Meyer and Gang slay Goliath! 2012 Scholars 4. Bowl season.

Hey sportsfans,

If you have not had the pleasure of watching Meyer star for the LJCC hoops team, well, then you are missing out. Meyer, Jack, Clark and pals are tearing up the 13s this fall.  TSG recently watched the guys bring down the Advent Goliaths. Meyer chipped in a few buckets and played stellar defense in the win. Nice job, Meyer! Look how much bigger those boys are compare to Mey and his mates.

This past weekend the Lady Knights played in the Scholars 4 Tournament in Montgomery at Montgomery Academy. In the first game, Altamont took on The Randolph School, a 4A school from Huntsville currently ranked in the top 5. The Lady Raiders featured 3-4 college prospects, including a six-footer who Em was assigned to guard for parts of the game. While there are not many good things to report from this loss, Em did learn a lot of what you cannot do against a more experienced and taller player.  The entire team played a little bit starstruck against the Lady Raiders. 

In the consolation game on Saturday, the Lady Knights took on 6A Sidney Lanier Lady Poets. A once proud basketball program in Montgomery, the Lady Poets are currently in the middle of what is hoped to be a rebuilding period. With many family members rooting her on, Em scored ten points in the team's 51-19 win in capturing their 7th win. Em worked on several plays during the game as she is still learning how to outmaneuver taller and heavier players who typically are also much more experienced.

The team will take off the next two weeks for the winter holiday. The team is playing with more confidence and organization. Now the tough stretch begins with several area games on the calendar. Area games begin again the week of January 7th. With a respectable record of 7-3, the Lady Knights look to keep pressure on their conference foes.

Having a great week: Calvin "Megatron" Johnson of the Lions and Adrian "All Day" Peterson of the Vikings are on the verge of setting NFL single season records for pass receiving yards and rushing yards, respectively. Fun to watch these superstars play. 90-year-old former boxer Jake LaMotta, who was the inspiration for the movie "Raging Bull", is marrying for the seventh time. NBC's Off The Bench reports actors Robert DeNiro (age 69) & Sylvester Stallone (age 66) are training to fight each other in a new boxing movie. Ouch. Colts quarterback Andrew Luck surpassed Cam Newton's year-old record for yards passing by a rookie when he had 123 in the first half of Sunday's 20-13 win over the Chiefs. Luck needed only 74 yards to break the Carolina quarterback's mark of 4,051 yards, and he eclipsed it while leading the Colts to a field goal that gave Indianapolis a 13-3 halftime lead. Luck threw for one touchdown and a total of 205 yards, giving him 4,183 on the season.

Having a not so great week: ESPN announces it has suspended Rob Parker for 30 days for his comments on "First Take" last week which he questioned how black Washington Redskins QB Robert Griffin III was. British newspaper the Sunday Times is suing Lance Armstrong over a 2004 libel suit the cyclist won against the paper that accused him of using performance enhancing drugs. The Times is seeking about $1.62 million in lawsuit repayment plus legal fees. Former Detroit Lions offensive lineman Lomas Brown admitted that in a 1994 game against the Green Bay Packers, he purposely missed a block so Lions QB Scott Mitchell would get hurt and knocked out of the game.Thousands of dollars in collectible silver coins reportedly have been stolen from the Florida home of Baseball Hall of Fame catcher Carlton Fisk. Sadly this is the season. NY Jets QB Greg McElroy was dumped 11 times in his first start for the going nowhere Jets against the Chargers. 

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, everyone!
How are your bowl picks looking so far? Mine are respectable.
Looking forward to the bowl game next weekend.
The Sports Guy

Everyone loves a parade. Lady Knights are on a roll.

Hey sportsfans,

Tuesday night the Lady Knights moved to 5-2 (3-0) on the season with a trouncing of  Victory Christian. In the 40+ points win, this game allowed some of the less experienced players gain some valuable court time. Em played very good defense and had some excellent passes that led to easy buckets.

Also during Tuesday night, Sid and her dance buds road in the Homewood Holiday parade and then performed a few numbers at City Hall during the festivities. It was a bit chilly, but the girls toughed it out with some fresh cornbread and hot chocolate.

Friday night Em and the Lady Knights traveled down to Vincent to take on area opponent Vincent High School. With three returning senior starters, the home team Yellow Jackets were thought to be a tough test for the young Lady Knights. Coach Matt had scouted this team and had the girls well prepared.

Em was assigned to guard their top forward. Sticking to her like glue, not only did Em keep her opponent well below her scoring average, but she coaxed her into an offensive foul that was her fifth mid way through the fourth quarter. (Think mid-80s Raiders DB Lester Hayes and all the stickum he had all over his legs and arms. That was Em all over #32 last night.) Em was so close to her she knew she was chewing Wrigley's Spearmint.

During the 64-47 victory, we fans in the stands had to endure 44 fouls called by what must have been replacement refs on loan from the SCADPHL  (South Central Alabama Developmental Peewee Hoops League). Is there such? This trio of stripes were a joke. Not only did they each wear glasses, but I think some Andy Stuckey peanut butter was coating their lenses. Clearly they were calling a game different from the one being played on the court. Sorry, but it's true.

Despite getting four fouls, Em played most of the game. She scored eights points, had five rebounds, two assists and one block! Big night for #3. The win leaves the Lady Knights at 6-2 (4-0) on a five game winning streak and a sizable lead in the area. They have now played all other area schools except for Fultondale, which beat Vincent in overtime earlier this week. After finals this week, the Lady Knights are playing in the Scholars 4 Hoops Tourney in Montgomery next weekend. Montgomery Academy,  Randloph and Sidney Lanier High Schools are on the schedule.

Having a great week: In the last two years, Vanderbilt is the only school with its baseball, men's basketball and women's basketball teams in NCAA Tournament and its football team in bowl game.
My vote for the Good Guy of the Week Award goes to Andre Johnson of the Houston Texans. This past week the standout receiver spent nearly $20k at Toys R Us for a group of very lucky children in need. These children have nothing to speak of and now thanks to Johnson, they will each have a very happy holidays. Good fellow. Great gesture. Following Sunday's 36-22 win over the St. Louis Rams, Minnesota Vikings RB Adrian Peterson is now 294 yards away from breaking Eric Dickerson's NFL single-season rushing record. Cleveland Browns RB Trent Richardson scored his 10th rushing TD of the season on Sunday, breaking Jim Brown's rookie franchise record that was set in 1957.

Not having a great week: The seven non-Football Bowl Subdivision schools in the Big East have agreed to leave the conference and are debating the process of departing it, according to a source with knowledge of the situation. ESPN NFL analyst Ron Jaworski says he is not a fan of Alabama coach Nick Saban "because I don't like liars, and I think he lied. I think he lied to the Miami Dolphins, and to the fans of Miami, and he left."  Kobe Bryant said after Thursday's loss to the Knicks: "I wish we had the Washington Generals on our schedule." And the Harlem Globetrotters reply: "We can make that happen .... Kobe - give us a call." The Orlando Sentinel reports the Florida Gators have so far sold only 6,500 tickets of its 17,500 allotment for the Sugar Bowl.

On lockdown for Finals week.
Have you written your thank you notes?
How much holiday sweets have you shoved down your piehole?
Have a great week everyone!
The Sports Guy

Lady Knights are growing up. #3 is forced to sit. We Believe! with Sid.

Hey sportsfans! 

Tuesday night the Lady Knights took on area foe the Holy Family Tornadoes at their place in Ensley. A 15-14 halftime deficit turned into a 48-30 runaway victory. The disciplined Lady Knights played a stellar second half as they trapped on defense and forced countless turnovers that led to easy buckets. The home team committed way too many fouls and put our guys at the charity stripe over and over. The Lady Knights also displayed their superior conditioning while running circles around their opponent.

Em played well on both ends of the court. She grabbed rebounds in the paint on several times. She is becoming more comfortable with her role on the team and the communication between the girls is evident. This should continue to improve each game. The Knights are are now 4-2 (2-0 in the region) on the season. Two area games are scheduled this week. 

On Thursday Em made an appearance for the 7th-8th grade in an away game against Sumiton Christian. In a little more than two quarters, #3 (wearing #12) threw in ten points and snagged six boards. Coach Keith sat Em for the rest of the game as the team pulled away for a 25 point win, 34-9. 

During Sunday night, Sid, Annie, Laine and friends danced and danced and danced in the winter holiday recital. Waltz of the Flowers, Hot Chocolate, Santa's Gonna Rock & Hip Hop, Parade of the Wooden Soldiers and Holiday Harlem Hip Hop were some of the numbers they performed. Fun evening. Nice job, STK! Very impressive. Thanks to several friends and family who came out to support Sid.  Repeat show this evening. 

Having a great week: Did you see who won the Heisman? That's right - Johnny Manziel from Texas A&M. He deserved it. Now, can he repeat? Only been done once - almost forty years ago by Archie Griffin at Ohio State. Notre Dame LB Manti Te'o confirmed that Manziel wouldn't give him any info on Alabama: "His loyalty to the SEC is a little bit too strong."  A La Mesa, California fisherman set a new record by catching a 445-pound yellowfin tuna, the largest tuna ever caught by rod & reel. The Kansas City Royals acquired former All-Star James Shields and fellow right-hander Wade Davis from Tampa Bay in a six-player deal that sent top prospects Wil Myers and Jake Odorizzi along with two other minor leaguers to the Rays. The swap immediately bolsters the Royals' starting rotation and should make them a contender in the relatively weak American League Central.

Not having a great week: Navy defeated Army 17-13 on Saturday to give the Midshipmen their 11th straight win over the Black Knights. Penn State announced that on Dec. 20 it will pay the first $12 million of the $60 million fine handed down by the NCAA over the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse scandal. The Arizona Cardinals are terrible. The Seattle Seahawks forced eight turnovers in a 58-0 shellacking of the Cardinals on Sunday. The shutout was the fourth largest in the NFL since 1940. 

Finals week is almost upon us.
Hanukkah lasts how many nights?
New hoops shoes only cost $24.97. Beat that! 
Why do Sophie and Minnie always chew up their beds? They have chew toys they like.
Have a great week everyone!  
The Sports Guy

A memorable day with Johnny Football.

Dear Sid and Em,

Next Saturday night is the Heisman Trophy presentation. Years from now when you are telling my grandchildren about your childhood, you can tell them you saw this year's winner play in person.

On Nov. 10th at BDS you witnessed one of the greatest visiting player's performances in more than 120 years of Alabama football when Johnny Football shocked the world. When you tell the story, make sure you include the Texas A&M's magic man's Heisman moment when he scrambled, fumbled, composed himself and then calmly threw a touchdown pass into the back of the end zone. He directed three scores in the first twelve minutes of the game. It was 20-0 before Meyer went for a coke.

You've never heard a quieter stunned crowd of 100k. In that game, Manziel accounted for 345 of A&M's 418 yards of offense, including two passing touchdowns and tons of "Holy .... Did he just do that?" moments muttered by the Bama faithful. His outstanding performance was magnified because Alabama was the number one ranked team in the country and its defense was the top statistical squad. That game clearly put him on the map that day. 

Not only did Manziel break all kinds of records as a freshman this year, but he also led A&M to ten wins in their inaugural season as a member of the powerful Southeastern Conference. He could be the first freshman ever to win college football's most prestigious award. I do not think the voting will be close.

Look for him to wear Scooby Doo socks at the Heisman Award ceremony. No joke. He might become a regular finalist in the upcoming years.

Good story,
Dad

PS: Ask UR if Johnny Football is better than Doug Flutie. Google him. He was the Manziel blueprint back in the day.

Altamont Powder Puff game - A Homecoming Tradition since 2012. Dores are heading to Music City Bowl. An SEC title games for the ages.

Hey sportsfans!

"Sid was awesome!"                  "Wow, she is fast!"
                   "She might get a scholarship!"          "What a cannon!"  

These were just a few of the compliments Siddy G received from her opponents in the 49-14 thrashing of the seniors. The underclasswomen showed them who was boss as they applied a serious beatdown on the class of 2013 in the Altamont Homecoming Powder Puff game. In future years when they speak of this game they will say it was played. That is all.

The Lady Knights were very busy this week with three games. Tuesday night they could not knock down their free throws in the 37-26 rematch loss to American Christian Academy. Em played well on defense, grabbing several boards and a few steals. Still getting her feet under her on offense, she looks to get more involved in scoring. Thanks to G'ma, ATM, Mey and Rocky for coming to the game.

Victory Christian proved to be an easy foe Thursday night as the Lady Knight improved their record to 2-2. In the 46-6 win, the Lady Knights ran out to a 27-0 first half score. Coach Matt played everyone, including the younger siblings of three cousins who were wearing UGGs and Georgia Bulldogs jerseys.  They were from Louisville. (Okay, maybe I made up that last part up. Just a bit.)

Em played great defense and is getting more aggressive and assertive each game. She snagged four boards and had three steals. One superb play I want to share with you. With the other team on fast break and about the attempt a layup, Em cam from nowhere to hawk down the dribbler and punched the ball out of  her dribble and directly to Taylor who was waiting near the basket. Em had sprinted from the entire backcourt to track down the ball handler. It was a great play particularly since the team was up by a large margin late in the game. It showed that Em was still hustling. Coach Matt noticed this play and praised Boo for her hustle.

The Lady Knights turned up the heat Friday night in their Homecoming game against Indian Springs. Largely believed to be the only high school in the US without a school nickname (yup, really), Springs could not handle the trapping defense and aggressive play by Morgan, Taylor, Em and crew. In the 38-18 win, Em scored the opening points on a fast break layup and later chipped in another bucket late in the fourth. The team played their best game in a blazing hot gym. Em played her best game too. She contributed with four deflections and some timely rebounds. The win improved the team's record to 3-2 on the season. Thanks to James and all the family for coming out to root on #3. The boys also won their game 54-44 to complete the home sweep against their biggest rival.

The  Vanderbilt Commodores look to cap off an excellent 2012 season with a trip to the Music City Bowl in Nashville on New Year's Eve. At 8-4, the Dores are seeking their first nine win season since 1915. I wonder how much hot chocolate we will consume at the game ??? We drank $49 worth at the 2008 Music City Bowl win over Boston College.

Did you watch the the BCS national championship game (aka SEC title game) this past Saturday night? What a thrilling game. Might be the best SEC game in its twenty year history. Did you see the lick Murray took on the pick? Above is the last image of him just before the leveling. That blur from the right is #90 Dial   who is about to rock the Georgia QB's world.

How excited are Bama fans? Georgia fans are sick. Now that they can breathe again.The rest of the non-SEC nation is too as the SEC seeks it's 7th consecutive national title. Not since the 1974 Orange Bowl has a matchup against Notre Dame meant so much. Two of the most storied college football programs will meet for all the marbles on Jan 7th in Miami. With Bama a 10.5 early line favorite, the Tide is seeking its 3rd title under Saban in four years.

We are looking forward to Sid's two dance recitals are next weekend.
Happy Hanukkah, almost.
Cannot beat Internet shopping.
Have a great week everyone!
The Sports Guy