Jumping out of June...

It is the final day of June. The summer slow down is full in effect this week with the Fourth of July holiday on Friday. There is still some sports news trickling in from around to keep us busy.

Prep Report
- The EOA/SICA annual golf scramble will be on Friday, July 25th at Hickory Ridge Golf Center in Carbondale, IL. Tee times are at 8AM and 1PM. This scramble has raised over $90,000 for scholarships at area schools.
- Greg Behrens, administrator of the wildly popular website www.illinoishighschoolsports.com took some great pictures of the IBCA all-star games this past weekend. For a peak, here is a link [http://s13.photobucket.com/pbwidget.swf?pbwurl=http://w13.photobucket.com/albums/a264/rhawks/Basketball%202008/IBCA%201A-2A%20All-Star%20game%206-28-2008/b125efca.pbw]

Pro Sports
- The MLB is back to league play starting tonight with the ending of Interleague play.
- Wimbledon is setting up for a Venus vs. Serena Williams matchup. They have advanced again today and some of the top seeds have fallen.
- Kurt Busch played his cards right and won the rain shortened race in New Hampshire yesterday. Great call by him and his crew chief to decided to stay out on the last caution.
- As good as the Cubs were playing early, I knew that the pace they were on wouldn't keep up. However, the injuries and games missed are continuing to mount. [http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3466661]
- Houston...we have a shoving problem again...http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3467042

Though not much going on today, you know that the sports world will continue to pick up. With that, my sports world is picking up as the golf course beckons. I'm out.

DC

Reality of Sports...

Is this summer or fall? It is a sunny day with temperatures in the upper 70s. You can't beat this. You also can't beat sports which is better than any reality TV show could muster up. For an example, the Dodgers and Angels game from last night is one.

Prep Report
- The 1A/2A South team was defeated by the North team last night in Bloomington 107-94 in the IBCA all-star game. Isiah Simelton of West Frankfort led the way with 14 points in the game.
- The MVP of the 1A/2A South team was Marland Johnson of Meridian while the Leadership Award went to Brett Thompson of Vienna.
- The 3A/4A South team was defeated by the North 111-104.

SIGA
- Congrats to the SIGA and Kokopelli Golf Course on securing the 2012 Illinois State Amateur Golf Tournament. This will be the 2nd time that it will take place in Southern Illinois since 1998 at Rend Lake.

Pro Sports
- The Dodgers beat the Angels last night 1-0 and didn't have a hit. This was the first time since 1992 that a team won a game without getting a hit since the Boston Red Sox. Also, it is not a no-hitter since the Angels only pitched 8 innings due to being on the road.[http://scores.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=280628119]
- I knew that the Cubs, Cardinals, and Brewers were going to battle it out in the NL Central and they are setting up to do it.
- We are halfway through the MLB season and the All-Star game is still two weeks away. It seems like it is later this year than in previous years.
- Tony Stewart has raced 7 times in NNS races this year. He has won 5. [http://sports.espn.go.com/rpm/nascar/nationwide/news/story?id=3465381]
- The NASCAR drivers are at New Hampshire today for a 301 mile race on TNT.

Olympics
- I am adding a new category here. If you want to see some great individual and team talent, the next few weeks of qualifying for the Olympics in many events is a thrill to watch.

Historical Fact of the Day
- I heard this fact while driving down the road this morning on the radio. Today is the 52nd anniversary of President Eishenhower signing into law the building of the Interstate Highway System.

With all of that to think about, this day is looking to good to pass up without doing something. I'm out.

DC

Hoping for a Sunny Saturday...

I heard a stat last night that wasn't in sports. I heard that it has rained the past four Fridays. Does it surprise you? It doesn't me. Well, the weekend sees another group of all-star games this weekend in Bloomington as well as MLB winding down interleague play. It is also Saturday which means a check of what is on the TV this weekend.

Prep Report
- The IBCA will be hosting two all-star games tongiht on the campus of Illinois Wesleyan University at the Shirk Center in Bloomington, IL. The first game will feature a 1A/2A south vs. the 1A/2A north at 5PM followed by the 3A/4A south vs. the 3A/4A north at 7PM.
- In the first game, former Vienna head coach Rick Metcalf will be the head coach along with Vienna assistant Corey Waters and Waltonville High School head coach Mike Denalut.
- In the same first game, players from the area playing include Kyle Cassity (Pinckneyville), Brett Thompson (Vienna), Tommy Pelczynski (Nashville), Matt Smithpeters (Harrisburg), Marland Johnson (Meridian), and Isiah Simelton (West Frankfort).
- For more information on the IBCA and this all-star game, go to the following website. [http://ibcaillinois.org/]

College Chatter
- Do you get the feeling that the NCAA is going to punish Indiana a little more severly than we first thought? Here is a story that leads you to believe that. [http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=3462716]
- For those interested, there are some 2009 NBA Draft predictions already on the internet in several places.

Pro Sports
- Bulls fans...you now have Derrick Rose in your backcourt. Play GM for a second and who do you trade? [http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2008/news/story?id=3464313]
- The Mets and Yankees played a day/night doubleheader yesterday. The first was in the afternoon at Yankee Stadium where Carlos Delgado had 9 RBIs in a Mets win. Then, the teams played a 2nd game at Shea Stadium in which the Mets won. [http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=280627321]
- It is nice to see the NFL is going to reward veterans more than rookies. [http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3463911]

TV Time
Here is a listing of events to watch this weekend.
- Wimbledon (the tennis tournament on grass from England all weekend on ESPN and NBC)
- Arena Football Playoffs (for those that can't wait for the NFL to begin, ESPN has got you covered)
- Women's Golf US Open (NBC has the coverage.)
- NASCAR (The series races in New Hampshire tomorrow on TNT.)
- MLB (It is the last weekend of interleague play all over the TV today and tomorrow.)

The last weekend of June is here and it is amazing how fast it went by. Quickly we roll into July next week and quickly I will move on to the day myself. I'm out.

DC

Smelling like a Rose...

Yeah yeah...I know I had to break out that line for the title today but why not. If you are the Bulls, then you have to be very happy today with drafting a player from your own city with the #1 draft pick. With another posting in the early evening, I have some stuff from yesterday as well as happenings from this afternoon. Also, the weekend is officially here as I type.

Prep Report
- Winding down June means basketball tournaments are still going on. There is a big one today and tomorrow at Neoga High School.
- Cairo, Chester, Johnston City, and Pope County are still in need of head basketball coaches for their boys programs.

Pro Sports
- The NBA Draft is over. The next step is for organizations to assemble their summer teams when play starts in a couple of weeks. Also, those that weren't drafted will have to figure out which teams they want to play for in those games.
- I sat and watched the entire draft last night. I watch quite a bit of basketball, but I didn't know several names that popped up in the 2nd round last night.
- So, how did your team do? Chad Ford, a very knowledgeable NBA person, grades the teams in the draft. [http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2008/columns/story?columnist=ford_chad&page=DraftGrades-080627] Do you agree?
- It is the last weekend of interleague play in the MLB. It is the Crosstown Series for the Cubs and Sox while the Cards and Royals will have the I-70 series.
- Mark Mulder is back on the roster for the Cards. He will be coming out of the bullpen. However, Izzy is injured again and may have to go back on the DL.
- NASCAR is at New Hampshire this weekend. The big news is that Casey Mears will no longer race for Hendrick next year. Tony Stewart had something to say about this. [http://sports.espn.go.com/rpm/nascar/news/story?id=3464378]

Well, it is time for me to roll out of here like the thunderstorms that will enter and leave the area this evening. I'm out.

DC

The Evening Edition...

Due to some computer glitches and then time running out on me in the morning, I post today in the early evening. There is much to discuss at many levels and with the extra time I have decided to change a few things up on the blog.

Prep Report
- The IHSA has all of the football schedules for teams in Illinois are posted.
[http://www.ihsa.org/activity/fb/2008-09w/conf.htm]
- The IBCA North vs. South game will be played this Saturday night at the Shirk Center on the campus of Illinois Wesleyan University.

College Chatter
- Cinderella may not have had a nickname, but Fresno State played the part well in winning the World Series last night in Omaha. [http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/baseball/recap?gameId=2817700611]
- The NCAA investigation into the Indiana Basketball program has taken another job. [ http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=3462240]

Pro Sports
- As I type, we are just under 90 minutes away from the beginning of the NBA Draft. Trades are happening already and sometimes those are as big as the draft picks.
- Hey Chicago...pick Derrick Rose and shine in the glow of the good PR that will follow.
- Who was the worst pick in the NBA Lottery ever? ESPN rated them. [http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=worstpicks/080625]
What do you think?
- For those that have Shawn Chacone of the Astros on their fantasy team, you may want to make a move since he was suspended indefinitely for physically dealing with his GM. [http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3462337] Remember, this guy has a losing record for his career as a starting pitcher.
- Has anyone checked out Wimbledon this week? I have been able to watch in brief stretches. I love the tradition of The Championships.
- Cubs got trounced by Baltimore and the Cards walked in the run for the Tigers to win the game. I am trying to figure out which is worse.

Hey...post your thoughts on the changes and additions of web addresses. I'm out.

DC

Winds of Drafting...

As the summer continues, it gets to the point that we start looking ahead to the 2008-2009 calendar year in prep sports. I do that today in the Prep Report. MLB is the major contributor of the pro sports world right now, but the NBA Draft is making a run a headlines over the next couple of days. Officially, I am not entering the NBA Draft this year for those of you wanting to know.

Prep Report
- The IHSA will release the 2008 football schedules today. At least, that is what we think if all schools have gotten their schedules in.
- 7 weeks from today will be the first official practice for high school football.

College World Series
- It all comes down to a final game tonight in the best of 3 series as Fresno State beat Georgia last night...wait, wait, yes the final run has scored...19-10.

Pro Sports
- It seems the issue of maple bats is going to be topic 1 in the MLB since it seems this type of bat breaks more than others.
- The Cubs finally lost at home to Baltimore 7-5 for the first time since May 17th. Jim Edmonds homered for the 5th time in 27 games for the North Siders.
- Braden Looper...the turnaround in his career is unbelievable. From closer to bad in the Mets bullpen to ace starter for the Cardinals, he has riden the roller-coaster.
- Did you know...the LA Angels of Anaheim are the only American League team not to play at Wrigley Field.
- The Mets have really improved since the firing of Willie Randolph...NOT!!!
- Tiger Woods had knee surgery yesterday. Reports are all went well and he should be 100% for 2009. Memo to Retief Goosen...he will remember your quote then.
- It is an exciting time in the NBA right now. Just over 24 hours until the NBA Draft and we have trade rumors, draft rumors, and picks possibly dropping down the list. I love watching this event especially when Jay Bilas is involved.

Since I am watching the NBA Draft and still not putting my name in, I will just sit back and watch the rumors fly. I'm out.

DC

Cruising along...

We are cruising in along in the world of sports. As I have said, the prep sports world slows during the summer and we are seeing that here in late June. The SIGA has a local golf course that is hosting one of the Illinois State Amateur qualifiers today. Finally, some in the pro sports world continue to give us things to talk about whether they are on the field or off.

Prep Report
- Patience is a virtue as we all wait for those schools who still haven't turned in their 2008 football schedules. The tentative release date is tomorrow if everyone turns their schedule in.
- Today is day 2 on the SIU Boys Basketball tournament. There have been some pretty good games mentioned to me that happened on day 1.

SIGA
- Today is an Illinois State Amatuer qualifier at Kokopelli Golf Course in Marion today. After playing this course recently, it will be true test of a golfers mental and shot making abilities.

Pro Sports
- Has anyone heard enough already about the Shaq-rap on Kobe the other night at a club in New York City? It seems to me it is an issue in LA but not anywhere else.
- Don Imus...the skeptics are starting to cirlce after his latest comment about Adam Jones of the Cowboys.
- The 2008 USA Men's Basketball team was selected yesterday. With few post players, it looks as if this team will rely on defense on the perimeter as well as fast break and shoot basketball. We are missing a lot without the likes of Paul Pierce, Allen Iverson, Kevin Garnett, and Tim Duncan. Yes, I do know that Garnett and Duncan passed on the chance having done it before.
- Barry Melrose leaves ESPN to become the head coach of the NHL Tampa Bay Lightning. How will we get by without the mullet and those loud suits on a nightly basis?
- For the first time since 1971, an AL pitcher has hit a grand slam in a game. Felix Hernandez of the Mariners hit one off of Johann Santana of the Mets. Who needs reality TV when stuff like this happens in the MLB?!?!?!
- After a small night in the MLB, there is a full docket of games tonight.
- 2 more days until the NBA Draft and trade rumors are heating up.
- The winner of the "you aren't really that tall award" in the NBA Draft goes to Michael Beasley of Kansas State. It was said all year he was 6'-10" and in reality he is 6'-7". That will make a big difference in how teams may look at him as well as use him in the NBA.

The mid-morning posting was due to some of those summer projects that needed attention this morning. All work and no play makes one boring so I am off to do the second part. I'm out.

DC

Dunking to start of the week...

As promised, I will finish up the postseason sites for boys golf today as well mentioning some other house cleaning items in the prep sports world. The College World Series Championship is now set after a game yesterday. Finally, the pro sports world as usual is still turning out plenty of talking points. Plus, a historic dunk was thrown down last night.

Prep Report
- (Class 1A Boys Golf) AJ (Union County Country Club), Breese Central, Robinson (Quail Creek Country Club), and one TBA will host regionals that will feed into the West Frankfort Sectional (Franklin County Country Club).
- (Class 2A Boys Golf) Carbondale (Hickory Ridge Golf Course), Centralia (Greenview Golf Course), and Taylorville (Lake Shore Golf Course) will host regionals that will feed into the Salem Sectional (Salem Country Club).
- SIU is hosting a big day high school boys basketball tournament today and tomorrow.
- Don't forget...if all schools can get their schedules turned in, the IHSA will release football schedules for 2008 on Wednesday.

College Chatter
- It will be a dog fight in the best of 3 series in the CWS in Omaha, NE. Georgia will play Fresno State for the National Championship.

Pro Sports
- For one weekend, the Cubs rule the Windy City after sweeping the White Sox at Wrigley Field. With thss, the "Silence of Guillen" can continue.
- After being swept by the Royals, did any Cardinals fans think they would take 2 of 3 in Boston?
- With the closeness of several division races, at this point the talk of trades before the July 31st deadline is not very much at all.
- Interleague has meant the ability to see teams play each other that normally don't play. This has lead to some very good matchups in the past few days.
- Wimbledon, the tennis tournament on grass, begins today in England.
- Kyle Busch continues to be hot (5 wins this season) after winning again yesterday. He won on the road course for the first time out in California.
- Candace Parker became the 2nd ever WNBA player to dunk in a game last night. She joins teammate Lisa Leslie as the two who have done it.
- Pacman Jones says he wants the nickname "Pacman" to be dropped and he wants to be known as "Adam" or "Mr. Jones." This is part of his changing of ways according to #21.

Speaking of changing, it is time for me to change what I am doing now to change to what I need to do next today. I'm out.

DC

Loading up for a big week...

Summer is here and what a big week we have in front of us. Interleague play continues in the MLB and the NBA Draft is going to take place on Thursday. Throw that in with a big summer Sunday of racing and you have a bunch of stuff going on. The prep scene is in summer gear with not much happening, but for the athletes participating down time is not an option. It is time to get on to the task at hand.

Prep Report
- The release of the hosts for the girls golf regionals and sectionals slipped by me in recent weeks. AJ (Union County Country Club), Murphysboro (Jackson County Country Club), and Pinckneyville (Red Hawk Country Club) will host Class 1A regionals that will feed into the Carterville Sectional (Crab Orchard Golf Course).
- Belleville East (Clinton Hill Golf Course), Charleston (Charleston Country Club), and Salem (Salem Country Club) will host Class 2A regionals that will feed into the Mascoutah Sectional (Roland Barkau Memorial Golf Course - Okawville).
- I will post the boys golf regional and sectional hosts tomorrow.

College Chatter
- Georgia has advanced to the finals of the CWS after eliminating Stanford. They await the winner of the UNC/Fresno State game which is today.
- College Basketball coaches are probably going to make a rule where they can not offer a scholarship until after a student completes their sophomore year of high school.

Pro Sports
- NASCAR racing on the road course at Sonoma today in California and the heat will be a factor on drivers this afternoon.
- NHRA is mourning today after the loss of a legend, Scott Kalitta, who died during a qualifying run yesterday.
- Indy Car racing will happen from Iowa this afternoon as they will run 250 miles on a track owned by Rusty Wallace.
- The Cards forced snake-eyes out of Dice-K yesterday scoring 8 runs in off of him. Aaron Miles had another great offensive day and shows once again why he deserves more playing time.
- Jim Edmonds homered twice in Cubs win over the White Sox. However, Sox manager Ozzie Guillen was not impressed, nor scared, and would continue to pitch to him. Go figure...
-5 of the 6 NL Central teams won their games last night. The Astros were the only team to lose. On the flip side, all but Colorado lost their games in the NL West last night.
- Look for the NBA trade rumors to heat up as the Draft is coming on Thursday evening. One of those is Carmelo Anthony is rumored to be trying to get out of Denver.

Baseball, golf, racing, and throw in some Olympic qualifying events and it makes for a full day of TV watching. I will do my best to watch. I'm out.

DC

Sweet, sweet, summertime...

Welcome to summer!!! Today is the longest day of the year by total of daylight. Now after that FYI fact of the day, it is time for some sports.

Prep Sports
- Southern Illinois reigns supreme again after beating Western Kentucky 21-7 in the annual high school football all-star game last night at Murray State. This marks the third win in four years for the Southern Illinois team.
- This was the final game in a four year contract and a two year contract is on the table to be signed by both sides.
- Another possible factor in a contract getting done is that an annual all-star football game between Kentucky and Tennessee was discontinued after last year. Now in Kentucky, they have an East-West All-Star game at the University of Louisville the weekend before this one.
- Speaking of football, the University of Illinois is hosting a big 7 on 7 camp today. Teams from all over the state will be competing in a 7 on 7 tournament as well as breaking down individually to work on skills with the U of I staff.
- SIU is hosting a 2 day high school boys basketball tournament on Monday and Tuesday.

Pro Sports
- The Toronto Blue Jays became the 3rd MLB team this week to fire a manager. The Jays fired John Gibbons and hired their former manager Cito Gaston. He lead the Jays to back-to-back World Series titles in 1992-1993.
- Curt Schilling will have shoulder surgery on Monday and he says it may end his career.
- Word from friends in Chicago is that the only thing anyone in the city is talking about is the Cubs/Sox series. After the game yesterday, you know the talk will only get increasingly more feverish.
- Kyle Lohse...best offseason pitcher pickup by the Cardinals of any team in the MLB. He just wins and won again last night in Boston.

Weekend TV Watch
- College Baseball World Series Championship (Watch on ESPN as a champion is crowned)
- NASCAR (first road course race from Sonoma, CA live on TNT on Sunday)
- MLB Interleague baseball (all weekend on just about any station)
- Wimbledon (begins Monday morning from England on ESPN)
- Ice Road Truckers (2nd year of series continues on Sunday night on the History Channel)

With all of this sunlight today, the golf course beckons as does summer activities in general. I'm out.

DC

Friday...must be rain...

Is it just me or has Friday been a day lately for rain? I know for sure it is the second Friday in a row that has rained. There are plenty of sports on the docket. One final all-star game for the 2007-2008 is on the docket tonight. Also, a big SIGA event is this weekend for the best golfers in the area. Finally, it is a big baseball weekend with rivalries and rematches from the past for interleague play.

Prep Report
- Tonight is the football all-star game between the Southern Illinois All-Stars and the Western Kentucky All-Stars at Murray State.
- Speaking of football, due to some schools not being on time with their football schedules, the IHSA is now hoping they can release the 2008 football schedules in the entire state next Wednesday.

SIGA
- Green Hills in Mt. Vernon is hosting a huge and tradition rich 2 day individual golf tournament this weekend. The best men's and women's players from around the area will be playing there. By the way, the course is an excellent shape.

Pro Sports
- First, it was Willie Randolph of the Mets getting fired earlier this week. Now, the Seattle Mariners (worst record in the MLB) have fired John McLaren from their manager position. Just like in New York, a former Chicago manager (this time from the Cubs) Jim Riggleman is the interim manager.
- After the first two firings, I guess the next question is who is next? It seems all signs point to Toronto as being the next place for a firing.
- Break up the Rays!!! They swept the Cubs and made it look easy.
- Break up the Royals!!! They swept the Cardinals.
- Today is the Crosstown Rivalry in Chicago as the Cubs and Sox hook up at Wrigley Field. This is the first time the teams have played with both teams in first place.
- The Cardinals are in Boston for a rematch of the 2004 World Series.

When in June, the MLB takes precedent and it will this weekend. This will be a weekend to catch some of the different matchups. However, it is a while until first pitch so before quality couth time begins projects need to be taken care of. I'm out.

DC

Twisting and Turning...

The only way to knock off coverage of a team winning a championship is when a major sports star is in the news. That happened yesterday as the end of the 2008 season for Tiger Woods overtook the Celtics winning the championship. Football schedules are supposed to be released by the IHSA today for the 2008 season. It is not very far off until all of the fall sports begin again. Can someone do a dance or something to change the luck for the Cubs and Cardinals? It seems the injuries for the Cubs and Cardinals grow more than any other team

Prep Report
- With the golf season coming up, a name to remember is Cassie Rushing. She easily won the two day Ladies Mid-Summer Classic yesterday at the Franklin County Country Club.
- I have seen the new Carterville football facility in person and TV helps it just as much in looking like the first class facility that it is. The people of Carterville should be very proud of what they have in it.
- The IHSA is tentatively scheduled to release the 2008 football schedules for all high schools during the day today.

College Chatter
- SEMO took a major hit from the NCAA regarding sanctions and the lost of 2 basketball seasons in their women's basketball program. When the term "lack of institutional control" is used to describe an athletic deparment by the NCAA, you know it was something major.
- Stanford is really an impressive baseball team, but will need to beat Georgia twice to get back to the Championship series.

Pro Sports
- Carlos Zambrano of the Cubs will have an MRI today on his right shoulder after experience some tightness in it last night.
- For those who haven't seen the Tampa Bay Rays this year, it is a must. This is a really good young baseball team.
- With all of the pitching injuries for the Cardinals, it is now reported that Anthony Reyes is going to pitch today despite elbow irritation.
- Sidney Ponson was picked up by the Yankees after being released by the Rangers last week.
- Tiger Woods is done for the rest of the year as he has knee surgery on the schedule. This is the time for other golfers to step up and stir excitement now so when he comes back we will have some great competition.
- Mark it down now...Retief Goosen vs. Tiger Woods the first time after surgery will be interesting to watch. Goosen was not very kind in his remarks about the pain that Tiger was going through at the US Open.

Questions to Ponder
- Is Boston the new official "Title-town" with their 6th championship parade taking place today?
- What would NFL mini-camps be without controversy?

For a Thursday, there is quite a bit going on today. That is the case for me as well. I'm out.

DC

Crowning with Pride...

Summer is only days away but it means that the slow down of things going on in high school is already happening. However, the pro front is in full gear. Celtics pride reigns supreme this morning after the 17th championship was won last night. I am one that loves to watch the trophy ceremony after a team wins a world championship. The hard work and effort that many put into it and then to see the emotions after is very good stuff to watch.

Prep Sports
- I believe we are in full gear for the summer doldrums. There just isn't much happening right now in the prep sports world in Southern Illinois.

Pro Sports
- The 17th banner was won by the Celtics last night over the Lakers in Game 6. Did someone tell LA they had a game last night? It didn't look like they wanted to be there at all.
- The Lakers have the best player on the planet, but the Celtics have the best 3 players and team. The defense played by Boston was the real difference in the series.
- The NBA Draft is one week from tomorrow night and the Chicago Bulls are still on the clock.
- For the NFL fan, we are just weeks away from training camp beginning. The NFL Network is really picking up their coverage this week.
- The Mets lost their first game after the firing of Willie Randolph. The timing was bad, but the decision is definitely in their right if you are the ownership. I think the Mets are not the team that many thought would be with the players and payroll they have.
- Is it just me, or are there many more MLB stars injured than normal right now?

After getting some golf in this morning, it is time to get some much needed yard work and chores done that have been neglected for a few days. I'm out.

DC

Handing out the Hardware...

While you were sleeping, the first manager of the MLB was fired. There was quite a show of golf yesterday in the US Open playoff as the hardware was won by Tiger. Also, we have Game 6 tonight in Boston with the Celtics and the Lakers as hardware could be given out tonight. Even in June, the prep sports world is keeping busy as well.

Prep Report
- High school football has really changed. 10 years ago, a majority of your teams were ground attacks on the offensive. The evolution has changed to a huge football camp yesterday and today at Marion High Schools with teams from across the Midwest. They are all there working on the spread offense.
- Practice continues for the all-star football game on Friday night at Murray State.
- SIU is hosting a 2 day football camp starting today.
- Sesser-Valier has hired Brian Gibson for their high school girls head basketball coaching position.
- Johnston City, Cairo, and Chester still have boys basketball head coaching openings while Massac County has a recently opened head coaching position for their girls basketball team.

College Chatter
- The College World Series saw the exiting of Florida State yesterday in just two games.
- Yesterday was the deadline for college players to pull out of the NBA Draft. ESPN.com has the listing of who withdrew and who stayed in. North Carolina was the big winner as they had all 3 of their early testing entrants say they are coming back to school.

Pro Sports
- We would like to thank the New York Mets for the worst timed and ill-advised managerial firing of all time. Willie Randolph was fired last night at 2:15AM CST. Yes, 2:15AM was the time. Yes, the Mets were on the West Coast but the timing is terrible. With the $138 million dollar payroll and 40-47 over the past 87 games didn't help matters either. Jerry Manuel, former White Sox skipper, is the interim manager.
- The 19 hole playoff between Tiger and Rocco was a classic. Tiger ended up winning but it was great to see Rocco battle him shot for shot during the day. It may be a long time before we see someone take on Tiger like that with that golf skill set.
- How refreshing is it to have a guy like Rocco Mediate in the sports world?
- There is a full slate of MLB games tonight with interleague being the featured attraction.
- Game 6 of the NBA Finals is tonight in Boston with the Celtics leading the Lakers 3 games to 2. The Celtics flew in yesterday instead of after the game on Sunday night due to mechanical problems with their plane. Could fatigue be a factor tonight?
- Arlen Specter may finally have gotten the hint and ended the search into Spygate. We thank him for getting the message. I guess the saying is true..."better late than never."

I have the US Open fever and am going to head to the golf course today. Doesn't every golfer get that itch after watching a Major on TV? I'm out.

DC

Extra...extra...

We will have an extra or another game in the NBA Finals and an extra 18 holes to decide the US Open. It was an amazing 18th hole for Tiger to come back and tie with a birdie. That last couple of hours of golf ranks up there with the World Series, Super Bowl, or you name it. It was fantastic TV.

Prep Report
- Practice began last night for the football all-star game to be held at Murray State on Friday night.
- Speaking of football, the IHSA is tentatively scheduled to release the 2008 football schedules of all schools this Thursday.

Pro Sports
- Tiger makes birdie on the 18th and sends the US Open into an 18 hole playoff with Rocco Mediate. It will be tough on the gallery today as both men were the crowd favorites yesterday.
- ESPN and NBC are going to share the 18 hole playoff coverage today.
- The Lakers are still alive and force a Game 6 after winning Game 5 last night over Boston. Both teams make the 6 hour flight back to Boston for Game 6 tomorrow night.
- Dale Jr. ended a 76 race losing streak to win at Michigan yesterday. You know the pressure was somewhat relieved after joining Hendricks Motorsports before the season started.
- The Cardinals are struggling with injuries and now you can add Yadier Molina to the list. He hurt his neck and back in a collision at home plate and had to be carried off on a stretcher. Pujols, Carpenter, Mulder, Clement, and Isringhausen are major players who have seen or are seeing DL time for the team.
- The future of Mets manager Willie Randolph is in the balance as now the ownership has given the GM the power to let Randolph go.
- Slow day in the MLB as there are only 5 games scheduled.

We have extra golf so set the VCR or DVR because the US Open is going 18 more holes. This makes starting the work week a little easier knowing we have this extra. I'm out.

DC

Tiger on the prowl...

Happy Father's Day!!! Make sure to show your Dad how much you appreciate him not only today but every day of the year. On to the sports...can Tiger really be that good? I guess the answer is yes. You have to have a little luck but the skill set he has in his toybox is unreal. The NBA Finals continues tonight, as well as NASCAR this afternoon, and a little bit of MLB as well.

Prep Report
- The West beat the East 9-2 in the SIBCA All-Star game at Abe Martin Field at SIU yesterday. The underclassmen game ended in a 9-9 tie after 9 innings. This all-star game not only gives the players the chance to play on a college field, but one last chance to represent their high schools by wearing their uniform.
- Tonight is the first practice for the football all-star game to be played at Murray State on Friday night. The Southern Illinois All-Stars will play the Western Kentucky All-stars.
- There seems to be much buzz about the addition of bass fishing and the move back to regional assignments by the IHSA this coming sports year. More details to follow.

College Chatter
- SIU Men's Basketball has been invited to play in the 2K Sports Challenge Hoops Classic. If they were to win a couple of games, they would be playing in Madison Square Garden.
- The College Baseball World Series is off to a roaring start. Georgia, the #8 seed beat #1 seed Miami 7-4. Meanwhile, #5 Stanford exploded for 16 runs and beat #4 Florida State 16-5. Two upsets and we are only done with day 1.
- I am becoming more and more of a fan of watching track meets especially at the college level. There are some tremendous athletes and this is an appetizer for the upcoming Summer Olympics.

Pro Sports
- What were you doing in the summer when you were 18 years old? Well, Joey Loganao became the youngest driver to win a Nationwide race last night in Sparta, KY. He is the prize and future of the Joe Gibbs Racing program.
- NASCAR will race today at Michigan International Speedway. This track is one of my favorites as a wide track means lots of passing and multiple groove racing.
- Game 5 of the NBA Finals will be tonight in LA with the Celtics up 3 games to 1.
- Tiger Woods, on one surgically repaired knee and 2 months off, is still leading the US Open. It just shows you we are seeing a once in a lifetime athlete that is that much better than everyone else.
- The US Open will go primetime tonight on NBC starting at 2PM.
- The Cardinals have more pitchers on the DL it seems. However, there was good news with Mark Mulder and Matt Clement last night in starts at Class A Springfield.
- The interleague in the MLB has lost some luster but playing teams you don't normally see adds a different twist to things.
- How fun has the NL Central been already this year? The Cubs and Cardinals are playing so well which makes for a fun summer of baseball.

It is time to go as I have already walked 18 holes on the golf course today. Again, please make sure to celebrate Father's Day and tell your Dad not only today but every day of the year how much you appreciate him.

DC

Pinging and baseball...

We are getting to the end of the all-star run with a couple of more games the next two weekends for seniors in the area. The "PING" is back in Omaha, Nebraska with the College World Series while interleague baseball is off and running with its second weekend of the season. Quality of sports to watch this weekend is the key and the highlighted events are listed at the end.

Prep Report
- Senior baseball players will get their last chance to wear a high school uniform today. An all-star game will be held at Abe Martin Field at SIU at 11:00AM.
- Underclassmen will play an all-star game as well at the same place starting at 1:00PM.
- Next Friday, June 20th, there will be a Senior football all-star game pitting the Southern Illinois All-Stars vs. the Western Kentucky all-stars at Murray State University.
- The IHSA has rescheduled the release of all the high school football teams and their schedules. It has been moved from June 12th to June 19th.
- Chester is looking for a boys basketball coach after the resignation of Mike Billingsly. They join Johnston City as schools looking for coaches at the high school boys basketball level.
- James Forthman has left Massac County and will take over the girls coaching position at Graves County, Kentucky.

College Sports
- Ping...ping...ping...let the College Baseball World Series begin today in Omaha, Nebraska. This event is unlike any other especially this year with some of the top teams in the country making it there.
- Arizona State sets up a fake fight before their decisive game to go to the World Series and loses. Nice call...what a terrible decision that was.

Pro Sports
- It is moving day at the US Open. Stuart Appleby is your leader going into the day. Tiger needs to make his move because he is not much of a come from behind player on Sunday.
- Torrey Pines has been a very fair golf course and the USGA should be proud of that fact. The course is much better and fairer than courses in recent memory.
- MLB is thinking of using replay starting August 1st on home runs. It is nice to see the MLB be proactive because they haven't usually done things this way.
- Willie Randolph, the Mets manager, is on the hot seat and rumors abound of his imminent firing in the next few days due to his high priced team underachieving.
- The Chipper Jones .400 average watch is over on here. He has messed up a quad and was hit in the eye in a batting practice incident last night. Could this blog have been a jinx?
- Has interleague play ran its course? Except for the big rivalry games, I think the luster and excitement is way down.

Weekend TV Watching
- College Baseball World Series (ESPN family of networks)
- Game 5 NBA Finals (ABC on Sunday night)
- NASCAR (TNT on Sunday from Michigan)
- MLB Baseball (Interleague play provides different matchups)

Can you believe that we are almost halfway through 2008? I just noticed that while typing. With that tidbit, I leave to make good use of the day. I'm out.

DC

Superstitious Day

It is Friday the 13th. Are you superstitious? I slept in a little today after staying up to watch the amazing comeback put together by the Celtics in Game 4 last night. All-star games are on the docket in the prep scene. Interleague play comes to the MLB this weekend. You add the US Open and NASCAR among other things and it continues to stay busy.

Prep Report
- The SIBCA All-Star Games will be tomorrow at Abe Martin Field on the SIU Campus. The Seniors game will be at 11AM followed by the underclassmen game at 1PM.
- The Southern Illinois Football All-Star game will be a week from today at McAndrew Stadium on the SIU Campus.

Pro Sports
- The Celtics came back from 22 down in the 3rd quarter to beat the Lakers to go up 3-1 in the NBA Finals. Game 5 will be on Sunday night in LA.
- Why do I think that more NBA officials and David Stern will be questioned about the integrity of games in the Tim Donaghy investigation?
- Tiger and Phil shot the typical non-exciting US Open first round yesterday. They didn't shoot to high or to low and remain in contention. Justin Hicks shot a 3 under 68 to take the first round lead. The Second Round will be played today.
- NFL Mini-camps...what would these be without problems at most places?
- The old Tiger Stadium which last hosted an MLB game in 1999 is about to be torn down. This was a place of many highlights in the sports and entertainment world and holds a lot of history.
- Soriano and Pujols head to the DL for their respective teams. We shall see how their teams do without them.
- All MLB teams will be playing interleague games this weekend except for the Phillies who are in St. Louis.
- NASCAR heads to Michigan for racing. This is the Ford Showcase race with the Ford plant being in Detroit.

It looks like time to get out and enjoy the day early with rain moving in later on. Plenty to watch this weekend on the sports scene whether locally or on the TV. I'm out.

DC

Breaks...Strains...Baseball...oh my...

The IHSA takes center stage today. Even though it is the offseason, the IHSA continues to do work. In the Pro Sports world, key injuries are going to affect the Cubs and Cards the next few weeks. The NBA Finals resumes tonight in LA while other Pro sports happenings are going on as well.

Prep Report
- The IHSA is tentatively scheduled to release the 2008 football schedules for all high schools.
- Bass Fishing Sectionals and State Tournament dates have been set. Sectionals will be held the week of April 24, 2009 and the State Tournament being May 8th and 9th.
- The price of fuel has also made the IHSA make some changes in the following sports: basketball, baseball, volleyball, softball and soccer. Due to fuel prices, the IHSA is going to assign teams outside the Chicago area to regionals and sectionals in bracketed team sports instead of sectional complexes or sub-sectionals. This will be a new twist to things in the postseason.
- The IHSA also has released on their websites the boys and girls golf regional and sectional sites on their website as well.
- Vandalia is hosting another 2 day tournament today and tomorrow for boys basketball.
- Vashon High School in St. Louis, Missouri has to return 3 State Championships to the state of Missouri after violations were proven against former coach Floyd Irons.

College Sports
- Indiana Men's Basketball will have 1 scholarship player returning next year after Jordan Crawford announced he was not coming back. What kind of punishment will Kelvin Sampson get for leaving things in such a mess?
- Indiana is ready to defend itself to the NCAA now in the wake of the mess.

Pro Sports
- The Cardinals announced Albert Pujols will miss at least 3 weeks with a strained calf.
- The Cubs announced that Alfonso Soriano will miss up to 6 weeks after breaking his left hand after being hit by a pitch in a game vs the Braves last night.
- Game 4 of the NBA Finals is tonight in LA. The Celtics lead 2-1.
- Vinny Del Negro is the new head coach of the Chicago Bulls. If you knew that is who they were going to pick when this started, please tell us the lottery numbers as well.
- The US Open begins today in San Diego. Key pairing of the first two days is the world #1 and #2 players Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson playing together.
- The NFL is at it again. Jonathan Ogden of the Ravens announced his retirement after 12 years on the O-Line, then WR Plaxico Burress of the Giants came to mini-camp but said he wasn't participating because he wants a new contract, and then T.O. gave his opinion of the NFL and how they handled his tardiness on getting tested.

Garnati Scramble
Yesterday, I participated again in the Garnati Scramble at Pine Lakes Golf Course in Herrin, IL. It was another day of good golf, good times, being around good friends, good food, and a well run tournament. Congrats to Chuck Garnati, Jimmy Dean, and all others who work to put this event on.

Again, I am off to another scramble today. I am participating in the Ron Herrin Memorial Scramble today at Green Hills Golf Course this afternoon. I must go and get ready. I'm out.

DC

Taking it easy...

I am taking it easy with a day full of golf today. Cards fans are holding their breaths this morning awaiting word on the extent of the injury of Albert Pujols. It didn't look good at first look but evaluations will be done today. The NBA has another game of the Finals in the book. Time to touch on golf on the eve of the US Open as well.

Prep Report
- The IHSA is tentatively set to release the 2008 football schedules of all participating schools tomorrow.
- SIU is hosting a big boys basketball summer tournament on June 23 and 24.
- Vandalia will host another 2 day basketball camp on Thursday and Friday or this week.
- There are many good legion and travel baseball teams in the area to go and watch. Also, there are some very good softball teams as well to watch.

College Watch
- SIUE is going to join the Ohio Valley Conference during the 2011-2012 season as the Cougars continue to progress to Division 1 athletics.

Pro Sports
- The Lakers won Game 3 last night to cut the Celtics lead to 2-1. The Celtics had their chances to win the game but Paul Pierce had 2 FGs the entire game. That is not going to work on the road and he has to be much more aggressive. Game 4 is Thursday night.
- Why is it that in the NBA Playoffs, the question before games is "how will it be officiated?" after coaches whine in pregame media activities?
- Tim Donaghy...the name that won't go away fast enough if you are the NBA. He is the ref accused of fixing games now alleges that games were fixed in the playoffs in 2002-2005. My friends, there has always been rumors of this during the NBA Playoffs but this is a most troubling allegation if any of it at all is true.
- The MLB had a couple of major injuries last night.
- Injury #1 was Albert Pujols straining his left calf running out of the box on a ground ball. It didn't look good and he will go under more observations today to check the extent of the injury.
- Injury #2 was Tom Glavine hurting his left elbow on his pitching arm. This comes on the same day that John Smoltz had surgery on his shoulder.
- Non injury but wow...Dontrelle Willis was sent down to Class A ball to work on things. Ouch...the Tigers are eating a ton of money in salary and not getting many benefits.
- Tiger Woods says his knee is fine and he is ready to go for the US Open. It begins tomorrow at Torrey Pines.

Time for me to get finished here. I am playing in the Garnatti Golf Scramble in Herrin today. I'm out.

DC

Hut...Hut...Hike...

Things are heating up during the summer for all prep teams in many sports. Camps and offseason training programs are in full swing. It is that time of year. Hut...hut...hike...Who says the NFL has an offseason? The events yesterday was like a Monday in the middle of the regular season. A milestone was reached in the MLB last night but there weren't many there to see it. Finally, we get back to the hardwood tonight in the NBA.

Prep Report
- Day 2 of the Vandalia Shootout is today. Each team is playing 2 games before a tournament breaks out in the afternoon. They will also have another tournament on Thursday and Friday later this week.

Pro Sports
- Ken Griffey Jr. hit career home run #600 last night in front of a grand total of 16,000 in Florida. However, the next question is after he returns to Cincy to be celebrated by the organization, how long will it take before he is traded?
- Adam Wainwright is going to the DL for that middle finger on his pitching hand but Joel Piniero and Todd Wellemeyer are cleared to pitch. 2 out of 3 aren't bad for the Cardinals.
- The White Sox have won 7 in a row and have extended their lead in the AL Central to 6.5 games.
- On the flip side, do you think the upper brass and fans of the Yankees, Tigers, Mets, Brewers, and Rockies are just a bit miffed at the start of their season?
- The NFL yesterday included the following things: 1. The announcement by Michael Strahan of the Giants that he was retiring. 2. The Bears have cut ties with Cedric Benson after his 2nd DUI arrest in a month. 3. T.O. missed a testing with the NFL so he can now be tested up to 24 times a year during the rest of his career. FYI...He has never tested positive for anything and recently didn't either.
- Vinny Del Negro is the next coach of the Bulls allegedly. Are you kidding? You had Doug Collins and Avery Johnson out there and didn't get either one.
- Game 3 of the NBA Finals will be tonight in LA. Expect all of the celebs to be out in full force as well as the Lakers to get to the free throw line often in this game.

A beautiful late spring day is calling me out to head to the golf course. The intrigue of the evening will be Game 3 of the NBA Finals. The people off of the floor attending the game might be more interesting than the game itself. I'm out.

DC

On your mark...

Monday, Monday...the beginning of another work week has begun. As I said a few weeks ago, the high school scene was going to slow down. There is not much going on with the prep scene right now expect for camps and tournaments. College is making one last gasp later in the week. The NBA Finals are 2 games in and the Celtics are in control. However, golf will take the lead later in the week with the US Open.

Prep Report
- Vandalia High School will be hosting a boys basketball shootout today and tomorrow as well as Thursday and Friday this week. Several teams from Southern and Central Illinois will be participating those days.

College Sports
- Ping...ping...ping...more later this week.

Pro Sports
- Boston lead big, then held on late to win Game 2 of the NBA Finals to go up 2-0. The series shifts to LA for the next 3 games. We shall see if LA can handle the Boston defense a little better at home.
- Kasey Kahne won for the 2nd time in 3 races by winning at Pocono yesterday.
- The Chicago White Sox have won 6 in a row after sweeping Minnesota over the weekend. This since the Guillen tirade a week ago.
- Slim schedule in the MLB especially on the NL side today. This is a travel day for most teams.
- The US Open golf tournament is this week. Practice rounds will be the next three days before the tournament begins on Thursday.
- Don't forget that Tiger and Phil will play in same grouping the first two rounds of the tournament. It will be interesting to see how cordial they will be with each other.

Word is that rain is on the way. Being that is the middle of the week, it is time to get outside and get things done. Yes, it does include a round of golf. I'm out.

DC

Sports Brunch

Later than normal, but better late then never. So the title for today is the Sports Brunch due to the late morning posting. The IHSA 2007-2008 season came to an end last night. However, the summer basketball season is in full swing in the area. My my...Big Brown really laid a...well you fill in the blank.

Prep Report
- 3A Baseball
1st Place - Highland
2nd Place - Rock Falls
3rd Place - Joliet Academy
4th Place - Crystal Lake
- 4A Baseball
1st Place - Crystal Lake (Prairie Ridge)
2nd Place - Oak Park
3rd Place - Naperville Neuqua Valley
4th Place - Wheaton North
- 3A Softball
1st Place - Bartonville (Limestone)
2nd Place - Mattoon
3rd Place - Glen Ellyn
4th Place - Marengo
-4A Softball
1st Place - New Lenox
2nd Place - Barrington
3rd Place - Roselle
4th Place - Winnetka (New Trier)
- Centralia will be hosting day 2 of its summer shootout this afternoon. Games will be played at Centralia High School and the Centralia Rec Center.

Pro Sports
- The San Diego Padres have set a major league record by becoming the first team to win 4 straight games by a score of 2-1.
- Time to start the Chipper Jones watch. He is hitting .420 now and we are almost to mid-June.
- Todd Wellemeyer has an elbow problem and Adam Wainwright now has a middle finger problem on his pitching hand. How have the Cardinals stayed afloat with their starting staff injury woes?
- The Cubs are on the ESPN Game of the Week tonight in LA.
- Rafeal Nadal won the French Open for the 4th time in a row this morning.
- Big Brown...ouch, what a let down that was. The word "bust" comes to mind when watching this event yesterday. By the way, let's give credit where credit is due and say that Affirmed was one of the most dominant horses ever. I wouldn't want to see Big Brown race Affirmed anytime soon if it were possible.
- Game 2 of the NBA Finals are tonight in Boston. We shall see if Paul Pierce has any affects after suffering a knee injury in Game 1.

Smell that...it is lunch calling my name. I'm out.

DC

Tripling our Pleasure...

The high school season ends today for 2007-2008 but the rest of the sports world is going strong. Today, we are tripling our pleasure because we may have the first triple crown winner in horse racing in almost 30 years and also the MLB has been anything but boring as all kinds of things are happening on and off the field. You add to the fact that the NBA is bucking for spotlight time as well and we are very busy.

Prep Report
- Highland will play Rock Falls for the Class 3A Baseball State Championship today. The Bulldogs won 1-0 on Friday. The 3rd place game will be Crystal Lake vs. Joliet Academy.
- Oak Park will play Crystal Lake for the Class 4A Baseball State Championship today. Wheaton North will play Naperville (Neuqua Valley) for 3rd Place.
- Mattoon will play Bartonville Limestone for the 3A Softball State Championship in East Peoria today. Glen Ellyn will play Marengo for 3rd Place.
- New Lenox will play Barrington for the championship in Class 4A Softball while in 3rd Place Winnetka will play Roselle.
- Waltonville is the place to be today for good high school boys basketball. Several very good 1A and 2A teams will be playing all day there today.

Pro Sports
- The Belmont horse race is today and the #2 contender (Casino Drive) for the title was pulled out due to injury. Remember, Big Brown is going for the Triple Crown.
- Floyd Mayweather Jr. has officially retired from boxing. Two things...either he is done completely or it is a negotiating ploy for him to get even more money for his next bout.
- The French Open Tennis Championship will take place with the women's title today and the men's title tomorrow morning.
- Doug Collins will not be the next coach of the Bulls. He has withdrawn his name from consideration.
- Speaking of the NBA, Paul Pierce is catching a lot of heat for pulling an acting job of his knee being hurt and then returning to the floor in prime condition during Game 1.
- Arguments, fights, suspensions and player/manager disgust...the MLB season is heating up just like the weather as we are in 60 games into the season. All of the above mentioned has happened during the season.
- Brandon Webb won his 11th game of the year for Arizona last night.
- Barry Bonds has plead not guilty to many charges against him. His trial date is set for March 2009.
- Besides the AL East lead for the Red Sox being 0.5, the next closest race is 3.5 in any division.

Weekend TV Time
Here are some TV events that are a must watch this weekend for the sports fan:
The Belmont - (horse race which Big Brown will go for the Triple Crown on NBC)
NBA Finals - (Game 2 on Sunday night in Boston on ABC)
NASCAR - (Pocono 500 on the big triangle on Sunday afternoon on TNT)
College Baseball - (Super Regionals are on the ESPN family of networks all weekend)
Ice Road Truckers - (show on the History Channel that is not sports related but very interesting to watch on Sunday night)

I have given you the reader plenty to talk about and also watch. It is time to go out and do both of these things. I'm out.

DC

Breezing to the weekend...

The IHSA will blow through the end of the 2007-2008 sports calendar this weekend. There are several good basketball events this weekend in the area if you are looking for some roundball. Meanwhile, the summer breezes are drying everything out and making outdoor activites quite interesting. Speaking of breezing...can you believe that we are 60 games or so into the MLB schedule?

Prep Report
- 3A and 4A State Baseball and Softball are this weekend in Joliet and East Peoria.
- The Benton Lions Club All-Star game will be tonight at Rend Lake College. The girls game will start at 6PM and then the boys game will start at 8PM.
- Waltonville and Centralia are hosting summer basketball tournaments this weekend. Several good teams in all classes will be participating.
- Football fans...mark your calendar for June 12 as that is the date the IHSA is shooting for in putting out the 2008 HS Football schedules for all teams in the state.

Pro Sports
- The NBA Finals this year are like none in recent years. The intensity and the goosebumps of the pre-game means the Celtics/Lakers are in it once again. The drama and high level of play in Game 1 last night was hard to turn away from last night. The Celtics win at home to go up 1-0 with Game 2 in Beantown on Sunday night.
- Chipper Jones of the Braves hit career HR number 400 last night and improved his batting average to .418.
- With the summer heating up, so are many things in the MLB. The Rays/Red Sox got into a very good brawl last night and managers who are frustrated with teams are getting impatient (IE...Mariners.)
- The ChiSox swept KC last night to get their winning streak to 3 games. This comes after the Guillen tantrum on Sunday.
- Cubs fans...get your rest today...the game in LA will not begin until 9:40PM CST tonight.
-Kyle Busch will attempt to race trucks in Texas, Nationwide in Nashville, and then Sprint in Pennsylvania this weekend on the NASCAR circuits.
- The MLB Draft was held yesterday. Jake Odorizzi of Highland High School was selected in the first round by the Brewers. Highland plays this weekend in the 3A State Baseball Tournament.

Finally Friday and the weekend is almost here. Off to enjoy...I'm out.

DC

Finally the Finals...

As the weather warms, the level of basketball rises with the NBA Finals beginning tonight. We rehash the memories of the 80's when the Lakers/Celtics battled. To match that, these teams need to meet more than one time and the core players need to stay on their respective teams as they did in the 80's. The summer means we wind down the HS season, but the MLB continues to heat up.

Prep Report
- The Benton Lions Club All-Star basketball game will be tomorrow night at Rend Lake College. The girls game will start at 6PM and then the boys will take the floor around 8PM. This game features much of the local Senior talent in Southern Illinois.
- Waltonville is hosting a one day summer basketball tournament on Saturday. There will be several good 1A and 2A boys basketball teams playing in both the grade school and high school gyms.
- The IHSA will wrap up the 2007-2008 sports season this weekend in East Peoria and Joliet with 3A and 4A baseball and softball.

Odds and Ends
- Chicago is joining Madrid, Tokyo, and Rio de Janeiro as the final four cities in the running to host the 2016 Summer Olympics. The decision will be made by secret ballot vote in October 2009.
- If you run to race in the Iditarod Dog Sled Race next year, it will cost $4,000 which is $1,000 more than last year.

Pro Sports
- Big Brown has the #1 position when the horses race in the 3rd race of the Triple Crown at the Belmont on Saturday.
- Tiger and Phil Mickelson are paired together during the first 2 rounds of the US Open next week. We shall see how cordial the two will be.
- The Detroit Red Wings have won their 11th Stanley Cup after beating Pittsburgh last night in Game 6.
- The NBA Finals will begin tonight in Boston where the Celtics play the Lakers.
- John Smoltz of the Braves will have season ending shoulder surgery. We possibly could have seen him pitch for the last time.
- As the Yankees Turn...it seems some of the players are questioning whether Joba Chamberlain should have been a starter. Nice, coming from a very underachieving and old team who is far behind, they need no other distractions but they keep finding them.
- The Cubs are human after losing last night in San Diego 2-1 and having their 9 game winning streak stopped.
- The Cardinals can't seem to get much done in Washington D.C. as the weather has plagued their series with the Nationals. The teams will play a DH today after being rained out last night.
- The White Sox are 2-0 since the latest Guillen verbal blast. That is the good news. The bad news is the hitting coach has taken offense to what Ozzie said. Is it really good when a first place team makes more noise off the field than on?

The windy and warm weather outside means a day to get out and do something (play golf) before rain and storms hit tomorrow. I'm out.

DC

Groggy for Mid-Week

Do you remember the movie "Groundhog Day?" You know the one where it seemed like you go through the same thing day after day. I believe this describes the weather we have been having this spring of rain and storms.
However the sports world continues to go as we wind down the NHL and get ready for the NBA Finals. Do we ever get tired of hearing about the MLB? I sure don't. I do know that West Coast games really cut into sleep but watching the Cubs win makes it easier to take.

Prep Report
- The Southern Illinois high school all-star football game will be on Friday, June 20th at SIU. More details to be posted later as more information comes about.
- ZR High School is redoing their gym with new bleachers and a new paint scheme on the floor.
- 3A and 4A State Tournaments for Baseball and Softball will be this weekend.
- Waltonville hosts a big summer basketball tournament on Saturday. Several very good 1A and 2A teams will be playing.

Pro Sports
- Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals is tonight in Pittsburgh where the Penguins will try to force a Game 7 against Detroit.
- The Detroit Pistons decided that Flip Saunders and losing in the Easter Conference Finals 3 years in a fow wasn't good enough. He was fired and the Pistons are in the market for a coach.
- The St. Louis Cardinals beat the Nationals in Washington DC last night 6 to 1. The key to the game was the length of rain delays actually was longer than the total time to play the game.
- Joba Chamberlain failed miserably in his first start with the Yankees last night in a loss. What will the Yankees do next?
- Randy Johnson passed Roger Clemens for 2nd all-time in strikeouts last night in a DBacks loss to the Brewers.
- The MLB Draft is this week and ESPN will be providing the coverage. Of the 3 major sports, this draft is the most obscure due to the fact it is tough to know all of the players.

Tired...sleep deprived...but forging on to begin the day. I'm out.

DC

Thundering into Sports...

Awakened out of bed by some thunder, I am up and ready to go with information. We are approaching the last weekend of the high school sports season for 2007-2008 as the year quickly winds down.

Prep Report
- 3A Baseball has 3/4 of its State Tournament field set for Friday in Joliet. Highland (the Southern Illinois representative), Joliet Catholic, and Rock Falls are in. The other Super-Sectional will be played today.
- 4A Baseball is set as Nequa Valley of Naperville (the Southern Illinois representative), Oak Park, Wheaton North, and Crystal Lake have advanced to Joliet.
- 3A Softball is set for East Peoria as Mattoon (the Southern Illinois representative), Glen Ellyn, Marengo, and Freeport have advanced.
- 4A Softball is 1/2 way set as New Lenox (the Southern Illinois representative) and Barrington have advanced. The other two Super-Sectionals will be played today.

Pro Sports
- Carlos Zambrano is hitting .361 this year. He already has a 4 hit game this year and tripled in a win over San Diego last night. By the way, he is also 8-1 on the mound.
- John Smoltz of the Braves blew his first save as he returned to the bullpen last night.
- Is anyone else beside me tired of hearing and/or hearing about Ozzie Guillen? His team is in first place. What will happen when/if the Sox drop out of contention?
- The NL East has the closest race in the NL as the other two divisions have 3.5 games separting the leader from the rest.
- Rumors are swirling that the Yankees are looking to make trades. That itchy finger is ready to hit the panic button.
- For those that were already in bed, the Penguins went into Detroit to win 4-3 in 3OT and send it to Game 6 in the Stanley Cup Finals.
- The Dallas Cowboys signed T.O. to a big money and long term deal. He has definitely earned this with his play over the past two years.
- Also, the NFL has partially reinstated Pacman Jones to practice with the Cowboys. The full decision of reinstatement will come later. I think it is only a matter of time before he can play again.
- The US Open is next week and Tiger Woods is still rehabbing and hasn't played 18 holes in a while. It makes for good PR leading up to the event.

It seems that things have cleared for at least awhile so it is time to be productive today. I'm out.

DC

Shifting into June

Things are a changing just like the calendar from May to June. With the month change, there is not going to be as much on some days when it comes to blogging on the high school aspect of things. I will be trying to dig up things, but from day to day, there may not be as much. However, you can always bet the pro sports world is always going to have great, juicy things going on.

Prep Report
- The 3A and 4A baseball and softball Super-Sectionals will be held around the state today. The winners will go to East Peoria for Softball and Baseball in Joliet this weekend.
- Waltonville and Centralia will be hosting summer basketball tournaments this weekend.
- It was great to watch Cobden, Carterville, and Pinckneyville and their celebration parades.

Pro Sports
- Kyle Busch was the winner at Dover yesterday in NASCAR. Earnhardt Jr. can't win and Kyle keeps on winning. Do you think Hendrick is regretting letting him go?
- Ryan Briscoe won the Indy Car race at Milwaukee yesterday. The president of his fan club, Danica Patrick, finished 9th. LOLOLOL
- Big Brown is getting a cracked hoof repaired for the Belmont. Horse racing needs him to race badly.
- Can someone please tell Ozzie Guillen to be quiet? His act is well beyond stale and you can't throw your boss under the boss (GM Kenny Williams) when he has battled for you the past couple of years.
- The Cubs continue to roll as they swept a 7 game homestand over the Dodgers and Rockies. The month of June will be a test with a majority of games on the road beginning with 7 (3 in San Diego and 4 in LA.)
- Could the luck have changed for Tampa Bay when they took the word "Devil" out of their nickname and went with "Rays?"
- Dancing with the Stars has been great for Jason Taylor. After one win last season with the Dolphins we may have not heard from him.

Summer vacation is here for me so I am going to enjoy. I'm out.

DC

Southern Illinois...Home of Illinois High School Softball Dominance

For 3 straight weekends, the pride that Southern Illinois has felt in track, baseball, and softball has been unbelievable. We now add 2 more 1st places, a 2nd, and a 3rd from this weekend in East Peoria and Joliet. It is a great way to end the 2007-2008 high school sports calendar.

Prep Report
- We start in East Peoria where Cobden took full advantage of the 4 class system winning their first ever State Softball 1A Championship. They beat Alexis United 5-2 in 11 innings. This followed their semi-final win over Lebanon earlier in the day. The Lady Appleknockers played twice but Alexis United only once on Saturday. It was bittersweet for Cobden as head coach Josh Franklin is leaving the team to become a youth minister.
- Later in the evening, Carterville capped off a dominating season by beating Stanford-Olympia 13-2 to win their first ever State Softball 2A Championship. The Lady Lions had to play twice also on Saturday and earlier in the day beat Piasa Southwestern 4-0 in the Semi-Finals. By far, the Lady Lions were the best team in Southern Illinois most of the year and shook off two straight years of losing in the first round at State. FYI...this program is going to be very good for years to come.
- Next, off to Joliet where Marissa finished 2nd in Class 1A Baseball after losing to Jacksonville Routt 13-3 in 5 innings. The Meteors were a very good team and had a little luck along the way winning a 1-0 game on a bases loaded walk in the Sectionals.
- Later in the day, the Pinckneyville Panthers placed 3rd in 2A beating Coal City 4-0. The Panthers had lost earlier in the day in the Semis to IVC 3-2. The group of Seniors at PCHS have added 4 state trophies to the high school. They finished 4th in basketball twice, and then 2nd and 3rd in baseball. That is a very impressive run.
- All in all, I extend my congratulations to these teams on doing so very well and representing Southern Illinois this weekend.
- In 3A Baseball, Highland won the Centralia Sectional while in 3A Softball it was Mattoon winning the Centralia Sectional. All other area teams have been eliminated.

Trivia Question
When was the last time the Chicago Cubs had the best record in baseball on June 1st? (Answer later down the page)

Pro Sports
- Usain Bolt of Jamaica broke the world record in the 100m dash with a time of 9.72. This means since 1996, the time for the record has dropped 16 hundreths of a second.
- The Detroit Red Wings are one game away from winning the Stanley Cup as they won on the road in Pittsburgh last night 2-1.
- Manny Ramirez of Boston hit career HR number 500 last night and Ken Griffey Jr. hit number 599 yesterday as well.
- Would you have been willing to place money when the season started for the MLB that Tampa Bay and Florida would be in 1st place on June 1st?
- Racing today at Dover where Greg Biffle is on pole for the NASCAR event while the Indy car drivers are in Milwaukee for the annual event that follows the Indy 500.

Trivia Answer
It was in 1908 that the Cubs had the best record in the MLB on June 1st. I don't have to tell you what happened that year for the Cubs.

I think I am done and am going to enjoy the sunny day that is out there waiting for us as well as the pride that Marissa, Pinckneyville, Cobden, and Carterville brought to their towns and Southern Illinois this weekend. I'm out.

DC