THE CHEAP SEATS with STEVE CAMERON: Talkin' Zags, Cougs, M's ... and a return to the slopes?

Yes, it’s time for our weekly notes and quotes session, but first…

I’ve got to share a question that’s been bugging me for a while now.

Should I get back to skiing?

There’s snow on the ground, and occasional sunshine to set a brilliant backdrop — which means when I see photos of skiers on lifts, or read about new powder at Schweitzer Mountain…

I’m almost ready to give in.

Yes, I’m a bit older, with injuries or ailments to my feet, knees and back, but hey…

None of those minor issues should keep me from skiing.

Doggone it, I need some activity.

My spine objects to long-distance running, and those problems with my feet have taken the edge off my jump shot, so what’s left?

Buying a Peloton?

Nah, I’d rather try a comeback on Schweitzer Mountain.

Meantime, in other news…

IT’S JUST about crazy, the difference in hoops skills we can find, all in an afternoon drive.

Gonzaga is 20-0, and basketball guru Ken Pomeroy suggests that pure numbers mean these Zags are on pace to be “historically good.”

Gonzaga is stunningly efficient, catching the eye with an ability to handle the ball effectively while going at breakneck speed.

Jalen Suggs, Andrew Nembhard, Joel Ayayi and Aaron Cook each can qualify as all-everything point guards.

On the other hand…

Just about 90 miles to the southeast, Washington State coach Kyle Smith now has his young team doing push-ups as part of their regular workouts.

Smith wants to see some strength, since he’s teaching the kids ball security.

That’s really a good idea, since the Cougs committed 19 turnovers during an unsightly 65-63 loss to a terrible Washington team on Monday.

WSU has two impressive freshmen roaming around the basket, but getting the ball to Dishon Jackson and Efe Abogidi — and then having them do something useful without an error — is proving to be awfully difficult.

“We’ve got to take care of the ball and make sure we get shots,” Smith said during a Wednesday Zoom conference.

“Obviously our strength is our inside guys, (with the ability to) play inside out, and we turn the ball over way too much trying to feed the post.

“People are going to take that away, but we’ve got to get better there.”

The Cougs have not played a game yet with less than 12 turnovers, which is no surprise since there isn’t a true point guard on the roster.

Smith probably doesn’t spend any time watching the Zags on TV.

That’s probably a good thing.

OK, IT’S a bit weird that we started out talking about snow, and now we’re moving straight to baseball.

But that’s springtime, gang.

White stuff out the window, Arizona sunshine on TV.

Well, soon.

Mariners pitchers and catchers reported to spring training in suburban Phoenix this week, the beginning of a season filled with hope.

Despite a near-useless short season last year, the young M’s aren’t too far away from making GM Jerry Dipoto’s “step-back” plan look like the work of a genius.

Seattle’s minor-league system already has leaped up to No. 2 overall in Baseball America’s rankings, and the young players who have created that remarkable jump are closing in on the major leagues.

The Mariners had hoped to become legitimate division contenders this summer, but the abbreviated 2020 season means that we’re realistically looking at 2022 for a true shot at ending the playoff drought that now dates back exactly two decades.

But exciting talent is waiting in the wings.

We’ll also see the return of an old friend, gifted lefty James Paxton.

Once the shining star of a Seattle rotation, Paxton was traded to the Yankees in the deal that brought Justus Sheffield to the Mariners.

Now, Paxton is recovering from a couple of injuries and trying to re-establish himself as a major league starter.

For a year, at least, he’ll be doing it back in Seattle.

You know…

It feels like forever since the Mariners have begun a season that feels exciting.

But that sensation is coming.

Really.

Email: scameron@cdapress.com

Steve Cameron’s “Cheap Seats” columns appear in The Press on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. “Moments, Memories and Madness,” his reminiscences from several decades as a sports journalist, runs each Sunday.

Steve also writes Zags Tracker, a commentary on Gonzaga basketball which is published each Tuesday.