CONGRATULATIONS, UNICOI COUNTY

Well, the District 1-AA Title remains in Erwin, TN for the third straight year. The Blue Devils defeated Johnson County 69-53 in a hard fought game. Tournament MVP Cameron Miller led the way with 24 points. Logan Lyle scored 16 and Keaton Corn, 9. Lyle and Corn were also named to the All-Tournament Team.

Meanwhile, the Lady Devils finished in 3rd place in the District 1-AA Tournament by virtue of its thrilling 73-61 overtime win over Chuckey-Doak. Three starting freshmen stood out for Unicoi County: Rilie King led the attack with 19 points and 12 rebounds. Ivory Shelton scored 18 points and grabbed 12 boards and Emmie Thompson scored 13 points and pulled down eight rebounds. The trio combined for 50 points and 32 rebounds. Congratulations, Unicoi County.

What has happened to Major League Baseball?

Yes, baseball is my game. I have loved it since childhood. Growing up and remaining a NY Yankees fanto this day, despite the lunacy of George Steinbrenner over the years. As a child growing up in the 1960’s and 70’s, steroids was never mentioned. I am not sure it even existed then. The game was purer. Pitchers pitched nine innings and often completed 20-30 games a year. Starting pitching today is laughable. I don’t think there are a dozen top pitchers on rosters today. I certainly would be hard pressed to name 12. Throughout baseball’s long history in our country, gambling has been the cardinal sin. Now, i think it takes a backseat to steroids. How much of a player’s accomplishments are due to talent and hard work and how much is it because of steroids? Because of the weakness of many the rest suffer. Mantle, Aaron and Mays didn’t need steroids. If anything, there drug of choice was more likely a six pack of beer. What has happened to our National Pastime? It really is depressing.

WHAT’S WRONG BLUE DEVILS?

Last night, the Unicoi County Blue Devils boy’s basketball team dropped its third Watauga Conference game of the season, 54-46, to the visiting Elizabethton Cyclones. All three losses were identical: the Blue Devils appeared slow, shot poorly and didn’t rebound well. Have opponents found a chink in their armor? Apparently so. Slow down Cameron Miller and Logan Lyle and the offense goes in the tank. Well fellas, the rest of you have to step up and be counted or you will not make it out of the upcoming District 1-AA Tournament.

ANOTHER BLACK EYE!

In major league baseball’s early years, it was the Black Sox Scandal. Babe Ruth’s arrival to the Yankees in 1920 was a turning point as he single handedly saved baseball. But, in the modern era, gambling takes a back seat to steroids. With Alex Rodriguez’s admission that he took steroids while with the Texas Rangers in 2003 is another black eye for our nastional pastime. What has happened to credibility? Every time some one hits a long home run I wonder if they are on steroids. Will MLB overcome this black eye that has darkened this era? I am certain about that. I karken back to the days of Mays, Aaron and Mantle when the only juice was in a six pack of beer.. With this admission, A-Rod, you aren’t much better then Barry Bonds.

Congratulations Coach Summitt

In a  brilliant coaching career spanning 35 years and numerous honors, including eight national titles, Lady Vols head coach Pat Summitt has entered uncharterd territory: 1, 000 career wins and climbing. In wins, she stands alone as the winningest coach in NCAA history, male or female. Commitment, ability and grit have been just a few of her trademarks. Take a bow Coach Summitt, you certainly have earned it.

A HISTORY LESSON

People have forgotten that the NFL did not begin with the first Super Bowl in 1967. Yes, the Pittsburgh Steelers, for now, stand alone with six Lombardi Trophies. That is the most in the Super Bowl Era. But, they have not won the most NFL titles in league history. That belongs to the Green Bay Packers with 12 and that includes three Super Bowl wins. So, when modern media states the Steelers have won the most titles, they are only partially corrrect because they are misleading the viewers. That is my history lesson for today.

WHAT A HALL OF FAME CLASS!

Bruce Smith, Rod Woodson, Derrick Thomas, Bills’ owner Ralph Wilson, Randall McDaniel and the late “Bullet” Bob Hayes are this year’s Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees. It is quite a class! Smith, a defensive stalwart on four AFC Champion Bills teams. Woodson, a great defensive back/ safety for both Pittsburgh and Baltimore. The late Derrick Thomas, who if not for a Giants’ linebacker named Lawrence Taylor, would have benn considered the best outside linebacker of the 1980’s. Wilson, part of the AFL’s “Foolish Club” that challenged the NFL for supremacy in the 1960’s and saw the two leagues merge in 1966 as well as the creation of the Super Bowl. Randall McDaniel, a fine offensive lineman for the Vikings and the late, great Bob Hayes. The “fastest man in the world,” Hayes was an olympic gold medalist in 1964- winning the 100 meters in then record time. His speed , while a great weapon, overshadowed the fact he had great moves and excellent hands. The Cowboys used him on kick off and punt returns and he was a devastating weapon and a thrill to watch.This is a great class!

COME BACK, KURT!

Yes, he has lost two of the three Super Bowls he has played in, but Kurt Warner has been a major part of three of the best Super Bowls ever played. A fairy tale come true, Warner has been nothing short of a class act in his 11 year NFL career. The league certainly need more Kurt Warners.The rumor was he was considering retiring regardless of the outcome of this year’s Super Bowl. I hope he comes back for another year or two. He can still play at that level. If he does retire, I salute him for the fine career he has had and the quality person that he is. I sure hope he has a bust in Canton one day. He is a Hall of Fame quarterback as well as a person.

WHAT A GAME!

In one of the most exciting Super Bowls I have ever seen, the Pittsburgh Steelers won its sixth Lombardi Trophy, 27-23 over an underrated Cardinals squad in Super Bowl XLIII. It appeared it would be a blowout as Pittsburgh led 20-7 at half time following a 100 yard interception return by James Harrison, the longest play in SuperBowl history. But, as he has many times in his career, Kurt Warner brought his team back. A great fourth quarter saw the Cardinals leading 23-20 with 2:37 left. But, Ben Roethlisberger came of age and led his team to the winning touchdown on a perfect pass and an even better catch by Super Bowl MVP Santonio Holmes over three defenders in the right hand corner of the endzone. It is one of the great Super Bowls ever. What a game! Congratulations to the Steelers.