Sunny Sports on a Sunday...
We have been blessed to have two beautiful days this weekend weather wise. It is nice to get outside and enjoy the sunshine and warm weather even though the ground is saturated. It is nice to read on the internet and in the local fish wrap and see scores from baseball and softball games from yesterday.
Prep Report
- Kayley Coonce of Johnston City threw a no-hitter in a 7-0 win over Herrin yesterday.
- JC Lady Indians are now 11-0 after beating both Herrin and Casey Westfield. This team, as will many in 2A in the South, looks very loaded.
- Harrisburg baseball swept a pair from Class 3A Lincoln yesterday. With a record of 12-1 and hosting a Sectional this year, it would not surprise me to see the Bulldogs go deep in the postseason. Also, they will be good for years to come as many underclassmen are getting significant playing time.
- Carterville went to the Sectional Final last year and again is very good this year. They beat AJ 9-0 yesterday. The Lions are Class 2A.
- With the rain we have had, certain facilities really stand out as able to host games. The players, coaches, and towns should be proud when you have places to play games like these.
-I look for many games to be played tomorrow with the sunny and dry weather yesterday and today. From what I am hearing, coaches and players alike are tired of practicing in the gym.
Illinois Mr. Basketball
Kevin Dillard of Homewood-Flossmoor was named Mr. Basketball in Illinois yesterday. He has signed to play for SIU next year. This marks the first time that SIU will have Mr. Basketball of Illinois play for them. Locally, Kyle Cassity of Pinckneyville finished 12th in the voting.
Men's Final Four
The dream matchups turned into a couple of nightmares yesterday. Memphis was very dominating, more physical, and more athletic than UCLA. Last year's Illinois Mr. Basketball Derrick Rose of Memphis was tremendous and obviously with one more good game he will go pro. In game two, you could have divided it into thirds with Kansas winning the beginning and end of their game with North Carolina. The Jayhawks looked very good and dominated UNC like no one had previously this year. The real question from this game is does Tyler Hansborough come back for his Senior season now that he still hasn't won a National Championship with the Tar Heels. The matchup tomorrow night of Kansas and Memphis will feature no shortage of fast break basketball and athleticism above the rim.
Women's Final Four
In Tampa Bay tonight, the National Semi-Finals for the women will be played. Stanford will play UCONN and LSU will play Tennessee. These are four powerhouse programs playing and always with good coaches and players for each. I am rooting for UCONN and UT to win since Geno and Pat Summitt would get to coach against each other. It is well documented their dislike of each other.
MLB
- The Cardinals are off to their best start in 8 years with a record of 4-1.
- The woes of the Tigers continue. They are now 0-5 after another loss yesterday. This was even after a no-hitter through most of the game was pitched by Dontrelle Willis
- Carlos Zambrano will get his 2nd start of the year for the Cubs today. It will be interesting to see if he makes it through the game without the arm and hand cramps that plagued his first start.
- The Yanks are in last and the Red Sox are in 4th in the AL East. Detroit and Cleveland are doing the game in the AL Central. Do you really think this will last from these 4 favorites?
- What can you learn after one week of baseball? The answer...the season is a marathon and not a sprint so we are a long way from knowing the trends of what these teams are going to do.
NHL
The NHL regular season will wrap up today with the playoffs beginning later this week. The playoffs will end sometime in June. It seems like hockey wins the award for "season that seems to take forever but you hear very little about it which is not like it used to be."
NASCAR
The guys will race today in Texas at one of the fastest tracks on the circuit. Dale Jr. starts on the pole in his #88. Expect some high speeds, exciting passing, and some wrecks on this wild track.
The Masters
I am geeked already as the most scenic golf tournament begins in Augusta, Georgia this week when The Masters takes place. There is no better scenery on a golf course then there. It also gives the golfer more of an itch to get outside and play. The Par 3 contest is on Wednesday which makes for some great TV previous to the tournament starting on Thursday.
It is a Sunday in April and as you can tell there is a lot going on in the world of sports. There is much to watch today and tonight. I will squeeze in some golf today even though it was a saturated, wet, and muddy mess at times on the course yesterday. Get out and enjoy the sunshine and weather today but also don't forget about all the sports on TV and radio today. I'm out.
DC
Prep Report
- Kayley Coonce of Johnston City threw a no-hitter in a 7-0 win over Herrin yesterday.
- JC Lady Indians are now 11-0 after beating both Herrin and Casey Westfield. This team, as will many in 2A in the South, looks very loaded.
- Harrisburg baseball swept a pair from Class 3A Lincoln yesterday. With a record of 12-1 and hosting a Sectional this year, it would not surprise me to see the Bulldogs go deep in the postseason. Also, they will be good for years to come as many underclassmen are getting significant playing time.
- Carterville went to the Sectional Final last year and again is very good this year. They beat AJ 9-0 yesterday. The Lions are Class 2A.
- With the rain we have had, certain facilities really stand out as able to host games. The players, coaches, and towns should be proud when you have places to play games like these.
-I look for many games to be played tomorrow with the sunny and dry weather yesterday and today. From what I am hearing, coaches and players alike are tired of practicing in the gym.
Illinois Mr. Basketball
Kevin Dillard of Homewood-Flossmoor was named Mr. Basketball in Illinois yesterday. He has signed to play for SIU next year. This marks the first time that SIU will have Mr. Basketball of Illinois play for them. Locally, Kyle Cassity of Pinckneyville finished 12th in the voting.
Men's Final Four
The dream matchups turned into a couple of nightmares yesterday. Memphis was very dominating, more physical, and more athletic than UCLA. Last year's Illinois Mr. Basketball Derrick Rose of Memphis was tremendous and obviously with one more good game he will go pro. In game two, you could have divided it into thirds with Kansas winning the beginning and end of their game with North Carolina. The Jayhawks looked very good and dominated UNC like no one had previously this year. The real question from this game is does Tyler Hansborough come back for his Senior season now that he still hasn't won a National Championship with the Tar Heels. The matchup tomorrow night of Kansas and Memphis will feature no shortage of fast break basketball and athleticism above the rim.
Women's Final Four
In Tampa Bay tonight, the National Semi-Finals for the women will be played. Stanford will play UCONN and LSU will play Tennessee. These are four powerhouse programs playing and always with good coaches and players for each. I am rooting for UCONN and UT to win since Geno and Pat Summitt would get to coach against each other. It is well documented their dislike of each other.
MLB
- The Cardinals are off to their best start in 8 years with a record of 4-1.
- The woes of the Tigers continue. They are now 0-5 after another loss yesterday. This was even after a no-hitter through most of the game was pitched by Dontrelle Willis
- Carlos Zambrano will get his 2nd start of the year for the Cubs today. It will be interesting to see if he makes it through the game without the arm and hand cramps that plagued his first start.
- The Yanks are in last and the Red Sox are in 4th in the AL East. Detroit and Cleveland are doing the game in the AL Central. Do you really think this will last from these 4 favorites?
- What can you learn after one week of baseball? The answer...the season is a marathon and not a sprint so we are a long way from knowing the trends of what these teams are going to do.
NHL
The NHL regular season will wrap up today with the playoffs beginning later this week. The playoffs will end sometime in June. It seems like hockey wins the award for "season that seems to take forever but you hear very little about it which is not like it used to be."
NASCAR
The guys will race today in Texas at one of the fastest tracks on the circuit. Dale Jr. starts on the pole in his #88. Expect some high speeds, exciting passing, and some wrecks on this wild track.
The Masters
I am geeked already as the most scenic golf tournament begins in Augusta, Georgia this week when The Masters takes place. There is no better scenery on a golf course then there. It also gives the golfer more of an itch to get outside and play. The Par 3 contest is on Wednesday which makes for some great TV previous to the tournament starting on Thursday.
It is a Sunday in April and as you can tell there is a lot going on in the world of sports. There is much to watch today and tonight. I will squeeze in some golf today even though it was a saturated, wet, and muddy mess at times on the course yesterday. Get out and enjoy the sunshine and weather today but also don't forget about all the sports on TV and radio today. I'm out.
DC
posted by Southern Illinois Sports Connection at
9:44 AM
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