During the 2009-10 college season, I referenced the stories of North Carolina's Jessica Breland and Amber Gray of Tennessee whose struggles transcended the sport of basketball.

Recently they have been back in the news for different reasons. The Charlotte Observer ran a story on Breland's return on Friday after she missed last season waging a valiant fight against cancer.

Tennessee announced that Gray, who had a stroke, will not be cleared medically to play basketball

While I'm on the subject of the SEC, I figured I would engage in a little self promotion. In tomorrow's Register, there will be a story on LSU pitcher Rachele Fico, who is spending the summer pitching for the Brakettes. Fico has pitched two consecutvie perfect games and will go for her third straight tonight. I went down to see the Brakettes play on Thursday to do the interview with Fico, a couple of her teammates and manager John Stratton. It kept a personal streak alive of writing at least one story on the team every year since 1991. During that time I have seen some of the sport's greatest players both playing for and against the Brakettes. I'm not sure how much longer the Brakettes, who are still without a sponsor, will continue to field a team but the day when they finally say "enough is enough" will be the end of a glorious era.

For those who want to see Fico in person, the Brakettes will be playing in the national tournament beginning on Thursday at Frank Biondi Field at West Haven High School. For information on the tournament, visit www.brakettes.com. The Brakettes are also entered in the ASA national tournament which is being played in Stratford but the last I heard is that they were one of only two teams entered in the event and if that remains the case, the ASA Women's Major Fast Pitch nationals - once the crown jewel of all softball tournaments - woll be cancelled for the second straight year.