The Sports Informant

From professional to amateur basketball, plenty is going on to snitch about. From up-and-comers to those already there, the hardwood is producing some memorable moments right now. 

Kings win two straight

Any other time, the importance of this headline would be a joke. But for a team that has only won two straight games once in 2010, the fact the Kings ended February with two is huge.

Let’s face it; the Sacramento Kings have had a woeful two months. Desperate for good news, or a silver lining, winning two straight after starting the year 4-22 is something to try to build on.

While the Kings have suffered a few injuries here and there, with both tough guy Jon Brockman and talented power forward Jason Thompson missing games banged up, any sign of something positive will be welcomed with open arms.

The Kings start a three-game road trip at Oklahoma City tomorrow, then travel to face former leader Kevin Martin in Houston on Wednesday, finishing up with a trip to Dallas on Friday. It’ll be an interesting week for sure, and hopefully a positive month for a team grasping for life at the moment.

High school athletes Arco bound

While some would argue that the pinnacle of high school basketball is actually the state championship, there’s something special about the section title, which for the Sac-Joaquin Section is played every year at Arco Arena.

It’s because it’s not just about playing for a championship banner to be hung in the school of your gym. While that’s an honorable moment, what draws athletes and fans to the section championship for each division is the shot to feel like the big boys and girls. To be a King or Monarch for a day, to sweat all over the same hardwood as professional athletes, it’s something kids make dreams out of, and as they become young adults, look to make reality.

Most, or even all, understand they won’t actually ever play there as a King one day. They comprehend the reality that while they may go on to play college ball somewhere, there’s only one Arco Arena, which housed their favorite team growing up around the Sacramento area. There’s only one arena they went and watched games with their families in, made life-lasting memories in, and always dreamt of hitting a game-winning shot in.

The section playoffs give every high school team with a berth a shot at that dream. Win or lose, players are the center of attention in a place they gave all of their attention to growing up. That’s pretty special.