Trevor's Take

2012-01-30T17:06:00.000-08:00

An instant (replay) classic

By Trevor Hass - Syracuse University '15 - 83 views

Syracuse.com
Should calls such as the one in the final moments of West Virginia-Syracuse be reviewable?

Kevin Jones’ play had been more impressive and frightening than Deniz Kilicli’s beard. The star from West Virginia (15-7, 5-4 Big East) was right on his Big East-leading average of 20 points per game and had penetrated the trademark 2-3 zone of Syracuse (22-1, 9-1 Big East) very effectively. Then, with two seconds left, Jones missed a potential game-winning three and dejectedly sunk to the floor.

The miss was upsetting for WVU, but what was more upsetting was that the game shouldn’t have even come down to that play.

A mere four seconds earlier, Kilicli put up a lefty hook and Syracuse’s Baye Moussa-Keita attempted to swat the shot. The ball bounced off the backboard and then Keita deflected it toward the sideline.

So that’s a goaltend, right? Yes it is, but the referees failed to make the blatant call and cost WVU from potentially sending the game into overtime.

“Do I think it was (goaltending)? No. I know it was. I saw the replay,” Head Coach Bob Huggins said according to ESPN. Huggy Bear couldn’t bear the news of the missed call and he burst up into the air and rushed out onto the court to protest, yet his plea was to no avail.

After review, it is clear that the refs made an erroneous call, but the play stood and Syracuse escaped with a 63-61 win.

The NCAA season-high crowd of 28,740 went ballistic as the Orange maintained their perfect home record. Many SU fans had been complaining about the previous foul calls made by the refs, but the fans were able to smile when it was all said and done.

Brandon Triche paced ‘Cuse with 18 points, while Darryl Bryant added 12 for the Mountaineers. The game was tight throughout, as the Orange led by four at halftime and (barely and semi-debatably) held on.

Looking ahead, the result of this game has serious implications for both teams and may affect the way instant replay is used in college basketball in the near future.

Syracuse has struggled without starting center Fab Melo, who has missed the past three games due to academic ineligibility. The buzz around campus is that SU will contend for a title with Melo, but will not do so without him. He protects the paint extremely well and alters shots. Notre Dame’s Jack Cooley was able to take advantage of the smaller frames and inexperience of Keita and freshman Rakeem Christmas in SU’s lone loss of the season.

Meanwhile, for West Virginia, the loss drops the Mountaineers to seventh in the Big East. After getting upset by a young St. John’s squad, Huggins’ team was in need of a bounce-back win. They nearly got one, but now they have to play Louisville, Notre Dame, and Marquette in the next few weeks and will need to pick up a few statement wins to warrant an at-large bid in the NCAA tournament.

The controversial issue of instant replay has befuddled sports junkies for years. Each sport has adopted specific rules. For example, Major League Baseball now reviews questionable home run or foul ball calls and can check if a fan interfered with a play. In college basketball, the refs can check how much time is on the clock and whether a shot is a two or a three. However, there is nothing in the rules that states that a goaltending call, or lack thereof, can be reviewed.

Should this policy be changed? After all, the correct call was a goaltend, and that is not what was called. College basketball analysts have mixed opinions on the matter. Hubert Davis feels as if there will always be human error in certain situations and both teams have to live with the results. Digger Phelps thinks that instant replay in such circumstances would help, but implementing the rule would be a difficult task.

The Big East informed analyst Andy Katz that it would not comment on the call in order to avoid setting the precedent of doing so. The refs should not be suspended; people aren’t perfect. The NCAA should investigate what is best for the sport in terms of what is reviewable. One downside is that games would last much longer if coaches could “challenge” calls like in football.

The rule may be changed in the near future, but for now, Syracuse comes away victorious and WVU suffers a heartbreaking defeat.

Big East thumps SEC in Challenge

2011-12-04T09:19:00.001-08:00

While the SEC is known first and foremost as a football conference, many people in the college basketball world predicted that this would be the year that the SEC re-established itself as a basketball beast. With teams such as Kentucky, Florida, Vanderbilt, and Mississippi State, the SEC was bound to have a breakout year.

However, during the Big East-SEC Challenge, Syracuse, UConn, Louisville, and company had something to say about that. The Big East won eight out of the 12 matchups, some in decisive fashion, and some that came down to the waning seconds.

In a highly anticipated matchup, Syracuse beat Florida 72-68, behind 20 points from Brandon Triche and 16 points and seven assists from Scoop Jardine. The raucous crowd contributed to the statement win for the Orange. Despite hot shooting from the Gators’ Kenny Boynton, ‘Cuse was able to hang on and remain undefeated.

UConn missed freshman sensation Ryan Boatright for its first six games. In his second game, and first at home, the co-player of the year in the state of Illinois showed why he earned the honor, dropping 23 points, five rebounds, and six assists. Once Boatright entered the game, he righted the ship, so to speak, and the Huskies busted the game open on a 14-2 run. From there, guards Shabazz Napier and Jeremy Lamb paced the Huskies to a 75-62 triumph. UConn’s fast break was too much for Arkansas to handle.

A defensive-minded battle between Louisville and Vanderbilt came down to the wire in both regulation and overtime. Despite 27 points from Vandy guard John Jenkins, the Cardinals were able to escape with a 62-60 win, behind a very balanced offensive attack and stellar defense. Guard Peyton Siva slashed to the basket and made a layup with 1.4 seconds left in overtime, propelling the Cardinals to a win and maintaining their undefeated record.

All in all, the Big East dominated the SEC, with Georgetown, Providence, Seton Hall, Cincinnati, and Pittsburgh also picking up wins. However, there were some bright spots for Kentucky, Mississippi State, LSU, and Ole Miss, as all four teams were able to beat their opponent. Mississippi State improved to 8-1 with a “state”ment win over West Virginia. Though the Big East exceled over the weekend, the SEC still has the number one team in the country in Kentucky, a team that edged UNC 73-72 thanks in part to a game-saving block from freshman phenom Anthony Davis.

Vanderbilt Ranked No. 7 in Coaches Poll

2011-10-26T18:37:00.001-07:00

The SEC has three teams in the top 10 of the ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll. Kentucky (No. 2) and Florida (No. 10) are perennially near the top of the rankings, yet the third team, Vanderbilt, finds itself in unfamiliar territory.

(Matthew Tosh/Creative Commons)

Coaches feel so strongly about this year’s team that the Commodores are ranked seventh in the nation, ahead of the likes of Louisville, Baylor, and Kansas.

Much of the reason for the high praise is the fact that all five of head coach Kevin Stallings’ starters from last year have returned for another season. Vanderbilt’s standout superstar is guard John Jenkins. Jenkins averaged 19.5 points per game in his sophomore season, and could have been drafted by an NBA team. Instead, he opted to come back for his junior year and is ready to make his mark in Commodore history.

Along with Jenkins, seniors Brad Tinsley, Festus Ezeli, and Lance Goulbourne, and junior Jeffery Taylor round out the starting five.

A lethal combination of experience and talent has catapulted the Commodores into national contention. Vandy obtained a No. 5-seed in the NCAA tournament last season, before falling to Richmond, 69-66. This year, the expectations are loftier, and a first-round departure will not suffice.

In order to succeed and improve upon their 23-11 campaign from a year ago, Vandy will need to fare well in key matchups against out-of-conference and SEC opponents. Out-of-conference, the Commodores match up against Xavier (No. 15), Louisville (No. 8), and Marquette (No. 21). In-conference, they face Alabama (No. 17), Florida twice, and Kentucky twice.

The huzzah surrounding Vandy’s season has not gone unnoticed by ESPN. The Commodores have fourteen games scheduled on ESPN’s family of networks, including home games against Kentucky and Florida, on February 11^th and 28^th.

Prior to this season, the Commodores often flew under the radar. Though they have compiled an impressive five-year streak of 19+ win seasons, there hasn’t been this much hubbub encircling Vandy in quite some time. In fact, the elite ranking of number seven in the country is the team’s highest since 1966 (No. 5).

Jenkins and the rest of the starting five are destined for excellence. However, Vandy will need to remain injury-free and get valuable production from the bench as the season unfolds in order to make a tournament run.

2011-10-18T19:23:00.001-07:00

WSOC | Freshman Hunsberger fits in well as role player for Syracuse

By Trevor Hass

Contributing Writer

Published: Monday, October 17, 2011

Updated: Monday, October 17, 2011 23:10

Syracuse and Villanova were in a scoreless tie in the 56th minute and neither team was breaking through. The Orange, two games below .500 at the time, needed a boost.
That's when freshman Megan Hunsberger stepped up and scored the decisive goal, propelling the team to a 1-0 victory.
"Tina (Romagnuolo) played her a great ball down the left side, and she took a great touch across the defender," SU head coach Phil Wheddon said. "The defender had a choice to either bring her down and foul her or let her go. She chose to let her go, and Megan struck the ball past the goalkeeper in the top corner."
Hunsberger's game-winning goal, the first of her Syracuse career, started a four-game winning streak and helped to turn the team's season around. The next game, she scored a goal against Seton Hall and contributed with an assist to Romagnuolo in a 4-1 triumph. Her recent success, combined with her experience playing competitive soccer in high school, has given her a significant spot on the roster of a Syracuse (7-6-3, 6-4 Big East) team that has qualified for the Big East tournament.
"She's done really well," said Romagnuolo, a junior midfielder. "Obviously, when she first got here I think she was a little nervous, but now she's coming out of her shell and playing really well. She's really good at crossing the ball."
Hunsberger's positive energy and ability to contribute at multiple positions has enabled her to play in 14 games this season in her first year. She started against Central Connecticut and Big East opponent Pittsburgh. She has played primarily in the midfield, but is flexible to other positions, such as outside back.
"She's fought hard in every training session, and when she gets on the field she's a very good technical player," Wheddon said. "She's played a lot of different positions, which is a coach's luxury."
Soccer has been at the forefront of Hunsberger's life ever since she was a child. As a teenager, she was a member of the U-15 United States national team, a team that traveled to California to play elite club teams.
"The U-15 national team was an outrageous experience," Hunsberger said. "It prepared me for the speed of play in college soccer and playing with that level of competition was unbelievable."
Along with the national team, Hunsberger participated in the Olympic Development program, played for club teams Albertson Fury and AC Perugia, and excelled at Freedom High School in Bethlehem, Pa.
"Soccer, friends, that's pretty much it," she said.
Along with her soccer skills, Hunsberger's sense of humor and infectious personality off the field also keep her teammates laughing.
"She's really funny," assistant coach Abby Crumpton said. "She's a great soccer player, but is also really great for chemistry. She keeps us laughing and keeps our spirits high at the right times."
Certain aspects of the transition to collegiate-level soccer have been difficult, such as the physical style of play and fast-paced action. But Hunsberger has seamlessly made the jump from being a high school star to a Syracuse role player to start her career.
"Playing every day definitely helps you, and playing with different players expands your horizon and knowledge of the game," she said. "You understand it more. It's a different experience. It helps you out."
Although Hunsberger has already started two games and scored two goals, she has higher aspirations. "I definitely want to get into the NCAA tournament and maybe after college play for a professional team."

tbhass@syr.edu

Gators ready to chomp

2011-10-12T19:23:00.000-07:00

By Trevor Hass

(AP Photo/Bill Haber)

Last season the Florida Gators finished with the best record in the SEC at 29-8, including a 13-3 mark in-conference. PF Chandler Parsons, PF Alex Tyus, PF/C Vernon Macklin, G Erving Walker, and G Kenny Boynton fueled the well-balanced Gators, all averaging over 10 points per game.
Though Parsons, Macklin, and Tyus graduated, Walker and Boynton are back to fill the void and carry the Gators this season.
Florida won back-to-back NCAA national championships in 2006 and 2007. Despite failing to qualify in 2008 and 2009, head coach Billy Donovan led the Gators to the Elite Eight this past season.
While most programs would be satisfied with two titles in the past six years, the University of Florida has high expectations. The Gators are eager to chomp away at SEC foes and devour opponents en route to another championship.
The Gators have a menacing out-of-conference schedule this upcoming season, filled with the likes of Ohio State, Syracuse, Texas A&M, and Florida State.
Last year, SEC rival Kentucky got the best of the Gators in two out of three meetings, but this year Florida will look to regain dominance. Kentucky and Florida are the favorites in the SEC and will square off in February, as well as on March 4th, the final day of the regular season.
To defeat Kentucky and make a strong push in the NCAA tourney, the Gators will rely heavily on Kenny Boynton. Boynton averaged 14 points per game in each of his first two seasons, yet his shooting percentage was a lowly .381. Shooting a higher percentage will open up other facets of Boynton’s game. Once defenders respect his three point shot, he can utilize his quick first step to slash toward the basket and convert on easy layups.
Jackson State travels to Gainesville to kick off Florida’s season on November 11th and the Gators commence their quest for a third national championship in seven years.

Ortiz powers Sox - By Trevor Hass

2011-08-08T20:39:00.000-07:00

David Ortiz is a lifetime .327 hitter with 11 home runs and 31 RBI against the Minnesota Twins. Tonight he carried the Red Sox’ offense with four hits, including a mammoth blast to the upper deck in right field and a go-ahead RBI single in the 9^th inning.

Down 5-1 in the sixth, the Sox were in need of some offense. Carl Crawford started the inning off with a triple to center, getting his 8^th hit in 12 at bats. After Adrian Gonzalez drove Crawford in with a sacrifice fly, Dustin Pedroia singled to center. With the hit, Pedroia has now hit safely in 45 of 48 games, including four in a row.

Then came Papi; his roaring two run shot cut the deficit to 5-4. It was Ortiz’ team-leading 22^nd homer of the year. After that home run, Jarrod Saltalamacchia followed suite by homering to right, knotting the contest up at five apiece.

“That’s David,” said Saltalamacchia. “He picked us up tonight. We just go out there and play the game.”

With the score tied at 6-6 in the top of the ninth, Ortiz delivered yet again. The slugger showed some finesse and patience, hitting a flair to left center field, driving in pinch runner Darnell McDonald.

“I just tried to calm down and get that pitch,” said Ortiz.

Similar to what transpired in the 6^th, Saltalamacchia produced after Ortiz, providing an insurance run.

“David wants to see everyone do well,” added Saltalamacchia. “For him to go out and pick the team up was great.”

Jonathan Papelbon closed the game out in fashion, striking out Danny Valencia and Delmon Young, and inducing a ground out to second by pinch hitter Ben Revere. The closer two-stepped his way to his 25^th save of the season.

With the win, the Red Sox improved to 34-21 away from Fenway Park. They also extended their winning streak to three games, fresh off a thrilling 3-2 walk-off win over the Yankees the night before.

Tim Wakefield had a chance to pick up his 200^th career win. The knuckleballer was on his game for the most part, with the exception of a tumultuous third inning where he gave up three runs. Wakefield struck out four in seven innings and had a chance to pick up number 200. The 45-year old threw first pitch strikes to 21 out of 28 batters.

Alfredo Aceves gave up an RBI single to Jason Kubel in the 8^th, making the score 6-6, and thus depriving Wakefield of the milestone. Aceves then settled down and ultimately picked up the win, improving to 8-1 on the season.

Scott Baker was steady for the Twins through five innings, merely allowing an RBI single to the fuming hot Marco Scutaro in the second. Scutaro connected on a whopping seventh hit in a row, driving in Ortiz. With the exception of that lone blemish, Baker was efficient through five, striking out five Red Sox hitters and inducing many ground balls. Then in the 6^th everything fell apart for the right-hander, as he surrendered four runs.

Baker came into the contest with a tremendous 5-0 record and 0.26 ERA at newly constructed Target Field. 8-6 with a 3.01 ERA on the season, Baker has been a bright spot for the injury-riddled Twins.

The Twins’ offense was paced by right fielder Jason Kubel, who went three for four with a home run to right field off Wakefield. Trevor Plouffe chipped in with two hits and also scored two runs, while veteran slugger Jim Thome added an RBI double and scored a run.

Jed Lowrie returned for the Red Sox, after being placed on the disabled list with a shoulder injury on June 15^th. He went one for four in his return, playing third base. Jacoby Ellsbury, Pedroia, and Gonzalez all ignited the offensive attack with two hits apiece.

Reliever Glen Perkins (3-2) gave up a single to Gonzalez before being replaced by closer Joe Nathan. Nathan allowed an infield single to Pedroia as well as the decisive hit to Ortiz and the slicer to left by Saltalamacchia. Pedroia is batting .331 in the seventh inning or later, including a menacing .388 since May 7^th.

A great year for sports

2011-07-05T09:07:00.000-07:00

It's really a shame that the NFL and NBA are both in a lockout. I cry every night before I go to sleep, knowing that, in all likelihood, the NBA will miss its entire season. Obviously a situation like this would devastate sports fans across the world at any point in time, however I think it's especially inopportune considering the magnificent state of professional sports after a truly splendid calendar year.

Taking a look back at the past four champions, none of the teams were the favorite heading into the playoffs. None of championship squads boasted ludicrous payrolls, had pompous superstars with overblown egos, or were expected to make any sort of run. That's what makes sports so special. Fans should always expect the unexpected, but the unexpected always comes from an unexpected place, thus it can't be expected.
"Not one, not two not three, not four..." You're right LeBron, not one, not two, not three, not four...zero. Zip. Zilch. Nada. LeBron James, the heir to the throne, the chosen one, the next Michael Jordan, has yet to win a championship. You've gotta love it. The Miami Heat became arguably the most highly-scrutinized team in the history of sports. Their journey started all the way back in June when LeBron's self-centered "Decision" shook up the entire complexion of the NBA. The journey ended in June, when Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks defied all odds and stunned the Heat in six games. It was a woeful ending to a roller coaster year for the Heat, but a perfect ending to a season of consistency and team-first basketball for the Mavs.

Dirk had been after a ring (or some other anomalous form of Mark Cuban-inspired jewelry) ever since he entered the league back in 1998. Though he averaged 23 points per game and developed a plethora of lethal fadeaway moves, critics continued to question his toughness and ability to reach the next level. This year Dirk silenced those critics, with the help of a strong supporting cast, including the best bench in the league. Jose Juan Barea, Jason Kidd, DeShawn Stevenson, and Tyson Chandler rounded out the starting five for an experienced Mavs team. The luxury of having Jason Terry and Shawn Marion coming off the bench proved to be extremely beneficial in crunch time. Yeah, I’d take Terry and Marion over Mike Bibby and Juwan Howard too. The newly-adopted terrifying trifecta of the Miami Heat was not enough to overcome the deeper and more poised Dallas Mavericks. The season ended with a well-deserving champion.

The Boston Bruins are Stanley Cup Champs! Like the Mavs, the Bruins entered the playoffs as a three-seed. They also faced a team in the finals with a few stars, but, like the Heat, the Canucks’ supporting cast melted away like the Tampa Bay ice. Daniel and Henrik Sedin and Roberto Luongo were deemed to be too much for the Bruins to handle. Experts came to a consensus that the Heat would win in 5 of 6 and the Canucks would do the same. The experts were not so expertly, as the balance of Zdeno Chara, Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand (and his rather large nose), Dennis Seidenberg, and, of course, the best goalie in hockey Tim Thomas, sparked the B’s to the Cup. Sports is most exciting when the favorite is knocked out, and the Stanley Cup playoffs were no exception. It was quite a riot to see Canucks fans in such disarray…literally.

Pack, Pack, Pack. Filling the void left by Brett Favre and his frayed jeans and Mississippi swagger is no easy task. Favre, with his Ripken-esque mentality and copious amount of interceptions, was the face of the Packers since the 1920s. The retiring schtick got a little old after a while, but Favre himself seemed to never get old, as he became the quintessential iron man in professional sports and the face of the NFL (despite the fact that he really did throw a lot of interceptions). Then came Aaron Rodgers…

Rodgers was the complete opposite of Favre in that he kept to himself, went about his business, and didn’t throw nearly as many interceptions. You could argue that the negative portrayal of Favre is solely a result of the media’s desire to construct convoluted images of potentially intriguing athletes, yet in actuality, Favre had a flair for the dramatics. When Rodgers replaced Favre, people questioned whether he had what it took and whether he could fill that elusive void. What the media didn’t focus on was the somehow unimportant fact that Aaron Rodgers is a really, really good quarterback. His consistency and talent quickly fused into championship-caliber offense, as he fed Greg Jennings and Donald Driver endlessly for repeated touchdowns. Charles Woodson anchored an aggressive and intelligent defense. Again, we see the theme of the underdog winning it all, as the Pack entered the playoffs as the six-seed. You could argue that the underdog always winning provides no consistency to sports, but in my opinion, that’s exactly what makes it such a beautiful thing.

After the steroids controversy corrupted baseball in the 90s and 00s, baseball is back to being a pitcher-dominated game. Thus, the San Francisco Giants had exactly what it takes to win the World Series nowadays: pitching. With Tim Lincecum as the ace and Brian Wilson as the closer, the Giants’ semi-futile offense was enough. The Beard was most certainly feared. The Giants’ pitching was stellar and they knocked off the Rangers en route to their first title since 1954 . San Fran barely even made the playoffs. They beat out the Padres by a mere two games, but caught fire once October came around. Like with the Packers, there is a direct parallel between superstars leaving and winning a ring a few years down the road. Both Favre and Barry Bonds had highly-scrutinized careers. Bonds finished his steroid-infused run with 762 home runs, 14 all-star game appearances, and 12 silver slugger awards, but never quite got that all-important ring. The hardware has avoided tremendous athletes like Bonds, James, and Luongo, athletes with controversies and overblown egos.

All four winning teams this year fully deserved to win the championship. The Mavericks, Bruins, Packers, and Giants all have hardworking players and had a team-first mentality. Very few scandals surrounded these teams. I think it’s safe to say Deshawn Stevenson driving drunk the day after the Mavs won isn’t as big of a deal as LeBron’s “Decision.” (I feel the need to put “Decision” in quotes every time because it’s just so important that it deserves quotes---kind of like the asterisk next to Bonds’ name…the quotations give off an ominous “I can’t win a ring” vibe).

Professional sports is in a phenomenal place right now, with deserving winners and underdogs shocking the world season after season. It’s disappointing that the NFL and NBA are locked out following two truly memorable postseason runs.

Jimmer Rat

2011-01-28T14:49:00.000-08:00

   While players like Kyle Singler, Jared Sullinger, and Kemba Walker are the best players on their respective teams and are having terrific seasons, there is one superstar who is going above and beyond. This senior is running away with the title of best player in the country by a long shot...kind of like he runs the fast break and then spots up for a lethal jumper that flows off of his finger tips with the utmost ease and glides through the basket. His name: Jimmer Fredette.
   I've been pondering some potential nicknames for Jimmer. Here's what I've come up with. "Nothin' but net Fredette," "Jiminy Cricket," "Slim Jim," "Jimmer the Jammer." Pretty decent I think...but I'll let you be the judge. Whatever you want to call "Jimbolaya," it's a fact that he's spicing up college basketball with his ability to score 40+ points on any given night.
   Fredette's BYU Cougars currently sit at 20-1, coming off of an impressive victory over (then #4 in the country) MWC rival San Diego State. It was just another day at the office for Jimmer, as he dropped 43 points in the win. No big deal, really. That scoring output led to his third 40+ point game in the last four, a simply staggering number. It's not like he's hogging the ball in the process either.
   He averages over four assists per game. His efficiency is off the charts, as he's shooting over 48% from the field and a whopping 90% from the free throw line. John Hollinger would like that.
   After listening to Fredette speak twice on ESPN, I have developed the utmost respect for him. Not only is he a spectacular scorer, but he's an extremely nice kid...polite, well-mannered, and humble.
   One instance where he exemplified his humility was in an interview with John Buccigross on SportsCenter. After Fredette's outburst against San Diego State, Kevin Durant tweeted that Fredette is the best scorer in the world. Rather than agreeing and saying, "Yeah, I'm the best," Fredette returned the favor, deeming Durant the world's best scorer. I guarantee you that if Kobe was presented with that same situation during his senior year of high school at Lower Marion he would have praised himself up the wazoo.
   From his Mormon upbringing, to his lethal trademark double crossover, to his Deron Williams-like mid-range jumper, Fredette is certainly an intriguing player and amazingly fun to watch.
   Fredette compares his game to that of D Will. Though they are both somewhat undersized (Fredette is 6'2 and a tad under 200) they compensate for this trivial deficiency with exceptional ball handling skills and an absolutely dirty stroke.
   You can talk all you want about Fredette's NBA career when he's actually in the league. Maybe he'll be a massive bust, or maybe he'll be the greatest player to ever play the game. But for now, rather than analyzing his potential to be an NBA star, focus on the the way he is electrifying college basketball.
   Jimmer Fredette has already accomplished milestones galore in his 3+ years at BYU. This winter and early spring, however, he has a chance to become one of the greatest college basketball players of all time, by leading his team to a National Championship.

College Basketball

2011-01-13T10:36:00.000-08:00

   From the World Series to the College Football Bowl games, the world of sports never ceases to amaze. While every sporting event has its perks, the best playoff system in the country is March Madness, hands-down. When a team like St. Mary's stuns a team like Villanova in the second round, it's unbelievably exciting to watch. Last year, Cinderella Butler shocked Syracuse, Kansas State, and Michigan State, before falling to heavily-favored Duke in one of the best finales the sport has ever witnessed.
   You never know which team will make an incredible run down the stretch. It's virtually impossible to predict a perfect bracket, which is exactly what makes March Madness so exceptional. Picking a perfect bracket is about as improbable as the Apocalypse.
   Midway through the season, here are my top 12 teams that are most likely to cut down the nets when it's all said and done.

12) Missouri- The Tigers are always in contention in the Big 12, but I feel that this is the year they will finally get over the hump and make a run in March. Marcus Denmon is a stellar scorer for Missouri, averaging around 18 points per game. Missouri has defeated Vanderbilt, Oregon, and Illinois so far this season and the club has a lot of young talent.

11) UConn- Kemba Walker is a sensational player, but UConn simply doesn't have enough depth to contend with powerhouses such as Duke and Kansas. I expect them to make it to the Sweet 16 or Elite 8, but not any further.

10) Michigan State- Tom Izzo's club always makes a run come tourney time. Despite their recent struggles, I expect the leadership of Kalin Lucas to be instrumental down the stretch in another infamous Izzo run.

9) Kansas State- Jacob Pullen is averaging 18 ppg this season. I question whether K State has enough depth to make a run in the tourney, but Frank Martin's toughness will lead to another successful season in Wildcat basketball.

8) Brigham Young- Jimmer Fredette is the best scorer in the country. Period. Scoring 32 in the first half en route to 47 overall in a romping over in-state rival Utah, Fredette is exceptional from beyond the arc and has a plethora of moves. BYU makes the tourney every year. This year will be no different, and I expect them to make the Elite 8, led by Fredette.

7) Villanova- Seniors Corey Stokes and Corey Fisher make up arguably the best backcourt tandem in the country. Stokes is shooting a whopping 94% from the charity stripe and 47% from three-point range. Fisher's ability to draw double-teams off the dribble often leaves Stokes wide open from downtown, where he's money. Coach Wright should be "Stoked" that he has the Coreys on his squad. (That's "Wright," I went there).

6) San Diego State- This team is for real. They may be the Butler of 2011. I expect Kawhi Leonard to lead the Aztecs to at least the Sweet 16. Despite their poise and shooting ability, this team may lack size against physical teams such as Ohio State and Syracuse.

5) Pittsburgh- The Panthers are a top-notch program. They recently beat down on Georgetown 72-57 in a game that wasn't even that close. Ashton Gibbs is a terrific three-point shooter and will most likely lead this team to an appearance in the Elite Eight, and possibly even the Final Four.

4) Ohio State- There's no denying that Jared Sullinger is a monster in the paint. However, he has a tendency to get into foul trouble, which may prove detrimental in the long run. David Lighty and William Buford are very skillful players, each averaging around 14 per game for the Buckeyes. Getting to the Sweet 16 is a disappointment for this team.

3) Syracuse- The Orange are led by Rick Jackson, Scoop Jardine, Kris Joseph, and Brandon Triche. Jim Boeheim implements the 2-3 zone to perfection and utilizes his team's size against weaker opponents. Syracuse often gets out of the gate slowly, yet their tenacious defense keeps them in games. Foul shooting is a serious liability, as the Orange are shooting 64% as a team from the line. Despite this obvious weakness, the determination and talent of Jackson and Joseph will lead this team to at least the Elite Eight and possibly to a National Championship.

2) Duke- After exploding to a 15-0 start, the Dukies lost to a fired up Florida State team, 66-61. Coach K attributed the loss to the strong play of the Seminoles, rather than to a lack of execution from his squad. This loss shows some vulnerability for the Blue Devils. Though they will likely run the table in the ACC, I expect a slip-up against a team like Florida State that will out hustle you and close out games effectively.

1) Kansas- The Jayhawks have the best team in the country. You could make a case for Duke, 'Cuse, or Ohio State, but I feel that Kansas is hands-down the best team in college basketball right now. The dynamic duo of brothers Marcus and Markeef Morris is unguardable. Cumulatively averaging over 30 points and 15 rebounds per game, the "Morris Monsters" (you heard it here first) make any team quiver in fear. Explosive Freshman Josh Selby and Junior Tyshawn Taylor give the Jayhawks a formidable backcourt. Kansas has the highest field goal percentage in the country, currently shooting at over 52% per game.

   March Madness never disappoints. One or two of these Top 12 teams will undoubtedly lose in the first round. That's what's so great about it. It's extremely difficult to pinpoint an early upset. Maybe all of these 12 teams will make the Sweet 16 and I'll look like a genius. Maybe only three of them will and I'll resemble a doofus. These are my Top 12 teams as of now, but you never know which teams will shock the country. That's the beauty of March Madness.

NBA on Christmas Day

2010-12-25T08:34:00.000-08:00

   The line-up of NBA games today is simply unbelievable. Superstars galore are in action, looking to get their team a W in front of millions of viewers. Let me break down each match-up for you and give an unbiased prediction for each game.

   Chicago Bulls vs. New York Knicks 12 P.M.
   This game has a lot of appeal. The Knicks are averaging 108 points per game, which leads the NBA. Amar'e is dominating this year, putting up 26 and 9 per game. Key players such as Landry Fields, Danilo Gallinari, Raymond Felton, and Wilson Chandler make these here Knickerbockers an extremely fun team to watch. Toney Douglas also provides a lot of spark off the bench. Meanwhile, the Bulls are 3rd in the NBA in rebounding. However, Joakim Noah, who averages nearly 12 per game, is out for at least two months with a torn ligament in his thumb. Not having to deal with Noah will enable the Knicks to attack the paint and outscore the Bulls. While I expect Derrick Rose to score over 30, I feel the Knicks' interior presence and ability to drain threes will be too much for Chicago to handle.

Prediction: Knicks 109, Bulls 98

   Boston Celtics vs. Orlando Magic 2:30 P.M.
   The Magic completely revamped their roster, hauling Mickael Pietrus, Marcin Gortat, and Rashard Lewis away. While the acquisitions of Jason Richardson and fan-favorite Hedo Turkoglu are pretty good ones, the Magic seriously lack size. Stan Van usually prides his team on the defensive team, yet this team appears to be more offensive-minded. Dwight Howard has averaged over 24 points and 18 rebounds in his last five games. However, if Dwight gets in early foul trouble, the only formidable big man the Magic have is Brandon Bass, and he's quite undersized. The C's need to attack Howard early and often. The depth of the Celtics will be instrumental in this game. From The Big Shamroq (fresh off of conducting the Boston Pops) to Big Baby, the Celtics are clearly the deeper team. Expect Baby to score at least 16 off the bench. KG will exploit Bass inside and stretch the defense with his lethal mid-range jumper. The Celts get win number 15 in a row this afternoon.

Prediction: Celtics 97, Magic 88

   Los Angeles Lakers vs. Miami Heat 5 P.M.
   This game is so incredibly intriguing. Kobe, Gasol, and Odom to LeBron, D Wade, and Bosh. Wow! What a gift on Christmas Day. What a plethora of superstars. Odom says that this will be "a great game to watch." I believe him. I honestly expect that this game will go into overtime. These teams are so evenly-matched it's crazy. I think the ultimate factor will be the Gasol vs. Bosh match-up. You know what you're going to get out of Kobe, LeBron, and D Wade. Yet, the winner of the power forward match-up will ultimately prevail. I expect Bosh to go off. He's averaging 21 ppg and 8 rpg in his last five games. The Heat have won 13/14, their only loss coming to Dallas by a mere two points this past Monday. The Lakers, meanwhile, lost 98-79 to the Bucks on Tuesday and Kobe says they "have a lot to work on." I expect this one to be tight throughout, but I feel that LeBron and Bosh will score over 25 each, leading the Heat to victory.

Prediction: Heat 108, Lakers 106 OT

   Denver Nuggets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder 8 P.M.
   Kevin Durant will score over 35 points tonight. That's a guarantee. Carmelo Anthony is missing the game due to a family matter, which will enable Durant to exert less energy on the defensive end and focus on attacking the hoop. Gary Forbes is a liability for Denver, and i expect Durant to explode. Russell Westbrook is putting up monster numbers this year. He's finally coming into his own and is truly an elite scoring point guard in the league. He's averaging 22 ppg and 8 apg. Expect the Thunder to beat the Nuggets in a shootout. J.R. Smith will score big for Denver, but it won't be enough.

Prediction: Thunder 114, Nuggets 101

   Golden State Warriors vs. Portland Trailblazers 10:30 P.M.
   Commissioner David Stern certainly picked some exciting games. This one is going under the radar, yet it will undoubtedly be another high-scoring, down-to-the-wire, exciting affair. Steph Curry is healthy and ready to roll for the Warriors. Dorell Wright is a threat from beyond the arc for Golden State. Though Andre Miller and LaMarcus Aldridge are consistent players, their play won't be enough. Brandon Roy is having his worst season in quite some time, still nursing an injured knee. I expect Golden State's youth to be a key factor here. David Lee, Andris Biedrins, and and Monta Ellis will lead the Warriors past Portland. Expect Ellis to score over 25.

Prediction: Warriors 112, Blazers 97

   I hope you enjoy watching a terrific day of basketball. After you open your Christmas gifts, plop down in front of the TV, eat some popcorn, drink some hot chocolate, and watch some amazing basketball.

   Happy Holidays everyone.

I know it's only December

2010-12-13T13:41:00.000-08:00

   I know it's only December. The NFL, NBA, and College Football are in full swing and baseball isn't for months. However, with the Red Sox' recent acquisitions, I deem it imperative to discuss the immense amount of potential we have as an organization.

   Let me lay out the probable starting lineup for you:

1) Jacoby Ellsbury-One of the fastest, most entertaining players in Red Sox history. If he can stay healthy and put the ball in play, he'll be a great asset at the top of the order. He is also one of the most flashy and consistent outfielders in all of baseball.

2) Dustin Pedroia-Every year people keep doubting the little guy, yet every year he puts up monster numbers. Maybe it's time critics start believing in Dustin. Pedroia has a .309 lifetime average against right-handed pitching. Rather impressive.

3) Carl Crawford-When the Sox acquired Adrian Gonzalez I was content, but once we bolstered our roster even more with the addition of Carl Crawford, I was convinced; this is the year. Crawford is one of the few legitimate five-tool players in the league and he has an arsenal of talents.

4) Adrian Gonzalez-Sure, Mark Teixeira is good, but so is Adrian Gonzalez. When you compare their numbers over the past three years, the two stupendous sluggers have virtually identical numbers. Gonzalez quietly had a near .300, 30 homer, and 100 RBI season last year. Hopefully he can replicate those numbers under the scrutiny of Red Sox Nation.

5) Kevin Youkilis-YOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUK. (All I have to say. Everyone knows what a multi-dimensional, tenacious, Jewish, consistent player Youk is). Gotta love him.

6) David Ortiz-"Wait...back up a second. Is David Ortiz really batting sixth!?! He's the man!" Why yes, he is. The fact that Big Papi is batting sixth is a testament to exactly how deep this team is. Last year Papi had over 30 home runs and 100 runs batted in, much like Gonzalez. As a non-biased fan of the game of baseball, I can truly say that our 4-5-6 combo is the best in the game.

7) J.D. Drew-I've always said that Drew is the most average player in Major League history. Though this is somewhat factual, it's also somewhat erroneous. Yes, Drew is average at everything, however he's not bad at anything, which makes him a reliable right fielder on a team full of outstanding young lads (you follow? good.)

8) Marco Scutaro- "Scut. Hey, can we ask you to 'scut' down to the number eight spot?" Again, a testament to how stacked this team is. Scutaro had 38 doubles last year. That's more than anyone else in this starting nine. Interesting, huh?

9) Jarrod Saltalamacchia-Let me spell that again, just in case you missed it. S-a-l-t-a-l-a-m-a-c-c-h-i-a. (If you were wondering, yes it is the longest name in MLB history (except for Juan Pablo Martin Sanchez Coralamimadandatimafalainez of the Brooklyn Dodgers-I'm fully aware that was absolutely ridiculous. Excuse my obnoxiousness). The Sox recently signed Jason Varitek to a 1-year/2 mill contract, so it's presumable that he and Saltalamacchia (yes, spelled it right again without looking!) will split playing time. JS will get the majority of games behind the plate, but don't be surprised to see JV in there multiple times a week.

   THIS LINEUP IS INCREDIBLE. If Beckett and Lackey improve, and Lester and Buchholz remain as dominant as they were last year, the Sox will be superb. Yes, I know it's only December, but Spring Training is less than four months away... There's a lot to be excited about in Beantown. The Celts are on fire, the Pats are unbeatable, and the Bruins are unflappable. But the Sox...well the Sox are unbelievable...and that's an understatement. (Like how I incorporated the un, un, un, un, un there? I was personally pretty proud of it).

   Right now I'm invested in the C's and Pats, but when baseball season rolls around, I'll be excited. Theo Epstein and the rest of the ownership has compiled one hell of a lineup. This will be good.

Thermostat Check

2010-11-28T08:06:00.001-08:00

   For the 20,000+ of you following my blog religiously, I sincerely apologize for my erroneous prediction that the Heat would win 72 games and breeze through the playoffs en route to a championship.
   Through 17 games, the Heat are 9-8, hovering around .500 in search of an identity as a team. Last season, the James and Bosh-less Miami team was 10-7 at this point. Drastic improvement, huh?
   I previously made a foolish claim that LeBron and D Wade would be able to coexist and thrive together on the court. Boy was I wrong on that one. Whenever the two elite scorers are on the floor at the same time, incessant miscommunication ensues and turnovers pile up quickly. The two combine for 7.5 turnovers per game and are each shooting under 45% on the season.
   In last night's loss to an experienced Mavs team, LeBron walked off the court and "inadvertently" bumped shoulders with Head Coach Erik Spoelstra. NBA analysts often overreact and go into a frenzy following the slightest feud between a player and coach. Most of these feuds end up being trivial, yet this one clearly has deeper implications.
   The Heat look outmatched on both ends of the court. Coming in at 22nd in the league in both points and rebounds per game, it's clear that this team has two pressing weaknesses. Carlos Arroyo is simply not skilled enough to be a starting point guard in the NBA. Big Z is about as much of an inside threat as Hasheem Thabeet (with inferior shot blocking ability, I might add).
   Looking to rectify their issue of lack of size, the Heat acquired Erick Dampier. Frankly, Dampier is not the answer to anyone's problems. Last night, he posted one rebound in eight minutes, committing one foul. Sick! Unbelievable! The Messiah has come! Heat fans, (if they hypothetically existed) bow down to your savior, Erick Dampier.
   No.
   The acquisition of Erick Dampier evidently does absolutely nothing to enhance the interior presence of the Heat. The ridiculously potent trio of big men in Jamaal Magloire, Juwan Howard, and Dampier cumulatively amasses to 104 years of living on this Earth. 104 years of missed layups and unnecessary fouls all packed into one massive package of merely taking up space on the court.
   There is a recurring theme in the box score of the Heat. LeBron, D Wade, and Bosh all hover in the vicinity of 20-25 points, while no one else even reaches double figures. Occasionally Mario Chalmers, James Jones, or Joel Anthony provides a tad of spark, but for the most part, there is simply no supporting cast whatsoever.
   It will certainly be intriguing to watch this drama unfold. At least LeBron has some practice acting in his obnoxious, ego-centric commercial. What should he do? How about win games, LeBron? I now change my prediction from 72-10 to 10-72. Just kidding. But seriously, the Heat will be lucky to get past the first round of the playoffs if they keep playing in such a discombobulated, erratic fashion. Dwyane keeps saying it will just take time for this team to gel. Well Dwyane, I'm pretty sure the time is now. You might want to consider stepping it up a notch, because quite frankly, the Thermostat is plummeting into oblivion.

All that Jazz and more

2010-11-14T13:05:00.000-08:00

   The Utah Jazz have pulled off five consecutive come-from-behind wins. Not only were the Jazz down in each game, but they trailed by double digits in each contest. This incredible streak has captured my attention big-time. Winning five games in a row against the Clippers, Heat, Magic, Hawks, and Bobcats is an impressive feat in itself, but coming back in the fourth quarter in each of these games is simply incredible.
   With the threat of Deron Williams, Paul Millsap, and Al Jefferson, the newly-conglomerated Big Three, (I'm fully aware that's a stretch - it's deliberate), the Jazz are on fiyahhhh. Williams is averaging 21 ppg, 10 apg, and 5 rpg. Though it's still early, I would qualify those as potentially MVP-caliber numbers.
   Deron Williams is the best point guard in the league. Sure, Rondo is a more skilled and deceptive passer and CP3 and D Rose are just as adroit at scoring the ball, but when you put everything together, D Will is the best-hands down.
   Paul Millsap has also emerged in the most explosive way this season. In the overtime win against Miami, Millsap had a game-tying tip-in at the buzzer en route to a rather impressive 46 points.
   And "Hey, hey, hey, whaddaya know, it's Fat Albert." I don't mean to insult the rather muscular (certainly not obese) Al Jefferson; rather, I want to remind those who follow the NBA avidly to not forget about Al. He's quietly averaging 17 ppg, 9 rpg and having a solid year.
   Though the Western Conference is packed with talented teams like the Lakers, Mavs, Spurs, and Hornets, I advise you to not sleep on the Jazz (even if that's not your preferred style of music). The team has recently shown its capability of coming back and playing well down the stretch. Now if Utah can translate that energy and effectiveness to the first half, you're looking at one helluva team, yes one helluva team.
   Once they improve their play in the first half (I guarantee it will happen) the Jazz will be clicking on all cylinders and they'll be all that Jazz and more. For sure.
   Oh, and don't forget about Francisco Elson and Kyrylo Fesenko. The two ferocious monsters are averaging almost five points per game in total and will undoubtedly power the team to the Western Conference Finals with their unstoppable post moves (just so the casual fan is aware, this is a joke. Fesenko and Elson have about as much potential as Semih Erden - So they're really good, right!?! - Nope).
   I'm quickly becoming a Jazz fan. When Utah makes the Western Conference Finals, just remember, you read it here first.

Ponders provide heroics once again

2010-11-11T11:39:00.001-08:00

Ryan Salocks saw the keeper out of position. He controlled the ball and sent a perfectly placed shot toward the upper left part of the net. The Malden Catholic goalie, Kyle Lewis, sprinted back and reached up for the ball, but to no avail. Salocks scored and gave the Ponders a 1-0 lead with 26 minutes left in the game.

When Salocks found the net, the boisterous and devoted crowd went wild. While the players swarmed around Salocks, vuvuzelas sounded and the fans erupted and cheered.

Following Salocks’ pivotal goal, the Ponders played with even more focus and determination. Rather than stalling, AHS continued to attack Lewis.

The Ponders’ incessant push for a second goal was rewarded 15 minutes later when Fernando Cuervo-Torello sent a laser beam past Lewis. With the insurance goal, the Ponders doubled their lead and were able to hang on for a 2-0 shutout over the Lancers.

Cuervo-Torello’s goal was his second in as many games. His hustle and skill around the ball has been instrumental to Arlington’s success.

After a relatively even first half, the Ponders played more consistent soccer down the stretch, maintaining ball possession the majority of the time in order to preserve their lead. Arlington counteracted everything the Lancers wanted to do offensively and passed the ball with precision.

While the offensive production was superb in the second half, the defense was extremely solid throughout the entire contest. Christian Fischer, Adam Long, Chris Hamblin, and Graham McInnis definitively shut down the speedy Nick Annesse and the rest of the Lancers.

AHS goalie Sam Flavin was relatively inactive in net because the defense was so strong. With that said, Flavin fulfilled his duty when he was challenged.

Following this clutch win, the Ponders will take on undefeated Winchester in the semi-finals of the Division Two North sectional playoffs, as their incredible playoff run continues.

Spy Ponders push forward

2010-11-09T18:03:00.001-08:00

After an hour long bus ride to Haverhill, the Spy Ponders were met by an abundance of torrential rain. Even though the field was drenched, the Spy Ponders’ spirit was anything but dampened.

Arlington came into the game with firepower and passion. Matched up against the Pentucket Sachems, the number four seed in the Division Two state tournament, the Ponders were the underdogs on paper. However, they defied the odds and posted a decisive 5-2 victory.

Chris Hamblin started the action with a header goal early in the game, using the back of his head to propel the ball past the goalie. Hamblin then added a second score, sending a rocket past a mystified keeper.

Senior Captain Nick Coleman, the leading goal scorer on the team, made the score 3-0 with a follow off of a ricochet. After a successful Pentucket penalty kick, Coleman made the score 4-1 with an arching left-footed kick over the Sachems’ backpedaling goalie.

Coleman made a split-second decision and floated the ball into the air toward the goal. The keeper staggered backward, nearly making a recovery. He did not get there in time, however, and the Ponders augmented their lead to 4-1.

Just a few minutes later, Fernando Cuervo-Torello tacked on one more goal for Arlington, finding the back of the net thanks to a Yannick Doyle attack that got the Sachem defense out of position.

“It was probably one of the best games that we’ve had this year,” said Coleman. “We’ve been facing teams of (Pentucket’s) caliber the entire season, but last night we stepped up and just played our game.”

When the final whistle sounded, some of the players slid head-first onto the soggy turf. The Ponders then acknowledged the devoted, rowdy fans who made the commute by doing a cohesive victory run toward the stands.

AHS managed to overcome the weather and preserve a 5-2 score until the end of the eighty minute time frame.

“The conditions (both the situation and weather) got us pumped up,” said Nathan Lobel. “It was a good moment. We did what we had to do.”

After taking care of business on Sunday and Monday with two clutch wins, the Ponders will face Malden Catholic at home at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday November 11^th.

The Ponders are already in the quarterfinals and are looking to prolong their dramatic run. Had Arlington not defeated Bedford and Weston in the final two games of the regular season, or beat Lynn Classical in penalty kicks (5-4) in a thrilling finish on Sunday, this game would not have occurred.

With four consecutive do or die games, the Ponders have answered the call in every contest. Each win brings this determined team one step closer to the ultimate prize…the Division Two state championship.

San Francisco Giants: World Series Champions 2010

2010-11-02T10:39:00.000-07:00

Though I'm an ardent supporter of bad puns, I'm sick of every single headline including the word "Giant." For example, "Giant victory" or "Giant feat for San Fran." It's catchy to some degree, but when every single person starts incorporating it, it certainly becomes a bit hackneyed.

While I'm nauseated by these trite headlines, I have to agree that this is a "Giant" accomplishment for the city of San Francisco. Only the Cubs (oy vey) and the Indians had longer World Series droughts. The Giants hadn't won in 56 years. Prior to last night, the wonderful people of San Fran had never experienced the wonder of a World Series triumph.

There are a few reasons why the Giants beat the Rangers 4-1 in the series. First off: (this one's pretty simple) Tim Lincecum. The Freak beat the seemingly unbeatable Cliff Lee not once, but twice in the same series. Throughout the post season, Lincecum out-dueled Derek Lowe, Roy Halladay, and Lee with an assortment off nasty pitches and an intelligent approach. Like ESPN analyst Eduardo Perez said, "Lincecum did his homework." After doing his homework, Big Lince (just made that one up. Thumbs up, thumbs down?) certainly passed the test. Posting 43 strikeouts and four wins, the two-time Cy Young award-winner was simply dominant.

Brian Wilson's beard is arguably the best beard in professional sports. Yes, opposing hitters should "Fear the Beard," but they should also fear Wilson's deadly assortment of pitches and overpowering stuff. When Wilson comes in it's basically the end of the night for the opposing team. Hey, that's kind of like Jonathan Papelbon...NAHT!

Finally, the Giants have chemistry in motion. Much like the Red Sox teams that won in '04 and '07, (Yes!) the Giants have a roster full of above-average players that work well together to accomplish the ultimate goal. From Freddy Sanchez (former Red Sox great) to Edgar Renteria (former Red Sox great, a.k.a. World Series MVP 2010?) the Giants have competitive players that will do anything for the team. Talk about dedication...Aubrey Huff laid a beautiful sacrifice bunt down the first base line, moving the runners over to second and third. It was Huff's first sacrifice bunt in 11 years in the league! After "Huffing" and puffing down the first base line, Huff was called out. Yet, after his unselfish act, Renteria hit a three run jack that just cleared the fences and gave San Fran the lead.

I would like to personally congratulate the San Francisco Giants for winning the 2010 World Series the right way. Let me explain what I mean by "the right way." Instead of seeing a team full of high-priced stars and mid-season acquisitions, (i.e. Yankees and Phillies) it was a pleasure to see the Giants win the Series. Unlike the Giant teams in the '90s, this squad has no humongous juicers and no drastically overpaid players (insert whoever you'd like here. Barry Bonds comes to mind for me...). This time, it wasn't just "The Giants win the Pennant! The Giants win the Pennant!"

Rather, it was "The San Francisco Giants are World Series Champions!" That has a better ring to it. Though the Pennant call is a classic, this one is a bit more noteworthy.

What a "Giant" triumph for the city of San Fran. (Damn, I thought I would make it the whole article without including a horrific pun)...truly a "Giant" mistake on my part. I sincerely apologize.

Boys soccer wins thriller; Team makes state tournament

2010-10-31T11:33:00.000-07:00

When Senior Captain Christian Fischer booted the ball down field, his intention was not to score. He was merely clearing the ball from dangerous territory for the Spy Ponders, and sending a lead pass to sophomore standout Fernando Cuervo-Torello.

However, much to the jubilation of Fischer and the rest of his team, the ball took a favorable bounce over the head of the Weston goalie and found the back of the net. It was a true miracle for Arlington’s players and their enthusiastic fans.

Fischer’s spectacular goal, midway through the second half, was from 60 yards out. The timely strike gave the Ponders a 2-1 win over the Weston Wildcats, and launched the team into the state tournament.

Coming into the DCL matchup with the Wildcats, the Ponders needed a win to make the tournament. A tie would not suffice; with a tie, the team’s season would come to an abrupt end.

Last year, the squad defeated Weston 4-2 in the final game of the season to enter the tournament. This year, a similar outcome occurred. The Ponders doubled up the Wildcats and danced their way into the tourney in dramatic fashion.

Nick Coleman, a senior captain for the Ponders, scored the opening goal, heading the ball past Weston’s keeper in the first half. Coleman leads the team in scoring, notching his 11^th goal of the season in this critical game.

Senior Night at Peirce Field added to the thrill of the evening. Recognized for their contributions to AHS soccer were: Coleman, Fischer, tri-captain Trevor O’Brien-Jones, Chris Hamblin, Sam Mintz, Joey Lafyatis, Adam Long, Yannick Doyle, Kevin Casey, Otto Briner, Lewis Band, Joe Owayda, Nick Mongold, and exchange student Dennis Kretschmer. Prior to the match, the players were escorted to their parents by members of Arlington’s youth soccer teams in a celebratory tribute.

Leadership from the seniors was evident throughout the contest. The goals by Coleman and Fischer were instrumental in the team’s success. Hamblin, Long, and Mintz also played well for Arlington. Hamblin had a few headers that nearly snuck by the Weston goalie, Mintz was aggressive throughout, and Long played stalwart defense.

With the victory, these seniors know they will play at least one more game. They have a chance to excel in the playoffs and keep their season alive, much like they did on this Friday night classic.

Juniors Graham McInnis, Matt Wah, Sam Rivera, and Ryan Salocks played solid soccer in full-throttle throughout the match. Sophomore keeper Sam Flavin was extremely sturdy in net. With the exception of a goal allowed to Weston’s Adam Stewart early in the second half, Flavin’s performance was flawless.

The match was a nail-biter throughout. Ball possession was relatively even and there was constant intensity from both sides.

With Christian Fischer’s improbable goal, the Ponders are now in the state tournament, and will begin playoff action next week.

The Power of Green

2010-10-27T13:14:00.000-07:00

   As I entered the TD Garden, my mind was racing rapidly and I was unable to control my emotion. After four months of waiting, it was finally here. The Boston Celtics and Miami Heat were about to actually play THE game.
   Typically, when there is as much hype around a game as there was for this one, the game disappoints and lacks huzzah. This game, however, exceeded expectations and was simply brilliant. I can safely say that between the rambunctious, cohesive enthusiasm of the crowd and the final outcome of the game, it was the best sporting event I have ever been to.
   When I first entered the stadium, I was immediately taken aback by the circular sea of green. Every seat in the Garden was covered with a massive green shirt. Instead of the typical putrid Lakers-like yellow seats, the arena was engulfed by Celtics Green.
   As the players warmed up and prepared for the long-awaited game, I watched in detail, following their every move and analyzing their potential and role on a team full of capable players. Ray Allen drained three after three, KG knocked down jumper after jumper, and Shaq threw down a plethora of ferocious, powerhouse dunks with the utmost authority.
   After watching an incredible pump-up video on the big screen and announcing the starting lineups with the PA man verbatim, it was time...
   The game.
   Watching my team play defense in the first quarter made me proud to be die-hard Celtics fan. Allowing only nine points the "unbelievably explosive, probable 82-0 Miami Heat" was quite a feat. I then noticed that the behavior I was watching in warm-ups carried over perfectly into the actual game. Ray Allen practices his jump shot for hours on end, taking hundreds of J's every single day. That is precisely why he nailed a dagger three-pointer with 49 seconds left that gave the Celtics an 86-80 lead; practice.
   With the exception of Allen Iverson, (i.e., "Practice, you talkin' about practice? You kiddin' me? Practice?") "they" always say that practice makes perfect. Does it? I think so. Ray Allen's practice gave me personally a perfect experience. Admiring his picture-perfect release was unbelievable.
   Every time the Celtics scored, I immediately skyrocketed out of my seat, pound my chest like an animal in exhilaration and cheering incessantly. From Big Baby's intelligent charge, to Nate Robinson's finesse finish, to the Big Shamroq's thunderous throw-downs, I loved every second of the game last night.
   The unity of the crowd was the most amazing thing about the whole evening. I have never been a part of such a unified group. With the exception of the LeBron fan in front of me, the vast majority of people were completely immersed in the game, and rowdily encouraging the Celts. I quelled the LeBaby fan's antics in the first quarter by literally taking the sign out of his hand that said "Witness the King." I kept the sign under my seat, while the kid gloomily watched his team get outplayed by a better team (the Boston Celtics, in case you were unaware of to which team I was referring). To my right, someone had a sign that said, "Queen James." Amen to that (sister).
   Say what you want about the Heat. Sure, they have potential to be a phenomenal team. I still think they'll have the best record in the East. Last night, however, we were the better team. Five players scored in double figures and Rondo dealt out 17 dimes. Sweet.
   Overall, it was a night to remember. I will never forget entering the Garden and seeing the swarm of green, Paul Pierce's clutch jumpers, and the consistent emotion of the crowd. When Ray Allen swished the three in the final minute, the place absolutely erupted, like a volcano. The roof literally exploded and shot into oblivion. 20,000 people jumped up and down in jubilation like children. That is the beauty of the game of basketball.

Sasha Vujacic and Maria Sharapova

2010-10-22T14:19:00.000-07:00

   The fact that Sasha Vujacic and Maria Sharapova are getting married is repulsive. It makes me want to vomit incessantly. Vujacic is the worst player in the NBA, hands down. I'm not even kidding. He's an average outside shooter and every other aspect of his game is atrocious. I guess he handles his game better with the ladies...?
   While Vujacic is a doofus, Maria Sharapova is probably the most attractive female athlete in the world. Her legs are as long as the Nile. Sure, the whole 6'3 thing is a bit of a turn off. She's about twice my height. But something about her is special.
   So my question is, how does someone like Vujacic get someone like Sharapova?
   Money? No, she probably makes more than he does. That option's out. Looks? No, he looks like he hasn't shaved in months and his feminine hair flows past his shoulders. Success? Sure, he physically has two rings. However, the reason he has those rings is because of Kobe Bryant. Without Vujacic, the Lakers would have probably done better and won the Championship more easily. He just gets in the way. He's an extra body out there, excess garbage; a genuine hooligan.
   I guess Sharapova is into foolish people. Maybe I have a chance? Nah...I'm not nearly as foolish as Sasha. Wait, isn't Sasha a girl's name?

NFL Hullabaloo

2010-10-18T16:32:00.000-07:00

   Six weeks into the NFL season, I am confident about one thing: that I have absolutely no confidence about my picks anymore. As ironic as this is, it's complete fact. My predictions are abysmal, but who can blame me? This NFL season has been full of incessant upsets, week after week. That's what makes football so special.
   This week for example, the Rams (yes those same Rams who won a whopping one game last season) beat the Chargers. The Seahawks beat the Bears 23-20. And most shocking of all, the Cowboys, the COWBOYS, dropped to 1-4. 1-4 isn't exactly a dynamite record. They say everything's bigger in Texas. What are they referring to...disappointment? It sure seems that way. We're talking about a lethal Cowboys team, one with Roy Williams, Marion Barber, Tony Romo, and Jason Witten. These players are perennial all-stars. The Cowboys are a perennial playoff contender. This year however, I predict they'll finish out the year 8-8 and just miss the playoffs. Although, then again, I guarantee this prediction will be wrong, just as nearly all of my others have been so far this season.
   Here is objective list of the five best teams in the NFL after Week 6.
Trevor's Top Five
5) Indianapolis Colts (4-2)- Manning will lead them to another division title. They make the playoffs every year and there's no reason that will change this season.
4) New York Giants (4-2)- After an abysmal start, the Giants have looked virtually unstoppable lately. Their defense has been stellar and Eli's finally stepping up and looking long for Hakeem Nicks.
3) Pittsburgh Steelers- (4-1)- Big Ben is finally back, and that means the Steelers are back too. Somehow they managed to go 3-1 in his absence, yet now that he's maid his anticipated return they Steelers are a serious contender. Everyone already knows how ferocious their rush defense is.
2) New England Patriots (4-1)- The Pats have already beaten the Dolphins, Ravens, and Bengals, three possible playoff contenders. It's safe to say that Brady is having another pro-bowl caliber year, despite recent rumors that he's copying Justin Bieber's haircut! OMG! Now that Deion Branch is back, the loss of Randy Moss is irrelevant. His shoes will be filled by Branch and Aaron Hernandez quite nicely, so to speak.
1) New York Jets- (4-1)- As much as I hate to say it, the J-E-T-S are currently the best team in the NFL. Their impressive win over the Pats in Week 2 gave them a lot of momentum and they essentially cemented their position as the front runners in the AFC. I wouldn't be surprised if they got the number one seed. LT has been off the hizzy, the D is monstrous, and Sanchez is improving quickly...a little too quickly.

   I know the Texans, Eagles, Ravens, Saints, Packers, Dolphins, and Bears were left off this list. I'm not making a Top 12 here; this is merely the Top 5 teams from my perspective. I envision the Jets and Patriots emerging as the top two teams in the East record-wise, while I think the Giants and Saints will finish 1st and 2nd respectively in the NFC.

   But hey, my predictions have been horrific. I'm not gonna lie. Justin Bieber tore apart Tom Brady. Heck, so did Randy Moss. I guess Tom Brady's not perfect. Neither am I. My picks up to this point are atrocious. With that said, I'm fairly confident in my Top 5.

   The NFL has been full of surprises. This shouldn't come as a surprise, considering it's almost Halloween. The NFL is haunted with mysterious upsets that leave you shaking in your boots. This year is honestly a toss-up. There are so many above-average teams that have a chance to do some damage in the playoffs. It will be all about momentum heading into December. The team that gets hot in Week 16 and Week 17 will indubitably be the Super Bowl Champion. Dare I say it'll be the Patriots? Nah, I don't want to jinx anything.

   Although, if I pulled a double-reverse and picked the Patriots to lose the Super Bowl, wouldn't my pick be counteracted? Wouldn't the Patriots then automatically, inevitably win the Super Bowl? Hmm, interesting philosophy. That's so crazy that it just might work.

Farris vs. Coleman-Soccer rivalry heats up

2010-10-18T16:09:00.001-07:00

Off the field, seniors Nick Coleman and Alex Farris are great friends. Nick is dating one of Alex’s best friends, Taylor King. On the field however, their friendship ends, and an intense rivalry brews.

Coleman and Farris currently each have five goals, leading their respective teams. While Coleman relies on his rock solid head and field awareness to craftily score goals, Farris uses her blazing speed and deceptive dribbling skills to elude defenders and place the ball into the net.

Farris and Coleman have many things in common from a soccer standpoint. They both are constantly around the ball, are fierce competitors, and are extremely skilled. Yet, the number one trait they have in common is that they want to be the best, to be número uno.

These two studs are in a ferocious rivalry to outdo the other and score more goals by the end of the season.

Farris says, “Starting freshman year, we played on an indoor team. We were very competitive with who scored more goals, and that’s carried over to this year. We want to show each other up.”

Unfortunately for Coleman, Farris has a slight edge now. Nick “Scar” Coleman, as he’s now known by his fans, suffered a brutal injury in a 1-1 tie against Waltham. Coleman got head butted and was taken to the hospital and received six stitches. His one-week absence allowed Farris to get more playing time and she has a chance to take a 7-6 lead.

“The majority of my goals have been headers or from free kicks,” says Coleman. “She’s more technically skilled in her soccer playing, but I use the skills that I have to my advantage.”

Coleman adds, “I’m committed to beating Alex in goal scoring. It’s my first year playing midfield on Varsity. We’re tied right now. I want to beat her. ‘Nuff said.”

I sat down with Coleman and Farris individually, and there was some evident trash talking from both stars.

“Scoring goals is one thing, but bringing moral leadership and supplying passion is what my real goal is,” exclaims Coleman. “In fact, it’s my greatest goal of all.”

Coleman followed up with a controversial remark, saying, “Alex could have a lot more potential in soccer if she didn’t spend so much time focusing on cats.” Coleman, meanwhile, tries to act like a cool cat himself, hanging around Taylor King in the cafeteria.

Anyone who knows Farris well is fully aware of her obsession with cats. Coleman questions whether soccer is as important to Farris as cats are.

Jesse Weiss, a friend of both Coleman and Farris, says, “The two of them are great. I’m interested to see how this rivalry will end.”

As long as Coleman has his lucky necklace, he feels he can push past Farris.

“I like to think that this necklace provides a spiritual advantage to me on the field during practice, though we’re not allowed to wear it on the field. The spirit carries into my games.”

The issue here is not about which team is better. Both teams are hovering around .500 and have a chance to qualify for the state tournament.

It is not a dispute over who is more popular, who gets better grades (Coleman confesses that this last accomplishment belongs to Farris), or about who will be more successful playing soccer at the college level.

This is a battle for glory, one for recognition, respect, and dignity. Whoever wins in the long run will forever be known as a champion, or the “Ultimate Goal Scorer.”

Whatever happens in the end, Coleman singles out another main advantage he has over her, his dignified new hair cut.

“I know some people liked it when my hair blew in the wind,” brags Coleman. “I went for the shorter hair cut to look more professional and refined. Maybe that’s another advantage I have over Alex. I don’t have the hair to get in the way like Alex does.”

Farris’ hair may be a distraction. Coleman’s scar may be an obstacle. Yet champions have to overcome boundaries, and that is exactly what Farris and Coleman have to do in order to win the “Goal Medal” and be the number one goal scorer at Arlington High.

Hype around the Heat

2010-10-14T16:37:00.000-07:00

Though all of the hype surrounding the acquisitions of LeBron James and Chris Bosh is obnoxious, it's completely legitimate. As a Celtics fan, it pains me that we are not the best team in the Eastern Conference. That honor belongs to the Miami Heat.

I'm fully aware that both Dwyane Wade and James are battling injuries and that the Heat have yet to prove themselves as a team yet. However, I truly believe that the Heat will win 72 games this year, en route to an NBA Championship. Here's why:

The best thing about LeBron James is that he's naturally an unselfish basketball player. James plays with an altruistic style, much like Magic Johnson. Some people attribute James' pass-first mentality to the fact that he's not confident in his outside shot. While this is true, he also loves to get his teammates involved.

Prior to this year, James was passing to the likes of Mo Williams and Anderson Varejao. Varejao and Williams are solid players, but Bosh and Wade...well let's just say they're more than solid.

Last year James, Wade, and Bosh virtually single-handedly led their respective teams to success. While Bosh and his not-so-ferocious-Raptors missed reaching the playoffs on the last game of the season, Wade led a previously-average Heat team to the 5th seed in the East. And James, well he led the Cavs to first place in the East, before he choked in the playoffs (no big surprise there).

Each of these three superstars has accomplished wonderful heroics on their own. From last second shots, to scoring titles, to MVP awards. These players had success by their lonesome. Now that they're together...well that's just scary. It's really a terrifying thought. The merging of these three larger-than-life figures (even "Larger" than the early-2000 legends, The Backstreet Boys) over the summer has been a bigger hit across the country than Jersey Shore (at least I would like to think so). Even Snooki, as dumb as she is, would be a hooligan not to pick the Heat to win it all this year. And that's why, I'm going with my gut, and going with the Miami Heat.

Of course, I want the Celtics to win. We certainly have a legitimate chance to reach the finals. Sure, with the acquisitions of The Big Shamroq (my boy- well, man. I guess Shaquille O'Neal would qualify as a man...), Jermaine O'Neal (Baby J doesn't do too much for me, based on his struggles against the Celtics in previous Playoff series), and other young studs like Luke Harangody (former Fighting Irish stud), we have a chance. We'll most likely get the two-seed in the East. But the new-look Heat, with the new "Big Three" and Eddie House, well the they're already burning down the House, so to speak. Let's just hope the aging Celtics can come and put out the fire, like they have in two of the past three years.

With all this said, it's almost basketball season. That's reason enough to be excited. I'm pumped, baby. You should be too.