High school hoops ready to tip off

Unofficially we're just hours or minutes (depending on when you read this) from the high school basketball season.

The Southeast Missourian's high school basketball preview falls on your driveway Saturday. But since you're sweating butter to find out who's who this year, here's a preview of the preview.

They must put something in the water down in Scott City because they just grow good ball players. It seems that the preseason hype surrounding the Rams isn't fiction -- check the reference section Saturday.

A good way to gauge an eventual champion is to look at its record at the end of the previous season. Leopold loses only one starter from last year's Mississippi Valley Conference championship team.

Central will not go 4-21 again this year. In fact the Tigers are everything they weren't last year: bigger and more experienced.

Did I say experience? Ask Notre Dame The Bulldogs return five seniors, including three starters, from last year's 21-8 team.

Enjoy turkey on Thursday and your week ahead now:

Today The Southeast Missouri State University men's basketball team makes its home debut against Central Methodist. The Indians played Arkansas State tough and this one should be no contest. 7 p.m.

As promised, the high school basketball season tipoff. Plenty of teams in your area: Boys games include Ste. Genevieve at Marquand, East Prairie at Oak Ridge. Girls games feature Scott City at Perryville, Kelly at Delta, Woodland at Fredericktown. Game times are in the schedule elsewhere in today's edition.

Tuesday Central's Tigers will get their shot. A chance to exact sweet revenge on Eureka for giving them a premature exit in the Class 4 quarterfinals. High school swimming kicks off this week with Central and Eureka in the first swimming meet of the season at 4 p.m.

Wednesday Grand Casino in Tunica, Miss. presents buck night. All fans get peanuts, soft drinks, hot dogs, popcorn for just a buck each. Gary Payton and the Sonics are in Graceland to play Hubie Brown's "new look" Grizzlies. 7 p.m.

Friday The Calgary Flames come to St. Louis to face the Blues. But it's not just another hockey game, it's American Express Shoot Against Hunger night. Fans who bring non-perishable food or make a donation will receive an opportunity take a shot on goal after the game for a prize. Proceeds benefit Operation Food Search, which donates food to 300 area St. Louis agencies. The last time these two met the Blues won 1-0.

Guess who's back? The defending champs. And they're bringing Shaq. The Grizzlies better put metal on their shoes and stomp around on Shaq's foot because that's the only way they will stop him. Lakers at Grizz, 7 p.m.

Saturday For the Southeast fans out there that think the Indians could beat the University of Missouri in basketball, here's your answer: Austin Peay at Missouri, 1 p.m.

David Wilson is a junior at Central High School and a sports writer for the Southeast Missourian