December 22, 2016
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HO HO HO
MERRY CHRISTMAS… HAPPY HOLIDAYS
SPORTSGUMBO—DENHAM SPRINGS (MONDAY—FRIDAY, 7AM—8AM, (with replay MONDAY—FRIDAY, 5PM-6PM) ON FAMILY RADIO, 91.9FM, BATON ROUGE AND ON THE NET AT JonFineProductions.com. THE PROGRAM IS HOSTED AND PRODUCED BY JON FINE. SPORTSGUMBO—DENHAM SPRINGS INCLUDES GAME RESULT UPDATES FROM DSHS BOYS BASKETBALL COACH KEVIN CABALLLERO AND STAFF, + DSHS GIRLS BASKETBALL COACH SHELLY LAPRARIE AND STAFF
THE ONE PRINCIPAL/PRINCIPLE DENHAM SPRINGS ABIDES BY
Kelly Jones appears on the program tomorrow (Friday, December 23). The Denham Springs HS principal will discuss the hiring of new athletics director/head football coach Bill Conides and coming back to the Denham Springs HS facility in early January. We will also have updates from DSHS Boys Basketball coach Kevin Caballero and Lady Jackets coach Shelly LaPrarie.
DUCTING
Unfortunately, there was no program (or replay) today. And yesterday’s program was impaired.
This was caused by an atmospheric process called Ducting. When there is a major change in the environment, a small amount of radio stations’ signals are impacted. This scientific occurrence—called ducting-- will cause these stations to have their signals largely obstructed, if not completely covered up, by another station’s signal, often from very far away.
Family Radio was one of the lucky ones to be affected, with its signal largely blotted out by a station in Florida. Wednesday morning’s show was far from crystal-clear. The replay, Wednesday afternoon, was virtually inaudible. I decided not to do a show on Thursday (today). So, there was no show this morning nor was there a replay this (Thursday) afternoon.
Sorry bout this. Yet, this was out of our control.
Fortunately, the station’s signal has returned and we will return to the airwaves on Friday morning.
BACK ON THE NET
The Internet situation has been fixed. SPORTSGUMBO—Denham Springs can now be heard by going to our website, JonFineProductions.com.
PROPAGANDA AVAILABLE
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GET ARRESTED
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SPORTSCENTRAL
can now be heard at Central First Facebook page
BATON ROUGE AREA BROADCASTING SCHEDULE:
MONDAY—FRIDAY: 7am—8am, with replay 5pm—6pm: SPORTSGUMBO—Denham Springs, Family Radio, 91.9 FM, Baton Rouge or on the net at JonFineProductions.com
THURSDAY: 5pm—6pm: Central First Facebook Page… … Les Bueche, Sid Edwards, Frank Fresina
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THE WIZARDRY OF OS
Assistant Basketball Coach and Head Swimming Coach at Central High
THE WIZARDRY OF OS
Assistant Basketball Coach and Head Swimming Coach at Central High
I know I am supposed to have a take on Leonard Fournette ending his LSU career two weeks earlier than necessary. But, I don’t really have a strong opinion.
My main thought is that I am glad it didn’t turn into one of those stories the day of the bowl game that Fournette won’t play because he had contact with an agent and the NCAA will be investigating.
I don’t feel like writing about the Saints wildly inconsistent play over the last month either. Instead, I am going all in hokey with the 12 days of Christmas and what I am hoping to receive in 2017.
On the first day of Christmas I am hoping for one speed rushing specialist for the Saints in the draft. Cam Jordan, Sheldon Rankins, Nick Fairley, a healthy Kikaha, and Tim Williams sounds like a pretty good group to me.
On the second day of Christmas I am hoping LSU’s two aces can lead LSU to a national championship I baseball. Alex Lange and Jared Poche give LSU a great chance.
On the third day of Christmas I am sticking with baseball and hoping for a true third starter to round out the staff. Last year was better than two years ago, but this spot has clearly been a weakness for two years. I actually fully expect LSU to have a quality third and fourth starter this year.
On the fourth day of Christmas I am hoping LSU can sign a top 4 recruiting class in football. I know recruiting rankings don’t matter that much. More importantly, though, it would mean that LSU signed Cam Akers who is the running back LSU desperately needs to sign in this class. Also, it would mean LSU signed Marvin Wilson who is one of the top defensive tackles in the country.
On the fifth day of Christmas I am hoping the Pelicans can find a quality center to play with Anthony Davis. A quality, athletic center that would help with rebounding, finishing inside, and defending around the rim is what the Pels have sorely lacked for years.
On the sixth day of Christmas I am hoping for a top six finish for LSU basketball in the SEC. It would be unexpected, but I think it is possible. Kentucky, Florida, South Carolina, Arkansas, Texas A&M, and Ole Miss appear to be the best teams in the league right now. Still, I LSU has a shot to be in that group if they continue to grow and learn how to play consistently.
On the seventh day of Christmas I am hoping for LSU’s 7th baseball CWS Title. I know I was hoping for this gift already, but it is a really big present and should count for two days.
On the eighth day of Christmas I am really hoping the Saints win 8 games this year. Something about being 7-9 three years in a row is very sad.
On the ninth day of Christmas I hope for another healthy year from Drew Brees (he wears #9). Sometimes, I think Saints fans forget how lucky we have been to be able to watch him for all these years. Just start naming previous Saints quarterbacks if you have forgotten. I’ll begin. Dave Wilson, Wade Wilson, Billy Joe Hobert, Billy Joe Tolliver, Heath Shuler, Guido Merkins,…
On the tenth day of Christmas, I am expecting a ten win season from LSU next year. I know LSU loses a lot, but they also return a lot of great players. The Tigers have a tough schedule, but that shouldn’t matter.
On the eleventh day of Christmas I am going all in and expecting an 11 win season from the Saints next year. The pieces are there. If they would be better than pathetic on special teams, stop having turnovers returned for touchdowns every third week, and make some plays on defense and it should happen.
On the twelfth day of Christmas I would love twelve months where I feel my teams reached their full potential.
Merry Christmas!
HEY REF
BY DENNIS DEARIE,
VETERAN LOUISIANA HIGH SCHOOL REFEREE
Since we’re getting deep into the holiday season and CHRISTMAS will be here in just a couple days I thought I’d let those important people (Those that read my column) a chance to “Ask the REF”! I know some will agree with my answers and some, maybe all, will disagree with me. But I don’t do this each week to make friends. And I’m not going to make friends with some of my views so I’ll ask you to respect what I write as I respect your views and opinions.
All I can do is answer the easy questions with as much honesty as I do with the tough ones. So with that out of the way let me pass along a quick reminder that all suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. And with what many colleges and professional football teams are putting on the field many more writers should include that little warning each and every time they start to pen a so called authentic, honest report of the facts. It’s very sad to see so many schools having to put aside huge amounts of cash to defend their athletes.
So question one asked of me was a simple “How do you compare today’s players with those you watched as you were growing up”? Without a doubt today’s players are much bigger, stronger and quicker while containing more drugs in their bodies than your local CVS or Walgreens. I will not blame the sporting world entirely because drugs and drug use has always been a part of every contact sport on this planet. It’s a fact that far too many kids are getting hooked before they ever walk onto a playing field. But what’s my number one “BITCH” is the fact that schools put their bottom lines above their players health simply because they need them money makers today and then just say “TO HELL WITH THEM AFTER 3 OR 4 YEARS”!
And what could possibly be the number two question I’m being asked this week? It has to be none other than the announcement that Mr. Everything (this year) at LSU, Leonard Fournette, will not be participating in the Tiger’s Bowl Game. Before I can get a word out many Tiger fans seem upset that he’s taking into account his health before the school’s chances of winning a meaningless game.
When I say a “meaningless game” I’m referring to an SEC Title or National Championship since I believe all other bowl games are a kinda reward for a successful season. At least that’s what they were before TV contacts and sponsors poured billions of dollars into the numerous conferences across the country hoping to land “THE” game. And of course that’ll do nothing for the players but will continue what I say is modern day slavery by not giving the players the biggest piece of the money pie.
In the wild world of billion dollar sports a player must be the one to make the final decision on how he’ll insure his health and ability to make a living. Many players have families, children and many more come from poor families. Being able to garner a professional contract worth millions is the culmination of a lifelong plan that’s years in the making to this new generation of million dollar athletes. I have to agree 1,000% with his decision and all the other players that are opting out of bowl games to protect a very valuable asset and that is a healthy player that stands head and shoulders above the many players that are on the so called bubble.
Like so many things in this money hungry world the only thing that matters is “What can you do for me today”? So I say with all my support that I hope many more players will not suit up for one last game. To the player it as certain as death and taxes; a bowl game is not worth losing a career over or one’s health. I say more power to those guys that know what they want and have a plan on being able to be self-sufficient. I raise my glass to those players who’ll be able give back to the ones that sacrificed so much for them.
I’ll wrap up this pre-Christmas column by THANKING all those that say they enjoy my column. Please send in more questions as I sometime get to writing too much and can’t fit in more of the questions you want me to answer. To everyone have a great and MERRY CHRISTMAS. To my Jewish family and friends I too hope and wish y’all a very HAPPY HANUKKAH.
Till next week…
Jon Fine Wreaking Havoc at:
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