March 20, 2014
STEVE JOHNSON PUTS ON A SHOW
The Central Sports & Business Report airs tonight, 5:30pm—6:30pm, broadcasting live from Johnny’s Pizza, Wax Road, in Central, on WPFC, 1550AM, Baton Rouge and on the Internet at JonFineProductions.com. Host Steve Johnson will be joined by CHS Basketball coach Ron Lewis, with Senior Players LaAllan Clark, Jarred Hayes, Brandon Lee and Bralen Mattox. The Sponsor of The Week is Kaleb Saucer with Chik-fil-A.
BROADCASTING SCHEDULE:
Thursday, March 20: 5:30pm—6:30pm… with Steve Johnson … broadcasting live from Johnny’s Pizza in Central
WPFC, 1550AM, BR
Internet: JonFineProductions.com
SportsRadio 1310 Radio, Lake Charles Programming of Interest (also heard on KEZMOnLine.com:
Saturday, March 22: 9AM—10AM: All Things Football with Scott Holtzman
Monday, March 24: 8AM—10AM: The Locker Room with John Goodman and Jim Gazzolo
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THE WIZARDRY OF OS
Assistant Basketball Coach and Head Swimming Coach at Central High
There is plenty to talk about in sports. NFL free agency, LSU sports, and Colts ownership are just a few hot topics. But, none of them compare to the first week of the Big Dance.
For those absorbed in LSU sports, I’ll give the cliff notes version of my thoughts. Jarell Martin and Jordan Mickey should not even consider leaving for the NBA Draft. Spring football at LSU is proving that the Tigers are going to be relying heavily on freshman. LSU baseball has a lot to figure out to be a CWS team, but there is time. And a bonus note, I love what the Saints are doing in free agency.
With that out the way, this week is all about the NCAA Basketball Tournament. Everyone has their own bracket, strategies, and predictions sure to go wrong. I am not going to give out my whole bracket, but here are some of my thoughts.
1. Florida is the best team in the country, and should be a strong favorite to win it all. There are many years where there is not a best team, but this is not one of those years. Florida has it all and is very reminiscent of the last Florida teams to championships. The Gators are outstanding on defense, strong inside and out, have experience, leadership, great coaching, and wonderful team chemistry.
2. I think now is the time of the year where the impact of the strong freshman class will be felt. Duke will be very difficult to beat because of Jabari Parker. Everyone is talking about how tough that region is, but I actually think Duke is in the favorable part of that bracket and is almost a lock for the Elite 8. I have them in my Final Four.
3. Michigan State is a very trendy pick and they should. Beginning the year they were expected to be great and things didn’t work out for many reasons. But, they are playing the way they were expected to play and have the same formula as Florida. I like the Spartans to make the Final Four.
4. The toughest region for me to predict is the West. Arizona is very good, but very flawed. One of their best players is a poor free throw shooter. They seem to have peaked too early, especially since they lost one of their best players. Wisconsin also seems to have peaked too early, though they are a very strong, but not great team. Creighton is a weak 3 seed to me that relies too much on one player. But, in this region I can see McDermott carrying the Blue Jays on a deep run. At the same time, I can see Creighton being upset by ULL, and the Cajuns being a surprise Sweet 16 team. ULL is led by Elfrid Payton who is a great player, and could make a name for himself in this tournament. Without feeling good about any team winning that region, my pick is Arizona.
5. Here are my bracket buster teams. My first one is cheating a bit, Kansas. They are a two seed and I am sure people will pick them, but this shows how much I think of Florida to consider the Jayhawks a bracket buster. Also, many people are down on Kansas because of the injury to Embid. They are still loaded, and will be extremely tough to beat if Wiggins keeps playing as he did in the Big 12 Tourney.
In the East, look out for North Carolina. They could lose in the first round or go all the way to the Elite 8. They have been Jekyll and Hyde all year. I don’t think they can beat Michigan State or Virginia, but they can certainly make a nice run.
Oklahoma State is the other all or nothing team. They are super athletic, have experience, and a great player. But one thing or another has derailed them all year. Nevertheless, I said earlier that I don’t see a strong favorite in the region, so the Cowboys could make a Cinderella run.
Finally, Kentucky is probably the most talented team in their region. I don’t think they have the toughness to get it done, but I can see them in the Elite 8 without having to have a great imagination.
As always, it is going to be a great NCAA Tournament… even without the Tigers.
HEY REF
It happens every year and most teams aren’t immune. In my world it’s something I look forward to every year. What I’m talking about is a losing streak that comes early in the season that enables teams to build character. This past the Tigers showed they’re a long way away from competing for a trip to Omaha and the college world series. But dropping two of three to Vanderbilt will test the very heart and soul not only of players and coaches but of those people that call themselves fans. With character comes confidence. After you master character and confidence you mold champions. When you add character, confidence and champions you win CHAMPIONSHIPS!!
To those that are scratching their heads and trying to figure out just what’s going on with LSU’s Tiger baseball team all I can say is this; the season is very, very early so sit tight and enjoy being knocked around. I just don’t enjoy a season when we’re the top dog day after day. It leads to over confidence and no room for improvement. If you are a true fan you’ll endure the bad times because it makes the good times just that much more enjoyable.
I don’t enjoy losing so don’t try to read anything into what I’m writing. Anyone you know ever sat bewildered and seemed confused as to why a rollercoaster has many hills, loops, curves and fast turns? Certainly not! How enjoyable can a slow, flat ride be? The same can be said for the anticipated peaks and valleys that’ll surely be coming our way as we attempt to climb to the top of the baseball world.
Losing sucks! What good could possibly come from losing? The first thing that comes to mind is it humbles you. No doubt you’d like to win ‘em all but losing will make you work harder and it teaches you how to be a gracious winner. Nothing disgusts me more than a smart-(derriere) winner. They lack class. Wining without character and class is not wining. It’s like eating steak with French fries.
Coach Mainieri and his staff will no doubt right the ship and have the Tigers back on the winning track in no time. It’s what this coach has proven over the years and that’s what I believe. Now each player needs to believe this too and I’ve got no hesitation that when the rings are on the line LSU will be there.
I constantly see, read and hear owners of professional sport’s teams demanding stricter drug testing policies for its players. But when will they begin to include their own? I’m referring to yet another one of the chosen being caught driving while drunk. On Sunday night Indianapolis Colts owner, Jim Irsay, was arrested and charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated AND FOUR FELONY counts of possession of a controlled substance (prescription pain killers).
This is the same Jim Irsay that admitted he was (should man-up and say “still am”) a junkie because in 2002 he admitted he was abusing pain meds. Back then he blamed “several years of orthopedic surgeries and long bouts of chronic pain” as the reasons why he is a junkie. The team wasted no time in issuing the standard apologies and requests for our understanding. The Colts statement went on and stated “Mr. Irsay took the first step toward regaining good health. He VOLUNTARILY checked into a highly-respected (and no doubt expensive and exclusive) health care facility, etc., etc.”
In plain words, I know it sounds all too familiar, after his arrest he NOW REALIZES he’s got a problem. I sure would’ve thought being “popped” in’02 should’ve been an eye opener Mr. Irsay. With all your family’s money I’m positive they could’ve hired someone back then to let you know of this small problem that took being arrested some 12 years later to finally become clear to you.
I refuse to cut him or any other multi-millionaire any slack in these types of cases. Your kind that sit in “Ivory Towers” and look down on the rest of the world deserve nothing. You feel you’re so much better than anyone else all I ask is you not ask us for any understanding or acceptance. That’s what money will buy you, integrity comes without a cost and you’ve got none!!!
Till next week…
The Rotary Club of Livingston Parish
Rotary Bull
By Fred
“Service Above Self”
Please visit our website at www.rotaryclublp.org.
This week’s meeting:
• This week’s meeting will be held at Big Mike’s. Fellowship begins at 11:30. The meeting is from 12:00-1:00. This week’s “Who am I” speaker is Glenn Webster. Mr. Webster has been a member of this club for over ten years. He is a Paul Harris Fellow, husband, father, grandfather and veteran. Want to learn more? I’m certain he has more to tell. Better get to the meeting Friday!
Last week’s meeting:
• Our guest speaker last week was fellow Rotarian, Dr. Bond, our local optometrist. What you may not know about Dr. Bond is he had a brain tumor and lived! This diagnosis and resulting treatment changed his life in many ways. It led him to his calling as an optometrist instead of a heart doctor, and he found the depths of his faith in God. Dr. Bond’s story of faith was honest, humbling, inspiring, and touching. Thank you Dr. Bond for sharing such a personal story with our club.
• Our club has a brag jar. Better bring your dollars folks!
• Supply list for animal shelter was distributed.
• Supply lists for the veteran’s house were distributed.
Upcoming Events/Projects:
• Mar 28-29 – District Conference
Note from the President:
• March is Literacy month. Literacy is the cornerstone to world peace. Rotary has a multitude of literacy projects. Can you name one other than our club’s literacy project?
Guest Speakers and General Membership Meeting Dates:
• Apr 11 – Guest Speaker, Dr. Dennis
• Apr 25 – Guest Speaker, Casie McMurray
• May 9 – Guest Speaker, Randy Rogers
• May 23 – Guest Speaker, Layton Ricks
• June 13 – Guest Speaker, Bobby Fletcher
Brags:
• Our club continues to welcome the volunteers from all over the United States. They have come to devote a week of their lives to the George Smith project. Because of these volunteers we are on track to have this project completed within the month. Deepest and Sincerest Thanks!
• Keith Stark is selling tickets for his son’s Boy Scout troop. Get your sausage po-boy tickets now!
Members:
• Your quarterly dues will be emailed. Keep a lookout! AND Please kindly and timely submit your payment to Lisa Casas.
• Shirts for sale only $7.00 for members. These things are selling like hotcakes!
JON IS PROUD TO WORK AS A MARKETING REPRESENTATIVE FOR SPORTSRADIO-1310-KEZM-LAKE CHARLES, IN ESTABLSHING THE “DOLLAR A HOLLER” MARKETING PROGRAM AND HELPING SELL SULPHUR HS FOOTBALL BROADCASTS AND BARBE HS BASEBALL PLAYOFF BROADCASTS.