Greetings from Tampa
posted by David Cloninger, 3/12/2009 12:52:00 AM
Head out on the highway."
--------------- STEPPENWOLF
You would think that after our third trip to this burg in the past four months, we'd know our way around. Roger Olivieri and I somewhat found our way to our destinations, but there were some wrong turns.
We're here, safe and not-so-sound, in Tampa, Fla., for the SEC tournament. I didn't post earlier today because we went right to practice from the highway, so I'm catching up all of you loyal subscribers today.
Besides, I know it's over a week until spring football practice starts again and the baseball team just got blistered without a jug of The Beacon sweet tea to soothe it in sight, so you've got to have something to complain about.
Great practice today. Very loose, very comfortable, guys having a lot of fun shooting around. There was a 75-foot shot contest (a few guys hit the rim) and some loose banter as the Gamecocks welcomed a rare day off at the SEC tournament.
Zam Fredrick walked over for his post-practice interviews and slapped hands with each of the reporters present, saying he was glad to see them and cupping an arm around me with the phrase, "Can I ask a question?" I told him sure.
Then he didn't ask me one. So I asked him why his alma mater couldn't take it easy on some of my near-hometown boys, the Great Falls Red Devils, in last week's Class A state championship basketball game.
He told me it was just the way Calhoun County, and his old man in particular, do business. I was inclined to agree, after witnessing the 25 that Alshon hung on my kids, causing Lane Kiffin to immediately made another stupid comment (seriously, why is this jackanape still employed?).
But on to some bragging. Coach Darrin Horn, watching the 75-footers sail across the court, challenged the media members to get out there and shoot. None of us wanted to try that shot, so some tried a regulation 3-pointer.
The first one that was made was converted by a devilishly handsome man from Rock Hill, S.C., who took a beautiful feed from Devan Downey (a native of Chester, right under York County), and nailed it. Now, yes, I did bank it in.
But if it was good enough for Alabama's Anthony Brock, who did the same thing to give USC a piece of the SEC East championship, then it was good enough for your own Ricky Nelson clone, the Travelin' Man himself, yours truly.
Life is good. And today (Thursday) is the 53rd birthday of one of my heroes, former Atlanta Braves great and two-time National League MVP Dale Murphy. I shouldn't be working on this sacred holiday, but duty calls.
Talk to you after the Georgia-Mississippi State game.
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"Get your motor runnin',
Head out on the highway."
--------------- STEPPENWOLF
You would think that after our third trip to this burg in the past four months, we'd know our way around. Roger Olivieri and I somewhat found our way to our destinations, but there were some wrong turns.
We're here, safe and not-so-sound, in Tampa, Fla., for the SEC tournament. I didn't post earlier today because we went right to practice from the highway, so I'm catching up all of you loyal subscribers today.
Besides, I know it's over a week until spring football practice starts again and the baseball team just got blistered without a jug of The Beacon sweet tea to soothe it in sight, so you've got to have something to complain about.
Great practice today. Very loose, very comfortable, guys having a lot of fun shooting around. There was a 75-foot shot contest (a few guys hit the rim) and some loose banter as the Gamecocks welcomed a rare day off at the SEC tournament.
Zam Fredrick walked over for his post-practice interviews and slapped hands with each of the reporters present, saying he was glad to see them and cupping an arm around me with the phrase, "Can I ask a question?" I told him sure.
Then he didn't ask me one. So I asked him why his alma mater couldn't take it easy on some of my near-hometown boys, the Great Falls Red Devils, in last week's Class A state championship basketball game.
He told me it was just the way Calhoun County, and his old man in particular, do business. I was inclined to agree, after witnessing the 25 that Alshon hung on my kids, causing Lane Kiffin to immediately made another stupid comment (seriously, why is this jackanape still employed?).
But on to some bragging. Coach Darrin Horn, watching the 75-footers sail across the court, challenged the media members to get out there and shoot. None of us wanted to try that shot, so some tried a regulation 3-pointer.
The first one that was made was converted by a devilishly handsome man from Rock Hill, S.C., who took a beautiful feed from Devan Downey (a native of Chester, right under York County), and nailed it. Now, yes, I did bank it in.
But if it was good enough for Alabama's Anthony Brock, who did the same thing to give USC a piece of the SEC East championship, then it was good enough for your own Ricky Nelson clone, the Travelin' Man himself, yours truly.
Life is good. And today (Thursday) is the 53rd birthday of one of my heroes, former Atlanta Braves great and two-time National League MVP Dale Murphy. I shouldn't be working on this sacred holiday, but duty calls.
Talk to you after the Georgia-Mississippi State game.
Link to this entry - Discuss this entry - Return to Blog Home
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David Cloninger. David is a full-time staff writer for GamecockCentral, and covers Gamecock football, men's basketball, baseball and recruiting. He may be reached by email at david(at)gamecockcentral.com. Replace (at) with @.