Powersports: Questions from the sports desk

The Magic 8 Ball says…?

From time to time during a previous life, I was called a “homer,” cheering for the home team. At the risk of being dubbed that again, I believe all three Valencia County high school football teams will/can return to the post season, again. Valencia and Los Lunas are solid favorites to get in, while Belen might need to pull off an upset or two. All three area volleyball teams have a great shot to reach state tournament play, but VHS and BHS risk knocking each other off. In soccer, it should be a close call again for the VHS boys and the LLHS and BHS girls. Have fun and stay healthy, ya’ll.

Freebies?

Earlier this year I suggested the University of New Mexico should take a different approach to pump some life into its football program. This new effort is not really about football, but UNM is offering free attendance to games involving several athletic programs, including baseball, softball and women’s soccer. There are also some discounts to get fannies in the seats at Lobo football games, including food specials and free admission to most games for kids. UNM says it wants to attract more families and younger fans. It may not generate that much excitement, but the effort is worth watching.

Optimism?

No one is expecting much from either UNM or New Mexico State on the football field. The Lobos have a new coach and a host of new players. Who doesn’t? As for the Aggies, they are on a list of Bottom 10 teams. One scribe wrote, tongue in cheek, instead of playing games, NMSU should put SEC contests on the stadium Jumbotron so Aggie fans can watch all their former players winning games at Vanderbilt. Ouch.

What about Ira?

Whenever you make a list, whether it’s for groceries or for the “best ever” in sports, there is bound to be an omission. As a reader pointed out, when I recently came up with a list of the best basketball players to come out of New Mexico colleges, Ira Harge wasn’t mentioned. He should have been. Harge was one of the early Lobo greats, leading UNM to the finals of the NIT in 1964. Harge had a nice career in the American Basketball Association and was a respected educator in Albuquerque after his playing days. Ira, my apologies.

Bullish?

I happened to catch about five minutes of a telecast of a vintage NBA playoff game, circa 1992, between the Bulls and Pacers. Quick observations; Luc Longley was pretty good, filling his role. The Pacers, with Reggie Miller and Rik Smits, were talented. Michael Jordan didn’t make every shot he took. What? Plus, the telecast only put up the score graphic after a basket. Drove me crazy.

Why do people try to ruin nice things?

Time for my quarterly thoughts on the WNBA, which features terrific hoops, but needs to try and address some areas. First, there is the trend, apparently inspired by a fledgling business, of throwing adult toys on the floor. It’s dangerous and classless. Beef up security, duh. Also, please, improve the officiating. It’s not good. Another burr in my saddle is how male dominated talk radio is often dismissive and condescending to the league and its players. Hey fellas, it’s 2025 not 1965.

InstaNo?

Overheard from a student at a local high school, “My auntie keeps trying to friend me on Instagram. Noooo!”

AYSO? Yes!

To illustrate that I’m not totally negative, I am positively ecstatic that AYSO soccer is returning to Valencia County. Soccer needs a boost. Goooooaaaal!