Taking Our Talents to South Beach, Returning as Champions

It was a long journey for Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks. In 2006, the Mavs could taste an NBA Championship to only collapse in Game 3 in the NBA Finals against the Miami Heat. That could have ruined Dirk, but he stayed the course.

It's been a tough road since then for Dallas, early round exits from the playoffs and getting embarrassed by the Golden State Warriors in the playoffs a season after their meltdown in the Finals. It's been brutal for Mavericks fans to watch. Dirk believed.

The odds were stacked against the Mavericks to get a ring. Experts doubted them, Vegas doubted them and even the public doubted them (I fell into this category). Dirk disagreed.

A team filled with old veterans and unproven role players, paired up with a 7 foot German was not championship worthy, according to the masses. Heck, the Portland Trailblazers were the media darlings and everyone's favorite pick to oust the Mavs in the first round of the playoffs this playoff season. Dirk focused.

Through the playoffs Dallas still wasn't getting it props. After taking down the Trailblazers, the Mavericks took on the NBA Champs in the Los Angeles Lakers. Dallas won game one, two and three of the series, and viewers still weren't convinced that the Mavericks had what it took. NBA Analyst Jeff Van Gundy still believes the Lakers have a shot at winning that series. Dirk smirked.

In the Western Conference Finals, the Mavericks were paired up with the up and coming Oklahoma City Thunder who had young superstars in Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. Dallas rolled into this series with the momentum they gained from sweeping the Lakers, and went on to dismantle the Thunder in 5. Dirk dreamed.

One more step.

The Big 3, Miami Heat.

Here we go again, Mavericks back in the Finals facing the same team that disposed of them like a soiled baby diaper 5 years ago. Would it be different? Can Dirk get that monkey off his back? Do the Mavericks have enough to compete against the almighty Heat? These questions were answered emphatically, YES!

Lebron disappeared, Wade was Wade, Bosh cried and the rest of the Heat were scrubs. Mavericks put an exclamation point on a magical playoff run by celebrating on the same court of a team that embarrassed them seasons ago. Sweet redemption that was.

In retrospect: A soft European player that couldn't play defense, couldn't win an NBA Championship, no way! And there was no reason to believe this team could get it done this season, but they did. For real.

Dirk didn't give up. He stayed the course. In today's world where everyone looks up to superstars as role-models, you don't have to look to far to find one in Big D. I see you Dirk.

Get that ring and whatever else Mark Cuban has up his sleeve. (*cough* championship belt *cough*)

Eula Pirates on top of the World

Pictures above are a few moments capturing Eula's run in the state tournament down in Austin. Below are a random thoughts on how it happened.

Pictures say a thousand words. More like a million when it comes to Eula capturing their first state championship in school history.

The senior laden team had a magical spark and intensity when they stepped on the court, and it was awesome to watch. A team of destiny it seemed, and no one was going to get in their way.

From Jacob Archa hitting a game winning shot propelling the Pirates to the state championship game to Kainon Irons putting up consecutive 30 point games in Austin, Eula was on a mission to make history.

Speaking of Kainon Irons, how in the world does this guy not have any colleges looking at him to play at the next level? He is big athletic, can score and play defense. Someone needs to get this guy on a college court, seriously. He can flat out play.

The first game of the season the Pirates took on a tough Class 3A team in Wylie, and hung tough with the Bulldogs. From then on, any hoops fan knew that the Pirates had a legitimate shot at winning a title.

Eula Head Coach Josh Fostel logged his 200th win at Eula when the Pirates won the championship against Tenaha. You think it was his biggest?

A few words to describe this Eula team: intense, defense, athletic, fierce, clutch, fundamental, destiny.

The Pirates ended the season on a 18 game winning streak.

Congrats to the seniors who will be departing, they will go down as some of the best basketball players to ever wear a Pirate uniform.

Spradlin's Mark on the Cooper Program Will Last

In the grand scheme of things it was just five years, but Mike Spradlin left a mark on the Cooper football program that will last for a long time.

Five seasons ago, Spradlin inherited a team that was... well to be honest not very good, and turned it into something all the Southsiders could be very proud of.

Here's just a quick list of what Spradlin was able to accomplish: four straight playoff appearances, three straight regional appearances, back to back district titles and a 38-23 overall record.

Accomplishing all of this while most of the region and state paid their attention to Abilene High. But anybody who was actually paying attention knew the Cougars were a force to be reckoned with once the Friday night lights turned on and Spradlin was roaming the sidelines.

With all that being said, I'm going to really miss the guy. He was a media guy like I's dream interview. Always available to be interviewed and a sincere guy that truly enjoyed having a conversation with a nerdy and dorky 20-something year old guy (at least I think he did).

But most of all, Spradlin will and should be known for how much he truly cared about his players. Calling them "his kids," I witnessed time and time again his genuine emotion when talking about his players. I really respect him as a coach, but honestly I respect him just as much as a person.

He will be missed no doubt, but Spradlin left the Cooper program in good shape, much better than when he got there. And whoever takes over will be handed the keys to a Cadillac, and they better keep it cruising in the left hand lane going 75 mph.

My Jason Garrett Experience

I was just an 11 year-old kid sitting at Curtis Elementary in Weatherford Texas starry eyed and speechless. The backup quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys walked in to our school to give us a speech on "reaching for the stars."

The red headed backup was very engaging for fifth graders and spoke eloquently. He told us to never give up on your goals and always believe in yourself, even though others may not. He went on to say he was going to be a coach one day, and there was never a doubt he was going to do that. Who would have thought the Cowboys though? Sheesh.

After the speech was over, I rushed to get his autograph and he signed my Cowboys cap. From then on, I always rooted for Troy Aikman's backup to get in the game. And he actually did on Thanksgiving, leading an epic comeback for Dallas - throwing for over 300 yards and 2 touchdowns ,I believe. I was a fan.

So from a small speaking engagement in Weatherford, Texas, to the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys, I would say Garrett reached his goals and beyond. I was impressed with him as an 11 year-old kid, and I am equally impressed with the man who he is now. Go get'em coach!

Now if I can find that cap...

The Day Abilene Was Set on Fire

We have already seen what the Crosstown Showdown is all about over the years. When the Abilene High Eagles and the Cooper Cougars meet, the whole town stops for a moment and watches. Whether you even went to either school (I didn't) you can't help but pay attention.

This years match up between Abilene High and Cooper was the biggest since 2002 when both teams were undefeated and ranked in the top 5 in the state. Abilene High coming off a state championship, and the Cooper Cougars undefeated and looking for some respect. We definitely got what we wanted, a knock out, drag out fight that left everyone wanting more...

So that brings me to this thought - What if Abilene High and Cooper collide in the playoffs? It has never happened before. Neither team has played each other in the postseason - Heck neither team has played in the third round of the 5A playoffs at the same time. Both teams have some work to do, but it is realistically possible for the Eagles and Coog's to meet in the fourth round for another showdown.

Can you imagine the buzz around town? How long would the week go by? Would people actually try to scalp tickets to the game (lol)? Serious question though. I can't imagine how the town would function through that week. Cars turned over, buildings on fire, mass chaos. All joking aside, it would be a fun and crazy week - one that I don't know if I could imagine til I lived through it.

Best of luck to both the Cougars and Eagles throughout the rest of the playoffs.

ESPN Makes the Trip to Abilene

Wow. After the dust cleared and ESPN is long gone - it's still a cool feeling they ACTUALLY came.

When the announcement was made back in the Spring that Abilene High would play Plant High Schools out of Florida, I was stoked. And I didn't realize how excited I would be until I was down on the sideline watching these two teams go at it.

It's kinda weird looking back that ESPN made a trip to Abilene to cover the AHS game against Plant High School out of Florida last week. An awesome match-up - no doubt, and it ended up being what everyone and all the critics expected - an all around good game. Both teams didn't disappoint.

With that said, who would have thought 5 years ago ESPN would be out at Shotwell Stadium covering one of our Abilene schools? Honestly, it's hard to imagine. The World Wide Leader in Sports making a trip to our neck of the woods - awesome! We all care and love our teams around here, and it is really cool to see others appreciate the brand of football that is being played in these parts.

ESPN came here for a combination of things:

1.)High School football across the nation has become more and more popular the past couple of years.

2.)Abilene High and schools all across the Big Country have raised their level of play and the nation noticed.

I've haven't lived here my entire life, but I have always followed the high school's in this area. This is my third season covering Big Country football up close and personal, and it's crazy just how much it has evolved since I arrived back in the Fall of 2008.

I can't wait for ESPN and whoever else wants to come and get a taste of what Big Country football is all about.

Manny's Awesome Wedding Experience

When Manny first asked me to be in his wedding, I was shocked and excited at the same time. Of course I wanted to be in the wedding! We have worked together for over 2 years now and have become really good friends. Many late nights and long hours spent with the guy forced us to be that way, lol.

Manny married Candace (the woman of his dreams) down in San Antonio this past weekend. It was at San Fernando Cathedral in downtown, which is actually where the heroes of the Alamo were buried. A beautiful place to say the least, and the perfect spot to get married.

It was a traditional Catholic wedding, which was totally new to me but fun. There were many traditions and rituals Manny and Candace had to go through before they could get married. Part of the wedding we had to kneel, and I almost passed out. Luckily I realized what was about to happen and sat down on the pew for a bit. They both looked so happy during the whole entire ceremony, which almost... yes I said ALMOST brought a tear to to my eye... a man tear of course, or sports tear.

I am truly blessed to work with Manny and I wish him and Candace the best in their long loving marriage!