I hope this instance will finally wake up World Anti-Doping Agency to no longer test for marijuana and take it off its list of banned substances so this doesn't happen to another athlete. And, really, WADA ought to drop sprinter Sha'Carri Richardson's suspension, as well.

All in all, now that the Rockets have their No. 2 draft pick secured, there’s not much they could do wrong with it.

Houston Rockets fans, keep your fingers crossed the ping pong balls bounce in the right direction because there's much at stake.

Because every once in awhile, fans are left wondering "what if" like in that magical 2015 UH season, I'm ultimately in favor of a playoff expansion. While many seasons won't offer many surprises in a 12-team playoff, under the current college football ranking system, it will at least give the occasional upstart team a chance.

The 2020-21 high school sports season was an unusual one, and its end hit differently.

Going from an unbeatable juggernaut barreling its way to a state championship to one defeat away from falling short of that goal was surely mentally taxing, but both teams showed their character and mental toughness by bouncing back with a win.

After nearly a year of playing in either silence or a smattering of crowd noise, the moment Houston Astros fans — and surely the players themselves — have been waiting a long time for is finally upon us.

Among the Sam Houston State Bearkats’ key players are twin brothers Zyon and Tristin McCollum — a pair of senior defensive backs and former Ball High Tors. Also on the Bearkats roster, are freshman defensive back and Dickinson alumnus Savien Arnett, and freshman linebacker and former Friendswood Mustang Trey Mappe.

It seems preposterous that a professional baseball player can’t lay down a simple bunt, but the Astros Myles Straw is far from the only player or team to abandon the small-ball tactic, as good bunts have nearly disappeared by Major League Baseball, aside from, maybe, some of the pitchers who have to bat in the National League.

Normally, a team would look to the draft to address its most pressing needs. For this team, the defense was the most pressing need to be addressed, but let’s be real — the Texans were highly unlikely to find a franchise-changing player in the third round or beyond. Rather, the Texans used their few middling draft picks to make a statement.

Starting with Thursday's series opener against the Angels, it appears the Astros have found their solution at the top of the lineup to replace George Springer, and, like Springer, it's another untraditional choice.

For the Clear Springs head football coaching job, we should look beyond career records because the key to further success there appears to lie in the intangibles. Time will tell if new hire Anthony Renfro possesses the right intangibles, but I certainly like his enthusiasm and energy.

The fortitude of this team should be celebrated. I wish them major congratulations on their feat, and the best of luck in their state semifinal match 7 p.m. Tuesday against Dripping Springs at College Station High School.

For the first time in more than a year, sports felt like they were truly on the comeback trail in Thursday’s Astros home opener.

Often when the good works of charitable individuals and organizations are reported, the numbers and the dollar figures are what’s discussed. But, the real story lies with the real people these donations assist.

Friday’s parade wasn’t some victory lap or a moment just to bask in glory. It was about celebrating an individual who never left Galveston, even when his opportunity to play college football and then professional football took him well across the causeway.

The, perhaps, wildest March Madness ever is just what the doctor ordered for the pandemic-weary sports fan.

After all the past 12 months has brought, I don’t think we’ll ever again take for granted the joy that sports can bring.