Published: November 30, 2008 09:47 am      

Winter sports are here

DUNCAN — The chill in the air is bringing warmth to the high school athletic fan’s heart. Winter sports are here at last.

The area basketball and wrestling teams will end a lengthy lull in the sports calendars by suiting up in full force this week. The aroma will fill gymnasiums from Idabel to Guymon and life couldn’t be any better. How’s that for some Thanksgiving attitude?

Over the course of the past two weeks, we as The Duncan Banner, have compiled previews for the winter sports section which appears in today’s sports page.

The great thing about high school sports is that every season brings a new story line and that will be the case this season. The first part of the season will be spent wondering who will step up and fill scoring roles. Who are those newcomers that are going to have an impact and which teams are strong playoff contenders?

Early in the season a couple of boys teams have made themselves interesting. Empire is employing a no-holds barred offensive style and Bray-Doyle has had a couple of freshmen step up.

Other storylines that will be fun to follow are Casy Rowell’s chase for a third straight state championship in wrestling, a resurgence in Duncan basketball and Velma-Alma’s rebuilding efforts. And those are just a few, I really could go on and on so feel free to insert your own storyline.

For this, the fans can give thanks.

Throughout football, more than one administrator talked about how much a good football team can do for school morale. The kids behave better and everything runs smoother. If football did not turn out all that swell, basketball and wrestling teams give schools another chance to find that pride and keep the year on track. For that, I reckon the administrators give thanks.

For me personally, this will be something different than I have experienced in the past three years. In Texas, districts carry over from football and only the top four teams make the playoffs. In Oklahoma, everyone has a shot at the gold ball once the regular season ends. For that, coaches can give thanks.

The changes for me are not limited to the playoff system. I have to get used to the fact that it would not be prudent to wear shorts to basketball games. The weather is a little unforgiving for that fashion statement.

I have also had to say good-bye to other traditions. For the first time in three years, I was not able to attend the Turkey Bowl. A flag football game in Old Baytown limited to my Hispanic friends. It is so organized that one of the awards handed out is to the Most Powerful Vato. I really loved the Turkey Bowl.

This weekend I have also had to miss out on former Duncan Banner Sports Editor Doyle Barlow’s wedding. Barlow, a colorful character if there ever was one, was married on Saturday at the renaissance festival in Conroe, Texas. Barlow suited up as the sheriff of Nottingham. What I would have given to see that.

On the plus side, I was able to spend Thanksgiving with the family, something I had not been able to do since moving to Texas. For everything that can be said about family, there is no replacement for it. Even when falling asleep on the couch during a football game, there is nothing as comforting as knowing that you are surrounded by those that mean everything in the world.

For that, I am grateful.



Michael Pineda is the Sports Editor for The Duncan Banner. He can be reached at 580-255-5354, Ext. 143, or via e-mail at m.pineda@duncanbanner.com.