The dust has settled on some wild, highly unpredictable games and winners
of the district tournaments around the state. Here are a few post district
musings prior to sectionals and quarters this week…..

….in the category of “1 miracle is enough”­after barely surviving Eugene
3-2 in 1st round play, Fatima upsets highly ranked Russellville 19-8 in the
semi’s only to drop the championship of Class 2, D 13 to Iberia 12-5.

…no home field advantage in baseball, you say ? 7 of the 16 schools hosting class 4 districts 7 walked off as the champions !

…our ball hats off to Winfield (#8 seed of C3, D7) went all the way to
district championship before bowing to Timberland 5-1.

…in “it doesn’t work out like you thought” plan. Mehville throws their ace
Morgan in semis to win a last inning 2-1 thriller from Oakville in a great
pitching dual. Vianney wins the semi’s with their #2(Stevison) and has the
southpaw ace, Josh Syberg rested for the finals. So what happens, Chris
Zeller of Mehlville shuts out Vianney 4-0 ! So Mehlville's pitchers
permitted just 1 run in 2 district games !

…Many of district championships had outstanding pitching performances. Not at C&H Park, Eureka rallied from a 9-2 deficit to win 16-15 over the Howell Vikings in C4,D2.

…in “ya gotta love the underdog” category­these upset winners receive
kudo’s for their play in district­C2,D9 - Forsythe beating talented Hollister
in the finals; C4,D9 Ft Zumwalt West (#4 seed)-beating the #1 (Holt) and
then #2 team (Troy) of district; and Crocker upending #1 seed-Newburg in C1, D8 play

…other reactions­if a school forfeits a game (as in C1, D9) semifinals, I
would penalize the school for one entire sports year from participating in
any sports district competition.

… we had two great district championships on Prepcasts this week­entirely
different in nature­Parkway South shutouts Lafayette 2-0 and Eureka
outblasts Howell 17-16. If you want excitement, turn on the replays.

COACH BOB RYAN (MAY 22, 2005)

BROADCASTERS