When the good people at the Indianapolis Recorder ask me to contribute to sports, I usually try to focus on one topic and write something that hopefully will provide perspective and prompt a discussion. Often it is a challenge to come up with something fresh and good, but that certainly is not he case this week.
There are a number of things happening currently, so please allow me to indulge in a round up of sorts, one that sheds some light on a number of developments.
- The grit and resolve demonstrated by the Indiana Fever in this playoff run certainly is worthy of mentioning. It has not been that long ago that this team had its best player in Tamika Catchings watching games from the bench as her back healed and was truly struggling. Coach Lin Dunn has done a remarkable job in keeping these young ladies focused and prepared. Catchings has been superb as the Fever look to return to the WNBA Finals.
- The 2014 Indy Car season recently came to a resounding conclusion with Will Power taking the points championship at the season ending race at Fontana, Calif. Power had been a bridesmaid more than once in this highly competitive series and was finally able to capture the crown for Penske Racing. In a season that featured 11 different drivers winning races, Indy Car once again demonstrated some of the most exciting racing on the planet. The combination of ovals, street courses, and road courses make it the most challenging series, and the influx of young talent lends to a brighter future. Kudos to the principles at Indy Car and we look forward to next season.
- High School football is once again upon us and while there are many stalwarts in the Class 6A division, I like the Giants of Ben Davis High Shcool to take the crown when the smoke clears in the state playoffs. While the Giants have always featured great talent at the skill positions, their defense is stout. Defensive Coordinator Scott Williams has a talented and hungry group, one that knows they should have won it last year. Look for the Giants to prevail.
- You cannot talk football without placing the Indianapolis Colts front and center and this season is shaping up to be more than just interesting. Both the court system and the NFL have now provided resolution in regards to the irresponsible and pathetic actions of owner Jim Irsay, and that glaring distraction is finally in the rear view mirror, just before the first regular season game occurs this Sunday night in Denver against the Broncos and some quarterback named Manning. The Colts home opener will be the following week against the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Night Football. It will be interesting to see how a team that has major personnel questions on both sides of the football responds to all the glitz and glamour that accompanies nationally televised games. With injuries in training camp and the lack of depth on this team, the Colts will have their hands full against playoff caliber teams all year, and that is something even Andrew Luck cannot overcome by himself, especially if he is on his back a lot.
Danny Bridges, who is now officially in withdrawals from the Indy Car season concluding, can be reached at (317) 578-1780 or at Bridgeshd@aol.com.
Danny Bridges is an award-winning journalist and a longtime sports columnist for the Indianapolis Recorder. He covers college, professional sports and especially all things IndyCar racing. He can be reached at 317-370-8447 or at bridgeshd@aol.com.
