Play ball! While Texas officials have postponed high school sporting events for the next two weeks because of the swine flu outbreak, the games are going on in Louisiana. In a statement posted on the Louisiana High School Athletic Association Web site, Commissioner Kenny Henderson says the organization will proceed with all scheduled state championships. Henderson says the LHSAA is keeping a close eye on the situation, but so far member schools have reported no closures. State championships are scheduled Friday and Saturday for softball and gymnastics; Monday through next Saturday for tennis and boys golf; Thursday through next Saturday for outdoor track; and May 11-13 for baseball.
Going for seven? At least one former LSU player has been taken in the first round of the NFL Draft since 2004, and that streak looks to continue. Offensive tackle Ciron Black and wide receiver Brandon LaFell are both projected as first-round picks in 2010 by Todd McShay of Scouts Inc. McShay released his mock draft today, where he says Black “is a bit overrated” but still has the physical tools to be a high first-round pick. LaFell is described as the only senior wide receiver capable of being a first rounder because of his “size, speed, athleticism and proven playmaking skills.” If you really want to look down the line, CBSSports.com has Tiger strong safety Chad Jones listed as the second-best player at his position in 2011, and cornerback Patrick Peterson and fullback Stevan Ridley graded as the second-best players in their spots in 2012. The Tigers have the longest current streak of having a former player selected in the first round.
He’s fast: Bradley Sylve, a sophomore at South Plaquemines High School, was the subject of a recent New York Times profile. Sylve is one of the fastest high school sophomores in the nation, posting speeds of 10.62 seconds in the 100-meter dash. What makes Sylve interesting is that he trains at a school that doesn’t have a track, forcing him to practice on a football field. “It doesn’t bother us,” Sylve told the Times. “We just go out and run.” Good news: Sylve, an all-state wide receiver, says he wants to play football at LSU. Read the story here.
