OK — let’s pass out the Christmas gifts

Wrapped in bright red wrapping paper with a Ranger-blue bow — a Region XIV Conference championship for Kilgore College coach Scott Schumacher and the Runnin’ Rangers. ...For La Marque, a nice early exit from the Class 4A 2006 football playoffs. And a communitywide case of laryngitis. Just kidding. Well, half-way kidding. Well, maybe not. ...For all of us: far less TV time for the people that star on “Desperate Housewives.” It’s Christmas time! It’s Christmas time!

And what would Christmas time be without gifts?

I’ve got a few, for local, state, and national sports figures (and some not-so-sporty figures). And how about this? I know everyone has a favorite way to open Christmas gifts. Some people open just one on Christmas Eve, then open the rest Christmas morning.

Since our paper technically hits the streets Saturday afternoon (Christmas Eve), you can do either! Read this tom o r r o w morning, if you’d like (I’ll be waiting).

Wi t h o u t f u r t h e r adieu... let’s hand out a few gifts to some local sports figures first, shall we?

 Plenty to go around for the Kilgore High School boys and girls b a s k e t b a l l teams.

For firstyear coach Tracy Kincade and his Lady Bulldogs, let’s give the ability to continue to fly under the proverbial radar. After losing a lot of talent last year — Sharla Cannon, Hope Walker, Monique Shackleford, Antwanette Wiley, and even coach Patricia Nelson — no one really knew what the KHS girls would be like this season.

But thanks to the very capable Kincade and a roster of understated talent (including future phenom Ashia Kelly), the Lady Bulldogs are 1-2 in District 17-4A so far, 10-7 overall by my count, and have played some very, very good basketball in what has been a murderer’s row non-district schedule.

In case you missed it (and I did — I had gone to Alabama to visit my folks), KHS beat Henderson 56-39 last week for its first district win of the year. Kelly had 19 points, six rebounds, seven blocked shots (SEVEN BLOCKED SHOTS!), five steals and seven assists. The ever-improving Tai’Shea Reese had 11 points, three rebounds and a steal, and LaJohnna Woolridge recording 10 points, five rebounds, two blocked shots, three steals and five assists.

The Bulldogs have also played a tough schedule, and haven’t started district play.

File photo by Kathy Bowden BOY, WAS THAT BAD — Dallas quarterback Drew Bledsoe, scratches his head as he walks back to the bench after getting sacked in the final minute of play during his team loss to the Washington Redskins, 35-7, last week. In spite of that, the Cowboys can still make the playoffs, something sports editor Mitch Lucas would wish for them as a Christmas gift. Other gifts include a district championship for the Kilgore High School softball team (inset: Mackenzie Sharp and coach Kasey Polk). Here’s the gift for coach Brady Gage and the Bulldogs — a belated playoff spot. And I say ‘belated’ because the Bulldogs have had the talent and

the coaching to get there in Gage’s previous two seasons, but haven’t had the ball bounce their way.

It’s a tough district, but the ’Dogs are talented, and there just might be some wiggle room at the top, even with v e r y g o o d Nacogdoches in the district.

 For the

KHS soccer teams: a better second year for girls head coach Heidi Hagan, ending with a spot in the playoffs, and a great first year for new head coach Kris Duplissey.

RIP OPEN THE PAPER AND GET... — A playoff spot. At least, that’s what sports editor Mitch Lucas would give the Kilgore High School basketball teams, including coach Brady Gage (center) and the Bulldogs. File photo by Kathy Bowden Both teams are opening soon — the alumni games are slated for Tuesday, Jan. 3 (girls at 5 p.m., boys at 6:30), followed by a few scrimmages.

The boys open the season — Duplissey’s first as head coach (he assisted Whitney Keeling last year) — at home in the annual tournament, beginning Jan. 12.

Hagan could be in for a good year with plenty of talent coming back. Among that talent is Dana Deerinwater, who got to fulfill the soccer fantasy of a lifetime by playing — and winning — in Europe with a traveling team last year. Deerinwater is just one of a talented group of girls back to prove a point in 2006.

 Wrapped in bright red wrapping paper with a Ranger blue bow — a Region XIV Conference championship for Kilgore College coach Scott Schumacher and the Runnin’ Rangers.

No, I’m not crazy. The Rangers got off to a slow start, going 0-2 at first before getting that initial conference win right before the holiday break. But it is no stretch to say that KC is talented enough to live up to their preseason expectations of winning the men’s conference title, what would be a tremendous momentum boost that might lift the Rangers to a great performance in the NJCAA national tournament.

For coach Contina James’ Lady Rangers, a conference title might be out of reach this year, but how’s this for a gift: a playoff spot, when everyone in the conference picked the Kilgore ladies to finish near the bottom of the standings? The Lady Rangers did have a down year in 2004-05, but they’ve played much better in the first half of this season. A postseason slot is far from a sure thing in a very tough conference. But if KC continues to give the kind of effort it has so far, it’s an attainable goal.

 Now we come to the KHS baseball, softball and track teams.

For coach Tim Harkrider and his Diamond ’Dogs, the ability to remain one of the top teams in Class 4A, and the desire to bring that state championship back to the City of Stars in yet another sport.

For coach Kasey Polk and the softball-playing Lady Bulldogs, a district title, complete with one more season with strongarmed, University of North Texas-bound Mackenzie Sharp.

The track team has had outstanding seasons the last two campaigns, with Whitney Clark (2004) and Courtney Thomas (2005) competing for state gold the last two years.

Who will represent KHS in Austin this year? Here’s hoping there will be a few tickets punched.

 For the KHS tennis team: after a fall of turmoil, let’s give them a great spring season, and a great first spring to coach Mac Blackstone, complete with a trip to regionals for as many Bulldogs as can qualify.

 For the local horseshoepitching club, plenty of ringers. Cha-ching.

 For coaches outside the Kilgore city limits to realize I care about our coverage of their school, too, and help me by calling me after a game (and not just a game they win). I do have some area coaches that often call me or fax me, or even email me. I hope that number triples in 2006.

 And for myself, the ability to do a better job in 2006 than I did in 2005. I always want to improve our sports section every year.

 For Steve Torrence, a localboy does-good story in NHRA Drag Racing, how about a win in every single race that he participates? I’m no drag racing genius, but Torrence was able to grab a lot of headlines in 2005. Here’s hoping he’ll do the same — and to an even greater degree — in 2006.

 Looking to the fall of the year, let’s give the KHS volleyball team at least five more wins than in the 2005 season, and the team’s first playoff trip since 1992.

 For Kilgore College’s football program and coach Jimmy Rieves, there was one gift better than any other: Rieves’ third Southwest Junior College Football Championship in 2006, along with an injury-free season. Boy, do they ever deserve that second gift, after suffering through the most injuryplagued year for one team in 2005 that I can ever recall.

 For the Overton Mustangs, the gift is a long stay at the school for head football coach Stephen DuBose, who guided the Mustangs back to the postseason this year.

 The Sabine High School athletic teams deserve this gift: the best athletic year the Cardinals have ever had, from basketball (two trips back to the playoffs), baseball and softball, volleyball and football.

 OK, this one’s the biggest gift of all, kind of like one of those Lexus commercials where the car’s wrapped in a bow.

There’s a pair of gifts under the tree for the Kilgore High School football team — the program’s 12th straight playoff appearance, and (drumroll, please) the biggie: another Class 4A state championship run.

It’s so difficult to get to the level that KHS is. It takes so much hard work on behalf of the players and coaches; it takes a commitment from the school system to want to excel in athletics (something a lot of schools have no desire to do, believe me — yes, I did just say that) and a big, supportive fan base. I know it seems like I preach Kilgore High School football to you guys all the time. Fact is, what coach Mike Vallery, his coaches, players, the school administration, and even you, the fans, have been able to do over the last three or four years has been incredible. I’d love to see it keep going.

 For all local high school seniors, let’s give the wisdom to make the right choices about your future, and wish a wonderful first year out of high school.

How about a few gifts on the state level?

 For La Marque, a nice early exit from the 4A 2006 football playoffs. And a communitywide case of laryngitis. Just kidding. Well, half-way kidding.

Well, maybe not.

 For the Dallas Cowboys, a pressure-relieving lengthy playoff trip to end this season, and the return of coach Bill Parcells for the next one (I personally don’t think that one will make it under the tree — maybe I’m wrong).

 For the Texas Rangers, a nice, shiny Rocket — Roger Clemens — and a little consistency down the stretch.

 For the Dallas Mavericks, how about a good dose of DEFENSE and a lucky path through the NBA playoffs where they wouldn’t face San Antonio until the NBA Western Conference Finals?

 For the Houston Texans, we have Matt Leinart. Or some big stud offensive lineman. ANYBODY but running back Reggie Bush (my truly horrible San Francisco 49ers need him more).

 For the Texas A&M football program, a few blue chippers to help them keep up with the Texas Longhorns.

 For those Longhorns, how about a better 2006 season from Vince Young than the elusive one had in 2005? And of course to start the year by pulling an upset over top-ranked USC in the national title game. Couldn’t forget that.

 For the Big 12 Conference, some strength of schedule. Sheesh, was that a bad year.

 For Texas Tech, plenty of wins on the gridiron in 2006 — but not in the Cotton Bowl (where they face my Alabama Crimson Tide. Sorry, guys — I can’t root against ’Bama).

Here are some Christmas gifts for those on the national sports scene (and maybe not-so-sports scene).

 For the national sports media — a gigantic dose of reality regarding college football. WE ALREADY HAVE A PLAYOFF, YOU MORONS — IT’S CALLED THE REGULAR SEASON. Thank you for letting me rant.

 For New York Sen. Hillary Clinton, some water to help her with her wishy-washiness. Take a stand on something, ANYTHING, for crying out loud, even if it’s peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Are you for peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, Senator, or are you against them?

 For former Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Terrell Owens, one of two things: an attitude adjustment, or retirement. Make your choice, T.O. — the world wants to hear from you no more.

 For all of us: far less TV time for the people that star on “Desperate Housewives.”

 For President George W. Bush: to stumble upon former President Bill Clinton’s stash of teflon in the White House basement.

 For former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein: for a jury to find you guilty, guilty, guilty.

 For my dad, still on the road to recovery from his stroke: a completely normal, healthy life from here on out.

 For the NBA, a return to glory. A nice seven-game NBA Finals between, say, Kobe Bryant’s Los Angeles Lakers and Shaquille O’Neal’s Miami Heat would be a Christmas present come late for the basketball fan.

 For all of us, part two: for some of these crime shows to be canceled. Look, I like detective shows as much as the next person. But we’ve got three, four “CSI” shows now. I can see it already, in the fall of 2006.

“You like ‘CSI,’” the CBS promo guy spouts. “You like ‘CSI: Miami’ and ‘CSI: New York.’ Now for something totally different — ‘CSI: Liberty City,’ coming to CBS on Saturday nights this fall.”

 For former Boston Red Sox player-turned-New York Yankee Johnny Damon — some loyalty. I don’t hate the Yankees, or anything, but Damon playing for the Yankees is like — I don’t know — Troy Aikman playing quarterback for the Washington Redskins, or something. It just doesn’t fit.

 For all of us, part three: no more Mike Tyson comebacks. Please.

 For all of you: No more Christmas gift columns from yours truly, and of course, a prosperous, blessed 2006, from the bottom of my heart.

God bless.