KILGOROUND

IF YOU MISSED President George W. Bush's final White House press conference on Monday morning, you really missed a piece of history.

Being a political science major in college, I have probably more than an average, passing interest in American politics. I have made it no secret (at least I don't think I have) over the years that I lean conservative on just about every issue.

That said, I haven't always agreed with Mr. Bush on things, particularly in his last four years. But on Monday morning, I actually TiVo'd the President's final media question session, and watched it with interest for about an hour. It was simply mesmerizing to hear him discuss various aspects of the last eight years, including the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, Iran and North Korea, the economy, Hurricane Katrina, and what he's planning on doing when he's no

longer president, which comes next week.

He touched on just about everything one could think of, including what incoming President Barack Obama will face upon arrival, and Bush's own future role (he says he'll have none) in the immediate future. It was just simply a very interesting look at the office of the President of the United States from a man who was faced with, I believe, some of the toughest situations in American history.

I can't begin to list his answers here. The press conference was too widespread. But the Washington Times ran the press conference word for word online, and that's washingtontimes. com. If you have the time, you should read it. If you don't have the time, then do as a friend of mine would say and "buy some more," and read it anyway.

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OUR LOCAL SPORTS SCHEDULE is certainly stepping up with the addition of high school soccer and the meat of both the junior college and high school basketball schedules.

The Kilgore High School basketball programs — all boys and girls teams — are home tonight in District 14- 4A play against Lindale, beginning around 5 p.m. The varsity girls will hit the stage at around 6:30 p.m., I understand, and the varsity boys game going on last. This is the first night of district play for the boys; the Lady Bulldogs are 1-1.

Sabine High School's basketball teams are playing at New Diana tonight, starting with the junior varsity girls at 4 p.m. Sabine is playing its District 18-2A schedule. The Lady Cards are 4-1 in district going into tonight's game, and the boys are 3-0.

If soccer is your thing, then I'm sure the Kilgore High School girls would love to have you in the crowd tonight at R.E. St. John Memorial Stadium, as they play their home opener against Whitehouse. Coach Amanda Farmer's Lady Bulldogs played in a tournament in Mount Pleasant over the weekend, and are anxious to play at home. The junior varsity plays at 5:30 p.m., with the varsity to follow.

If you're so inclined, the KHS boys soccer programs play at Nacogdoches tonight. The JV plays at 5:30, the varsity afterward.

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IN THE EVENT you haven't heard, the Kilgore College Lady Rangers basketball team is on quite a run, and that includes a run-over of the No. 7 team in the country.

KC knocked off the Trinity Valley Community College Lady Cardinals Saturday night in overtime (see our story and Lester Murray's photos on page 8 of this very paper), and have not lost since Dec. 6, dating back before the Christmas break. KC is now 12-2, and looking like the Lady Rangers of the 1990's a little bit (coach Roy Thomas will get me for that one).

At any rate, coach Brian Hoberecht's men's team lost Saturday, but has played very well, too, and the KC teams are in action twice this week. They'll play Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. at Paris (ladies game first), then come home Saturday to face Lee College.

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY TODAY to Joe Lamb, Johnny Ray Mumphrey, Terri Bumgardner, Terry Pullen, Pam Griffith, Nancy Daniel, Alice Baugh, Patricia Craig, Myrtle Coker, Billie Marler, Ramona Maxwell, Jimmy Bingham, Alicia Craig, Shanell Mills, Roger Patterson, Madison Custer, Minnie Pauline Jean Sickler, Tim Rowe, Paul Williams, Jerry Reeves

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HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TODAY to Mr. and Mrs. Harold Payne, Elvis and Eula Johnson, Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy Trice, Edna and J.D. Riddle.