CINCINNATI SPORTS LAST WEEK

CINCINNATI SPORTS LAST WEEK

Chad Johnson led off the week by receiving a $5,000 fine for wearing OCHO CINCO on the back of his jersey before the Falcons game last Sunday. Chad is appealing the fine.

Andy Furman followed by getting fired from WLW for lambasting TJ Houshmandzadeh on the air. He called him a racist among other things when he missed an interview.

UC Bearcat basketball got going with an exhibition game against Northern Kentucky University on Wednesday night. The new Mick Cronin Bearcats won easily 87-41 - it was 47-11 at the half. Newcomer, John Williamson, is a player. He's a JC transfer from Cincinnati State.

Xavier played an exhibition game against Tusculum College the same night. The Musketeers, picked to finish first in the A-10, took care of business 82-58. The highlight of the evening was point guard Drew Lavender's first appearance in the Cintas Center. Lavender, a transfer from Oklahoma and one-time McDonalds All-American, is the real deal.

On Friday, the Reds hired Brook Jacoby as their new hitting coach replacing Chris Chambliss. He has been in the Reds organization before but most recently was with the Rangers. If he can cut down on Adam Dunn's strike outs, that would be enough to keep his job.

On Saturday afternoon, the basketball Bearcats faced off against the University of Ottawa in their second exhibition. The GeeGees gave the Cats a little more of a game than they got Wednesday. After being tied at the half, the Bearcats pulled away winning 81-59. Williamson had 18 points and 14 rebounds and new point guard Jamual Warren had 16 points and 5 assists. You have to check out Jamual Warren's act at midnight madness on www.youtube.com - just search his name and click on the picture.

The high school football playoffs started this weekend. Saturday night there was a remarkable game between Colerain and Moeller. Colerain led 28-0 with 5 minutes to go in the 3rd quarter when Moeller put on a charge and scored touchdowns on their next four possessions while holding Colerain without a first down. Moeller had the ball first in overtime and moved quickly to the goal line and had third and goal from the one. Colerain held. Instead of taking the short field goal, Moeller tried to run it in again and failed. Colerain fumbled on their series and it went to a second overtime. Both teams kicked field goals this time and it was 31-31 going into the third overtime. Moeller went first and fumbled it away on their second play. Colerain had the ball needing only a field goal to win. Moeller pushed them straight backward. Colerain had to go for a 47 yard field goal ... and they made it. I was listening on the radio and it was one of the most exciting I've ever heard.

On Sunday afternoon, the Bengals traveled to Baltimore for a division game with the Ravens who were a game ahead of them in the standings. The 'idiots in stripes' knew they had a better team than the 'black birds' so they gave them a quick 14-point advantage on two turnovers. They then spent the rest of the day trying to catch up. Chris 'airhead' Henry had a chance to make a play at the end but decided not to try and the Ravens won 26-20.