Show Down in Knoxville!

In a battle of former WV prep stars, Alexis Hornbuckle and Renee Montgomery did something they had not done since middle school. When they took the court today, they took is as opponents instead of teammates. And what a game they played. As each helped their team in a college basketball classic. Tennessee at No.1 and UCONN at No.7 battled back and forth the entire game. Montgomery battled hard as she guarded Hornbuckle and held her scoring in check. But in the end Alexis was one assist away from a triple-double and had more help from her Tennessee teammates coming out on top 89-80.

Stat Lines: Pts. Reb. Assists Steals

R.Montgomery 0 1 3 1
A.Hornbuckle 10 14 9 4

Look for future matchups of these two stars to be just as good.

WOW!!!

I don't know if you have noticed it or not, since we don't get any coverage around the state on them, but MOUNTAIN STATE UNIVERSITY, up in Beckley, is whipping up on their opponents. They are 14-0 going into today's game against NAIA #3 Union. They are a quiet force here in the state. For some reason the only coverage they get is in the Beckley newspaper.

Since the start of the 2003-2004 season the small NAIA school has went 82-5. Now that's a winning record. We sometimes get so caught up in the D-I, D-II mentality that we overlook some of the classic achievements of the smaller schools. Also somewhere in there is the NAIA national championship. Don't think anyone else in the state can say that!

A side bar to Beckley area sports. I see where The Legend is coming to town. Looks like Larry Bird will be in town the end of the month for the Coal Classic to be the keynote speaker at the banquet. Wonder if he will stop over to see Marcus Manns play. That kid is a beast for the Eagles. Scored 30 last night in a loss the South Charleston.

Drop by the Coal Classic and see Marcus play as Beckley-Woodrow Wilson takes on national powerhouse Oak Hill Academy at 7:00pm, Feb. 1st.

TOP TEN MEN'S NCAA COLLEGE BASKETBALL

WEEKEND OF 1-6-06

Check here each Friday evening as I post my Top Ten Men's College Basketball teams. See how I stack up with the big boys that do this for a living.

1. Duke
2. Illinois
3. Florida
4. Villanova
5. Memphis
6. Michigan State
7. Louisville
8. UCONN
9. Gonzaga
10. Washington

I think it is a real strong top ten what about you?

2005 NCAA Football Top Ten

My picks for the final Top Ten of College football for 2005!

1. TEXAS LONGHORNS
2. USC TROJANS
3. PENN STATE NITTNY LIONS
4. OHIO STATE BUCKEYES
5. LSU TIGERS (FIRST SURPRISE PICK)
6. NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH
7. WVU MOUNTAINEERS
8. VIRGINIA TECH HOKIES
9. WISCONSIN BADGERS (SECOND SURPRISE PICK)
10. GEORGIA BULLDOGS

A couple surprises but overall a strong top ten. Let me know what you think about it. Post back.

Going Bowling!

Well how about those Mountaineers! I have to say I was as surprised as the Georgia Bulldog, Uga. The way Steve Slaton went crazy on them Dawgs. Man, with him, Pat White and a lot of other talented underclassmen WVU might be looking good for years to come. I have to say it is hard for me to write this, my distaste for football teams not nicknamed Buckeyes and all. But they really did look great Monday night.

Speaking of great, I have to mention the Fiesta Bowl, or should I say OSU-West campus. Man my Bucks really put it on Notre Dame. Troy Smith, Ted Ginn, Santonio Holmes and oh yeah, AJ Hawk and that awesome defense. What more do I need to say.

I seen where South Charleston's Renee Montgomery had a really good game last night and her stats have improved dramatically in the last 4 games compared to the first 9. Look at these numbers: The freshman point guard had 7 assists (her 2nd most this season) and 7 rebounds last night. After posting 28 assists, 24 turnovers and 17 steals in her first 9 games, she has 24 assists, 9 turnovers and 12 steals the past 4. Way to make the state proud Renee.

Look for upcoming post on High School basketball and our states college players in the comming days and weeks.

• One last shout out - Congratulations to Grant Buckner from Herbert Hoover on his recent all expense paid trip to the Rose Bowl. What a game to get to for free. The best NCAA Championship game since Ohio State - Miami.