The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of RCN or any other agency, organization, employer or company.
I must admit that Sunday afternoon felt a little weird. There was no NFL football and, to be honest, from my perspective, nothing to really interest me in the world of sports.
Rest assured, I was busy. With two semifinal EPC basketball games on a Monday night, most of Sunday was taken up doing the preparation. But by 3:00, I was ready to relax and spend the rest of the weekend watching something, anything that would hold my attention. That almost always means a sporting event.
However, this is the “tweener” time for college and professional sports as far as I am concerned. I see enough basketball that, until the conference championships roll around, I am not that interested. Those tournament games do get me mentally ready for March Madness.
I just can’t seem to sit in the recliner to devote two or more hours to the NBA or the NHL. It’s not that I don’t enjoy watching both, it’s just the games, for me, have very little meaning until the playoffs.
That leaves golf. Who doesn’t enjoy mentally soaking up the sun, although it is a virtual pastime, and looking at the beautiful setting that is golf on the West Coast? I did try that yesterday when the pros were playing at Pebble Beach in California. I found I was more jealous than interested. They were playing and I could not; they were basking in sunshine (I was basking inside –can you even do that?); and they were not playing very well due to the extremely windy conditions. Suffice it to say, even golf did not keep my interest.
So what’s the answer – high school sports on RCN-TV. This is the BEST time of the year for high school basketball. This week I will see the EPC boys’ semifinals and final and the girls’ championship games. And they will be played at a great venue – the PPL Center.
Due to the unmatched talent of our local wrestling teams, I will be able to watch the District XI individual championships on February 22. Our local teams have had a spectacular year (Nazareth won the PIAA state championship) and the individual bouts should be outstanding.
I will get to call two Lafayette games on Wednesday and Saturday as the men and women’s teams battle for their respective Patriot League slot in the playoffs.
So, all is not lost for the next few weeks, nor should it be for you. Get out to one of the great high school events this month or, if that cannot work for you, let us choose your virtual attendance.
So even though the NFL season is done and the college and pro sports are winding down, this is the best time for OUR sports. Thank goodness.
ABOVE THE EARS (SOME MUSINGS)
- What are your thoughts on the local Catholic schools banning their wrestlers in team competition from wrestling a girl? It has now happened twice and both times the matches were decided because the Catholic school had to, by Diocesan rule, forfeit the match when the opposing team sent out a girl to wrestle. Both times the Catholic team would have won the match and both times six points were awarded to the opponent due to forfeit (and the opponent knew that would be the case). Both times, that bout was the difference in winning or losing. Do you have a solution?P.S. The Catholic school wrestlers can wrestle a girl in individual tournaments.
- What a year for the Nazareth Blue Eagles. First, they win the EPC South division and District XI football championships and this past week, they add a state wrestling title to go along with their District wrestling title. They were 8-0 in the postseason, won 89 of 112 bouts and 62 with bonus points. It was total domination. Congratulations to Coach Dave Crowell and the team.
- Fran O’Hanlon, Lafayette’s men’s basketball coach, was honored at a reception on Saturday afternoon. He is coaching his 25th year at Lafayette, one of only five Division 1 college coaches who can make that claim. You may know the others:Jim Boeheim – Syracuse
Mike Krzyzewski – Duke
Bob McKillip – Davidson
Tom Izzo – Michigan StateCoach O’Hanlon has won 340 games, has three regular season PL titles, three Patriot League championships, has made three NCAA appearances; has been in seven conference finals; and has been named Coach of the Year three times.
- Will you watch the XFL? Did you know it was on?
- The schedule – All LIVEMonday – EPC Boys Semis – 6:00 PM
Tuesday – Colonial League Semis – 6:00 PM
Wednesday – Lafayette vs. Army WBB – 7:00 PM
Thursday – EPC Girls and Boys championships – 6:00 PM
Friday – Colonial League Girls and Boys championships – 6:00 PM
Saturday – Lafayette vs. Holy Cross WBB – 6:00 PM
