Howdy, Kids! February may be for lovers but it also belongs to district basketball. Now with these important tournaments soon upon us, I wanted to visit a topic that I've been thinking about a lot lately. And that's the migration of prep basketball players from school to school.

What happened to growing up in the neighborhood and going to the high school you're supposed to attend? It seems that some prep basketball players move around more than free agents. NBA All-Star Amar'e Stoudemire attended FIVE high schools in four years and I doubt we have any cases like that but we do have our own High School merry-go-round.

Last Friday, I almost did a double take inside Center's gymnasium when I saw senior forward Eric Austin wearing blue and gold. Wasn't he wearing Hogan Prep black just a year ago?

My eyes weren't fooling me. Austin did indeed transfer from Hogan Prep to Center... and the crazy thing is, he was a Hogan Prep Ram when this 2008-2009 basketball season started. How is that even allowed you may ask? Well, I was curious too. I asked both coach Benny Moore and Center athletic director Brad Sweeten.  Mr. Sweeten told me that earlier this year, Austin's home burned down so the family moved within the Center district. During that time, he was still attending Hogan Prep but the traveling to and fro became too much for his mother and so she enrolled him in Center at the end of first semester. Sweeten says Austin was eligible to play for Center because of the family move.

 Okay, now let's review. As a junior, Austin played at Milestone Christian Academy, then transferred to Hogan. Senior year, he starts at Hogan only to transfer to Center. And to be honest, I don't know where he attended as a freshman and sophomore, but that's at least three transfers in four years of high school. Center teammates Cortez Barrett (Center to Milestone back to Center) and Christian Williams have also transferred in and out of schools at least two times. And that's just a small sample. Don't get it twisted, I'm not picking on Center - the Yellowjackets are a swell team and I can't wait to see them play in districts. However, I just find it interesting that they have so many move-ins. I understand the unfortunate extemporaneous situation that forced Austin to transfer but you just hope that these kids are getting a true high school experience. It's hard to do that when you're constantly on the move.

Now, moving on to other random stuff I've been thinking about:

•  Kids and tats. I watched the Sumner Academy and Atchison boys game last night (2/13) and couldn't help but notice the ink. And not just any ink, mind you, but the kind that would make their Sunday School teachers proud. Atchison senior guard Daris Calhoon had one visible tattoo, an image of praying hands on his left bicep. Calhoon's senior teammate Dylan Watts sported a green cross with what appeared to be the word "Jesus" written over the top. (I've never seen that before.) And then I noticed Sumner junior Reese Holliday with something I could only describe as a medieval, squiggly-thing cross on his bicep. Tattoos are the fad but it's always funny to me to see young people all tatted up. Because what's cool when you're 16, probably won't be so hot when you're 36. But hey, call me old fashioned. I guess the best way to convince mom to allow you to get a tattoo is to find common ground with a religious symbol. But seriously, kids. Do you have to prove your love for Jesus by getting Him inked on your body?

• Lee's Summit West senior guard Michael Dixon had a busy week. He surpassed 500 assists and 1,700 points for his career but before that he was the Tigers' No. 1 fan at the big MU-KU thriller. Dixon sat directly behind the bench in a yellow t-shirt and rushed the court along with all the other fans. Check out this link (http://www.kansascity.com/934/gallery/1026310.html) and go to the last photo in the gallery, can you spot Dixon? If you have the game DVR'd go to the moment when J.T. Tiller forced the critical jump ball. Check out Dixon's excitement! (...just don't read his lips too closely). Gotta love his passion for the game and his future school.

• Truman senior Tyler Sevy, a former All-Conference player, is no longer with the team. This happened last week and I confirmed it with coach Billy Guinnee. Sevy was a key contributor to the Patriots' state run last season so as the team embarks on districts, it will be interesting to see who steps up in his place.

Well, till later. Enjoy the week ahead. I'll catch up with Missouri hoops for next Saturday's column and hope to see you there. (...Of course, I have no clue where I'm going yet so I may not see you "there," but hey, thanks for reading.)