CONGRATULATIONS, LADY DEVILS

The season is over but the honors continue to pour in for the Lady Devils’ basketball team. Congratulations are in order to Ali Gardner and Rilie King for selection to the All-Watauga Conference Team. Teammates Ivory Shelton, Emmie Thompson and Whitney received Honorable mention. The aforementioned were the starting five this season. All were worthy of recognition as Unicoi County finished with an excellent 21-10 record.

CONGRATULATIONS, COACH BAXTER

Last Wednesday, March 18, at 6:55 p.m. Cory Howell, in relief of Corey Headley, struck out the last batter in a 9-3 win at Sullivan North in what was head coach Charlie Baxter’s 900th win in his coaching career. There will more to come. Congratulations Coach, and may you have many more.

QUITE A CATCH!

I was a bit hasty in my judgment of new UT head football coach Lane Kiffin. The signing of Bryce Brown this week has sent a positive signal throughout Tennessee that Kiffin indeed means business. The signing of a prospect that could rewrite UT and SEC record books is a wake up call to all Volunteer detractors that the UTfootball program will indeed be one to reckon with in the near future. Bravo, Coach Kiffin.

WHAT A DEVIL!

New Jersey Devils’ goaltender, Martin Brodeur, is a quite a Devil! With his 552nd win, he surpasses Patrick Roy as the winningest goalie in NHL history. It is no accident that during his career the Devils have won three Stanley Cups. He has been the foundation upon which  victory was built. What a Devil!

THE PHONES ARE RINGING IN DENVER!

How could the Denver Broncos’ new head coach, Josh McDaniel, be so stupid? You have a quarterback, Jay Cutler, about to enter his prime and upset him so that he wants to leave! There are several teams; Bears, Jets, Houston, 49ers, Lions, just to name a few, that must be salivating to get a QB of Cutler’s caliber and youth, despite his Type 1 diabetes. He would be  an improvement for any team that shows an interest. I hope he ends up some where he will be appreciated.

A day Late, but what a fight!

It was 38 years ago yesterday, but I have to acknowledge the anniversary of one of history’s great fights: the first Ali-Frazier fight on March 8, 1971 at Madison Square Garden in NYC. It was an event unlike any other at that time. Frazier was heavyweight champion and Ali had been stripped of his title four years earlier due to his objection to being inducted into the USArmy on religious grounds. For many, Ali was still the champion since he didn’t lose it in the ring.

For 15 rounds these two warriors with contrasting styles battled it out. Frazier knocked down Ali in the 15th round with a shattering left hook. It was the first time Ali8 was ever knocked down in the ring as a professional. Frazier won on a decision but was so battered by Ali’s jabs he spent many days in the hospital afterwards. It would be the finest hour of his pugilistic career and the only time he beat Ali. What a fight it was!

Thank You, Blue Devils!

With a 55-49 loss to FultonnHigh in the sectional game, the season ends for the Unicoi County Blue Devils, who finish with a 27-7 overall record. For the third straight year, they fall one game short of a State Tournament berth. But, it also ends the spectacular high school career of Cameron Miller. It has been another successful season for head coach John English and his team. I am certain they will make it to State in the near future but for now, thank you all for another fine season.

Welcome back, Kurt!

With a two year, $27 million contract, Kurt Warner, one of the classiest players in sports, has agreed to return to Arizona for will likely be the final contract of his Hall of Fame career. Yes, he is a hall of famer.He has been one of the most productice quarterbacks of his era, played in three exciting Super Bowls, won one title and won two league MVP awards. Welocome back, Kurt. Pro football needs you. 

CONGRATULATIONS, ALI AND EMMIE

TheLady Devils season may have ended but accolades continue to pour in. Following the Regional 1-AA Girls title game, tournament honors were announced and senior Ali Gardner and freshman Emmie Thompson were selected to the All-Regional Tournament team. For Gardner. it caps off a satisfying senior season and her high school career. For Thompson, it may the first of many such honors as her high school career progresses. Congratulations ladies, take a bow!

GREAT SEASON, LADY DEVILS!

With a 64-43 Regional 1-AA semi-final defeat, the basketball season came to an end for the Unicoi County Lady Devils. Yes, it is tinged with sadness, especially for seniors Kayla Edwards and Ali Gardner, whose careers have come to a close, but in the months and years to come it will be remembered as a great season where a starting five, including three freshman, defied the odds and came of age .Prior to the season, every sports writer to a man, myself included, thought Unicoi County would be no better then a .500 team. Instead, with each passing game they grew and matured and finished the season with a 21-10 overall record while finishing third in the District 1-AA Tournament and coming within one game of a sub-state berth. Take a bow, Lady Devils, it was a GREAT season!