BOB HUGGINS prefers to be low-key, but he couldn't stay out of the news in 2002. He led the University of Cincinnati to a school-record 31 wins and collected his 500th career coaching victory in men's basketball.

The day after UC's second-round NCAA Tournament loss, West Virginia - Huggins' alma mater - received permission to talk to him about its coaching vacancy. After a rumor-filled week, Huggins turned down the job. Three months later, he had an informal lunch in Chicago with Denver Nuggets general manager Kiki Vandeweghe, who was looking for a coach.

On Sept.28, Huggins suffered a massive heart attack. His health became a concern for weeks, but, true to form, he made his first public appearance Oct.12, the Bearcats' first day of practice.

JOSE RIJO, 37, returned for a second year as a Red, following a six-year absence for five elbow surgeries. When he started the final game at Cinergy Field last September, it capped a miracle comeback.

"I don't know what `The Rookie' went through," said Rijo (5-4, 5.19 ERA), referring to a character in a Disney movie, "but it can't be greater than my story."

Rijo signed a minor-league contract last week and was invited to Reds' spring camp.

He's a long shot to make the staff, but who'd bet against this guy now?

NICK MOSLEY, who last year became the first Hamilton County Special Olympics athlete in 15 years to score a point in a varsity sport, is enrolled in "Project Search," a training program at Children's Hospital sponsored by Great Oaks Vocational.

He's playing basketball again with his Special Olympics team, bowling in a league, and is reprising his role as manager of the St.Bernard-Elmwood Place High varsity hoops team.

Before the opener, coach Kent Vories looked into the stands, saw the Titans graduate and yelled, "C'mon down here, Nick, I need you!"

ELDER FOOTBALL TEAM: It's been a whirlwind tour for the Elder Panthers since winning the school's first state football championship four weeks ago.

They beat Warren Harding 21-19 on a memorable, snowy night in Canton. About 10,000 of their fans attended the Division I state title game.

The Panthers have been feted everywhere since, including on the field at Paul Brown Stadium during the Bengals' Dec.22 game against the New Orleans Saints.

"The (Bengals) defense turned around to acknowledge us and applauded," Elder coach Doug Ramsey (above) said. "That was an honor. They were in the middle of the game."

SAMANTHA SHEEHAN, a 16-year-old gymnast, surprised everyone and made the United States team, placing third in the floor exercise during her first international competition.

She's been improving rapidly ever since. Sheehan's next big event is the summer qualifier for the World Championships in Los Angeles.

"A world (event) in our country is a big deal," said Sheehan's coach, Mary Lee Tracy. "There is a lot of hype."