As some of you might have noticed, I am running a poll asking you to email me your greatest prep sports memory of the past school year. In the 2004-05 calendar year, what was the greatest sports memory that you saw or even for the students, involved with? We have gotten a great response from this poll and keep the e-mail’s coming, because we are really enjoying them.

So, since I asked everyone what their favorite sports memories were, I have decided to throw my two cents in on what my favorite sports memories of the past prep season were.

Before I continue, there is a HUGE DISCLAIMER that I have to tell you about. I did not start working at L’Observateur until the Dec. 13th edition, so my top five moments are from that point on.

So let’s get to my top five prep moments shall we.

Let the controversy beginŠŠŠŠ.

Number five is the Riverside Lady Rebels quarterfinal softball game against South Beauregard.

In one of the most competitive matches in the history of the school, the Lady Rebels fell to the defending state champs in a heartbreaker by a single run. Before a packed house in Sulphur at the Fast Pitch 56 tournament, the Lady Rebels jumped out to a lead, only to see it evaporate late. Throw in a controversial umpire’s ruling, and this game had all the makings of an instant classic. Who will ever forget Lady Rebels pitcher Nicole Poirrier falling to the ground with a bloody nose after taking a foul ball off of the face and then coming back to pitch in the following half inning.

With a majority of his starters back next season, look for Mickey Roussel’s squad to return to try and avenge this loss in 2006.

Number four is the West St. John boy’s basketball team making their run to the Class 2A state championship game.

After coming off of yet another state championship in football, it took half the season for the Rams to become a coherent squad on the basketball court due to their football exploits. However, when they did, there were few teams in the state that could hang with them. One of the most balanced squads in Louisiana, it seemed like every night there was a new leading scorer for West St. John. Challenged only twice in their district by rival Riverside, the Rams cruised their way to the Cajundome and the 2A title game only to fall a game short. Perhaps the most amazing thing was the fact that many would argue that West St. John made it to the state championship game without their best player in Damon Morris.

The third best sports moment in the 2004-05 season for me was Reserve Christian’s state championship in Class B.

While many would argue that a state champion should be higher on my list, my reasoning is simple. In absolutely no slight to the Eagles, Reserve was by far the most talented team in all of Class B and if you don’t count Brother Martin, the entire State of Louisiana. Led by all-everything junior guard Demond “Tweetie” Carter, the Eagles never really had a close game in their playoff run en route to another state title.

Perhaps the scariest thing about this moment is that it is probably 99.9 percent going to happen again. Carter returns for the Eagles along with Kevin Branch and a host of talented players. Moving down to Class C for 2005-06, the Eagles have a legitimate shot at taking home the mythical National High School Championship.

Number two for me is the state runners-up in Class 3A softball, the St. Charles Catholic Comets. Here is the main difference why I put a state runner-up ahead of a state champion. No one, I MEAN NO ONE who did not have a child or worked at St. Charles Catholic expected the Comets to be playing for a state championship in Class 3A.

However no one told the Lady Comets that. Led by the pitching of Mary Clement and the hitting of seniors Kayla Rebaldo, Paige Braud and freshman Lauren Coniglio, St. Charles Catholic’s Cinderella run lasted all the way to the state championship game.

Cinderella however could not overcome the Parkview Baptist Lady Eagles however and the Comets magical run ended.

Number one for me was a very easy choice and threw one and one-half weeks, the runaway favorite: Riverside baseball’s duel no-hitter quarterfinal victory.

In the world of sports journalism, you are lucky if you see one no-hitter in your lifetime. I got to see two IN THE SAME GAME.

While it was arguable whether or not Wade Miley of Loranger threw a no-hitter (I still think it was a hit and not an error), there was no questioning Jordan Poirrier’s masterful performance. The junior right-hander handcuffed Loranger allowing no runs of course on no hits. Poirrier was nearly perfect in the game.

So, there are my choices.

Keep your votes coming, voting continues for the next two weeks.

Vote early, now and most importantly often!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!