Pregame

A somewhat decent quote, right? Perhaps you're even wondering who said it. Well, it was me. I always thought February was an underrated month and has been egregiously disregarded, seen as somewhat, oh...dreary. In fact, I came up with my own quote in large part because I read this one a few days ago: "February is merely as long as is needed to pass the time until March." - Dr. J.R. Stockton Not so. I hate to disagree with the good doctor, but February is hardly as bleak as the weather often makes it seem. February boasts a couple holidays - Groundhog's Day and Valentine's Day - that may appear somewhat contrived and artificial, but help break up the monotony of winter. Honestly, who doesn't root for that furry little animal in Punxsutawney, Penn. to come out of his hole and not see his shadow? Who doesn't want spring? And who doesn't love heading out for a nice dinner on Valentine's Day, with some chocolates and roses thrown in the mix to show how much you care? But to get right down to it, February ranks high because it's loaded with sports. From the Super Bowl (lately, anyway) to the Pro Bowl, the NBA All-Star Game to the Daytona 500, college basketball to pitchers and catchers reporting, these important sporting events call February home. And it's no different in Central Indiana - especially when it comes to the high school sports variety. Girls and boys swimming crown state champions this month. Wrestling hits the mats for the state tournament and boys and girls basketball regular seasons wind down in order for the state's legendary hoops tournament to heat up, while spring sports - like track - begin preparation for their season. To reflect the importance of February, you'll notice in the pages that follow that greatness will indeed emerge this month. From the "Hoosiers"-like girls basketball team at Lapel and the area athletes who are working for a chance to compete at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China, all the way to the local boys basketball sharpshooters and the community service efforts of Covenant Christian High School, we're ready for February. Are you?