A dozen more days, and the 2004-05 high school sports year will be in the annals. But two ridiculously busy weekends remain that generally are regarded by participants and followers as futile attempts at avoiding conflict with graduation, prom, final examinations, end-of-class gatherings, summer jobs and vacations.
Keep your eyes to the skies, because the race between Mother Nature and completion of spring sports at altitude is on. The forecast looks good today and Saturday.
Through May 24, the Colorado High School Activities Association will award more metal and ribbons than a mining company taken over by a party-supply store. A lucky 21 teams in six remaining sports will be crowned, as will more than 200 individuals. Everyone seems to be a winner in Colorado.
The Class 5A girls tennis tournament continues with semifinals at 9 a.m. today and finals at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Gates Tennis Center, 100 S. Adams St. (call 303-355-4461 for directions). The Class 4A girls semis and finals are today and Saturday at Pueblo. The remaining spring sports are in late rounds of playoffs. Look for plenty of baseball, soccer and track and field through next week, and for lacrosse and golf to finish the prep sports school year early the following week.
– Neil Devlin
THE COUCH
On: Get out of those Sunday-go-to-meeting clothes and onto the divan for a trip to hoops heaven. Sunday’s NBA playoff action begins with a 1:30 p.m. tilt with Detroit at Indiana on KMGH-7, a 5 p.m. tip for San Antonio at Seattle on TNT and a 7:30 p.m. start for Phoenix at Dallas on TNT.
Off: Looking for an indoor sport where you can escape the sun and heat this summer? Racquetball may be your answer. South Suburban Parks and Recreation will offer free racquetball clinics from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Saturday at Goodson Recreation Center, 6315 S. University Blvd. For more information call 303-798-2476.
AROUND THE STATE
If it’s a bee-u-tee-ful Sunday in the neighborhood, (predicted high of 71 degrees, 10 percent chance of rain), then it’s a beautiful day to visit Coors Field, where the Rockies will play the D-backs at 1:05 p.m. Projected starters are Jason Jennings for the Rocks and Shawn Estes for the Snakes. The game also will be on the tube: KTVD-20.
WEAK IN REVIEW
1. Once again, the NFL squashes individuality when it rules that Niners coach Mike Nolan must wear league-sanctioned team garb instead of a suit on the sideline during games next season.
2. “The Original Whizzinator” comes to the forefront, thanks to Vikings running back Onterrio Smith. Don’t accept cheap imitations.
WHAT WE’D LIKE TO SEE
1. Kellen Winslow Jr. get well, stay off that new motorcycle and get back on the playing field, where he can remind us of his father instead of being an accident waiting to happen.
2. Rickey Henderson play for the love of the game until he’s 50 years old. Quite a change for one of the first players to demand to renegotiate after he signed a long-term deal back in the day.
3. Former Broncos star Rick Upchurch turn around the dormant Pueblo East football program.
