36 going into the fourth quarter. Does not look like the Wildcats will make the century mark even though they were one pace at halftime. But don't think Coach Jenkins or the rest of the Wildcats really care about that as they prepare for a matchup against Martin's Mill.

Third Quarter
1:33 - Cayuga in complete control of this one, leading 63-34. C.J. Wagner having a big night with 17 points and 10 rebounds. He has seven offensive rebounds ans Cayuga is crashing the boards.

Third Quarter
6:50 - Traylon Shead gets a layup and Shak Jenkins hits a pair of free throws and Cayuga has a 30-point lead, 56-26.

Halftime
Cayuga scored six points in the final minute plus to get the lead back to 20-plus points, 52-26. C.J. Wagner leads Cayuga with 12 points, Preston Anderson had 10 points and Traylon Shead has six points. Avery is just over matched against Cayuga, who has speed and size over the Bulldogs.

Second Quarter
2:07 - Preston Anderson hits his second three pointer and Cayuga leads 43-24. Avery's Brock Giles has hit five three pointers to try and keep the Bulldogs in the game.

Second Quarter
5:47 - Preston Anderson hits a three pointer and Cayuga takes a 31-10 lead.

End First Quarter
Cayuga has come out strong, storming to a 25-9 first-quarter lead. Traylon Shead finished off the quarter with a steal and a layup. Cayuga right now is just too quick for Avery and the Wildcats have been able to dictate the pace of this game. Avery likes to slow the game down, but may not be able to if this continues.

First Quarter
3"45 - CJ Wagner and Dalevin Campbell hit three pointers and Cayuga leads 19-7. Cayuga calls a full timeout as Jenkins looks like he wants to set up offense. Preston Anderson, Chris Turner and Caleb Summerville all check in.

First Quarter
5:42 - Malcome Kennedy just picks up second foul as Cayuga leads 11-2. Dalevin Campbell gets ready to check in for Kennedy.

First Quarter
6:20 - Kennedy gets another steal for a C.J. Wagner basket and Duncan gets a putback and Cayuga leads 11-0 in first two minutes

First Quarter
7:09 - Cayuga scored seven points in the first minute for a 7-0 lead. Traylon Shead has a putback, Billy Duncan hits a three and then Malcome Kennedy gets a steal on the in bound for a layup. Quick Avery timeout.

Pregame
20 minutes before the start of the Class A-Region III, Division I semifinal game against Cayuga and Avery. Cayuga enters the game as the No. 1 team in the state and has a record of 18-2. Avery enters the game with a record of 25-7. The winner plays Martin's Mill in the regional finals at noon Saturday.

Slocum vs. Hampton Prep - Class A-Region III, Division II semifinals

2010-03-05T07:29:00.000-08:00

End of Game
Slocum wins the regional semifinals 71-33. See the Herald-Press web site for a game story, which will be updated later today with quotes.

Fourth Quarter
4:10 - With Slocum having a 62-33 lead, the Mustang bench starts coming into the game as Logan Foster and Randall Thomason sit for most likely the rest of the game. Thomason had 20 points and Foster had 22 points.

Fourth Quarter
With 6:06 to play and Slocum leading 60-29, Hampton Prep's Winston Haynes goes to the floor in pain with what looks to be an ankle injury. He is helped of the court and hopefully he will be all right.

End Third Quarter
Slocum outscores Hampton Prep 20-9 in the third quarter and leads 54-22 heading into the fourth quarter. Unless a spectacular rally happens by Hampton Prep, the Mustangs will advance to the regional finals for the second straight year. Slocum will await the winner of Laneville and Kopperl, who play in the second game.

Third Quarter
3:10 - Kendall Redd hits a long two-pointer and then gets a charging call on the other end of the floor. Slocum leads 50-20.

Third Quarter
5:10 - Randall Thomason converts a three-point play and Slocum leads 42-17. Thomason has a team-high 17 points.

Halftime
Slocum goes into the break with a 34-13 lead. It has been all Slocum in the first half against a young and inexperienced Hampton Prep squad. The Mustangs have played a tight zone defense which has not allowed Hampton Prep to get inside. Logan Foster is leading the way for Slocum with 14 points and Randall Thomason has 12 points.

Second Quarter
1:37 - Slocum has held Hampton Prep to only two points so far in the second quarter to increase it lead to 32-6.

Second Quarter
4:01 - Fletcher Larkin hits a jumper from baseline for 28-6 lead. Three players have scored for Slocum - Logan Foster, Randall Thomason and Larkin.

Second Quarter
5:00 — Hampton Prep has gone to a full-court press which just resulted in its first turnover, but Slocum got the ball back when Fletcher Larkin takes a charge.

Second Quarter
5:33 - Logan Foster completed another three point play and Slocum leads 26-4. Foster has 14 points for the game.

End First Quarter
Slocum gets off to a strong start, leading 23-4 after the first quarter. The Mustangs are hitting on all cylinders to start this game, especially Logan Foster, who has 11 points, including two three pointers. Randall Thomason scored eight points in the first.

First Quarter
2:15 - Slocum finishes off a 17-0 run with a three pointer by Foster, who had 11 points already. Hampton Prep got its first points of the game with 2:30 to play.

First Quarter
3:49 - Slocum now has a 12-0 start as Randall Thomason has scored four straight points. Hampton Prep is 0-for-4 from the field and has four turnovers.

First Quarter
5:44 - Logan Foster completed a three-point play for a 8-0 lead and Hampton Prep has to take their second timeout in less than 10 seconds when Gbuembi Boyo gets trapped and is forced to call the full timeout. The Mustangs' defense may be just too much for Hampton Prep this morning.

First Quarter
5:53 - Slocum's Logan Foster scores the Mustangs' first seven points of the game as Slocum has a quick 7-0 lead and Hampton Prep calls a timeout. Slocum defense already has forced a turnover on each Hampton Prep possession.

Pregame
30 minutes until the start of the Slocum Mustangs against Hampton Prep in the Class A-Region III, Division II semifinal game at William R. Johnson Coliseum on the Stephen F. Austin State University campus in Nacogdoches. Slocum comes into today's game ranked No. 1 in the state with a record of 31-5. Hampton Prep comes into this game with a record of 16-9 and won its district title.

Neches vs Kennard, Class A-Region III, Division II finals

2010-02-27T15:10:00.000-08:00

End of Game
Neches going back to Austin with a 47-38 regional final win over Kennard. Kelcie Kinder led Neches with 14 points and Raven McFarland had 13 points.

Fourth Quarter
16 seconds, Kennard misses a three pointer, R. Patton gets rebound Kristen Green gets fouled and makes one of two for 47-38 lead. Looks like another trip to Austin for Neches.

Fourth Quarter
34 seconds and Neches going to the line as Roddricka Patton in a one and one situation makes one for 46-38 lead

Fourth Quarter
57 seconds and Kennard coach yelling for his team to foul as Kennard just does and needs still needs one more to force a bonus situation.

Fourth Quarter
Kennard comes out of the timeout in a full-court press, trying to make something happen. Neches breaks press and Kinder gets layup for 45-38 lead with 1:21 left.

Fourth Quarter
1:50 - Kennard has cut the lead back to five points, 43-38 and takes a timeout, their last of the game. Kennard only has three team fouls, so they are going to have to give some fouls to get Neches into the bonus. The last couple of possessions, Neches tries to run the clock until R. Patton finds an opening and then tries to create an opportunity for one of her teammates and the basket.

Fourth Quarter
Neches gets ball back on Roddricka Patton steal and working clock until a turnover gives ball back to Kennard with 2:45 to play and a seven point lead.

Fourth Quarter
3:46 - Kennard hits a three pointer to cut lead to 39-34. Necehs starting to stall, running three man weave up top and then trying to take ball to rim. McFarland fouled and goes to the line where she makes two for 41-34 lead

Fourth Quarter
4:35 - Roddricka Patton picked up her fourth foul on a charge call. She stays in the game as Neches leads 39-31.

Fourth Quarter
5:47 - Roddricka Patton finds a wide open McFarland under the rim for a basket and a 39-30 lead to prompt a Kennard timeout. After Kennard got the lead down to 34-30, McFarland has scored five straight points for Neches to increase the lead to nine.

Fourth Quarter
6:45 - Raven McFarland three pointer gives Neches a 37-30 lead.

Fourth Quarter
Kennard senior Clara Davis went down to the floor with what looks like a knee injury. The SFA trainers and Kennard coaches are examining her but she looks in pain as the trainers try to bend her knee. They get her up and carry her off the court. Hopefully she will be all right.

Fourth Quarter
7:45 - Neches opens up quarter by Dianna Patton getting steal at midcourt, dribbling to the basket and dishing to Roddricka Patton for the layup to give Neches a 34-28 lead.

End Third Quarter
Kennard has cut the lead to 32-28 heading into the fourth quarter. Just like last year's regional final game for Neches, this one is going to come down to the wire. Roddricka Patton will come into the game at the start of the quarter. Neches pressure defense has not been the same since the first quarter.

Third Quarter
2:02 - Roddricka Patton picks up her third foul with Neches leading 32-25. Patton comes out of the game, probably for the remainder of the quarter.
Third Quarter
3:25 - Kennard cuts the lead to 30-25 with two baskets by Statia Pope, who drove to the basket both times

Third Quarter
5:37 - Neches works the ball inside to start the third quarter. First Kelcie Kinder gets a basket and then Raven McFarland a putback. Lady Tigers lead 30-21.

Halftime
Neches leads 26-19 at halftime. Without Roddricka Patton in the game for much of the second quarter, the Neches pressure defense did not have as much of an impact. Also, Neches not shooting well from the floor. At one point, they were settling for three pointers but head coach Andy Snider wants them to try to get the ball inside.

2nd Quarter
2:15 - Roddricka Patton comes into the game and hits a three pointer to increase lead to 22-17.

2nd Quarter
3:03 - Kennard cuts the lead to 19-17. Neches defense not the same without Roddricka Patton in it as she checks in.

2nd Quarter
5:12 - Kennard scores four straight points to cut the lead to 17-13 and Neches calls a quick timeout. Neches is settling for outside jump shots against Kennard's zone defense, hitting two three pointers so far.

End First Quarter
Neches leads 15-9 at the end of the first quarter. The Lady Tigers scored their final four points of the quarter by free throws by Kelcie Kinder. Neches' Roddricka Patton, who has led the pressure defense, picked up her second foul with nine seconds left in the first and starts the second quarter on the bench.

First Quarter
3:26 - Neches gets a steal by Dianna Patton, who turns it into a layup and Necehs leads 11-5.

First Quarter
5:00 - Neches Roddricka Patton and Kristen Green each hit a three pointer and Lady Tigers storm out to a 9-2 lead. Neches already has forced five turnovers in the first three minutes of the game. Even when a team has seen Neches' pressure two times this year, they still struggle with it.

Pregame
20 minutes before the start of Neches vs. Kennard for the right to represent Region III in the state finals. It is the second straight year Neches has played a district opponent in the regional final game. Last year, the Lady Tigers defeated Oakwood to advance to the state tournament. Neches comes in with a record of 34-2 and defeated Midway in the regional semifinals. Kennard has a record of 24-7 and defeated Slidell in the regional semifinals.

Cayuga vs. Martins Mill, Class A-Region III, Division I semifinal game

2010-02-26T12:46:00.000-08:00

End Game
Cayuga falls 67-58 as MM closes game from the free throw line.

Fourth Quarter
29 sec. - Knox fouls out with eight points as MM at the line and makes 1 to take 64-58 lead.

Fourth Quarter
40 sec - missed shot by Cayuga and MM has ball with a called timeout. Cayuga must foul and hope MM misses from the free throw line. MM will be shooting two FTs on every foul.

Fourth Quarter
1:04 - Cayuga turnover and MM hits 2 FTs to lead 63-58.

Fourth Quarter
1:36 - Mack steal and layup to cut lead to 61-58. Martin's Mill goes to FT line and misses.

Fourth Quarter
2:16 - Martin's Mill leads 61-56 and Cayuga just turned the ball over. The Ladycats need to make something happen on defense to get over the hurdle. They have been close to Martin's Mill the whole half but just have not been able to get any closer than three points.

Fourth Quarter
3:54 Cayuga's Brown with a basket to make it 58-54 Martin's Mil.

Fourth Quarter
4:32 - Martin's Mill leads 56-50 after another jumper from the baseline. The Lady Mustangs look like they are going to start running some clock by working the ball around the perimeter. There has been a timeout called and would expect Cayuga to adjust their defense to try and put more pressure on Martin's Mill and try to make something happen.

Fourth Quarter
5:48 - Knox hits a jumper and cuts the lead to 54-50.

End of the Third
Martin's Mill heads into the final quarter with 50-45 lead. Cayuga has scored 15 points in each quarter and in the third they cut the lead from 10 to five points. Defense going to be big in the fourth quarter as Martin's Mill is going to try to run clock and go inside to their post. This is the time for the Cayuga seniors to play their best they have this season. They started playing well in the third quarter and just need to continue it.

Third Quarter
1:00 - Lexus Mack's layup and Chelsea Brown's steal and score cuts the Martin's Mill 50-44. Cayuga is staying in the game but can't seem to get over that hurdle. Lexus Mack starting to get going as she is getting the inbound pass and taking it the length of the court. Four times she has done that, twice she made the basket and the other two times she got fouled before taking a shot.

Third Quarter
3:17 - Cayuga gets it down to three points before Weatherford converts on a three-point play for a 44-38 lead.

Third Quarter
4:11 - Cayuga's Lexus Mack goes the distance for a layup and the lead is cut to 40-36.

Third Quarter
5:00 - A steal by Shawnta Knox goes to a Chelsea Brown layup and Cayuga has cut the lead to 40-34.

End of 1st Half
Martin's Mill leads 40-30 at halftime. The Lady Mustangs have gotten 17 points from their freshman post Meagan Weatherford. For the Ladycats, it has been their freshmen that have kept them in the game. Shawnta Knox, Molly Griffey and Taylor Wagner have combined for 14 points.

Second Quarter
1:18 - Martin's Mill playing a box and one, guarding Lexus Mack closely, taking her out of the offense. The Lady Mustangs lead 37-28.

Second Quarter
3:45 - Martin's Mill takes a 33-22 lead, its first double-digit lead of the game. Lady Mustangs outplaying Cayuga in every facet of the game right now. Cayuga is looking like the lack of experience at this level may have an effect on them as Martin's Mill is a step quicker to everything.

Second Quarter
6:47 - Molly Griffey is helping keep Cayuga in the game as she hits her second three. Martin's Mill leads 27-18.

End First Quarter
Martin's Mill leads 23-15 at the end of the first quarter as Weatherford has 15 points. Cayuga may have to start sagging its defense to help on Weatherford down low, which could open up the Lady Mustang shooters. But with how the post player for Martin's Mill is playing, Cayuga has to try something.

First Quarter
3:28 - Martin's Mill is dictating the tempo and has a 15-8 lead. Cayuga has to fin an to the pressure and trying to find a way to stop Weatherford down low.

First Quarter
5:03 - Martin's Mill's pressure has an early effect on Cayuga, who already has turned the ball over four times. Lady Mustangs' lead 8-6 with all their points coming from freshman post Meagan Weatherford.

First Quarter
6:22 - Early on and both teams are running up and down floor. Tied 4-4 as Cayuga gets baskets by Lexus Mack and Chantel Walker.

Pregame
Just over 10 minutes before game time between Cayuga and Martin's Mill in the regional semifinal game at Stephen F. Austin State University. Cayuga comes into Friday's game with a 22-10 record. Martin's Mill comes into the semifinal game with a 30-4 mark.

Neches vs. Midway - Class A-Region III, Division II Semifinals

2010-02-26T07:26:00.000-08:00

Neches vs. Midway - Class A-Region III Division II semifinals.

End Game
Neches wins the regional semifinal game 72-19 over Midway. Roddricka Patton led Neches with 15 points and 11 steals and Raven McFarland had 13 points and nine rebounds. Check out the Herald-Press home page for a complete story.

Fourth Quarter
Midway scores its first points of the second half with three minutes left to play in the game. Neches leads 64-14.

End 3rd Quarter
Neches threw a shutout in the third quarter, not allowing a point to Midway. The Lady Tigers scored 19 answered in the third quarter and leads 58-14. Neches will play the winner of Slidell and Kennard, who play after this game, in the regional finals Saturday at 5:30 p.m. back in SFA.
Neches knows all about Kennard as both teams are in the same district. Neches beat Kennard (23-7) in both district games. Slidell (21-8) was the District 17-A champion - the same district as Midway.

3rd Quarter
3:26 - Four straight points by Kelcie Kinder, who say out most of the first half in foul trouble and Neches leads 52-14. Midway has not scored in this quarter as Neches is on a 13-0 run.

3rd Quarter - Roddricka Patton has started the third quarter with five straight points on a three pointer and then a steal and layup. Neches leads 46-14.

Halftime
Neches has dominated the first half of the regional semifinal game for a 39-14 lead over Midway. It has been all about the Lady Tiger pressure defense. Neches has 18 steals - Roddricka Patton has 11 of them - and forced 24 turnovers. Neches used a 16-2 run in the first quarter, including scoring 12 unanswered points and then had a 17-0 run in the second quarter to take complete control of the game.

2nd Quarter
1:34 - Neches finished off a 17-0 run and leads 37-14 and now are working ball around, trying to run some clock.

2nd Quarter
2:46 - Neches is in the midst of a 14-0 run for a 34-12 lead after another steal and basket by Roddricka Patton. Neches has 17 steals and has forced 23 turnovers.

2nd Quarter
401 - Neches increases its lead to 30-12 after a tip in by Kiandra Taylor. After Midway scored the first two points of the game, Neches has scored the last 10 points.

2nd Quarter
6:05 - Neches leads 26-12 as Midway uses its third timeout of the game as head coach Shane Coker tries to calm his team down. If the Lady Falcons do not get it turned around against Neches' pressure, this could be a long morning for Midway.

2nd Quarter
6:56 - Neches' Raven McFarland steal turns into basket by Cheyenne Haskins and Neches leads 24-12.

End 1st Quarter
Neches leads 20-10 after the first quarter. After a slow start with Midway leading 6-2, Neches has used their pressure defense to take control of this game. Neches went on a 16-2 run, scoring 12 unanswered points. The Lady Tigers already have 10 steals - six by Roddricka Patton - and have forced 13 Midway turnovers. Kristen Green leads Neches with eight points and Dianna Patton and Raven McFarland each have four points.

1st Quarter
1:20 - Dianna Patton gets a defensive rebound and goes length of floor for the layups and Neches has built an 18-8 lead. The Lady Tigers in the middle of 16-2 run.

1st Quarter
3:05 - Neches completes a 12-0 run as the Lady Tigers get three straight steals for easy baskets and have a 14-8 lead.

1st Quarter
3:53 - Another steal by Neches, this time by Dianna Patton who converts for a layup and Neches lead 10-6. Lady Tigers on a 6-0 run and Midway struggling against Neches' press. The Lady Falcons just called their second timeout of the game as they try to solve this Neches defense.

1st Quarter
4:43 - Two steals by Neches results in two baskets by Kristen Green to tie game at 6-6. Midway already has six turnovers.

1st Quarter
5:31 - Midway takes an early 6-2 lead as Neches Kelcie Kinder picks up two quick fouls. Neches using its press effectively but the Lady Tigers have started cold from the floor, hitting only one shot on a breakaway layup by Roddricka Patton.

PREGAME
Game starts in nearly 30 minutes. Neches comes into the game with a 33-2 record and ranked No. 1 in the TABC poll for the whole season. The Lady Tigers defeated Savoy 59-36 in the area round and defeated Saltillo, the No. 4 team in the state, 51-35 in the regional quarterfinals.
Midway comes into the semifinal game with a record of 21-11. The Lady Falcons defeated Dallas Peak Prep 60-5 in the bi-district round, Aquilla 45-42 in the area round and Coolidge 50-48 in the quarterfinals.
Keep it right here to get all the live updates of this semifinal game.

Slocum looks good in playoff debut

2010-02-26T07:14:00.000-08:00

The Slocum Mustangs looked really sharp in their playoff debut Thursday night against Roxton in Tyler.
The Mustangs defeated Roxton 63-46 and it could have been much worse than that. Slocum had as much as a 37-point lead in the third quarter before going to the bench in the fourth quarter where many of the Mustang junior varsity players got their first taste of playoff experience.
The Slocum starters dominated on both sides of the court for the first three quarters. Not sure which was more impressive, the way they ran the offense flawlessly or the way they played defense, holding Roxton to 22 points in the first three quarters.
I have not seen Slocum since early in the season and I liked how they can spread out the offense production. Last year much of the offense went through Jared Lane, and that is how it should be with how good of a scorer he was. But this year, it is impressive to watch how Slocum has transitioned from relying on Lane to having several players who have the ability to score.
On defense, it was impressive to see how the Mustangs handled Roxton's leading scorer Alex Stephenson, who was held scoreless for the first three quarters and only had eight points for the game. Slocum swarmed Stephenson most of the night with double teams and traps and their tam defense was so good that they never seemed to leave a man open even when putting two players going at Stephenson.
If they continue to play like they did Thursday night, the Mustangs are strong contenders to defend their state title.

Cayuga's 100-point pileup

2010-02-18T13:51:00.001-08:00

There has been a lot of talk and attention on Cayuga's 100-point game streak, which has reached 10 games. The Wildcats broke the state record, which was six games, and his four games from tying the national record, which is 14 games.
I talked to Cayuga's head coach Greg Jenkins Wednesday and part of our discussion was on this streak and record. And after talking to him, it was obvious that he really does not feel too comfortable with the streak.
"When it first started, we did not want anything to do with it," Jenkins told me. "When it got to game four or five, we were tying to keep it under wraps because we did not want it to get out."
It is understandable that Jenkins does not want to have the streak on the Wildcats' backs with the playoffs starting next week. The goal for Cayuga is to win a state tournament. The Wildcats have made it to the regional tournament three straight years, but came up short each of those times. For the seniors, they know it is their last chance and the focus has to be on getting back SFA finally. And the last thing Jenkins wants as any kind of distraction, which this streak is.
The Wildcats have seemed to handle the distraction well during the regular season but what is going to happen in the playoffs. As Jenkins put it, "I am worried what is going to happen when we don't score 100 points. How are our fans and players going to handle that?"
Maybe the best thing for Cayuga would be not to score 100 points in one of the next two warm up games against Clarksville or Bloomburg. Then once the playoffs starts, there will be no distractions, just one goal in mind — to win a state title.

Cayuga defense plays big against Ganado

2009-12-12T23:28:00.000-08:00

The Cayuga defense was a big part of the 41-19 win over Ganado Saturday night in the Class A, Division II semifinals.
The Wildcats stopped Ganado on all four fourth-down attempts, with two of those coming when the Indians were inside Cayuga's 30-yard line.
- The first stop came on the opening drive when Ganado moved the ball to the Cayuga 29-yard line for a third and one. The Wildcats stopped a run for no gain setting up fourth and one. Ganado tried to pass for the first time, using play action, but Cayuga was there on defense as Maclome Kennedy tipped away the pass into the hands of Deon Hale for the interception.
- In the second quarter, Ganado moved the ball just inside the 50-yard line with over a minute left, facing a fourth and six. On another pass play, Ganado quarterback Donovan Foster rolled to the right but his pass feel incomplete because of the coverage by Kennedy. It was a critical stop because it halted extra momentum Ganado could have had going into the lockerroom.
- The next fourth-down stop came after Ganado intercepted a Cayuga pass on the first possession of the second half, trailing 20-7. The interception gave the Indians the ball on Cayuga's 3-yard line and the Indians moved it to the 20-yard line for a fourth and five. Ganado tried a trick play with a toss going to Josh Labay, who stepped back looking to throw. But Cayuga had the play well covered in the secondary and all Labay could do was try to run for the first down, but he only picked up 2 yards. What looked like a golden opportunity for Ganado to get within a score turned into a big time stop and Cayuga scored on their next possession.
- The final fourth down stop came in the fourth quarter when the Indians were desperate, down 34-13 with six minutes to play. After the defense had two sacks to put Ganado in a fourth and 18 from its own 29-yard line, Foster rolled to his right and was able to avoid a pair of defenders who were looking for a sack. Foster had a chance to find a receiver for the first down, but the pass was knocked away from behind by Kennedy. Cayuga scored in four plays to put the game away.

Traylon Shead to play in U.S. Army All-American Bowl

2009-12-08T13:39:00.001-08:00

What a way to end your high school career — playing with the best of the best around the country.
That is what Cayuga's Traylon Shead gets to do as he accepted the invitation to play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl on Tuesday. The game will be in San Antonio on January 9.
When you look at the names of past players, it is quite an impressive list — Vince Young, Ted Ginn, Jr., Reggie Bush, Marcus Spears, Desean Jackson and of course Palestine's own Adrian Peterson.
This is another interesting link between Shead and Peterson. Over the last couple of years there have been lots of comparisons between the two — both Anderson County products, both coached by Tommy Allison and now both having played in one of the top high school games in the country.
Sportlink, who produces the game, put on a nice presentation Tuesday morning at Cayuga High School. In front of the high school student body, Shead was offered the final invitation to the game, which of course he accepted.

Cayuga playoff game

2009-12-05T16:42:00.000-08:00

Cayuga vs. Mart starting in 40 min. Cold as h
game time nears with temps in the high 30s

My week in Cayuga

2009-10-23T23:34:00.001-07:00

What does it take for a team to get ready for a game Friday night?
That is the question I went in search of this season when I spent a week watching Cayuga prepare for its game against Overton. The story has been published in Sunday’s edition of the Herald-Press and has been posted on our web site, along with numerous pictures.
We all know football teams practice during the week to get ready for a game. But there is much more than practice and that is what I wanted to show our readers.
I first had this story idea about six years ago, but the timing never worked out until this year when Cayuga head coach Tommy Allison opened the doors to the Cayuga Wildcat football program.
From the hours spent by the coaches over the weekend coming up with a game plan to practices during the week and even pregame speeches just minutes before the start of the game, I got an inside view that most don’t even realize goes on.
First I want to thank coach Allison for granting me the unlimited access to his team. I also want to thank the Wildcat coaches and players for welcoming me that week.
Through my years of covering high school football, I have seen bits and pieces of what a team goes through to get ready for a Friday night. But this was the first time I have seen it come together and even I was amazed by what I witnessed.
• The number of hours the coaches put in. During the football season, coaches work seven days a week. They work half the day on Saturday and Sunday and even more during the week. From Monday to Wednesday, they are at the school until at least 8 p.m. Thursday can be a very late night, especially if there is freshman and junior varsity games on the road.
• I have been to my share of practices but never saw how each practice builds off the one before. It starts Monday with the players working on their specific positions and then just builds from there, one level at a time.
• The amount of information players have to absorb each week. While most of the schemes, formations and plays that Cayuga runs were installed in the offseason and two-a-day practices, each week things get altered for that week’s opponents. In three days, the players have to understand all the changes that are made and execute them and then that will all change the following week.
• How different pregame is when I was not on the field. Maybe the strangest thing for me during that week was pregame and halftime. I am used to hearing the bands play, watching the crowd fill up the stands — the whole atmosphere of a Friday night game. But being in the lockeroom before the game and at halftime, it was like none of it existed. At halftime, it was like the game never stopped as I listened to the coaches talk about what adjustments to make and talk to the team about how the first half went. Funny thing is that football coaches have a hard time adjusting to this when they are spectators at games. The next week, the Cayuga coaches were at Carlisle, being spectators at a game, and at halftime, they looked lost, not sure what to do for those 30 minutes that football was not going on.

The week I spent covering Cayuga was a great experience. I learned so much more than I thought I would and I hope that knowledge has been passed on to the readers through the story and photos.

Westwood at Madisonville - Live Updates

2009-09-11T16:44:00.001-07:00

WESTWOOD WINS 36-21

4th Quarter
1:37 - Westwood defense stops Madisonville just short on fourth down on a long pass to get the ball back and ice this game.

4th Quarter
3:22 - 36-yard field goal attempt hits the cross bar and comes up short. Westwood leads 36-21 and took nearly five minutes off the clock.

---Area score update---
Palestine 34, Van 21
---Area score update---

4th Quarter
8:10 - Madisonville's Brock Taylor gets into the end zone on a 31 yard run and the PAT makes it Westwood 36-21.

4th Quarter
9:04 - Westwood fumbles on a QB to RB exchange, giving Madisonville ball on the Westwood 29-yard line

4th Quarter
10:27 - Westwood stops Madisonville on fourth down to take over at their own 25 yard line.

End 3rd Quarter
Westwood leads 36-14 but Madisonville is driving, getting to the WW 25-yard line and has second and nine.

3rd Quarter
2:10 - Cameron Shead breaks free for a 45-yard touchdown run as he breaks several tackles for touchdown. Then on bad snap on PAT, holder Bryce Lyman heaves a pass to Kendrick Reeves, who makes the catch for two points. WW leads 36-14.

3rd Quarter
2:58 - Madisonville quarterback Howard Harris has a 38-yard run but fumbles at the end and Westwood recovers.

3rd Quarter
3:32 - Madisonville just misses an interception attempt that would have been returned for TD. Forces a punt and Westwood boots a 43 yard punt.

3rd Quarter
4:42 - On fourth and 13, Madisonville throws a 30-yard TD pass over the hands of the defensive back in the end zone. PAT is good and Westwood leads 28-14.

3rd Quarter
7:14 - On what was suppose to be a punt, Westwood was stopped for a loss giving Madisonville on the ball on the Westwood 27

3rd Quarter
7:28 - Cameron Shead breaks a long TD run but it is called back on a 10-yard holding call. The hold looked to come after Shead already was through the line of scrimmage and gone.

3rd Quarter
9:14 - After a long kickoff return by Howard Harris for Madisonville, but the Westwood defense comes up with the stop, shutting down the Mustangs on fourth down.

Halftime
Westwood has opened up the passing game in the rain, throwing for 224 yards and three touchdown passes of over 60 yards. The Westwood defense allowed one long TD run of 61 yards but has held Madisonville to only 72 more yards.

End 2nd Quarter
Westwood scores on the final play of the game, a 67-yard TD pass from Tevin Watson to Cameron Shead. PAT good and WW leads 28-7 at halftime.

2nd Quarter
2:44 - TD WW. Tevin Watson a long pass to Domanick Turner down the sideline and a cutback and blocks gives way to a 69-yard TD. 21-7 WW.

2nd Quarter
5:40 - Tevin Watson throws his first interception of the game as Mustangs get ball on their own 46.

2nd Quarter
6:21 - Westwood continues to drive in Madisonville territory as rain falls

2nd Quarter
8:19 - Rain coming down hard as Madisonville is facing a third and 20 at their own 19-yard line.

----Area Score Update----
Palestine 15-6 over Van, end 1st
---Area Score Update----

2nd Quarter
10:18 - Another scramble and another score for Westwood. Tevin Watson avoids pressure and finds Nick Morrow, who gets the catch and weaves into the end zone for a 22-yard TD. Westwood leads 14-7.

---- Area Score Update ----
Buffalo leads Elkhart 7-0
---- Area Score Update ----

End First Quarter
Westwood recovers a fumble on a bad snap by Madisonville. Panthers have ball on Madisonville 34-yard line, 2nd and 11. Game tied 7-7 after first quarter.

1st Quarter
26 sec - Westwood gets on the board with a Rodney Watson 1 yard run. It was set up with a third down play as Tevin Watson escaped trouble and found Domanick Turner for a 33-yard gain to the 1. Tyler Dillon adds PAT. Tied 7-7.

1st Quarter
4:21 - Madisonville scores first as QB Howard Harris breaks for a 62-yard TD. PAT good. 7-0.

1st Quarter
5:25 - A quick three and out by Westwood fores a punt

1st Quarter
Madisonville gets a 22-yard run by QB Howard Harris on the option, but Panther defense forces a 16-yard punt.

1st Quarter
Westwood gets a 45-yard kickoff return by Domanick Turner but the Panthers drive stalls on the Madisonville 28-yard line as the Panther turn the ball over on downs.

7:10 - 20 minutes to kickoff. Rain continues to fall here. Not too hard but a constant rain that looks to be lasting all night.

6:55 p.m. - Get live updates right here for the Westwood at Madisonville game tonight. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

Week 1 Matchups

2009-09-03T21:01:00.001-07:00

Each week, I will try and give my thoughts on the weekly area games. This is not meant as criticism, just my thoughts after talking to coaches and getting a feel of each team's opponents. Good luck to all our Dogwood Circle teams.

Navasota at Palestine
This is the start of four straight games where we really get to see what Palestine is made of. Starting with Navasota, Palestine plays four very tough teams with Van and Class 4As Jacksonville and Kilgore to follow.
Navasota is the most athletic team Palestine has faced so far including scrimmages against Lindale and Henderson and last week's opener against Rusk. The Wildcat defense is going to get tested and how they handle it could be indicative of what will be seen down the line.

Bullard at Westwood

How is Westwood going to respond a week after missing a win by 1 yard when the Panthers' two-point conversion was stopped short of the goal line with 20 seconds left?
Westwood can show its is over last week by coming out quickly both on offense and defense. We saw the Panthers' come out quickly against Chapel Hill (two touchdowns on the first three plays), but the same could not be said for the defense, which allowed an opening drive touchdown. The best thing for the Westwood defense is to make a couple of early stops against a Bullard team who has not played a game yet and has some questions on offense after players moved around from last year's team.

Elkhart at Huntington
Speaking of rebounding from a loss, Elkhart looks to do the same thing, but will have to do it on the road.
After opening up at Malakoff last week, the Elks travel to Huntington Friday night and that is not a fun place to play. While it has been a couple of years since I have covered a game in Huntington, if nothing has changed, visiting fans won't have much room to sit as it will be tight on the visitors side.
If Elkhart can find a way past a Huntington team that has lost 18 straight, then the will be in good shape heading home for two straight games.

Grand Saline at Cayuga
Despite what you may have heard, the sky is not falling in Cayuga after the Wildcats' loss to Frankston.
Bottom line, Cayuga lost a game. It was only one game and not the end of the world.
The bigger problem for the Wildcats is on the injury front, where several starters are hurt, but the Wildcats still have some time before the start of district.
As for Friday night, expect to see a different Wildcat squad than a team that turned the ball over four times against Frankston.
As the season continued and the new offensive line keeps working together, Cayuga is going to get better and better, which could be very scary.

Brownsboro at Frankston

The biggest injustice from Frankston defeating Cayuga last week was that the Indians did not receive a single point in the AP poll. Frankston defeated the Class A No. 1 team in the state and got no recognition for it from the AP voters in the state. That is all I am going to say about the voters because I could go on and on about the problems with that poll.
But Frankston is not concerned about the poll, just about its next opponent, Class 3A Brownsboro. Are the Indians going to be able to bring the same kind of intensity as they had last week?
Frankston's defense will be tested against a passing attack from Brownsboro. The Bears return both quarterback and running back and like to use a lot of different screen packages, which could foil the attacking style Indian defense.

Grapeland at Grace Community

While Grace Community may be a TAPPS school, don't let that fool you. Grace Community has played our area schools very well over the last few years including a close game against Grapeland last season. Add to the fact that this year, the game is in Tyler at Grace Community's new stadium and the Cougars will have a lot to play for.
And that should be a good thing for Grapeland. The better competition the Sandies see in non-district play will go a long way in helping Grapeland when it comes to district and the likes of Alto, Cayuga and Overton.

Phoenix Greenville at Oakwood

Maybe one of the toughest things for a coach coming into a week is not knowing anything about the team they are playing. That is the case for Oakwood, who does not have any film on Phoenix Greenville, a team who got a new head coach last week.
Therefore, Oakwood is going to just need to go out Friday night, do what they do best and make adjustments during the game if need be. Sounds like what every team does even if they know everything about their opponent.

Making a gutsy call

2009-08-31T20:07:00.000-07:00

The Westwood coaching staff made a gusty call Friday night against Chapel Hill in the season opener. And it was not the call to go for the two points and a win with about 20 seconds left on the clock.
The two-point conversion call was not a complete surprise. I have seen that call many times at the high school level as the teams want to go for the win instead of trying their luck in overtime. With the way Westwood was moving the ball on offense, it was not a bad call, it just did not work out in the Panthers' favor.
However, the gusty call that did work out in Westwood's favor was the play before the two-point conversion attempt. It was the screen pass that was called on a fourth down and 15 and the Panthers had to get to the 3-yard line for the first down or into the end zone to get within one point.
That was a do or die call because on the screen pass, the ball only travels a few yards and the rest of the play is up to the ball carrier and the blockers trying to get past the line of defensive players protecting the end zone.
The play call ran through my mind while Westwood took its timeout but I waved it out of my head just as quickly as it came in, thinking it was too risky to try. But Westwood did it and Cameron Shead got the screen pass in the middle of the field, turned around and had three defenders that had him in their sights and were ready to attack. But Shead made a quick cut on the damp turf, got the the outside and scampered into the end zone.
If it was not for the risky play call, Westwood never would have had the chance to make the decision to go for two points or not.

Dogwood Circle Football Magazine

2009-08-20T11:12:00.000-07:00

The Dogwood Circle Football Magazine will be hitting the stands on Sunday. The magazine was scheduled to come out on Wednesday, but we got the magazine earlier than expected from the printer so we decided to get it out to the public earlier. Hope you enjoy it.

Six-Man Football

2009-08-04T13:09:00.000-07:00

Headed out to Oakwood today on my tour of two-a-day practices in the area and got my first taste of what six-man football is all about. And it has a lot different feel than what I am used to seeing on the football field.
But before I get to that, let me say how nice and courteous the young men at Oakwood were to me. I have the opportunity to sit down and talk to the five seniors on the Panther team and afterwards they thanked me for coming out. Class acts all the way.
As for the six-man football part, I am not sure how to explain it. A mix of the good old days when playing football on the street combined with 7-on-7 football and the a whole lot of hard hitting.
With only six men on both sides of the ball, it makes for an interesting strategy. Watching Oakwood practice, when the offense was on the field, all six players took up an area of a 5 yard by 5 yard box. Oakwood also did some other things in practice, but don't want to give any secrets away since the coaches were kind enough to let me stand around and watch for more than an hour.
I know Oakwood lost two of its top players from last year, but after Tuesday I don't think that will matter much this season. I can tell that the returning players have a great understanding of six-man football and this year the Panthers should make a push for one of the playoff spots.

First Day of Practice

2009-08-03T07:29:00.000-07:00

Got out to the first practices this morning for Westwood and Palestine. This is one of the best days of the year, even if I do have to get up hours before I normally do. It is a new start for every team, no matter what they did last year.
At Westwood, I got there as the team started doing their first individual conditioning workouts. The players had to go from station to station, including rope and ladder drills, agility workout and even running around and over a line of logs. The coaches were working the players hard and it could be seen which guys had been working out this summer and which ones have not. Got to love two-a-days.
Over at Palestine, got there in time to see some team offensive drills. The Wildcats were going through their base offensive formations and plays and looked sharp doing so, even though cannot tell everything until those pads come on and they start hitting on Friday.
Will continue the updates on two-a-day practices as I travel across the Dogwood Circle area this week.

Pitchers needed, inquire with Texas Rangers

2009-07-16T10:20:00.001-07:00

The Texas Rangers once again enter the second half of the season looking like they are in contention for the AL West crown. And while the Rangers of the past of welted away with the August heat, this year's squad looks like they can be right in the thick of things with the Angels and possibly the Mariners until the end. That is if the Rangers will make a move to their pitching staff.
The downfall of the Rangers could be because of their starting rotation. While the Mariners have the best staff in the West and the Angels staff continues to get healthier, the Rangers starting rotation has been a roller coaster ride.
Kevin Millwood and Scott Feldman have been the two bright spots in the rotation, however neither can be considered a No. 1 ace, which both Los Angeles and Seattle have. Millwood started off the season great and is 12th in the league in ERA but has struggled as of late, losing three of his last four decisions. The worry on Millwood is the innings he already has put on his arm. He has thrown an AL high 130 innings and Millwood has only pitched over 200 innings once in the last five years. Can his arm stand up as the innings continue to mount and the Rangers make a push.
Feldman has had an impressive season, especially after not being two impressive his first four years with the Rangers. Feldman came into this year with seven career wins and a 4.97 ERA. In his second year as a starter, he has already surpassed his career win total (8-2 this season) and has a 3.83 ERA. But Feldman has never pitched 150 innings in a season (he is at 96.1 at the break) and has never pitched in the pennant stretch.
The Rangers also have Vicente Padilla, who has a decent 4.53 ERA but can he get through the rest of the season without another injury. Tommy Hunter has been a nice fill in but he has only started four games, is 1-1 with a 2.35 ERA, not enough of a sample to know what the Rangers are going to get the rest of the year. Then the combinations of Matt Harrison, Derek Holland and Dustin Nippert have done nothing to really help the winning cause in Texas.
The Rangers need to be players in the trade market for a pitcher if there are any hopes of making the playoffs for the first time in this decade.
The trade market for a pitcher is not very big with so many teams in contention, but there may be some names out there and of course the big one is Roy Halladay, and this is where the Rangers should make a play. First off , Halladay is not just a rental player as he has another year left on his contract. And the Rangers have the farm system to be able to possibly give the Blue Jays enough for the ace. The Rangers may not get the chance to get Halladay, but if they do they cannot balk at it. A few years back, Texas had a chance to get Josh Beckett from the Marlins, but did not want to give up Hank Blalock. How many would make that trade now? The Rangers are going to have to take some risk because they cannot be content to stay where they are and hope their pitching staff will magically get better down the stretch, especially through the hot and humid months of July and August.

The All-Star blunder

2009-07-14T08:16:00.000-07:00

Another installment of the MLB All-Star game tonight and once again, another All-Star blunder by those who run the show at MLB. Like the recent past, this year, the All-Star game "means something", or at least that is what we are trying to be brainwashed with. As we all know, the league that wins the All-Star game gets home field advantage in the World Series - and that is the All-Star blunder for the ages.
No All-Star game should have any impact on the rest of the season. This is suppose to be an exhibition game of the best of the best in the league but there should not be a price tag on the result. But after the "debacle" in Milwaukee in 2002 when the All-Star game finished in a 7-7 tie in 11 innings. The result of the game came from poor managing, where pitches were only used for one inning each and by the 11th, both teams were out of pitchers. But instead of just saying, this was a one time thing and making changes to make sure that a game would not be tied again, like adding more pitching, the brass of MLB decide to do the worst thing possible - make the game mean something.
The game is suppose to mean having fun, seeing Albert Pujols face Roy Halliday and other great matchups. But the problem in both those names and the other top names are going to be out of the game by the fourth inning, meaning they have no bearing on the final results, when it actually means something.
When Pittsburgh's Zach Duke is pitching to Baltimore's Adam Jones late in the game, are either player going to be thinking about, I need to do something so we can host the World Series this year? There are playing late in the game that should not have any bearing on where the World Series is going to be played now having that bearing.
Major League Baseball used to decide who hosted the World Series by switching off each year with NL one year and AL the next. That makes no sense, but it is still better than what we have now.
Take a page from basketball or hockey, the team with the best record hosts the World Series. That is how baseball does it with the divisional and league series, so why not the World Series.
While fans are allowed to vote on who plays in the All-Star game and players do not even go more than two or three innings during the game, than the All-Star game should have no deciding factor on anything to do with the rest of the season.

No snub for Kinsler

2009-07-09T09:38:00.000-07:00

Since the All-Star rosters were announced Sunday, there has been a small outcry for the snubbing of Texas Ranger second baseman Ian Kinsler.
While Kinsler still has a shot to be an All-Star depending on how the fans vote for the final spot, he did not deserve to be named to the team. Despite having a stellar start to the season, Kinsler has cooled down considerably and is now the third best second baseman in the American League behind Boston's Dustin Pedroia (who was voted to the All-Star starting lineup) and Aaron Hill (who was picked over Kinsler).
Kinsler got out of the 2009 gates faster than any other player and that is what the outcry is about. During the first month of the season, he was on fire, hitting .322 with seven home runs. During that span, he had a 6-for-6 game against Baltimore and had nine multiple hit games in the month.
But since that time, Kinsler has come back to reality and coming into the series against Seattle, is hitting a season-low .252. After the first month of the season, Kinsler has only eight multiple hit games after having nine in the first month alone.
Pedroia was the opposite of Kinsler, getting off to a slow start, but has been much more consistent than the Ranger second baseman. Pedroia only had five multiple hit games in April, but since then, he has tallied 22 multiple hit games.
Even with Pedroia edging out Kinsler in the fan voting, Toronto's Hill may be the best second baseman in the first half of the season. Hill has a higher batting average and OPS (on base plus slugging percentage) than the other two second baseman and has matched Kinsler in the home run department and trails the Ranger by one RBI.
Maybe it was Hill who got snubbed as he should be the starter for the AL with Pedroia on the bench. But in the end, Kinsler is where he should be, still battling to make the All-Star team.

RIP Saturday and Monday editions

2009-05-30T05:34:00.000-07:00

As many already know today was the last publication for the Saturday Herald-Press. Along with deciding to do away with Saturday's editions, the Monday edition also will be gone making the H-P a five-day a week newspaper. It is a sad day, but it is what the higher ups in our company feel needs to be done to help keep our newspaper surviving in these times. Sometimes it is hard to accept change, but we are going to need to because these are the decisions that have been made.
During the last few weeks as word has spread about the change, the main questions I get asked is what is going to happen come football season. With no more Saturday paper, it means no more football stories to read the day after the big games. But while there is no paper, those stories will still be there, just in another form. We will continue to cover the Dogwood Circle football scene as diligently as we have done in the past, but instead of the newspaper, those Friday night stories of your favorite area team, along with area box scores and football scores from around the state will be found on our web site either later on Friday nights or the wee hours of Saturday morning.
Sunday's edition of the Herald-Press will then recap those area games and have follow up stories from some of the top games in the area, giving our readers a more in depth perspective of the games in the area. In addition, we will continue to run area standings and stats and everything else that our readers have become accustomed to seeing during football season.

Are the Rangers for real - we need to wait to see.

2009-05-26T12:24:00.000-07:00

It is a day after Memorial Day and the Rangers are sitting in first place in the American League West, but it is to early to start thinking that Texas can really have the staying power and make a run in the playoffs.
Texas continues to have one of the better offenses in the league and the Rangers have hit more home runs than anyone else in baseball. Ian Kinsler is turning into a super star at second base, even though he has been in a slump that dropped his average from mid 300 to ,278. Michael Young continues to just keep on hitting no matter what position he is playing, Nelson Cruz is turning into a big-time power threat and Hank Blalock is striving in the DH spot. And all this without a healthy Josh Hamilton, who has been in and out of the line up during the early part of the season.
The downfall of the Rangers – the pitching - even looks better this year. The Rangers have been bottom dwellers in the ERA category, but Texas is in the middle of the pack so far in the AL in ERA (4.57).
Kevin Millwood has became the Ranger ace with a 3.12 ERA and the Rangers are getting strong outings from others on the staff including Matt Harrison and Brandon McCarthy.
While it has been looking good for the Rangers, who took the lead in the AL West by sweeping the Mariners and Angels, there are some troubling signs. The Rangers have struggled against the better teams in the league. They have lost all six games to first-place Detroit, including being swept last week. They lost 2-of-3 to Toronto earlier this year and got creamed by the Yankees 11-1 on Memorial Day. Not the kind of games you want to have if you believe you are a postseason contender.
And the Rangers have several games against top teams coming up. Starting tonight against the Yankees, the Rangers play 15 of their next 19 games against teams that have a combined winning percentage of .600 (Five against New York, three vs. Boston, four vs. Toronto and three vs. Los Angeles Dodgers). The Rangers also have a four-game series this weekend in Oakland.
We will know a little more about just how good the Rangers are come mid June when they get through this stretch.

Michael Vick - Do we really care?

2009-05-21T11:40:00.000-07:00

Just turn on Sports Center or look on sports web sites and one of the top stories is former Atlanta Falcon quarterback and convicted felon Michael Vick being released from federal prison and going back to his home, where he is under house arrest for the last part of his sentence for dog fighting.
Why do we care? Why do we want that to be the first story we see? Does it matter that he got out of prison? Do we really want to know what he is going to do his first day at home? (That actually was one of the questions the ESPN reporter on site at Vick's home reported on). Who cares? I know I don't care but am I the only one?
It is said that news reporters only report on what the public wants to hear. If people did not want to hear about the MLB player who is cheating on his wife, then they would not report about it. If people were not interested about the NBA player who is caught with a concealed weapon then nothing would be on Sports Center about it. But most people don't want to hear about that stuff, they want to know about actually sporting events, what is going on the field, not off of it. But all we get is non-stop coverage of off the field problems.
Do we really need to know or even care what time Michael Vick got out of prison and if he was going to fly home or drive? But at the top of each hour, that was what was being reported. Instead I want to see highlights of the Nuggets-Lakers game one Western Conference Final and here insight from the game. But what, lets first go to Virginia and find out what Michael Vick is going to eat this morning at his house.
Michael Vick committed a crime and he is getting more air time and print now then when he was with the Falcons. News outlets need to start covering what is one the field and not off the field because we don't want to hear about it.
The next time I want to hear Michael Vick's name is when he is actually playing on an NFL football team and not what is job is going to be for the next two months and what size of ankle bracelet he has to wear.

Could Favre make the Vikings better?

2009-05-06T08:16:00.000-07:00

While nothing is official, there are rumors that the Minnesota Vikings want to talk to quarterback Brett Favre. Nothing has been done and nothing may happen, but it is an interesting thought, could Favre make the Vikings better?
Minnesota has the best running back in football. In two seasons, Adrian Peterson has cemented himself at the top of the league and every defense in the NFL are doing everything possible to stop the Palestine High School graduate. With defenses geared to stop Peterson at all means, that opens up the passing game which is where a Favre could be dangerous.
If Favre could come into Minnesota and not try to be a hero on every play, be a second fiddle to Peterson, then the Viking offense would be very dangerous. With defenses putting seven to eight players in the box to stop Peterson, putting one-on-one coverage on the wide receivers, Favre has the arm and the experience to do some damage, something last year's starter Tavaris Jackson seemed to struggle with a lot.
And if Minnesota can get a passing game going, that would loosen up the defense and give Peterson more running room. We have seen the kind of runs Peterson can have with eight in the box, just image what it would be like with less players crowding the line of scrimmage.
The problem with Favre could be ego. He would have to come into Minnesota and not try to make the big plays all the time but looking at Favre's past, can he really do that? Can he sit back and had the ball of 20 to 25 times and make the throws when need be, or would he try to be that gun slinger who wants to throw it 40 yards down field in double coverage?

Thoughts on Hockey

2009-05-02T22:34:00.001-07:00

I am not much of a hockey fan. Grew up in California when hockey was just starting to grow with the likes of Wayne Gretzky playing for the L.A. Kings. But while I may have watched a few games and even have been to a few hockey games (including one game in which we had seats that we could not see one of the goals, probably why I never got into the sport).
But despite that, hockey players have the most athletic talent than any players in any other of the major sports. Just think about it, hockey players have the toughness of football players, the agility of basketball players and the hand-eye coordination of baseball players. Take all that and then remember, hockey players do all that on a sheet of ice.
While I may not care too much about hockey, I have to respect how good these players are.

The right decision

2009-05-01T13:14:00.000-07:00

The University Interscholastic League finally made the right decision Thursday when it found a way to have the regional track meets after saying those events would be cancelled Wednesday when the UIL first made its announcement of the postponement of events due to the swine flu outbreak.
The UIL seemed to act a little to hastily on Friday with the announcement that the regional track meets would be cancelled and the state track meet would have semifinal heats with the four top times from each region. The UIL needed to step back, say the events would be postponed and make a decision in the next couple of days on how the regional and state meets would be handled.
But because the UIL made the initial statement that regional meets would be cancelled, it caused panic and chaos throughout the high school track circuit and started lots of complaints. With the UIL going back and making the change because of these complaints, it makes the UIL look a little weak and during these times, that is the last thing we need is to have a system in place running the show that does not seem to know what is going on.
While it was the right decision to cancel upcoming events, the UIL made the mistake of trying to have all the answers at once and not stepping back and figuring out what the right solution is.

Breaking news out of the UIL

2009-04-29T09:18:00.001-07:00

According to the Associated Press, the University Interscholastic League has decided to postpone all competition - athletic and academic - until May 11 because of the swine flu outbreak.

Here is the story that just ran on the AP:AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas officials are postponing all high school athletic competition until May 11 because of the swine flu outbreak.
The move suspends the baseball season and eliminates the regional track championships, said University Interscholastic League Executive Director Charles Breithaupt. He said UIL officials acted on the recommendation of public health officials.
The state golf and tennis championships are scheduled to begin May 11.
The state track meet, one of the largest high school track and field competitions in the country, remains scheduled for May 13-14. But it will require shuffling the schedule significantly.
All UIL academic competitions are postponed as well.

This affects a lot of Dogwood Circle sports, including bi-district playoff softball games on Friday night and regional track meets this weekend. No information is known on how this will be dealt with but I will update as soon as I find out.

Dogwood Circle Basketball Teams

2009-04-17T06:20:00.001-07:00

The Dogwood Circle basketball teams will be announced in the next two Sunday's editions of the Palestine Herald-Press. The girls' team will be named Sunday and the boys' team will be named next Sunday.
This was one of the hardest years we have had selecting this team because of the talent that was throughout the Dogwood Circle.
There have been years that I have sat down and in minutes can pick the team. But it should not be a surprise this year because of the type of season we saw in the area that there would be some many that deserve to make the team. I struggled this year, going back and forth, trying to find ways to get as many deserving players as much recognition as possible. But when it comes down to it, like any other post season team, there are only so many spots that you can have. So at some point, tough decision needed to be made and I feel like our Dogwood Circle team represents the best of the best in our area.

A Life Without Sports (Or at least a weekend)

2009-03-31T09:11:00.000-07:00

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.

Tourney Time

2009-03-20T07:11:00.000-07:00

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

Slocum vs Nazareth, Class A, Division II state finals

2009-03-14T16:47:00.000-07:00

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.

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

2009-03-13T16:47:00.001-07:00

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.

Mini Tournament Time

2009-03-12T12:25:00.000-07:00

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.

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

2009-03-07T09:53:00.000-08:00

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

2009-03-07T07:45:00.000-08:00

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.

Slocum vs. Avalon, Regional Semifinals

2009-03-06T14:34:00.000-08:00

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

2009-03-06T09:33:00.000-08:00

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.

T.O. Goodbye

2009-03-05T05:25:00.000-08:00

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.

Oakwood vs. Neches - Region III Finals

2009-02-28T09:48:00.000-08:00

End of Game
Neches is heading to the state tournament. In a tough defensive contest, the Lady Tigers defeat Oakwood 32-25.

Fourth Quarter
:16 - Neches looks to have this one wrapped up, scoring four straight points and leads 32-23. Oakwood at the free-throw line but it may be a little too late

Fourth Quarter
1:01 - Oakwood's Tori Tucker scores to cut it to 28-23 and Lady Panthers start to foul, Neches misses first of one and one.

Fourth Quarter
2:03 - Raven McFarland big three pointer and Neches leads 28-21 and now is in stall mode. Oakwood has to think about fouling.

Fourth Quarter
3:01 - Oakwood is in the double bonus and Taylor Tucker hits one of two. Neches leads 25-21. Oakwood will have to make free throws down the stretch to come back in this game.

Fourth Quarter
3:31 - Oakwood calls timeout. The Lady Panthers just went 1-for-4 from the free throw line and trail 25-20. Oakwood is 4-of-11 on free throws and Neches is 3-of-9. Does Neches start running clock or do the Lady Tigers continue to keep the high tempo which is how they have played all year?

Fourth Quarter
4:02 - Neches' Raven McFarland hits two free thows to lead 25-19. Both teams in the bonus, this game could come down to who hits free throws.

Fourth Quarter
4:58 - Oakwood cut into the lead, Neches up 23-19

Fourth Quarter
6:33 - Neches has built a 23-15 lead as Raven McFarland had a putback after a missed free throw. With how this game has been played, this eight-point lead seems more like a 20-point lead. But plenty of time for Oakwood.

Fourth Quarter
7:35 - Oakwood's Tiara Tucker fouls out tring to go for a loose ball. Neches still leads 18-15.

End Third Quarter
A little more offense in the third quarter. Neches leads 18-15 with eight minutes to play to decide who heads to the state tournament. Both teams have primarily gone with their starters for most of this game, so fatigue may be a factor in the fourth quarter. With how this game has been played, every basket from here on out will be so valuable.

Third Quarter
3:43 - Neches' Roddricka Patton hits a three ponter and Neches leads 16-12. Lady Tigers finding the range from the outside.

Third Quarter
4:31 - Timeout Neches. Lady Tigers lead 13-12 as Raven McFarland hit a three pointer. She looked have made another three but was called for traveling before the shot went off. Oakwood broke the press and Taylor Tucker scored her 12th point of the game, prompting the Neches' timeout.

Halftime
Defense has been the name of the game for this regional finals. Oakwood and Neches are tied 10-10 at halftime. Oakwood's Taylor Tucker has all 10 of her team's points. Deana Patton has six of Neches' 10 points and Raven McFarland has the other four points. These two teams combined for 128 points in their wins Friday in the seminfinals. So is it good defense, cold shooting or both? Both teams are shooting 5-of-26 from the floor as most of the shots are being contested. The game is a high tempo but neither teams has been able to get into the open court.

Second Quarter
1:03 - Oakwood timeout. Neches has scored four straight points - the Lady Tigers first of the quarter - to take a 10-8 lead. Deana Patton scored the four points, including a basket after a Roddricka Patton steal.

Second Quarter
2:03 - Oakwood has taken an 8-6 lead as Taylor Tucker has scored all eight points for the Lady Panthers. Neches still has not scored in the quarter as the Lady Tigers are shooting 3-for-25

Second Quarter
4:08 - Oakwood timeout. Neither team has scored in the second quarter. Both teams are playing great defense, not allowing any open looks. For two teams that like to run the ball at all teams, only two points havebeen scored off the fast break.

End First Quarter
Neches leads 6-4 after the first quarter. A little lower scoring than some may have expected but both defenses have shown their speed to get back and not allow the fast breaks. Also, both teams cannot find the bottom of the bucket when they do shoot the ball. Neches is 3-of-15 shooting and Oakwood is 2-of-14.

First Quarter
3:01 - Neches leads 4-2 as both teams are struggling from the field. However, neither teams seems to be bothered by the other team's press.

Pregame
Oakwood and Neches are five minutes from the start of the Class A, Division II Region III finals in Nacogdoches. The winner of today's game will represent Region III at the state tournament next week in Austin. Oakwood comes int witha record of 33-2 and Neches has a record of 33-3. The two teams played twice during District 24-A with each team winning on their home court.

Oakwood versus Walnut Springs, Regional Semifinals

2009-02-27T14:49:00.000-08:00

End Game
Oakwood defeats Walnut Springs 61- to reach the regional finals at noon Saturday against Neches. Taylor Tucker led Oakwood with 15 points and 11 rebounds and sat on the bench for the fourth quarter as Oakwood head coach Lori Shead rested her starters during the fourth quarter in preperation for Saturday's game.
While the two semifinal games were lopsided victories by Neches and Oakwood, that should not be the case Saturday. Expect a battle between the District 24-A teams for the chance to reach the state tournament.

Fourth Quarter
2:23 - Oakwood's Ava Walker goes down hard to the court after being fouled underneath the basket. It is the second time she has been hit to the floor. She stays on the floor for a couple of minutes before getting up on her own power and being taken to the bench where she looks like she is all right. Oakwood is leading 57-19 as the Lady Panthers have their bench players taking care of the fourth quarter.

End Third Quarter
Oakwood is in complete control of the regional semifinal game, leading Walnut Springs 47-14 at the end of the third quarter. Walnut Springs scored only two points in the quarter. Oakwood only had one starter on the court at the end of the third quarter. With a showdown Saturday against Neches, many of the Lady Panter starters may be done for the night so they will be well rested for the regional finals.

Third Quarter
2:37 - Oakwood continues to play strong defense, allowing only two points in the third quarter as the Lady Panthers lead 44-14. Taylor Tucker has a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds.

Halftime
Oakwood leads Walnut Springs 35-12 at halftime. The Lady Panthers held Walnut Springs to four points in the second quarter. The game could be even worse but Oakwood only is shooing 34 percent from the field. However, Oakwood has taken more than twice as many shots as Walnut Springs. Taylor Tucker leads Oakwood with 13 points and eight rebounds and Tori Tucker has 10 points.

Second Quarter
5:26 - The quarter started slowly for the Lady Panthers but Oakwood scored six points in a span of 30 seconds including a pair of steals by Tori Tucker for four points. Oakwood leads 26-8.

End First Quarter
Oakwood leads 19-8 at the end of the first quarter. Taylor Tucker has scored eight points and grabbed five rebounds for the Lady Panthrs and Tiara Tucker and Tori Tucker each have scored four points.

First Quarter
4:06 - 30 second timeout by Oakwood. Lady Panthers lead 12-2 after Felicia Williams' defensive rebound which she took all the way down the court for a layup.

First Quarter
6:00 - The Oakwood Lady Panthers get out to a quick 8-0 lead in the first two minuts of the game. Oakwood's Tori Tucker and Taylor Tucker each have four points and Oakwood has four quick steals.

Neches verus Aquilla - Regional Semifinal Game

2009-02-27T12:40:00.000-08:00

End Game
Neches wins 57-33 and will play at noon Saturday in regional finals vs. Oakwood or Walnut Creek. Neches dominated in the semifinal game because of the Lady Tigers' defense. Neches had eight players score, led by Dianna Patton's 10 points and 11 rebounds. She also had five steals. Roddricka Patton had a solid game with points, nine assists and nine steals.

Fourth Quarter
3:07 - Neches' Dianna Patton has put together a quality game as she has recorded a doubel-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds and she only is two assists away from a triple double. Neches leads 55-30.

End Third Quarter
Neches is on cruise control in the regional seminfal game. The Lady Tigers lead 49-15 at the end of the third quarter. Neches held Aquilla to four points in the fourth quarter.

Halftime
Neches leads 37-11 at halftime. Neches has showcased its speed and pressure defense with 17 steals and forcing 20 turnovers. Neches has seven girls in the scorebook, led by Raven McFarland's eight points. Kristen Green, Deana Patton and Neshiyer Linchon each have six points.

Second Quarter
3:23 - Aquilla finally stops the Neches' scoring run at 19-0, but then the Lady Tigers' Kristen Green hits back-to-back three pointers and Neches leads 29-6.

End of First Quarter
Neches leads 19-2 after going on a 15-0 run in the final 5:35 of the quarter. Raven McFarland has eight first-quarter points, Dianna Patton has five points and Roddricka Patton has four points. Neches has nine steals and 15 points off of turnovers. Aquilla is forcing up shots once the Lady Cougars get into half-court sets due to Neches' menacing defense.

First Quarter
1:49 - Neches on a 13-0 run to lead 17-2. Neches' press too much for Aquilla. Lady Tigers have eight steals and 15 of 17 points off of turnovers.

First Quarter
5:04 - Neches has an early 7-2 lead and Aquilla calls a 30-second timeout. Raven McFarland has scored four points for Neches and Dianna Patton had a three-point play. Aquilla is struggling with Neches' speed as the Lady Cougars have four turnovers.

How scary is Cayuga?

2009-02-26T12:33:00.000-08:00

Just how scary are the Cayuga Wildcats entering the Class A state playoffs? Very scary.
"They just keep sending more and more off the bench at you," one area coach said last week about the Wildcats.
Cayuga is one of the hottest teams as the playoffs started this week. Cayuga has a 14-game winning streak including warm-up victories over Bogata-Rivercerst and Laneville, going into Friday night's area playoff game against Broaddus in Rusk.
The last two years, Cayuga's downfall once the Wildcats reached the regional tournament was half-court offense and free-throw shooting. But on Wednesday, Cayuga head coach Greg Jenkins said his team is shooting the ball well, including from the free-throw line. That is good news for the Wildcats and scary news for their opponents.
Cayuga will be even stronger in the playoffs with the return of Caleb Summerville. The junior has missed most of the season after a football injury and has gotten a couple of games under his belt the last couple of weeks.
Summerville was Cayuga's leading scorer last year and this year, he will add more depth to what is already deep Cayuga rotation.
"Caleb is going to bring a scoring punch and add depth for us," Jenkins said. "He gives us another good inside presence."
Summerville is still trying to get back into form after having to watch from the sidelines and going through rehab. According to Jenkins, Summerville still is a few months away from being able to do certain things on the basketball court like last year, including taking an opponent off the dribble.
"The mental aspect of the game is the hardest for Caleb because he physically cannot do everything he did before," Jenkins said.
But Summerville is making the adjustment to fill a role needed by Cayuga.
"Caleb has watched this team from the bench and understands what we need," Jenkins said. "He can fit in a role."

Showdown on the Horizon

2009-02-25T08:45:00.001-08:00

With regional quarterfinal wins by Neches over Slocum on Monday and Oakwood over Roxton on Tuesday, the showdown between Neches and Oakwood moves one step closer.
The two Dogwood Circle teams have reached the Class A, Division II regional tournament at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches this weekend. With wins on Friday by both teams in the regional semifinals, it will set up a District 24-A showdown to reach the state tournament.
It seems like it is destined that Neches and Oakwood would meet to decide who goes to the state tournament. The two teams finished tied for the District 24-A title, with each team losing to the other once for their only district losses.
It also would be fitting that one of the teams makes it to the state tournament as District 24-A was the strongest district in Region III. At the end of the regular season, third place in the district had to be settled by a tie-breaker between Slocum and Kennard. Slocum won the game and Kennard, who went to the state tournament the last two years, had to stay home.
"We had a team that was sitting home that would have won a title in other district," Neches head coach Andy Snider said after the win over Slocum Monday night. "That says a lot about our district."
District 24-A was only one of two district in Division II that had all three teams make the regional quarterfinals — District 5-A was the other.
But while it may seem fitting that Neches and Oakwood end up in the regional finals, there is still work to be done by both teams on Friday. Neches plays Aquilla at 3 p.m. and Oakwood take on Walnut Creek at 5 p.m.
I will be doing live updates on the blog for both games and hopefully again for Saturday.

Welcome to my blog

2009-02-23T07:26:00.001-08:00

I used to think that I was technology savvy. Those days have passed me by and now it is time to try and play catch up by having my first blog. My wife keeps telling me I need to start a blog where I could get my sports thoughts out to others like me. Actually, I really think she was getting tired of me telling her all my random and sometimes bizarre sports thoughts and this is a way to save her sanity.
In this blog, I will be talking area high school sports along with college and professional sports. As well, I hope to be able to do live updates from area games that I am covering.
I welcome comments and feedback and leave your own sports thoughts as well.