by Bill Turner
High school basketball hits the midway point of the rigorous district schedules this week, and there’s been a shake-up in the Wild Bill ‘Big-11’ Top-5. District play separates the contenders from the pretenders, so let’s take a look at our top local performers.
#1- Patrick Henry: The Patriots solidified its hold on the top spot with their come-from-behind 60-54 win over William Fleming Tuesday night. PH (11-3) looks prepared to make a strong run in the Western Valley District race.
#2- William Fleming: The young Colonel team gave PH fits before falling at home. Still, Fleming (10-7) proved it can play with the best. Mickey Hardy’s squad will have a lot to say on how teams finish in the ultra-competitive Western Valley.
#3- Northside: The Vikings have the football Vikings getting their basketball legs in order, and that only means trouble for the Northside opponents. The Vikings (8-6) had won six in a row before Tuesday night’s loss on the road to 12-1 Blue Ridge leader, Rockbridge County.
#4- Cave Spring: The 9-8 Knights may be the early-season hard-luck story. Cave Spring is 2-3 in River Ridge play with all three losses coming in overtime. That translates into an easy 12-5 record if a shot or two had fallen. Look for the Knights to be in the mix in the second half of the district run.
#5- Salem: The Spartans hold the final spot at 9-5, with off-court distractions potentially on the horizon. Their River Ridge showdown Tuesday night at Hidden Valley was postponed due to unspecified violations of team protocol.
The infamous mailbag has been bulging at the seams after its break during the holidays, so let’s take a peek at what’s on our reader’s minds from Hokie football to the ever-popular $50 rare Buffalo gold coin to problems in securing the apparently high-in-demand “redem” gadget.
Plus, we salute a college coach who informed the Wild Bill column he’s an avid reader in a descriptive manner.
Dear Wild Bill: Any indication that your offer of a Hokie seance, to rid the much-discussed Tech football curse, will be accepted? (Golden Hokie/ Botetourt)
Answer: Not a word, so far, GH. The offer stands, but I’m not begging.
Dear Toro, Toro: If you Ouija us Tech fans a bowl win, can you throw in one for our basketball team?- we’re 0-3 in the ACC.
(Mable/Rural Retreat)
Answer: You bet, Mable. I’ll give you Hokies a two-fer.
Dear Numismatic Bill: The price on those $50 Gold Buffalo coins you recently mentioned have now dropped in price to $9.95 on the late-night TV ads. Should I invest in a safe or vault? (Art/Roanoke)
Answer: You’re right, Art- they’re down to $9.95 plus S&H. I called the toll-free number and heard a recording that said the value of these coins has gone as high as $ 3900 each. Wonder why they sell ‘em so cheap? You don’t need a safe – more like a Brinks truck. I’m calling Shakespeare next. There’s something rotten in Denmark.
Dear Tidy-Bowl Bill: I can’t find the redem gadget that plucks out toilet paper rollers dropped in the commode. Any retail outlets you’re aware of? (Violet/Bedford)
Answer: I checked at the dollar store and they are temporarily out of stock. Should be in by mid-February.
Finally, a tip of the hat to VWCC Head Basketball Coach Ed Green, who stopped me to say he loved this column’s levity. Frankly, I don’t know what this column has to do with the Earth’s pull, but …… oh, wait … that’s gravity. I think levity has something to do with dough rising, so I’m still confused.
Anyway, I recommend checking out the Blue Stars next home game Sat. Feb. 4th at the Colonial Avenue campus. Tip-off is at 3:30 against the West Virginia University Club team. There will be good basketball, and that’s a certainty.
See you next week. Send your questions to: [email protected]