Big Friday

SEC Tournament

Surprises today include Tennessee's big-heart victory over higher-ranked Florida, 71-67 in the quarterfinals of the SEC Tournament.

LSU's 63-58 victory over Mississippi State is also an eye-opener because of how well the Tigers have done in the last part of the season. Many had given them up for dead, and here they are in the semi-finals. I give them props.

One scary moment was in the first half when LSU's Later Eason was taken to the hospital after another player stepped on her neck. According to the SEC tourney website, Eason still had limb movement but was complaining of neck pain. That makes me feel a little less worried, but we need more news.

Link: http://www.secsports.com/index.php?s=&url_channel_id=4&url_article_id=12324&url_subchannel_id=&change_well_id=2

Perfect game?

What is Brittney Griner made of?

In tonight's Texas 5A Conference semifinals, Griner lead her Nimitz team in defeating Pflugerville 74-47. Her stat line? 44 points, 18 rebounds, eight blocks, four assists, and 32 minutes of play (for the unexperienced, that means she never sat down once).

Box score: http://www.uil.utexas.edu/athletics/basketball/state/girls_boxscores/game12.htm

One attendee reported on the Tennessee message board that he'd never seen anything like it - or rather, anyone. See for yourself:

http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/highschool/03/07/0307pflugerville.html

This is a nice piece too, with pics: http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/highschool/03/06/0306golden.html

NWAACC second day results

Lane 68, Columbia Basin 59
Clackamas 63, Yakima Valley 57
Skagit Valley 69, Walla Walla 63
Umpqua 89, Lower Columbia 61

Tomorrow Lane plays Clackamas and Umpqua faces Skagit Valley in the semi-finals.

Southern Section playoffs

Reports are that Mater Dei was blowing out Beverly Hills 51-25 at halftime of the II-A division semifinals earlier tonight. I said I felt bad for the team that would face MD, and I feel doubly bad because one of the BH coaches is a friend of mine.

Finally, it's being reported on socalhoops that Cajon defeated Long Beach Poly 52-44. If it's true, I can't say I'm surprised. When I saw Poly back in January, they had a lot of weaknesses. And short-handed Cajon has much heart.