Time is running out to catch these Dawgs

by "Big Joe" Lombardi

Cup O' Joe

It's true. The Bulldawg boys basketball hourglass is down to just a few dribbles..at least for home games.

Winners of their last two tilts in the friendly confines of Bulldawg Gym, the price of poker goes way up for tonight's Dawg home finale against Class 6A's 19th-ranked Harker Heights Knights.

Heights, under the interim leadership of Killeen ISD Asst. Athletic Director Kevin Lawler, who replaced University Interscholastic League-suspended Celneque Bobbitt, has constructed a 7-0 District 12-6A record. They are a handful and a likely shoo-in for the league's top playoff seed.

Meanwhile, Copperas Cove is sitting at 15-14 overall and 3-5 in district. The Dawgs need to win out and get some help for the slightest chance at postseason. They must take care of the on-court part, but Cove has plenty of sideline support.

This season, I've seen more butts in the homeside grandstands, along with, at times, our National Champion Copperettes, the ninth-ranked Class 6A Bulldawg cheerleaders and more, all hearkening back to the turn of the century when our girls team was ranked No. 1 in the country and you had to get there way early for a seat.

Loud, rowdy backing is what a basketball home crowd is all about in my book. Even though I can no longer announce who scored since being called out for talking when the clock is running by some visiting fans, I'll make as much noise as the rules permit from my public address microphone perch.

Here's hoping you're in the gym at 7 p.m. tipoff time tonight to help our Bulldawgs celebrate Senior Night in a big way.

Go Dawgs!