Where was the swagger?

El Dorado's coach has a confident swagger. The Lady Wildcats, however, exhibited none of that swagger Tuesday, losing at West Monroe.
Call it first-game jitters or perhaps just one of those bad shooting nights, but El Dorado didn't look like a team ready to run roughshod over the competition. I'll give West Monroe some credit, too. The Lady Rebels probably would be one of the favorites to win state in Arkansas 6A classification.
Hell, somebody has to win it.
This classification is wide open for the taking to any team that wants it. Since West Monroe isn't eligible to win it and neither is Camden Fairview, El Dorado, despite it's slow start, is still a team to be reckoned with.
As for the swagger, Coach Corey Smith didn't lose his and his team still has plenty of time to learn what it takes to be the hunted.
***
Looking forward to Monday when Parkers Chapel and Smackover get after it. This is the first "big game" of the season for me. It's not a big game in terms of conference or playoff implications but it's big in terms of interest around the community and it should be the first high-intensity game of the year.
I don't care who wins. I just really, really, really hope it's a good game.
***
I watched some of James Anderson's game Wednesday night. Although his Oklahoma State team lost at North Texas, and James didn't have a great shooting night, he still looked like the best player on the floor for the Cowboys.
He scored 16 points but was very unselfish. He was penetrating and kicking out to shooters, who weren't having much luck with their shots.
Athletically, Anderson looked good on the court. Anybody who thought he might struggle as a freshman should just shut their mouth right now . . .
Okay, I guess I can start talking again.
James is definitely Big Time. I wasn't as impressed with Oklahoma State's team as a whole. North Texas' win was classified as an "upset." Honestly, I thought the Mean Green was the better team.