As far as the state of the 2010 Pittsburgh Steelers is concerned, I will attempt to clarify and validate my position by comparing some elements of the 2009 squad to an old liars’ club story. A member asked one of his cronies what was the worst house he had ever seen. He answered, “I once saw a house that was in such disrepair I thought I was having an illusion. This place had to be blown up before it was fit to be remodeled.”

Well the nucleus of the 2010 Steelers isn’t quite that bad but there are facets of the team that need a bit of retooling starting with the “Dee…..fense.”

Basketball contests resumed last week with a major upset. Top-seeded Perry suffered their first loss on Feb. 15 to Peabody, 77-75, in overtime.

“We’ve been fortunate to have made some good shots at very crucial times,” Perry Coach Marco Corona said. “This season has been a good one so far and this proves that we have to work hard throughout the duration of it.”

Perry (16-2, 12-1) could not stop the unselfish and relentless attack of Peabody, as they finished with four players in double figures.

Gateway High School was ranked No. 1 in the state for most of 2009 and has been a primary stop for college recruiters. Seven Gateway seniors have received full football scholarships: Brendon Felder (North Carolina), Dayonne Nunley (Miami, Ohio), Orne Bey (Miami, Ohio), Omarr “Big O” Finn (Prairie View A&M), Shawn Brisker (Prairie View A&M), Delbert “The Hitman” Tyler (Hampton University) and Mitch DeVall (Seton Hill).

Prairie View A&M had a season to remember in 2009, as the Panthers went 9-1 overall and undefeated in the Southwest Athletic Conference (7-0). They won their first SWAC title since 1964. This year Prairie View A&M came to ‘Six-burgh’ for a couple more pieces to their championship puzzle, Finn and Brisker (Gateway).

EYES OF STEEL— Tawayne Steele of Oliver is determined to get around Allderdice’s Ishmael Swain in the Bears 50-43 win on Feb. 16. Steele scored 10 points.

by Paul Newberry
Associated Press Writer

RICHMOND, British Columbia (AP)—If there was any doubt about Shani Davis returning for another Olympics, all it took was another surprise in the 1,500 meters to get him setting his schedule for the next four years.

Denied once again, Davis immediately turned his attention to the 2014 Games in Russia.

GOLD AND SILVER—Gold medalist USA’s Shani Davis skates during the men’s 1000 meters race at the Richmond Olympic Oval at the Vancouver 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia, Feb. 17.