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Vintage Montoya still breathtaking to see MEXICO CITY -- This Latino piloto is muy bueno. He's also a little wild and crazy when he wants to get to the front. "That was vintage Montoya. How can I be surprised?" -- Chip Ganassi Juan Pablo Montoya just became Dale Earnhardt Sr. with a Spanish accent. He won the Telcel-Motorola 200 Sunday with one of the most amazing drives through the field any racing fan could ever hope to see. It was classic Montoya: unmatched skill and unwise aggressiveness. His historic victory came with controversy when Montoya spun out teammate Scott Pruett to take the lead with eight laps to go. "This is a great day," Montoya said. "And it's huge for the Latin community. But I feel really bad for Scott. It's a tough moment, but when you have the momentum, you ain't gonna slow down." The Colombian and former Formula One star even sounds like a NASCAR driver now. And Mexico saw the real NASCAR this time. Emotions were sky-high on the track, in the pits and in the stands. Pruett was furious; Montoya was apologetic. The latter's crew chief, Brad Parrott, was choking back tears. Parrott didn't know how to feel. "I'm happy we won, but I'm upset that we wrecked Scott," Parrott said. "Juan is the best driver in the world, but he has to get his head on a little. It's my fault. I feel bad for our team." Thousands of screaming Mexican and Colombian fans felt awesome. They stood and cheered wildly as Montoya won it in a green-white-checkered finish. Other than a Mexican victor, this is as good as it gets for the spectators at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez road course. Montoya is the first Hispanic driver to win a NASCAR event. To do it in Mexico City made it all the better. The fans loved it, and anyone watching back in the good old US of A also had to love a race with on-track action that took your breath away. Now, who said road racing in stock cars is boring? They must have missed this show. The final 27 laps were dripping drama as Montoya proved what world-class talent can do with a good car. Montoya's move to NASCAR already was big news. Now it's the biggest thing in the sport. Montoya's No. 42 Dodge was the best car all day, but he thought his chances of winning were over when a fuel-hose problem in the pits dropped him from first to 21st before he roared back. He had to pit again under caution to fill the tank. When the green flew on the restart, everyone saw just how good Montoya is. He passed 20 cars in only 17 laps. He was 16th with 23 laps remaining. Two laps later, he was 12th , making moves around cars that most drivers wouldn't have the guts to try. Montoya was ninth on a restart with 17 laps to go. He knew passing would get tougher the closer he got to the front, but he just kept charging. He moved up three more spots in one lap. With nine laps left, Montoya was third before he passed Boris Said for second and set his sights on Pruett. Pruett and Montoya are friends. Well, they were friends. They won the 24 Hours of Daytona together last month. That wasn't on Montoya's mind when he got to Pruett's bumper entering Turn 1. Montoya's did a dive-bomb move to the right and got inside Pruett's right-rear quarter panel. Pruett spun across the track and Montoya drove through the grass, cutting off Turn 2 to avoid Pruett's car. "We could have had a 1-2 finish," Montoya said. "We braked about the same time, but Scott kind of stayed wide. I went inside, and when he came back down, I had nowhere to go. I blame myself because I had a fast enough car to pass him afterwards." Team owner Chip Ganassi had only one team order: Don't wreck each other. "Juan had 10-lap fresher tires," Ganassi said. "I don't know that he had to make a move like that so soon." But Ganassi knows Montoya waits for no one. He saw it when Montoya won the Champ Car title for him in 1999 and the Indy 500 in 2000. And Ganassi has seen Montoya make other amazing runs to the front like the one Sunday. "That was vintage Montoya," Ganassi said. "How can I be surprised?" Montoya surprised himself this time. You don't go from 21st to first in 17 laps on a road course. "When I was in open-wheel, that just didn't happen," Montoya said. "Once we had the problem, I just wanted to bring the car home and try to get a top-10 finish. But this is the reason I came to NASCAR, because of the racing." And this is why NASCAR wanted Montoya. Terry Blount covers motorsports for ESPN.com. He can be reached at [email protected].

Phillips 66 Big 12 Tournament Bracket Finalized (with TV times) Regardless of the outcome of Oklahoma State and Nebraska's game this week, the two will play each other again in the first round of the Big 12 Tournament: Phillips 66 Big 12 Tournament Bracket: Game 1: No. 8 Iowa State vs. No. 9 Oklahoma (ESPNU and ESPN Plus) 11:30 a.m. Game 2: No. 5 Texas Tech vs. No. 12 Colorado (ESPNU and ESPN Plus) 2:00 p.m. Game 3: No. 7 Oklahoma State vs. No. 10 Nebraska (ESPN Plus) 6:00 p.m. Game 4: No. 6 Missouri vs. No. 11 Baylor (ESPN2) 8:20 p.m. Friday, March 9 Game 5: No. 1 Kansas vs. ISU/OU winner (ESPNU and ESPN Plus) 11:30 a.m. Game 6: No. 4 Kansas State vs. TTU/CU winner (ESPNU and ESPN Plus) 2:00 p.m. Game 7: No. 2 Texas A&M vs. OSU/NU winner (ESPN Plus) 6:00 p.m. Game 8: No. 3 Texas vs. MU/BU winner (ESPN Plus) 8:20 p.m. Saturday, March 10 Game 9: Friday Afternoon Winners (ESPN2 and ESPN Plus)* 1:00 p.m. Game 10: Friday Evening Winners (ESPN2 and ESPN Plus)* 3:20 p.m. Sunday, March 11 Game 11: Semifinal Winners (ESPN) 2:00 p.m.

Senior shorstop Sheppard showing leadership traits for young Bobcats ORANGEFIELD — On a team sporting several youngsters, Orangefield Bobcats Coach Jeff Bennett will need leadership from his group of seniors. One of those guys showing the trait already this season is Corey Sheppard. Sheppard, who plays shortstop and has batted second so far this year, has made it his job to be a coach on the field for Bennett. He puts the rest of the infield in the right positions on defense and is one of the vocal leaders while in the dugout when the Bobcats are at bat. "He is one of the two senior leaders on this team along with Brett (Ramsey)," Bennett said. "He was our only senior leader for a while until Brett was done with basketball and he did a great job with it. Corey is the one who keeps things together for us during practice and during games." Sheppard knows what Bennett needs of him and is happy to be the one the first-year coach looks to. "You have mixed emotions during your senior year," Sheppard said. "You know it is your last year and you also remember you are in charge. I have tried to take that leadership role. The good thing about is that the varsity team pretty much stays in line and does the right things. The only time I get to get on some guys is in practice with the JV guys. That can be fun." Sheppard, who also played football for the Bobcats, has enjoyed his senior year at Orangefield High School and waited patiently when the Bobcats' football season was over until the start of the baseball season began a few weeks ago. It has been a new look Bobcats' team this season but the young players are definitely already making a difference as Orangefield won its own tournament over the weekend. Freshman pitchers Jacob Felts and Jace Statum have made the Bobcats' future bright but the present is where Sheppard's mind is. "It has been great getting back into the swing of things," Sheppard said. "Baseball is up there with football in being my favorite sport. I love the competition and being around the guys. It can be a very relaxing sport. So far this year is different because of the young players. I have enjoyed watching them get better with each game." Being with the young players and keeping their mind in the right places is exactly what Bennett is looking for out of Sheppard. "Corey runs the show in the infield," Bennett said. "He is our guy and he keeps them on their toes. Another great thing he does is during our hitting drills I like to pair him up with a freshman guy. He works great with them. I know during practice I can go one way and send him another way and everything will get done." So with the young Bobcats starting District 21-3A play on Tuesday, Sheppard and Orangefield have their work cut out for them to make the playoffs. The district has been dominated over the years by Bridge City and this year sports new powers in Silsbee and Kirbyville. Jasper also plays good baseball and Hamshire-Fannett, Hardin-Jefferson and West Orange-Stark are also on the rise.

Bigdaddy says I'm gone!!

Me either!!!!!! 8)

Thanks.

Released by MIF04 WEEK TWO SETEXSPORTS.COM BASEBALL ‘TOP TEN’ The curse of being #1 continues as last week’s #1 (Nederland) got run ruled and no-hit by Bridge City and then dropped another game on top of that…in their own tournament. It was a pretty good week for a lot of area teams but our new #1 has had two good weeks…the Barbers Hill Eagles. (Last week’s rankings in parenthesis) 1. BARBERS HILL EAGLES (2) The Eagles ‘escaped’ with a 7-6 win over HJ then rolled through the Ewell Jackson bracket until they lost to 5A power Elkins in the semi-finals. BH’s two losses this year have been to state ranked 5A Flower Mound and Houston 5A power Elkins. Hales leads what is proving to be a dominant staff while Townsley and Campbell power the offense. They host PNG for a Tuesday match up that promises to be fun. 2. BRIDGE CITY (3) BC was on the verge on claiming our top spot until they sputtered against Sulphur (Louisiana’s 5A state finalist last year) on Saturday afternoon. Prior to that, they rode Jeff Stringer’s no hitter and Johnny Dishon’s 3 homer weekend and proved that the old adage applies to the Cardinals … “they don’t rebuild, they just reloadâ€. District starts on Tuesday for these guys…a marquee game up the road in Silsbee. 3. WEST BROOK (5) No pitching? No problem? The Bruins allowed 7 runs per game this week…and went 5-1, including a wild 16-14 win over nationally ranked Lake Charles Barbe. Along the way, they won their own tournament scoring more than 10 runs per game themselves. The travel to Vidor on Tuesday (interesting game there) then across the border to play in LC Barbe’s own tournament…where paybacks can be heck. 4. LCM (4) A tie against New Caney and loss to Brenham does not diminish the great results that Griff is once again squeezing out of his Bears. Solids wins against Lehman, Santa Fe and 5A Huntsville prove that the ‘green-n-gold’ are back in the hunt again, especially with big bangers Jake Rowell and Ben Jones swinging the sticks. 5. JASPER (10) Some posters here are claiming the ‘Dogs are staying under the radar. Not so fast as their continued solid play will not escape our watchful eyes. Taylor Hart scores the game winner in the 11th inning to defeat Kelly and the ‘Dogs maul previously undefeated Vidor and *presto†Jasper is our biggest upward mover of the week. A dangerous 1st district game awaits, tho…Orangefield (fresh off their tourney win) comes calling on Tuesday. 6. NEDERLAND (1) Ouch. First, you get run ruled by a 3A school. Then, your ace gets knocked out and you lose again. And both of these games happen in your own tournament? Not the best of weeks for Coach Robbins but these Bulldogs did rebound to claim a couple of wins against Leesville (LA) to keep their ship afloat. 7. VIDOR (6) Take away the shellacking they took from 3A Jasper and it was another solid week for the Pirates. You sorta get the feeling that Kyle Green’s group has the makings of something special…and that has got to scare the #$%@ out of everyone else in that district. They host West Brook in a Tuesday night game and everyone is looking forward to the trip to see their new, improved facility…not to mention two very good teams loaded with very good players. 8. HUFFMAN (9) The Falcons roll through their own tournament this weekend albeit their record did get tarnished with an early week loss to Klein Forest. One should not overlook this team…it is deep and talented, with 2 very good pitchers at the front of their rotation. Wonder if either of them would like to move to West Brook? 9. SILSBEE ( Up and down like last week’s stock market, the Tigers lose badly to Kelly 11-2 and barely squeaked out a 4-3 win vs. Lumberton. Of course, they also pounded Woodville 11-1 and Coldspring 8-0 so who knows? The Tigers need to get their game face on, tho…district starts and Tuesday night brings Billy Bryant and the BC Cardinals to town for the first of many district showdowns in this 3A division. 10. HARDIN JEFFERSON (NR) The Hawks make their first ever appearance in our Top Ten after another solid week, marred only by a 1-run loss to #1 BH. Remember, the other HJ losses have been equally close…both to 4A LCM. They open district this week with a traditional ‘barn burner’…they host the Longhorns from HF on Tuesday. The race is on. ON THE BUBBLE, CLOSE AND FALLING OUT: OZEN (7) went 0-5 this week in the Conroe tournament and fell from the top 10, even though we still all believe they’ll be in the thick of their district race. ORANGEFIELD (NR) gets a round of applause for winning their tournament this weekend, and by proving that BC is not the only school playing some quality freshmen up on their varsity. And, PNG (NR) beats 5A power Baytown Sterling, almost knocks off 5A West Brook but loses to Victoria and Barbe to remain under .500 for the season. And…a wish for a speedy recovery to PNG’s Shawn Flores who was injured in Saturday night’s 6-5 loss vs. West Brook when he crashed into the fence chasing a foul ball. Shawn had thrown the first 5 innings for the Indians before moving to the outfield. Get well soon. See ya next week…

[Hidden Content]

Former Buna coach Mike Brewster Coaches Chapel Hill.

Can't wait until the season starts.

Here's TCH District.... Bullard Brownsboro Van Canton Athens

Ranked No. 4 Record: 30-7 (10-0 in District 14-3A) More stats soon

First Billionaire minor league player Minor League Pitcher Could Be Baseball’s First Billionaire Player Los Angeles Dodgers minor league pitcher Matt White could become baseball’s first billionaire player, but it probably won’t have anything to do with his fastball. Matt White, a minor league pitcher who has only appeared in seven major league games and has a record of 0-2 while allowing 18 earned runs in 9 2-3 innings paid $50,000 three years ago to buy 50 acres of land from an elderly aunt who needed the money to pay for a nursing home. While clearing out a couple acres to build a home, he discovered stone ledges in the ground, prompting him to have the property surveyed. A geologist estimated there were 24 million tons of the stone on his land. The stone is being sold for upward of $100 per ton, meaning there’s well over $2 billion worth of material used for sidewalks, patios and the like. The news has prompted some of White’s teammates to refer to him as “The Billionaire,†but the 29-year-old left-hander isn’t counting his money just yet. “There are a lot of questions,†he said. “It takes time, it takes money, it takes machines. There are professionals who handle that stuff.†White’s father has been involved in selling the stone, but it’s presently a small-time operation. “I guess you could say the property is for sale,†White said with a chuckle. “We’ll have to see how things turn out. I don’t even know where to start. I’m in the process now of getting in touch with business-savvy guys, finding out how much to ask.†White said he doesn’t feel like he’s wealthy, which he isn’t quite yet. “Not at all. I don’t live like a rich man,†he said. “I’m a minor league guy who’s played winter ball to make ends meet.†White may be on the verge of becoming a millionaire or even billionaire, but that hasn’t stopped him from still striving to achieve his dream of pitching full-time in the major leagues. White, who is 29 says, “They say lefties bloom later than righties. I keep telling myself that,†he said. “I’m here to make the big-league team. I feel confident about that, absolutely. I’ve had some pretty good years in Triple-A. “I plan to play baseball until I can’t play anymore. My goal is to play in the big leagues, regardless of what happens with the rock quarry.†White will be competing against 29 other pitchers in Dodgers Spring Training for roughly 12 spots. Although it may difficult for him to make the Dodgers, White can rest easily knowing he’ll be taken care of financially for the rest of his life regardless if he makes the big leagues or not. So, the question for all you sports fans out there is this… if you had to choose between playing your favorite sport at the highest professional level or say winning the powerball… which one would you choose? I personally would have to go with playing the sport. I would probably already be overpaid and have millions if that was the case and would rather have earned it in someway, but then again, having billions wouldn’t be a bad thing either. Just ask my buddy Mark Cuban. Note: Parts of this story (Matt White Quotes) were taken from the AP

Dominican players caught in marriage-for-visa scam By Nicole Noren and Pedro Gomez Special to ESPN.com The small island country of the Dominican Republic is littered with makeshift ballparks, bursting with young boys who have big league dreams. Rene Oriental's worst nightmare: His visa was permanently canceled and he's banned from setting foot on American soil. Rene Oriental was once one of these young kids with big dreams. The 22-year-old grew up playing on a dusty field in the small town of Monte Cristi, where dirt roads abound and electricity runs sporadically. He appeared to be on his way to the big leagues when he signed a $100,000 contract with the Kansas City Royals in 2001. But two years ago, Oriental made a decision that ended up crushing his major league dreams. A man came to his house with a proposition. Oriental was offered just under $4,000 to marry a stranger and take her to the United States on his baseball work visa. As Oriental recalls, "they tell me that that's fair ... everything is fair for the American Consulate. I believe in that person. I trust in that person." Former Tampa Bay Devil Rays minor league player Salvador Paredes shares a similar story. After agreeing to accept $4,500 from a man claiming to be a lawyer, he was taken to a nearby town and says he was introduced to his soon-to-be bride just minutes before he exchanged vows with her. As the players began preparing to travel to the United States for spring training, they headed to the consulate with their new wives to get their work visas in order. But players told ESPN that officials became suspicious after noticing that so many minor leaguers had been married in recent days, and the same witness had been present at many of the shotgun weddings. Oriental, Paredes and numerous other minor league ballplayers were summoned back to the consulate and faced with their worst nightmare -- their visas were permanently canceled and they were banned from setting foot on American soil. Paredes cried as he recalled that day, and said in Spanish, "My blood pressure dropped. Everything, everything, crumbled, everything I thought, my plans, the major leagues and all that. I thought of my family's future and my future, everything." An official at the U.S. Embassy in Santo Domingo confirmed to ESPN that a marriage-for-visa fraud was thwarted at the U.S. Consulate in early 2005. While it is State Department policy not to release the names of visa applicants, the official confirmed that at least 15 minor league players and their alleged wives all had their visa privileges permanently revoked on grounds of attempting to smuggle aliens into the United States. After speaking with numerous players who were caught in this plot, ESPN has confirmed that at least seven major league teams -- the Yankees, Rangers, Orioles, Royals, Devil Rays, Angels and Pirates -- had players nabbed. Sources told ESPN that some of the women, whose whereabouts are unknown, actually made it to the United States before the consulate picked up on the scheme. ESPN also was told that in several instances, the women's families mortgaged their homes to pay for their daughters' sham marriages, and the intermediaries would pocket upwards of $15,000. This type of immigration fraud is common in a country where abject poverty leads people to take drastic measures to get to America. But a more sinister motivation is often behind some of these scams, particularly in the Dominican Republic, where human trafficking, particularly the trafficking of women for prostitution and forced labor, is a common problem. According to a 2006 U.S. State Department report, international human rights organizations estimate that approximately 50,000 Dominican women work in prostitution throughout the world, and one-third of them are victims of trafficking. When asked if this scam was indeed part of a larger human trafficking ring, an official at the U.S. Embassy in Santo Domingo told ESPN that his department is still investigating the situation; the official also has heard that someone "put the players up to it." The official went on say that while the State Department takes accusations of human trafficking very seriously, "the visa applicants themselves are the ones who attempted to smuggle women into the U.S. through sham marriages bear the consequences of their fraudulent actions." Like many players involved in this scam, Oriental has been released by his major league team, but not all teams are giving up hope. A Yankees official told ESPN that they have two players who were involved in the Dominican scam -- pitchers Maximo Nelson and Juan De Leon -- who still remain in their organization. Texas Rangers general manager Jon Daniels is still holding out hope for pitchers Omar Beltre and Alexi Ogando, who remain with the Rangers. Although both stand accused of smuggling women and are unable to obtain visas to enter the United States, Daniels has decided to keep Ogando on the Rangers' 40-man roster. Scouts say each player, who can throw in the high 90s, has the potential to reach the majors. "We're all accountable for our own actions, but there's no doubt these were kids, who, to an extent, were taken advantage of by an organized group that knew what they were doing and that profited off of them," Daniels told ESPN. Several baseball sources told ESPN that Major League Baseball officials are actively talking with the State Department and Homeland Security about resolving the visa issue. When asked what steps the Rangers have taken on the players' behalf, Daniels said, "we talked to the right politicians, we've talked to the right departments, we've filed petitions and waivers on their behalf, we've tried to set up meetings with the right people, but we haven't gotten the response that these kids need us to at this point." Paredes remains under contract with the Devil Rays organization and continues to practice in Santo Domingo, hoping he still might get his chance in the big leagues. "The only thing that I want is that they give me the opportunity to play, to keep playing, to be someone in life, to play in the United States, continue my career in order to help my family," he said. But Paredes and other players involved in the scheme are beginning their third season since being banned from obtaining a visa to enter the United States, and the players and clubs know that time is slipping away.

I'm hoping!!

[Hidden Content]

[Hidden Content]

kogt Saturday: Washington Nationals pitcher John Patterson made his first start since July 9, allowing three hits and one run in two innings of a 7-2 loss to the Baltimore Orioles on Saturday. Patterson had surgery on his right forearm July 20, ending a season in which he appeared in only eight games. He threw 35 pitches Saturday, allowing all three hits in the first inning.

[Hidden Content]

[Hidden Content] THE 3A AND 4A TITLE GAMES SATURDAY CAN BE VIEWED HERE!!!

FROM SMOAKY.COM Should Chapel Hill Schools close for State Playoff Basketball Game I was told administration will meet Sunday to decide what to do on Thursday. What do you think? Should administration close Chapel Hill ISD Thursday to allow fans to attend the game? Talk is super said no - nothing final yet.

Tyler Chapel Hill's Record and Ranking... Ranked No. 4 Record: 30-7 (10-0 in District 14-3A)

Predictions?