Thursday, February 10, 2011

Hillcrest boys, Sparta girls prepare for post-season runs

Two of our local high school basketball teams this week set off on what could be the start of a memorable post-season for both programs.

Hillcrest High School’s varsity boys have been ranked among the best teams in Class 4A all season, and I will not be shocked if they make it to the regional tourney and beyond this year.

The road won’t be easy. They won’t be able to overlook anyone from here on out, and they’ll definitely have to bring their A game to defeat teams like Jackson, Andalusia, Escambia County and Dadeville.

Sparta Academy’s varsity girls will return to familiar territory this week when they travel to Montgomery to take part in the AISA’s state tournament. Many of Sparta’s players are state tourney veterans and will not likely be rattled by an appearance at the Big Dance.

Again, the road won’t be easy, and the Lady Warriors will have their work cut out for them. They’ll have to get by undefeated and No. 1-ranked Lakeside, Southern Academy and Autauga Academy.

Will Hillcrest and Sparta bring home big post-season trophies at the end of their seasons?

Only time will tell, but there is definitely some great basketball ahead for hoops fans in Conecuh County.

Also this past week, we saw the end to another football season, and now many of us are left looking forward to little more than the spring football games at Alabama and Auburn.

Sunday night’s Super Bowl was fun to watch, and the Steelers at least made it interesting as they battled back from an ugly first-half start. In the end, though, they couldn’t overcome their mistakes and turnovers and lost, 31-25 to the Packers.

If you were one of the many TV viewers who watched Sunday night’s big game, you were a part of history. According to news reports on Monday, this year’s Super Bowl broadcast was the most watched television program in history.

When you consider all the high profile season finales over the years and other much hyped sporting events, that’s saying a lot.

For the record, my favorite commercial from this year’s Super Bowl was the Volkswagen ad with the kid dressed up like Darth Vader. I also got a big kick out of the CareerBuilder.com ad where the chimps blocked the guy into his car by parking too close to him. I’d rank the Budweiser cowboys singing “Tiny Dancer” a close third.

With football over and basketball winding down, one thing is for sure: Baseball and softball are just around the corner.

The AHSAA baseball and softball seasons officially begin on Feb. 21, and the AISA baseball and softball seasons begin on Monday.

This year, Hillcrest’s softball team will compete in 4A Area 2 against Jackson, Monroe County, Thomasville and W.S. Neal. The baseball team will compete in 4A Area 2 against Jackson, Monroe County and Thomasville.

Sparta’s baseball and softball teams will compete in 2A, Region 2, Area 2 along with Clarke Prep, Escambia Academy and South Choctaw Academy.

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