“Hey, Tom. Do your hands ever get tired from writing all ofthose sports stories?”

Yes. To be honest, 40 years of tapping on a keyboard does takeits toll. In the so-called, “good, old days,” manual typewriterschattered and clicked wildly, only interrupted by a soft “ring” asthe words approached the right-hand margin.

Nowadays, a soft click is emitted from keyboards connected tohigh-tech computers. The handy mouse pad awaits a stroke from theright hand. A bright screen stares back at the sports scribe, readyto put the next word on the screen.

Still, the fingers and wrists feel the daily strain and fatigue.Day in and day out, week after week, month after month, year afteryear. Tap, tap, tap.

Welcome to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. In our younger years, we wereoften amused to hear about some writer or clerical worker whoneeded CTS surgery. The ailment was growing as the public becamemore and more dependent on computer keyboards for writing, addingand creative design.

We heard stories about people awaking in the middle of the nightwith sharp pains in their wrists and arms. Others complained ofnumbness in their fingers and hands. They had difficulty buttoninga shirt.

Surely, this would never happen to me.

It did.

After a checkup by my local physician, Dr. Ray Montalvo, hereferred me to a specialist in Flowood. Dr. Aubrey Lucas was notrelated to the former Southern Miss president but he was an expertin CTS surgery.

The surgery procedure was simple enough. The surgeon made avertical incision on the base of the palm and cut the lateralligament that was pressing on nerves going to the fingers. It wasan easy, 60-minute outpatient procedure.

My manual outdoor labor was put on hold for a few weeks duringthe healing period, but I still was able to work the next day withthe protective splints on both hands. It was a remarkable recoveryfrom a painful ailment that wouldn’t go away.

Personally speaking, this scribe would recommend the CTS surgeryto anyone having difficulty with pains in their hands and arms.

Meanwhile, Professor Hoopla B.S., has been giving some readers apain in various parts of their body, due to his footballprognosticating. He has been called a nitwit and worse.

Sometimes the truth hurts. Hoopla predicted the winners of 25games last week and got 19 correct. Special congratulations toCoach Josh Garrett and his Enterprise Yellow Jackets for achievingtheir first-ever win over a Region 6-2A opponent in fourseasons.

Here’s a preview of this weekend’s winners, starting withFriday’s high school scene.

Picayune at Brookhaven: Where there’s a will,there’s a way. Panthers by a whisker. Brookhaven 27-24.

Brookhaven Academy at East Rankin: Stung bytheir first loss in 22 games, the Cougars start slow but find thewinning act in Pelahatchie. BA 38-18.

Loyd Star at Puckett: The Wolves are in a nastymood after losing to Madison St. Joe. That’s bad news for theHornets. Puckett 32-16.

Enterprise at Wesson: Cobras polish theirrecord to a perfect 8-0 with a win over the Jackets. Wesson30-12.

Bogue Chitto at Mount Olive: The Bobcats areriding high as they visit the defending Class 1A state championsbut the Pirates have planned an ambush. Mt. Olive 28-19.

Salem at West Lincoln: Wildcats anticipatenotching a Region 4-1A triumph at the expense of the Bears. Salem33-13.

South Pike at Lawrence County: Eagles have wontwo straight under first-year coach Willie Brown but the Cougarsare looking for their second consecutive victory. Lawrence County27-14.

Franklin County at Amite County: Bulldogsreturn to their winning ways in picturesque Liberty. FranklinCounty 41-21.

Wilkinson County at Hazlehurst: Indianscelebrate a happy homecoming in McDaniel Stadium. Hazlehurst39-20.

In other area action, McComb over Pearl River Central 33-7,Tylertown over Jefferson County 41-12, North Pike over Columbia52-16, and Parklane over Copiah Academy 28-14.

Saturday features a busy collegiate scene. Hoopla starts withtwo junior college specials.

Co-Lin at Gulf Coast: No. 8-ranked Wolves puttheir unbeaten record on the line in Perkinston against a talentedbunch of Bulldogs. In a squeaker, Co-Lin 24-21.

Ole Miss at Alabama: It will be near midnightin Tuscaloosa before this SEC extravaganza concludes. For theRebels, it will be a long night. Alabama 33-17.

Mississippi State at Florida: Dan Mullen hasdone a commendable job directing the Bulldogs to a pair of SECvictories. Gators end the streak in Gainesville. Florida 30-20.

Southern Miss at Memphis: Golden Eagles boastan explosive offense but they struggle with an imploding defense.Southern Miss 44-24.

Southern U. at Jackson State: Tigers have theirsights set on the SWAC Championship game. J-State 38-14.

In other Magnolia State action, Delta State over Harding 27-14,Grambling State over Alcorn State 38-18, Millsaps over Rhodes23-20, Mississippi College over East Texas Baptist 29-10 andBelhaven over Shorter 21-13. Valley State has an open date toconsider its football future.

Write to sports editor Tom Goetz, c/o The DAILY LEADER, P.O.BOX 551, Brookhaven, MS 39602 or e-mailsports@dailyleader.com