It wasn’t quite a sellout, but a bunch of folks would have been left out in the cold at Bloomer Sullivan Gym.

The crowd for finals night of the Bryan County Basketball Tournament was listed at 2,500 and that’s pretty darn accurate.

The new arena looks awfully good when it’s full of fans.

Some folks will always stand at basketball games, but those who wanted to sit had a place. I heard lots of great comments on the new arena. The only negative note concerned parking, but everybody knew that going in.

You just can’t have a committee meeting and vote in more land.

This may come as a shock to some, but it’s not possible for every fan to have a parking spot in front of the door.

Remember the last time you walked from your car to the football field at either Oklahoma University or the Dallas Cowboys?

Overall, fans understand the situation and realize that parking will be vastly improved when Southeastern can afford to move the baseball field and make that a parking lot.

You won’t find a parking situation much better than that anywhere. It’s coming. We just have to be a bit patient and it will happen.

WE HAD THREE great additions to the Bryan County Athletics Hall of Fame.

Dana Simpson (Calera), Anthony Williams (Caddo) and Jerry Don Williams (Rock Creek) were standouts back in the day and they’re standouts now.

It’s far too easy to take for granted the accomplishments of our local athletes. It’s far too easy to forget how hard they had to work for the honors they received.

It’s far too easy to just stay in the comfortable chair and not make it out to a game. Today’s players need our support. They need to know somebody cares about them.

Try to find time to get out to a game before the season is over. The kids will appreciate it.

HOW ABOUT the Pioneers?

This has to be one of the better things we’ve done in Bryan County athletics over the years.

Cobb High School is no longer here, but the 1958-59 Hornets were with us Saturday night.

For all of the recognition they received, these ladies might as well have played before electricity. Sports coverage just wasn’t the same at that time.

That’s just one reason why it’s so important to give them a few minutes in the spotlight.

Nominations are open year-round for the Hall of Fame, plus teams and/or individuals for the Pioneers.

If you have qualified candidates, please make those nominations as soon as possible.

Phone Shelly Childree (cell 580-916-0925) or Harold Harmon (cell 580-920-3627). We’ll take it from there.

Neither the Hall of Fame nor the Pioneers would work without the fans. Thanks to all of you for your support.