Inside the Schottenstein Center* at The Ohio State University, Annie and her Goats take the floor for warmups, but Coach Bull has to inquire as to the whereabouts of his superstar player. I don’t know who this guy “Ralph” is, but someone oughta tell him that use of that Big White Phone is strictly reserved! What Keisha meant to tell Coach is that Summer is “driving the porcelain bus”. Or “laughing at the ground”. Or “throwing it into reverse”. Or…
(* Hat tip to Helskor for location scouting!)
I’ll just skip the icky exchange in today’s first panel. I’m scratching my head over what follows: “…I’m baking!” “Maybe you’re hungry.” What? I’ve experienced the occasional headache from skipping breakfast, but fever? And aren’t you supposed to starve a fever (and feed a cold)? The offer of some chips is met with an Ulp! from Summer. Gee: fever and nausea? Could it be a case of…the flu? Darin must be paying his rent in germs.
As the Talking Exposition Bus splashes its way towards Colum, Fishstick Annie (still alive! Thank God) tells Bull he “took quite a risk” in adding her to his staff. Staff? There were no assistant coaches; the entire staff consisted of Bull. Was the “risk” that he might catch flak for doubling his “staff” in this famously cash-strapped sports program? The only risk that I see here is that Keisha and Summer might attempt another aerial butt-bump with Ann in the middle and shatter her pelvis.
Um, is the Championship Game going to be played outdoors? Then why is Les glued to the weather forecast before the gang departs for Columbus? Probably to allow TB to unload what feels like a leftover punchline from Crankshaft.
A puffy-looking Les congratulates his old tormentor on the AnnieGoats’ championship bid. Bull responds with an inane story about his “old coach”. Aren’t there enough “old coaches” in this arc? I guess the “hidden ball” “gag” is “funny” because, well, gosh, a basketball would be kinda hard to hide. Beyond that, it’s hard to see what application a ploy to deceive a baserunner would have in the game of basketball.
Son of Stuck Funky 
