Some random sports thoughts while I wait for a news release from North Pole, Inc. that Santa is eliminating three reindeer positions and 2,000 elf jobs to outsource some of his work to Amazon …

• The ending to last weekend’s Warren Central-Vicksburg boys basketball game was sudden and surreal, to say the least. The teams entered a timeout and never came back out as the game was called because of condensation on the floor midway through the fourth quarter.

It was the right call. Players were slipping on every possession, and each cut only increased the risk of a catastrophic injury. The lack of confidence in their footing made players hesitant and turned the game into an unwatchable slog. Their goal became to survive it as much as win it, and at that point no one needs to be out there. Kudos to coaches, officials and administrators for doing the right thing.

• While we’re applauding, let’s have a round for Grambling linebacker and ex-Warren Central star De’Arius Christmas. Christmas was among a handful of national finalists for the William F. Campbell Trophy and the Doris Robinson Award that are given to the top scholar athletes in college football. He was in New York last week for the Campbell Trophy ceremony.

Christmas has a 3.82 GPA in engineering technology and is on track to graduate in May. Another consideration for both awards is leadership and community involvement.

Although he didn’t win either one, these are a couple of those awards where it truly is an honor just to be nominated.

• And speaking of Christmas, that’s another nice segue into the next topic. On Saturday afternoon, Vicksburg High’s softball and baseball programs will play their second annual Ugly Sweater Game at its Softball Swamp field.

The admission fee is one new toy or a monetary donation that will go to the Warren County Sheriff’s Office Toy Drive. The toy drive allows children of inmates at the county jail to enjoy a Christmas they might not otherwise get.

The softball game begins at 5 p.m. and is preceded by a Christmas carnival from 1 to 4 p.m. The weather is supposed to be nice so make a day of it, and help some unfortunate kids have a merrier Christmas.
And on that note, go drink some egg nog, sneak a kiss under the mistletoe, and have yourself some happy holidays.

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Ernest Bowker is the sports editor of The Vicksburg Post. He can be reached at ernest.bowker@vicksburgpost.com