Friday, Dec. 05, 2008

Ready to hoop it up

BRIAN HERNALSTEEN bhernalsteen@ star-telegram.com

The time of year is here.

The wind blows, a crisp air fills our lungs and the smell of wood burning in fireplaces is all around Mansfield.

My favorite time of year, and not just because of the cold. Basketball has arrived.

I’m sad to see football end, but it truly was a valiant effort from the Tigers, battling until the very last play. You don’t forget about teams like that for a long time.

Here is the way I plan to map my December: Wake up, go to work, write about basketball, go home, hit the gym, go to basketball games, then go home and write about basketball games.

Lather, rinse, repeat.

Added bonus? The onslaught of holiday tournaments.

Happening right now (maybe even as you are reading this, but before you use my face to line the cat’s litter box) is the MISD Spring Creek Tournament. Sixteen teams battle at Legacy High School today and Saturday for the famed "Golden Rib" Trophy. (Upon further review, there is no "Golden Rib" Trophy. I feel that there should be, considering that a barbecue restaurant sponsors the tournament. I don’t think I’m alone on this)

I’m a big fan of these games, but it feels like something is missing.

And then the light bulb flickers, and I realize that the kids are still in school, so there are no afternoon games. That comes later in December.

First, the Rotary Tournament, a smorgasbord of games that the girls will play at all the Mansfield high schools from Dec. 29-31. Everyone is out of school, and games will tip off early. I am especially a fan because it gives me a chance to bounce around to all the schools and catch some games.

Then there is the Whataburger Tournament, a tournament featured at a few different places across the Metroplex, but still ripe with different levels of skill and levels of competition. It takes place at the same time as the Rotary, so I’m pretty sure the smell of hardwood won’t come out of my clothes for weeks.

Both of these tournaments feature games in the middle of the day.

And what does that mean to me, the only Hernalsteen son living in Texas? It means I get out of work around my parents’ house, and I can use the "I have to work" excuse. But my mother knows I’m going to watch basketball. Maybe I’ll take her to a couple of games.

There is no real segue from football to basketball. Players participating in both sports are thrust onto the court, sometimes with little preparation, and have to get into game shape as the season progresses, instead of the preseason workouts.

And trust me, there is a large difference between football shape and basketball shape.

But I digress, for it is time for the jump ball at center court.

I’ll be watching "Hoosiers" on repeat if you need me.