Got your fill of turkey? Stuffed to the gills to the point you need some outside activity? Looking for some great holiday basketball?
Readers, it’s right at your fingertips. Holiday high school basketball tournaments abound this week with an opportunity to see numerous local teams in action.
The annual Holiday Hoopla begins Thursday at the Salem Civic Center, with four games daily through the Saturday night session that will crown the 2012 champ.
First round games are highlighted by Cave Spring-Alleghany, Patrick Henry-Broadway, William Fleming-Hidden Valley and Salem vs Gar-Field.
Across town in North Roanoke, the Northside Invitational sets up camp at the Viking gym on the same three nights. Local teams participating include William Byrd, Lord Botetourt and Northside along with an impressive group of out of town teams, including Liberty and E.C. Glass, that round out the field.
Rather see the girls run the hardwood?
The Cave Spring Invitational takes center stage the same three nights at the Knight gym in Southwest County. Cave Spring is joined by Hidden Valley, Northside, Patrick Henry, William Byrd, Broadway, Heritage and Covington.
Also on the girls side is the William Fleming Invitational, where the Lady Colonels will be joined by Salem, Herndon and a group of out of state powers including St. Vincent Pallotti (MD) and Trinity Christian (NC).
That brings us to this week’s Wild Bill ‘Big-11’ Top-5, where a shakeup leads us into 2013.
#1- Patrick Henry: The Patriots (6-0) stay firmly in the top spot heading into the Holiday Hoopla where a matchup with Fleming or Gar-Field looms on the horizon.
#2- William Fleming: The Hoopla will be a good test for the 7-2 Colonels. Adrian Dungee and Warren Craft may showcase for Mickey Hardy’s squad.
#3- Northside: The Vikings (5-1) have all the pieces. Now, Billy Pope must put them together like a jigsaw puzzle. The Northside Invitational will give us a clue.
#4- Lord Botetourt: The 6-2 Cavaliers look ready to make a run in the Blue Ridge. Their resolve in the Northside tournament will offer some hints.
#5- Cave Spring- The Knights come off a pair of losses to Top-5 teams with floor leader Terrell Simmons out with an ankle injury. Simmons returns and the Knights should climb.
Now, a visit to the mailbag, where the upcoming fiscal cliff gets inquiries to economist Wild Bill and a couple Dean Martin fans want more information on the Rat Pack member.
Dear Wild Bill: I’m worried about going over the fiscal cliff. Are you taking any special precautions? (Bob/Moneta)
Yes, Bob. I’m stocking up on Bloody Mary mix in unbreakable plastic bottles.
Dear Micro-economist Wild Bill: Is this fiscal cliff political posturing a bunch of baloney? (Harold/Catawba)
Yea, Harold. When you get Harry Reid, Nancy Palosi and John Boehner running the deli, it’s a triple decker.
Dear Great Crooner: I had never thought about it until your column last week. How did Dean Martin always perform so brilliantly while downing all those scotch and sodas? (Cheryl/Roanoke)
It was just part of his shtick. Those cocktail glasses were really full of apple juice, although Dean did die of liver problems on Christmas Day, 1995.
Dear Wild Bill: The Dean Martin stuff got me thinking. Wasn’t he once a sports figure of some kind? ( Bob/Lynchburg)
Yep, Bob, Dean was once a boxer fighting under the name Dino Crocetti (his real name.)
Dear Wild Guy: I know Dean Martin was one of the Rat Pack. Who were the other three? (Hazel/Clifton Forge)
Lucky the mob isn’t after you Hazel. There were four others- Frank Sinatra, Joey Bishop, Sammy Davis, Jr and Peter Lawford.
As I’ve said many times, you always learn something when you read this column.
Until next year, send your comments to: [email protected]
