Going down to the final wire, the Lady Tigers are the one remaining team in the running for championship status, after capturing the runner-up spot in the AHSAA Area 3 grouping of Class 5-A.

This means that they are going to be on the road Thursday evening early, to make the 100-mile trip to Demopolis, as they are destined to face the Area 7 finalists, the Demopolis Tigers.

Gameplay throughout the state is set for 7 p.m. tip-offs, and our girls have worked all season to get there.

With an impressive 6-0 regular season for their area, the Lady Tigers have shown the determination to win, and are eager to bring back the trophy.

Meanwhile, the Lady Tiger Softball Team, which is already practicing for the inevitable season-opener, will take a break from practice on Thursday, to accommodate the road trip.

As the season changes and climates are beginning to get more tolerable, crews are busy preparing the baseball diamonds for one of America's favorite past-times.

I can smell the popcorn already, and am eager to be back outside, although I have certainly enjoyed the opportunity to cover basketball, considering it was warmer inside than out.

Guess I was cut out for the warmer weather, although my father prefers the opposite (trapping has always been his past time, and is more prolific in the winter).

Me, I'll take the bleachers, backstops and concession stands (heavy on the concessions, I'm sorry to say), and all that goes with climates more conducive to shirtsleeves.

Keep on supporting the teams, and remember, if our youth are competing in sports, then they are not getting into mischief, and that's what it is all about, right?

So, looking forward to seeing you all at the ballparks real soon, I am signing-off for now from out in "deep left field."