Nobody asked me but...

Wednesday, April 4, 2007

Nobody asked me but...the spring sports season is upon us and I have some early observations.

Sikeston baseball is off to a 5-0 start. The Bulldogs have gotten some stellar play from Scott Droddy and Josh Jackson early in the year.

While Blake DeWitt and Jacob Priday are not coming out of the dugout, this season's squad plays fundamentally solid defense and has a deep pitching rotation. If Sikeston continues to make the routine defensive plays and the starting pitching holds up, a district title is not out of the realm of possibility.

* Sikeston's girls soccer team is also off to a fast start. The girls finished second in the Noon Optimist Tournament at Cape Central, which was the highest place in the program's history.

In addition, Sikeston defeated Cape Central for the first time ever in the semifinals.

The Lady Bulldogs have two of the premiere players in the area in junior Jordi Ferrell and sophomore sensation Abbi Keefer. If head coach Derrick Long can work his magic with first-time goal keeper Amber Minner and get her solid in goal, Sikeston has a good chance to capture the program's first district title.

* The track at Sikeston Public Schools Stadium is as good, and probably better, than any high school track in the area. The jumps area sets the facility apart. There are separate areas for the long and triple jumps, with rotating take off lanes depending on the wind. At night, the lighting around the track is an extra benefit that the town should be very proud of.

* The Oran baseball team might be the best team in the area. The Eagles have been putting the beat-down on opponents to start off the year. Kody Campbell, Chris Asmus and Chase Seyer lead a potent offensive lineup.

The knock on Oran is the perceived soft regular season schedule. Remember folks, the Eagles are a Class 1 squad. Their schedule is fine. Oran does play the Leopolds and Zalmas of the area, but they do compete in a tournament in St. Louis that attracts quality teams from that area.

Plus, with Oran being a Class 1 team, many larger schools refuse to play the Eagles. It's a no-win situation for some area teams, which could explain why Oran has trouble getting some of the larger teams on schedule.

* Some players to watch for the rest of the baseball season...

Taylor White, East Prairie

Paul Johnson, Charleston

Dylan Harris, NMCC

Caleb Seyer, Oran

Josh Stevens, Dexter

* The NCAA Tournament was one of the best in recent memory due to the quality of players in the field. Led by Kevin Durant from Texas and Greg Oden of Ohio State, the NBA age limit has increased the level of play in college. I would like for the rule to be expanded to where a player has to complete his sophomore season before being eligible for the pros. The current rule allows a player to leave after his freshman season.

* Billy Packer has to go. As the lead color commentator for CBS, Packer's smugness just wears on me. Sometimes I wonder does the guy even like the game of basketball? After years of frustration with Packer, we have an out ladies and gentlemen. On the PBS talk show "Charlie Rose," Packer made a slur about gays that will have the sports world talking this week. Regardless of what he said, just get the guy out of my TV set.

And finally, nobody asked me but...Delta standout Kaci Menz has verbally committed to Three Rivers Community College to play softball and basketball. Menz will be joined by teammate Shea Smith, who was limited this year due to a major knee injury.

Scott Central standout Brittney Peet might join them, who has expressed interest in the Lady Raiders program.

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