U.G.L.Y. Magic City to host the 2021 World Games. Countdown to 16.

Hey sportsfans! 

Last Tuesday night's game against Cornerstone School showed just how important a point guard is to a team. Aarthi did not play in this game since she sprained an ankle from weekend practice. This game was U.G.L.Y. This loss might be the worst one we have seen in a number of years for the Lady Knights. Cornerstone enter the game 2-10 on the season and was beaten by Altamont by 25 points early in the season. This game left the fans shaking their heads in disbelief. The Lady Knights could not put the ball in the basket. At all. Losing for most of the game, the Lady Knights actually made a brief rally to go ahead 22-21 early in the third. However, tonight was not a night for winning. They lost by nine to a terrible team that played their best game of the season. Emily had seven points in the first half. Thankfully this was not an area game. The team is now 13-4 (5-0) with several games remaining.

Two important hoops games this week for the Lady Knights. If they win tonight at Sumiton Christian they clinch the area title for the 11th year in a row and will host the area title. What a huge accomplishment! They also play at former area opponent Vincent tomorrow night. Always a tough team to beat, especially at their place.  If the Lady Knights expect to deep in the playoffs this year, they will have to win these games this week. 

Mr. Cub, RIP. Here he is on stage at the Pearl Jam concert from Wrigley Field in July 2013. If you look closely to the far right of the photo you will see Kubow and me.

Birmingham wins! City chosen as site for 2021 World Games. Not  sure really what what this means other than a potential huge economic impact for the City. Maybe we will rent out the house and take a big trip??? Coach K became the 1st Division I men's coach to reach 1,000 wins with a comeback win at St. John's. Spring lax season is fast approaching. First game is in two weeks. Gulp! Is my baby really turning 16? Somebody in the house is having a milestone birthday next Monday. I wonder how many parties she will have this week. We are up to at least four so far.  She is also taking name suggestions  for the new to her method of transportation. As much as I wanted her to have a Vespa or a Leaf, cooler heads prevailed to land a slightly loved Rav4. Enjoy Super Bowl ads? Here are some Previews. SNL did a funny parody of Deflatgate  SNL.

Have a great week everyone! 

The Sports Guy

Moving up in the rankings. Photos via smartphones. Em says "The Beast has got to go."

Hey sportsfans!

Huge come from behind win last Tuesday night for the Lady Knights against Sumiton Christian. Facing their toughest area opponent, the girls started out very slowly in this key area matchup. Sumiton Christian came in to the game with as stellar record of 15-3 and featured a senior shooting guard who is averaging almost 16 ppg. During the first half, this sharpshooter almost outscored the Lady Knights by herself, 12 to 16. Whenever she got an open look the biscuit was going in the basket, including a banked three from the well beyond the arc.

Down by eight at half, the Lady Knights turned up the defense in a 17-5 scorching third period. They finally got a handle on guarding their top scorer and limited her to five in the second half. Running away with the 50-40 win, the girls improved their record to a sparkling 12-3 (4-0). EB, Aarthi and Cat contributed most of the scoring in which a season high 34 points were scored during the second half. Em was all over the court in this game. She played four different positions and helped slow down their shooter in the second half. Great win for the girls. The rematch at their place in a few weeks should be a good one.

Friday night in Blount County the Lady Knights took on Southeastern High School in another key area tilt. With KP at home with the flu, Coach Dahlgren guided the team in her first head coaching assignment. Southeastern featured two very large post players whose entire game consists of hanging around the paint and putting back rebounds for quick buckets. This proved to be a tough task for our post players. The three of them committed 12 fouls between them.

The Lady Knights lead this entire game, but it was a struggle. Substandard refereeing only made things tougher. Aarthi was called for three quick fouls in the first and had to sit most of the half.  EB and Cat picked up the slack with buckets. Emily contributed at all five positions during the game and had her highest score night of the season with 8 (or 9?) points. She might have hit the floor at least that many times as she was bouncing off the Southeastern big forwards.

The 53–39 win clenches at least a share of the area title for the 11th (?) year in a row. What a streak. With a Sumiton Christian upcoming loss, the Lady Knights will be area champs and host the tourney. The now 9th ranked Lady Knights record improves to 13–3 (5–0). This week they play Cornerstone at home.

Did the Colts forget they were in the conference championship? Did the Patriots deflate the footballs? Did Green Bay forget they needed to finish the game? Good grief. The Pats beatdown. The Pack letdown. I'm pulling for the Seahawks, but the Pats should win. Look at all the injuries on the Seattle's defense. Here's a few Super Bowl prop bets that Las Vegas is entertaining. I'm sure other bets will be even more ridiculous as the Game gets closer.

What color hoodie will Bill Belichick wear?
Will Marshawn Lynch be fined for any incident during Super Bowl Media Day?
What will Katy Perry wear for her first song of her halftime performance?
How long will Idina Menzel's anthem be?
What color Gatorade dumped on winning coach?

Sid is taking a unique photography class during this mini-term. Photos taken with phones. Here are two of her recent submissions:

Em's spring lacrosse season is fast approaching. First regular season game is in a few weeks. She is firming up her summer lacrosse season with a travel team. Will be big girl lacrosse. More about that later. MLB spring training opens in 30 days (February 19th). Opening night to start the season is April 5th. Coach K secured his 999th win against Pitt last evening. Goes for #1000 against St. John's, followed by #8 Notre Dame and #2 Virginia. Tough three game stretch.

Anyone want to buy a used Sequoia? Em sure hopes so. Here is the link to it:  Time to sell The Beast.

Have a great week everyone!
The Sports Guy

Papa Max bringing the heat. ATL showcase. Lady Knights in control. Rocky's in the woods in a book.

Hey sportsfans!

Welcome to 2015. I hope you all had a fun and relaxing last few weeks. We sure did. Much needed relaxation and rest, including spending quality time with friends and family. One highlight to this break was getting to play our annual game of catch with Papa Max who will be 98 years young next month. Still such an athlete!

This past week the 10th ranked Lady Knights got back at it with two regular season games against Fultondale (3A) and Tarrant. Last Tuesday night they easily took care of Fultondale on the road, 41-23. The team shot much better and displayed lots of energy all game. Em was all over the court with some steals and excellent decision-making.

Last Friday night. Cold weather. Hot gym. The Lady Knights hosted Tarrant in a key area game. No double overtime this time. No sloppy turnovers or porous defense this time. No failure to communicate when running plays or defensive positioning this time. The Lady Knights were in control from the opening tip as they cruised to 37 - 24 victory. With the win, the team moved to 11-3 (3-0) on the season. The Lady Knights look to take control of the area with two key games this upcoming week. 

Saturday morning Emily and TSG scooted over to the ATL before the roosters awoken. Em was invited to participate in a recruiting showcase for 2017 players. This was an NFL-style combine of top laxers from sixteen states were timed, tested and played in scrimmages. Great exposure to college coaches. Em should be very proud of herself. She rated pretty highly against some excellent competition.

ESPN and the sports world lost a great one last week. What a warrior. Stuart Scott battled cancer for more than seven years before succumbing to it this weekend. Forever will be missed. Here is a link to the ESPN touching tribute:  http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=12121922&ex_cid=espnFB

Although my bowl pics were nothing to brag about, some of the games have been outstanding.  Last night's game showed again that Oregon's finesse will lose to the power game each time (see also the 2011 natty game loss to Auburn). Now that Ohio State has won the National Championship, fans around here are still asking whether the SEC dominance is over? Nah, but this is funny:

Great Baseball Hall of Fame class: Pedro, Biggio, Smoltz and The Big Unit. Fun players to watch. Never throw out ANYTHING your grandmother give you! WOW! Have you been to the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta? You must go. Awesome. Here is an article all parents with active kids in sports should read: Dr. James Andrews speaks. We should listen.  Em's spring lax season begins in a few weeks. Sid's photo made it in the Photographer's Forum annual book. Pretty great photo of Raquel in "Forest of Dreams":

Have a great week everyone!

The Sports Guy