Every Rose has its thorn

Banishment from baseball is a punishment perhaps worse than death. It's a rule that prohibits a player from a sport that has surrounded him since he drew first breath.

But don't empathize for Pete Rose because, after all, he broke the rules and like all criminals he must carry out his sentence. That's the only way he will be considered for readmittance.

We don't release inmates from prison because they confess to their crimes. We release them after serving their time.

As long as you haven't been banned from any sporting events, there's no reason not to attend each one of these in your week ahead:

Wednesday

The HealthSouth Holiday Classic is the equivalent to the seMissourian Christmas Basketball Tournament, only it's for girls. The Holiday Classic begins today at the Show Me Center. The tournament consists of the usual suspects: Central, Notre Dame, Jackson, Perryville and more. The first game is at 4 p.m.

Thursday

Central and Notre Dame is always a great rivalry, especially when they step into water. It's the state qualifying relay team of Central against the Kuper boys of Notre Dame in a war on the shore. 4 p.m.

Friday

Central hosts the Tiger Classic, one of the largest wrestling tournaments around. Action begins at 5 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. Saturday.

Friday night is Buck night in Memphis, literally. Not only do the Grizzlies host the Bucks but all soda, peanuts, popcorn and hot dogs are just a buck. You can't go wrong here and you can go at 7 p.m.

If you don't want to go south, go north. The Southeast Otahkians are involved in the St. Louis Coca-Cola Billiken Classic. They draw Indiana State in the first round game at 8 p.m.

Saturday

The most important event this week: I warned you last week and if you don't have tickets it's not my fault. Illinois and Missouri for all the braggin' rights. Last year, No. 8 Missouri was ranked higher than No. 9 Illinois and Frank Williams lit up the Tigers for 16 points in the second half. The Tigers lost 72-61. This year is different. How different? Find out at the Savvis center at 4:30 p.m (women at 1:30).

Sunday

While John Stockton will get ready to dish out the dimes, the Grizzlies will hand out Star Stackers to the first 5,000 fans. The Grizz take on the Jazz and the Mailman Karl Malone at 3 p.m.

Down the road

The 58th annual boys high school Christmas basketball tournament is just around the corner (sponsored this year by the paper you're holding). Make sure the family knows you have plans for the day after Christmas and the day after that and the day after that.

David Wilson is a junior at Central High School. His column appears each Monday.