No, it's not Sunday again, but here I am. The weekend's flurry of big events produced plenty of excitement, but little time to squeeze in my usual exercise in spelling and punctuation. But at the same time, some of the stories picked up along the way were too good to wait until next Sunday -- and who knows what this week might bring, with Hanford-Hanford West basketball games on the horizon as well as Saturday's West Yosemite League wrestling championships at Hanford.
And, hey, besides Daytona 500 qualifying and the Lakers-Cavaliers showdown, what else is there besides the comprehensive coverage of the Pro Bowl that nobody wants to read?
So, a few thoughts worth that second cup of coffee on a Monday afternoon while we await the next all-new episode of "Heroes."
-- Shawn Estrada was ringside at the Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino for Friday night's fight card, but like any boxer, he was raring to go.
Indeed, if not for a left shoulder injury diagnosed late last month, the one-time Hanford resident would have been part of the action.
But don't think for a second Estrada won't be ready for his first bout after rehab, which is scheduled for April at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, according to Marylyn Aceves of Goosen Tutor Promotions.
"I'm still working out and doing my cardio," Estrada said.
Estrada was a busy spectator Friday, signing autographs for local fans as well as scoring some TV time during the introductions for Showtime's portion of the card.
His first pro fight at the Palace, in front of one of his two home crowds, will come later this year, Tachi officials noted last week.
"East LA is home, and Hanford is home," Estrada said.
-- There's quite a few things to take out of Saturday's Brea Olinda-Hanford girls basketball battle as well.
First, it was an opportunity for local fans to see personally how the Bullpups match up among the state's elite teams after a series of blowouts in West Yosemite League play.
Survey says: Give Hanford the signet ring and demonstrate the secret handshake, they belong on this level.
Yes, there were defensive errors, but ones that can't be overcome. This is a fairly young team and a work in progress. But there's a tremendous upside as well.
It's this space's wish that more games letting fans who can't get out of town during nonconference action see the girls' true talent could be arranged.
-- It was a big night for Hanford's freshman and JV teams as well, who acquitted themselves well against the Ladycats in the preliminary games, in front of as many spectator as the teams have probably seen all season, combined.
The freshmen overcame a 10-point deficit to win 33-27, improving to 19-0, and the jayvees lost 53-50.
"I told the players this would be the biggest crowd we'll see all year. It's great," said Hanford freshman coach Ryan DeSantos.
-- Then there's Brea's Jonae Ervin -- but have fans of SoCal basketball teams not come to expect magic performances from people with the name Ervin?
-- And in the "believe it or not" department, there's the Brea coach who complained to the referees in the second half about Hanford's student rooting section jumping up and down along the baseline when the Ladycats were on the free throw line, saying he'd never seen that before at a high school game.
We hope he was kidding, but we have to wonder if his reality check was drawn on a bank closed by the FDIC. Or are students in the OC just too cool to support their teams like Hanford students do?
I've seen a few student sections get out of hand in my time, but that's not the case with Hanford's. They're rock-solid loyal to their school, they don't use profanity and aren't interfering with the action.
In other words: Coach, they're high school kids. Lighten up.
Richard de Give is The Sentinel's sports editor. He can be reached at 583-2430 or
rdegive@HanfordSentinel.com.
(Feb. 9, 2009)
