Final thoughts from Austin and moving forward

Well, the whirlwind past few weeks that have been the boys' and girls' state basketball playoffs are over, capping with another title for the Neches girls' basketball team and a stunning loss by Cayuga in the regional semifinals to upstart Tenaha.

My weekend in Austin was an eventful one, and one that will certainly live in my memory for a while. From talking Roddricka Patton with a handful of nationwide high school scouts to listening in on the press conference of Canyon head coach Joe Lombard after winning another state title, finishing a perfect season and winning his1,100 career game...all on his birthday, it was a great experience.

As I said in a column in the PHP today, I expect to go back next season as well, what with Neches returning all its players from this year's team.



Now that the roundball season has passed, it's time to move forward full-boar into spring, starting tonight. I'll be at Wildcat Stadium, as the Palestine girls' soccer team takes on Hudson, a team trailing the Ladycats by only one point in the standings as the pair fight for playoff positioning.

Also getting into full swing is baseball and softball season, and some schools open district play tonight, including No. 3-ranked Cayuga, who'll travel to Neches to play the Tigers. The game will be the team's first with some key players who've been out playing basketball, including reigning TAPPS Player of the Year Jake Nash, who'll take his place at 2B for the Wildcats.

Track season is also underway, and Elkhart's Amanda Ham is doing to her track competition what she did do her cross country competition: Showing no mercy. Already this season the Lady Elk sophomore has captured eight gold medals at her team's two track meets, with the Lady Elks finishing first and second, respectively, as a team.

And, my no means can we leave out powerlifting. The local boys' contingent heading to regionals should be large, and two Palestine girl lifters are headed to the state meet on March. 18

The playoffs may be over, and my travel may be cut down, but things are going to be as busy as ever here in the Dogwood Circle, with teams and individuals vying for district, regional and state titles from now until late May-early June.

Stay tuned, it should be fun.