Local stars could play game show celebrity

It's official. It's dead week.

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For the entire week, no Georgia High School Association schools may participate in practices, scrimmages, workouts or any other type of team activity. Augusta Christian has also adopted a similar break.

Hurray for the sports writer! While athletes and coaches take a break, it's time to concentrate on some other important issues. Namely, who will take Bob Barker's place as the host of The Price is Right.

Sure, Rosie O'Donnell is in the running for the spot. Of course, that would be like filling the athletics director spot at the new high school with, say, a waffle.

I've also heard that ESPN's Dan Patrick was contacted by the show's producers about a possible tryout. I think we need to explore some other options here in our own backyard.

Of course, Bob Barker's appeal was that he is sharp, witty, lovable and smooth with a microphone. Under that criteria, let's just give it to Evans assistant football coach Mickey Derrick right now.

Or perhaps we should take a younger route. I, for one, would watch on a daily basis if we gave the Price is Right microphone to Lakeside's Jermel Bennett or Greenbrier's Damien Lucree. Harlem's Mike Gram or Evans' Cameron Deborde would also turn the show upside down.

Then there's Harlem's Jimmie Lewis. He's already said he'll never leave his home school, but he'd take Hollywood by storm with his country sayings.

Lakeside lacrosse coach Ron Ritter has a name worthy of a game show host. The same goes for Panther boys basketball coach Ryan Morningstar and Evans athletics director Kevin Kenny.

Perhaps it's time for a female to take center stage. I can't confirm the rumors that former Evans volleyball coach C.C. Armstrong left the school to try out for the Price is Right, but she'd do better than Rosie.

Carol Skenes from Lakeside could do it. So could Greenbrier's Tiffany Blackburn.

Of course, it's all speculation right now. The Price is Right producers are still in the middle of a long tryout process.

In my opinion, there's one more Columbia County resident who could easily take the microphone.

Come on down, Ashley Brown. Make us proud.