MICHAEL KIRAL

Points to ponder while waiting for your team to get off the bubble… Basketball in the area has seen a tremendous growth in the area in just the past five years. During the 1996-97 season, St. James and St. Charles Catholic made the postseason with the Wildcats advancing to the quarterfinals. Three girls’ teams (East St. John, Lutcher and Riverside) advanced to the playoffs with the Lady Cats going the furthest and playing in the regionals. Since then, the River Parishes has seen two boys’ teams – St. James and West St. John – win state championships and another – Reserve Christian – appear in consecutive Top 28 tournaments. Over the past two years, all nine boys’ team and eight of the nine girls’ programs have played in the postseason. This year, eight of the nine local teams advanced to the postseason. St. James and Reserve Christian were still alive in the quarterfinals. West St. John made its fourth straight appearance in the regionals. Riverside won its first ever playoff game in the LHSAA and Lutcher won its first since 1988. Hahnville won its second straight District 7-5A title and Destrehan returned to the postseason. On the girls’ side, East St. John became the first River Parishes team since 1988 to make it to the Sweet 16 and the first to play in a championship game. The Lady Cats also won their fifth straight district title. East St. John was joined in the playoffs by Destrehan, Hahnville, Reserve Christian, Riverside, Lutcher and West St. John. Destrehan, Riverside and Reserve Christian made it to the regionals, a first for both the Lady Rebels and the Lady Eagles.

Hey, Skip, just because you are receiving gifts this year doesn’t mean the Tigers have to reciprocate.

Defense got its due recognition when Bill Mazeroski was named to the Hall of Fame this week.

All those who are going to be members of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this season, take one step forward. Um, not so fast, Mr. Leaf.

Dallas’ release of Troy Aikman was a no-brainer. If Aikman, who has had 10 concussions in his 12-year career, keeps playing, the same might be said of him.

There is a report that some UNO boosters are trying to buy out head basketball coach Joey Stiebing’s contract despite the fact he was just named the Sun Belt Conference’s Coach of the Year. My question is, judging from the attendance at the Privateers’ games in recent years, when did UNO get boosters? Maybe they should take some of the $200,000 they are trying to raise and actually buy a ticket.

Finally, Tiger Woods is in a slump? I believe a lot of golfers would like to be in the same kind of slump.