IT'S THAT TIME OF THE YEAR AGAIN!
 

Knights in Palm Springs. There is something very special about that place.

It isn't the Indian Casinos (which I never go to), or the world class spas (which I never go to), or the famous Tram (which I have never been to), or even the 5 star restaurants (which I have never been to); no, it is just the place where Knight's basketball was really born as a legitimate travel entity (which I definitely have been a part of) in the travel basketball world.

It was here, 25 years ago as a matter of fact, that one single Knight's team made the unheard of trek to the desert to play in a basketball tournament for a weekend.

It was here, 25 years ago as a matter of fact, that the one little Knight's team that made the trek to the desert won it's division in the 10 and under division. Not only did they win the title, but they beat the fabulously famous and heavily favored Sixers in the process.

It was here, 25 years ago as a matter of fact, that Faye Fiamengo first unveiled her now fabulously famous design for our Knights logo that is now recognized throughout the state.

It was here, 25 years ago as a matter of fact, that we became THE KNIGHTS.

Much has happened since that one little team drove to the desert to see what they could see.

This year, the Knights take 10 teams to the same/not so same desert.

This year, our Knights teams are known as a more than respectable travel club.

This year, our name is placed next to the famed logo of ARC as not only a partner, but as friends.

This year, as the in the last 25, I will still have McDonald's in my room at 11:00 pm, or having a beer by the pool with you parents; exhausted from the day's coaching duties all over the Valley with my now famous Knights.

See you there.

All hail the Boys 8th!

Last weekend, the Boys 8th led a mighty Knights contingent into the Valley of the ARC for a March Madness tournament and a tuneup for this weekend's Palm Springs event.

Domination was the word for what transpired in those two glorious days of competition.

Saturday's games brought two stirring victories for our Boys 8th with each victory margin exceeding 50 points. In the second game, our Knights hit 5 consecutive 3's as our boys took turns trying their best to outdo each other.

The third game Sunday also was a textbook victory as our Knights simply wore down their opponent again. Taking a relatively close game at half, these Knights in shining armour just took off and won by 36.

Are they getting good or what?

As with all Knights teams, the 8th grade is when the "magic" happens.

That victory put our boys into the final against Home Court Edge and two familiar faces, former Knights Rashaad and Everton.

What was most satisfying was the camaraderie that all OUR boys showed, regardless of what team they played on.

Knights training showed as both Rashaad and Everton were easily the best players on their new team. Rashaad hit two threes and Everton was...well...Everton as he terrorized us on the boards.

There IS a difference, though, as the Knight's Knights (us) never trailed and kept a safe distance throughout the game. At one point, our Boys 8th led by 20 points and cruised to the title win by 13.

This was also a great weekend because this was the first time out with this team for Fidel Hererra. Though nervous as heck, he played a fine tournament as he showed a willingness to shoot, play defense, and exhibited tremendous passing vision. All in all, a great debut.

With only two big men, JT and Quinn had to play foul free and they did.

With JT improving significantly each time out (almost dunking) and Quinn showing a flair for the guard position with tremendous dribbling and outside shooting skills; our Boys 8th is becoming increasingly hard to defend.

Sam was still Sam which is plenty good and he was joined in his Samheroics by Jordan, who may have been the player of the tournament for us.

Andrew and Edward are coming out of their emotional turtle shells and Christian continues to show a sweet velvety shooting style on the offensive end.

I want you all to know that EDWARD was named (by the referees) as the dirtiest defensive player in the tournament. Edward spent the entire weekend grabbing and pinching the other player's shorts and shirts like they were the last dollars in his father's wallet at a video arcade.

One opposing player even took a SWING at EDWARD and was ejected.

When you see Edward in the hallways in Palm Springs, maybe it might be a good idea to walk around him. Always best to never take chances in a hallway. One never knows when he might flex.

Anyway, the other teams to make the trip were the Boys 7th for the tournament and the Boys 3rd and the Boys 4th for a shootout.

As the last two writeups for our Sports Page were so outstanding (Margaret Shimada and Kelly Cowan, Boys 3rd and Boys 4th), I will allow them to thrill you with their stories of our two younger teams exploits and will also put some pressure onto the Boys 7th parents crew to make sure their boys are not left out. Be sure to check the Sports Page for their accounts and if you see a team missing, make sure you ask where it is.

That should get this Sports Page busy.

Anyway, I know you all have your plans for this weekend.

Have your fun and stay safe and sane.

Mine starts with the First Annual Knights Parents Golf Tournament on Friday afternoon with BadDog Billings and ends with that famous Big Mac in my room with those pay per view movies I never get to the theatres to see.

I want EVERYONE, playing or not, to make a special point of thanking BadDog for all the work he put into this tournament. 25 years from now, when this is a "can't miss" event, it will be called the BadDog, BadDog Cup.

Actually, I am really looking forward to finally seeing the BadBoy BadDog play.

I have 18 holes to see if I can see the BadDog make ONE, just ONE, bad shot.

One shot in the lake, one in the trap and I will have enough ammunition on the BadDog around the pool to last those next 25 years.

See you all this weekend.