How the Mavericks can win the NBA Finals

Dirk Nowitkzi / Keith Allison

Although Dallas can not match the star power of Miami they do have their own superstar and a strong supporting cast. Here are three things the Mavericks will have to do to keep up with the Heat.

1. Give Dirk Nowitzki the Ball

On offense this is the one man which would create a defensive match-up against the Heats elite defense. Lebron James doesn't have the height to guard Nowitzki's lethal jumper and the Heats big men don't have the quickness to stay in front of him. Nowitzki has been unstoppable in the playoffs thus far and this must continue to be for Dallas to have a chance of winning the series.

2. Shoot the three

Though this may be difficult considering the speed of Maimi's defense and their ability to close out on three point shooters Dallas has been lethal from three so far. In the playoffs the Mavericks have hit a remarkable 38.8% from three. Hitting timely threes will help put away the Heat or keep the game close when the Heat go on a run which they surely will at some point.


3. Control Lebron James and Dwayne Wade

The Mavericks don't have any single player who can match-up with either James or Wade. In order to keep them under control Dallas will have to throw double teams and zone defenses at Lebron and Wade to keep them out of the paint. Forcing Wade and Lebron into shooting jumpers and securing the rebounds when they miss will keep Dallas in the game.

Will the Heat come out on top?

The advantages the Heat have over the Mavericks are the following:

- Miami Heat is known for their tight defense. The main reason for the Chicago Bulls’ loss in game four was because of Miami’s defense. MVP Derrick Rose could not penetrate like he did in the regular season because he would be surrounded by two or three Miami jerseys.

- The Dallas Mavericks have too many old players, but this can be an advantage since they have more experienced players than the Heat. However, the Heat have speed and stamina which the Mavericks lack. Who would be able to keep up with “The Flash” Dwyane Wade? By the end of the third quarter, the Mavericks will be out of gas, while the Heat are still ready to go.

- The Dallas Mavericks are known for their excellence in three pointers. This would definitely be an advantage for the Mavericks. However, the Miami Heat have the 2011 three point champion; James Jones. Jones was the key to the Miami Heat’s victory in Game 1 against the Boston Celtics.

Mavericks seeks to prove they can beat the Heat

As the NBA Finals approaches, a rivalry is renewed as the Mavericks take on the Heat again after the Mavs lost to the Heat in the 2006 Finals. Both teams have gone through significant changes after five years. Even though the Mavs could not fill their roster with All-Star players, they have improved for the better.

Here are few things to look out for in the Mavs:

1. Dirk Nowitzki is still the MVP of his team. Nowitzki have improved his defense to complement his offense. Nowitzki is fast on the dribble and he can easily pull up and hit the fade away. He can affect both his team and the opposing team mentally when he makes tough shots and lifts his team spirit up when they are on a scoring drought.

2. Jason Kidd is arguably the best pure point guard left in the playoffs. He can find his teammates open and make excellent passes. In the playoffs he is making and attempting more three pointers than in the regular season. The Heat can not afford to lay back against Kidd just because he is 38 years old.

3. Since the Heat play really tight defense, the Mavs will be taking plenty of three-pointers. If the three-pointers go in, it will open up the defense inside the paint allowing players to drive in and get the rebound.

NBA finals: What to look for from the Dallas Mavericks

Dirk Nowitzki / Keith Allison - Wikimedia Commons

It is safe to say that the Dallas Mavericks have both shocked and impressed many in the 2011 postseason. Not only have they swept the Los Angeles Lakers, they also were able to defeat the much younger Oklahoma City Thunder. Despite all of the flashy plays, the Mavericks were still able to pull through and make it to the finals.

In order to win the Finals, the Mavericks need to:
1) Keep the confidence and the aggressiveness they exhibited in the semifinals against the Lakers and conference finals against the Thunder. These two modes are big time factors in playoff success, as stated by Jack Nicklaus. "Confidence is the most important single factor in this game, and no matter how great your talent, there is only one way to obtain it-work."

2) Use their height to their advantage. The Dallas Mavericks have a seven foot tall power foward, Dirk Nowitzki, who is one of the best shooters in the NBA, and definitely the best shooter for his height. In his stint against the Lakers, Nowitzki averaged 25.3 points a game, shooting at 0.727% from three pointer range. In the Conference Finals, he averaged 32.2 points a game. His smart shot selection and ability to play in the clutch will surely be a challenge for Miami to defend. Dirk has also been the MVP of the 2011 playoffs so far.

3) Keep up their solid defense. In the postseason against the Lakers, Dallas was able to clog up the lane and slow down Kobe Bryant. This same defense will keep LeBron James and Dwayne Wade out of the paint, and pose a harder challenge for Miami to use their speed, youth, and athletic ability. Dallas' defense also made Pau Gasol disappear. If they play the same against Miami, Chris Bosh will not be as effective, and he will be unable to fill in for James' and Wade's lower point totals.

4) Keep their guns warm and loaded. Lights-out shooting has always been a part of Dallas’ formula. In addition to Dirk, Peja Stojakovic has also shown his ability to hit threes. Jason Kidd has also stepped up. It is safe to say that Dallas has a trio of all-time range shooters. You cannot forget about Jason Terry, because this guy can get hot. In Game 4 against the Lakers, he had a playoff record-tying three-point performance.

5) Use their experience to their advantage. All four of the primary shooters have tons of playoff experience and have a track record of performing well in the clutch. It is safe to say that they will not be intimidated, even when the word Finals is printed on the floor. Miami lacks experience, because two of its three star players are missing an NBA ring, and the only player who has (Wade) did it in a landscape nothing like the NBA of today.

The Edge The Mavs need to win

The Dallas Mavericks are a veteran team who all have come up short during the Finals. All of their players have been close so they know the feeling of defeat. In order for the Mavericks to be successful in this series, the following has to happen:

• Dirk Nowitzki is averaging 28.4 ppg and is only missed two free throws in the last round vs the Thunder. Dirk is doing great all around the court and he is virtually unguardable.

• They shoot 39% from three point range and average eight a game giving them 24 points from three land

• Their bench is strong, filled with pure scorers such as Jason Terry and Peja Stojakovic . These guys come of the bench and  giving 10 to 15 points of offense per night.

• They have powerful paint game led by Tyson Chandler and Shawn Marion. These guys control the rebounding in the Mavs.

• The Mavs play great zone defense keeping Dwanye Wade out of the paint. If they can keep Wade under 20 points, it will be an interesting series to watch

What to Expect From the Dallas Mavericks

Dirk Nowitzki/ Keith Allison via Getty Images

Game 1 of the NBA Finals is finally in sight, and it is important to recognize the key players and advantages that the Dallas Mavericks are bringing to the game. One should look for :

1. The Mavericks will put foward Dirk Nowitzki to make crucial jumpshots and pick up their offensive game-play overall.
2. Defensively, the Mavs stand capable of limiting the Miami Heat's scoring ability with Jason Kidd, Shawn Marion and DeShawn Stevenson.
3. Overall, they must be able to maintain their high points per game average while stopping the "Big Three" from the Heat, which includes Wade, James and Bosh.

For the Mavericks, Caron Butler's ability to play in any of the playoffs games still remains a mystery although Coach Rick Carlisle said it was not likely. This absence probably wont impact the offensive play too much for the Mavs but they could always use his consistent shooting. Before Butler was injured, he averaged about 15 points per game and that would only add to the high scoring average held by the Mavs. In terms of defense, the Mavericks will look for the ability of Tyson Chandler in playing strong defense that will shake off Dwyane Wade and Lebron James. His ability to pickup rebounds can also aid the Mavs in setting up for good shooting plays.

Why Miami Will Take It All

Dwayne Wade / Flickr

1. LeBron James and the Big 3 - The biggest factor in this series will be the coordination of James, Wade, and Bosh. If you double Lebron, Dwyane Wade will score. If you box out Wade and Lebron, Chris Bosh will make lay-ups. As long as these three are in sync, the offensive is flawless. Lebron going for the dunk is almost guaranteed scoring or foul. This massive guy is like a bull when he rushes to the rim.

2. Defense - This is a strong point, and was key to their victory against Chicago Bulls in game 5. Even if the offensive scores, the main point in their tight defense is putting pressure, wasting the shot clock, and ultimately causing the offensive to take bad shots.

3. Homecourt Advantage - During the playoffs the Maimi Heat have not lost a game played at home. The finals consist of four home games for the Heat. If Heats can win both home games, then they will stay in this series even if they lose the next three games in Dallas. Game 6 and 7 are both in Miami so winning both home games are essential.

Miami Heat's fight for victory.

The Miami Heat and the Dallas Mavericks have very little experience with obtaining a championship, which makes this victory that much sweeter for both teams. Miami has only won once, and the Mavericks have never won. Both teams also lost in the first round last season. The tension is high for these teams.
Miami has the upper hand for the finals with more points per game and less points allowed than Dallas. Also, with the big three, LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, and Chris Bosh, Miami became a hard team to beat. James tops his new rival, Dirk Nowitzki in rebounds and assists per game. Many people believe that Miami will win the finals because of the Heat's defense. In an interview of Derrick Rose, the Heat's defense was hard to penetrate. “Tonight was a tough night,” Rose said. “They played tough defense." But the Mavericks however, did improve their defense. Their improved defense is the largest factor in their advancement to the playoffs. But for Miami, the hardest part against Dallas will be going up against Nowitzki. James and Wayde will have a lot of work to do.

Why I like ice hockey

LeBlanc vs. Ponich/ArtBrom/Wikimedia Commons

1. Fighting: It is awesome because fighting is legal. Seeing a hockey match with a fight is like getting a 2-for-1 deal because you see a great (and funny) fight that involves two grown men trying to maintain their balance by grabbing each other's jersey with one hand and trying to rock the other person with the other. Furthermore, fighting in other sports, such as football, is highly illegal and looked down upon, where a fight on the field is a fineable offense of up to $50,000. In hockey, getting into a fight results in a five minute penalty in the penalty box, nothing more.

2. Energy: Being in Madison Square Garden during a big rivalry game, such as the Rangers vs. the Islanders is defeinitely a thing of beauty. There is more energy and "bad blood" in that building than any other event at Madison Square Garden. It is so intense that at times, you actually could cut the tension in the air with a knife.

3. Sudden Death Overtime: There is no time limit, and points are difficult to score. In soccer, you know that even if the game stays tied at the end of the overtime period, there is a shootout to determine the winner. Hockey is the opposite, where overtime ends only when someone scores. The stakes are high and the intensity higher. In basketball, there is a time limit and you do have a feeling when the game will end, regardless of who the winner is. In hockey, that feeling does not exist, as a split second separates complete jubilation and the sickening emptiness of defeat.

Stanley Cup at the NHL Hall of Fame/Wikimedia Commons

4. Integrity: Hockey is one of the only sports where most players are not paid an arm and a leg to play. In basketball, Kobe Bryant gets paid upwards of $20 million a year, regardless of whether or not he wins a playoff ring. Hockey players do not get paid that much, and they are mainly in it for the glory of becoming a Stanley Cup holder. Not only do they want to hold the Stanley Cup, they will do whatever it takes to win. They will block the puck with any body part, take big hits from large men, play with broken bones and deep bruises like it is nothing, all because of their desire to win.

In a recent playoff game, Ryan Smyth, a forward for the Edmonton Oilers, was hit in the face with a puck and lost several teeth. If this happened to a basketball or baseball player, they surely would not play for the rest of the game, and skip a few games/practices because of the pain and damaged image. In Smyth's case, the referee scooped the teeth off the ice, and within five minutes Smyth came back on the ice all stitched up and ready to play. They have an extremely high pain threshold, showing their determination and dedication to the sport they love to play.

5. Image: A hockey player's is against most of society's standards. In hockey, the more missing teeth you have, the more dedicated you are, and as a player you wear your lack of teeth with pride. Same thing with all the bruises and the deformed bones and cartiledge. In a society where everyone is into getting plastic surgery to fix the most minor mistakes and lacerations, I find it to be inspiring that NHL players live above the influence, ignore society pressure and ignore what is implied that they have to do.

Why I like squash

Many people do not know much, if anything, about squash. And those that have heard about it confuse if with lacrosse, tennis, or racquetball. Squash is a sport that originated in Europe and had its rise in popularity in the 20th century. The sport is played with two people on a court. Both players use their own squash racquet to hit a small rubber ball to a front wall. The objective of the game is to make sure that your opponent cannot hit the ball to the front wall.

Squash is a really fast paced sport, competitive sport. But it is also an extremely fun sport. . Collegiate squash is amazing because these athletes are great squash players and they do not work alone like the professionals. They work on a team. Each player only needs to count on him/herself to win the match, but counts on his entire team to beat the opponent. Squash allows one to have that sense of a team because each player practices with his/her team and hopes for them to win their matches just as much as they push for their own victory. Squash is also a sport that anyone can play. I have personally played with people who were amazing squash players and were 60 or 70 years old. Squash keeps people young. Someone may not be able to move as fast as he could when he was twenty, but he can definitely play better.

Squash is an amazing sport because it is all about deception. Good squash players keep an eye on their opponent in order to anticipate the next shot. Some one may think, "his body is back wall so he is probably going to hit a backhand boast," and most of the time, the anticipating person will be correct. But a great squash player knows how to deceive He can occasionally have a bad form and still make the shot. He can form up for a rail and hit a drop to the nick. Squash heightens one's reflexes just because of the unanticipated shots. Squash is plainly an amazing sport all around.

Why I like boxing

Boxing isn't just a sport, it gives one a sense of confidence by overcoming your fears and summoning courage by climbing through the ropes into the ring to face someone. It requires a huge quantity of strength, power, speed, endurance, reflexes, intelligence, and will power. Anyone can start out boxing as an average guy and come out feeling better about them selves physically and mentally. Knowing you can take a hit and give some back yourself is one of the greatest feelings ever. The feeling of helplessness fades away and gets replaced by a new, confident attitude. Boxing is a sport where you are tested to your limit, and where a strong will power can change everything. You can go from being knocked out around in one round, to total domination.

Boxing also is one of the best workouts and will get your body into shape faster than anything else. An average boxers body has hard, ripped muscles and barely any fat on him. Not only do you get to workout, you get to see people better than you workout and fight. Seeing a professional as a novice working out in the same gym inspires most people to work harder because they do not want to feel like the difference in skill and power is too great. I tend to find myself absorbed in my workouts and barely notice I am covered in sweat. Just having a spar is exhilarating and when you win, you feel great.

Reasons to love basketball

Basketball has been and still is one of the most popular and widely viewed sports in the world. But with this much popularity a question arises; why do we like basketball? It’s interesting that this simple game of two teams trying to put the leather ball into a circular net attracts so many. If you look at any school the chance that they have a basketball court is very high. Basketball courts are at most parks whereas football fields, soccer fields, and baseball fields are harder to find since they require so much space. Basketball has become so popular that there is even water basketball, beach basketball, and even wheelchair basketball.

Unlike other sports that require a group of people such as baseball, volleyball, and football, basketball can be played with only two people going head to head. Basketball is a sport that can be played indoors and outdoor, but sports like baseball require an outdoor field. Professional basketball requires a hoop and a ball, whereas football or baseball requires a bat, ball, helmet, and gloves.

One of my favorite things about basketball is that there is no limit to how you can score. You can make a lay-up, a jump shot, a three point shot, a dunk, etc. The creativity to basketball is endless, one can do a no look pass, alley-oop, full court shot, 360 dunk and so on. In football or soccer it takes a while for one team to score, but in basketball it simply takes 24 seconds or less to score a basket. Sports that take too long to score loses the interests of the viewers, therefore viewers who have no patience should watch basketball instead. Lastly the best thing about basketball is that it is an easy sport to learn therefore everyone can quickly adapt to it.

Stepping into the ring

Boxing is played with one goal in mind and that is to knock the opponent down for a ten count. The ring is a battlefield where it takes strategy, power and skills to survive. The fights take place on a canvas where blood and sweat paints the picture. Even if a boxer gets knock down, if they get up before the ten count then they are ready to head into battle once again. All boxers chase for victory because at the moment of victory, the lights are so bright and the cheers are so loud that one is entranced in a state of happiness. When the audiences flinch, cheer and scream then it truly becomes a fight to remember.

Boxers must revolve their whole life around boxing. Boxing is not only about battling your opponent but also with your own weakness. Confidence is essential for victory as it differentiates a full weighted punch from a light punch. Boxers must box with a strong mentality so that they can endure the pressure of being stared down and every punch that pierce through their defense. For those who do not have talent, they have hope in how much they practice. When boxers enter the ring, there is no one else to rely on except on yourself and the huge amount of training before the match.

Why I Like Cross Country Running

Race starting line at Van Cortlandt Park/ Tom Henning

Cross country running encompasses the most important values that one can take from sports. It is widely participated in when it comes to high school teams although it can also be considered an individual sport. Runners may practice together, but when it comes to race day, one is in a constant battle against every other runner and most importantly, oneself. The body's true stamina and capability are determined greatly by the mind when it comes to running. As a competitive sport, cross country demands one to have complete control over the thoughts that say its time to stop or slow down when you really should not. The mindset of a runner always has the ability to be honed since running a race is a having to constantly make decisions all the way through. A racer has to consider what how long to keep a certain pace, when to surge another racer and must also be conscious of the body. It always feels great to be in tune with your body's physical workings and have enough discipline to control yourself under strenuous activity.

The physiological aspect of running; as with any sport, is important although the right mental capability is needed to truly excel. The true magic of running is the learning experience that is gained about how your own body responds to stress and actually builds off of it for strength. Progression is the drive for running cross country and there is no other feeling like sprinting the last stretch of a race and demoralizing the unsuspecting victim who lets their guard down. As a result, there is a predatory instinct in overtaking another runner and it makes the whole thing exhilarating. After gaining experience from every race, I love getting more accustomed to identifying the runners who I can overtake early on and those who I'll take later on. Perhaps even more satisfying than getting ahead of someone is taking back the lead position from someone who has surged ahead of you. Learning how to respond to being beaten or left behind is one of the few things that helps me to grow as an athlete and a person. It feels great to see yourself recuperating from a tough loss and it propels you forward to set higher standards.

The standards that one chooses to pursue when taking up running define what kind of experience you draw from it. One can set goals to run at a certain pace, complete a longer distance or run in an event that bears some personal significance. The biggest sense of accomplishment for me is knowing that every ounce of effort I put into my workouts and practices all help me finish strong through the finish line of a race. With competitiveness aside, participating in the sport itself is an amazing experience because of the scenery one encounters. From the tree populated trails of parks to grassy riverside courses, they all produce an amazing sense of serenity. Running throughout every season also keeps you in tune with nature and allows you to fully experience it as you tread through the snow, endure the rain and withstand the overbearing heat. Running with the Flying Dragons however, is the most rewarding factor for me since it allows me to bond with great teammates and the incredible coach; Tom Henning.

Why I like tennis

I like tennis because the outcome of the match is completely dependent on the individual player. It's as simple as if you play better than your opponent you win and if you don't you lose. In other mainstream team sports one can feel like they did everything they could but their team came up short. This is difficult because on one hand you are happy you personally did your best but also upset that the team could not get a win. In tennis you don't have to deal with these conflicting emotions because it the sole responsibility of the player to either win or lose.

I also like tennis because it is not only physically tasking but also mentally challenging. Matches can be long and grueling and wear down a player physically however the most challenging aspect of tennis is the mental side. A player can win a hard fought point hitting shot after shot but if the player loses focus and misses his next forehand that negates all the hard work they had previously done. In sports like baseball, basketball, football and soccer players can have a momentary mental lapse and usually suffer no consequence. In tennis every mental lapse will almost surely cost a player the point.

Lastly tennis involves very little luck, you simply make shots or don't. In other sports you can catch a lucky break and win but in tennis the superior player will win.

2011 HSMSE Boys Volleyball Season Recap

2011 HSMSE Boys Varsity Volleyball Team

Although the HSMSE Dragons started out with a win, the passing season was a bumpy ride. HSMSE’s boys volleyball team is a rising club with no senior players. The team had five victories this season; however, this was just the beginning. As the team progresses to next season, they will be able to play better together. According to outside hitter, Yassine Khaliqui, the team was able to work together well, but still can improve. “We worked very well, bonded with each other so that next year we will be able to work better.”

After considerate thinking, players Leon Jon and Xinghai Zhang agreed that Thomas Kui is the team's most valuable player. The team plays considerably well when everyone on the team contributes and Kui greatly adds to the play on the court. Kui leads the team in multiple stats with 15 aces, 65 service points, and 33 kills. He especially provides support through his defense with 41 digs. When he returns spikes and makes plays, the whole team feels comfortable and encouraged.

Although there are no senior players, there are many players who now have a second year of competition under their belts. Everyone who was on the team last year greatly improved over this past season. Kenneth Hungria, a junior on the team, was one of the returning players from last season. His stats increased drastically this year. In the 2010 season, he had only 21 service points and 34 assists, which increased to 33 service points and 66 assists in the 2011 season. Many of the other players had similar increases. This shows how much better the team is getting and their ability to improve.

When asked about a memorable game for the team, coach Diunte reflected on their last of the season against Frederick Douglas Academy. He remembers having called a timeout at a pivotal point in the match and noticed a change in the team's attitude. “You could see after the timeout that they were determined not to lose that match,” said Diunte. The team’s evident determination drove them to push themselves in the game. Diunte remarked about their hustle during the game. “They dived for balls and saved plays [which] made for exciting game play.” This was the extra effort that gave them the 2-1 lead over FDA, which they were able to secure until the games end. The Dragons had encountered the team once before in early April but lost 2-1. This time around, Diunte noted that our own team, “Carried the momentum and easily won the game to avenge the loss against FDA.” In that game, Ardit Piroli made 9 kills while Thomas Kui had 18 service points and Kenneth Hungria led with 10 assists. With 20 assists overall, the boys volleyball team demonstrated that they are capable of working efficiently as a team when the circumstances are pressing.

Many of the players on the team see growth for next season. Freshmen player Spencer Sharp said, "We have a long way to go to reach the top because we are a young team. We are still growing. We can get a lot better over the year.” According to Sharp, the team played better as the season went along. “We got a feel of each person’s ability. Through playing together, we found out each other’s strengths and weaknesses.” Learning these strengths and weaknesses will allow the team to realize this improvement next season.

Contributed by: Marcelo Bravo, Daniel Lee, Haoli Mei and Ankhe Tomer

2011 Boys Varsity Volleyball Stats

Player Name	Matches	Aces	ServicePts	Assists	Blocks	Digs	Kills
Ardit Piroli	11	5	24	1	0	10	44
Benjamin Moosher	10	3	9	0	1	2	15
Benny Yan	7	0	3	0	0	1	3
Dionys Guiterrez	8	0	1	0	0	1	2
Jeremy Wain Hirschberg	12	10	53	68	0	19	17
Joan Lee	3	0	0	0	0	0	0
Kenneth Hungria	12	9	33	66	0	17	2
Kharizza A. Empedrado	5	0	0	0	0	0	0
Leon Jon	2	0	0	0	0	0	0
Rudy Outar	12	7	42	1	1	12	24
Spencer Sharp	12	0	0	4	0	4	4
Thomas Kui	11	15	65	1	0	41	33
Xinghai Zhang	6	0	0	0	0	0	0
Yassine Khaliqui	12	9	40	2	0	30	29

HSMSE Varsity Girls Softball team dusts off the bats and cleats

2011 HSMSE Girls Varsity Softball / HSMSE PTA

The inaugural season for the HSMSE Girls softball team was short, with league play lasting only three games (with two non-league games). This season the girls were in the developmental league, and although they were unable to a secure a win, they showed resilience and improvement throughout the season.

Unfortunately, weather and scheduling limited the amount of practice time that the girls were able to use, inhibiting them from getting into a solid rhythm. In addition, for many of the girls, this season was the first time they competed in organized sports of any kind.

In practice they worked hard on the fundamentals of fielding throwing and catching however coach Adam Kerzner quickly found out that, "good pitching was essential." The Dragons struggled throughout the season with pitching and fielding which made it difficult for the team to win games. Pitcher Diana Acosta said that they also needed to work on their talk on the field. "Our team work has always been good but we have to communicate where to throw the ball better."

The team did seem to improve over the course of the season. They lost consecutive games against East Harlem Pride; however, they only lost by 10 runs in the second of those games after losing by 15 in the first. This was the closest game of the year for the Dragons. In this game the Dragons showed a significant improvement in their pitching and fielding.

Looking forward to next season the Dragons have a huge opportunity to improve. "I hope we can win next year, we've only been getting better because we are attending practice and working hard," said Acosta. Coach Kerzner is excited about the prospects for next season. "Most are sophomores and have two years to get their game up."

- Contributed by: Kofi-Asiedu Kordie, Matthew Jospehs, Julian Molina-Goni and Hafizul Sarker.

Donna Fintzi batting / HSMSE PTA

				Batting		Statistics
Player Name	Games	Hits	Runs	RBI	2B	3B	HR	BB	K	SB	BA	OBP	SLG
Diana Acosta	1	1	2	0	0	0	0	2	1	0	.250	.500	.250
Sadichchha Adhikari	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Maria Barinova	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Leah Cabrera	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	2	2	0	.000	.333	.000
Hannah Creutzfeldt	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	4	0	0	.000	.555	.000
Donna Fintzi	1	1	1	0	0	0	0	3	0	1	.250	.571	,250
Ashley Guthrie	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	1	2	0	.000	.200	.000
Samantha Kombel	1	1	1	0	0	0	0	3	0	0	.250	.571	.250
Katherine Marlowe	1	1	2	0	0	0	0	1	1	0	.250	.400	.250
Christina Muñoz	1	2	2	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	.500	.600	.500
Janet Nelson	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Zainab Oketokoun	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Themla Perez	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	1	2	0	.000	.250	.000
Emily Sanchez	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

Diana Acosta pitching / HSMSE PTA

				Pitching		Statistics
Player Name	Games	Wins	Loss	Saves	ERA	Innings	H	R	ER	BB	HP	SO	#P
Diana Acosta	1	0	1	0	10.50	4	11	27	6	0	0	5	97

Contributions by: Julian Molina-Goni, Matthew Josephs, Hafizul Sarker, and Kofi Asiedu

HSMSE baseball team finally takes the field

The HSMSE Dragons boys baseball team made their PSAL debut Tuesday at Randall's Island against the Campus Magnet Bulldogs after having their first two games postponed. The Dragons were anxious to get on the field and it was evident from the first inning of play. Coach David Scheiman said that it took the players a few innings to get over the shock of taking the field. "Initially they were nervous and didn't have the ability to get into game mode. After two innings they started to change."

The first two innings were marred with errors and wild pitching by the Dragons. Campus Magnet jumped out to a 9-0 lead after the second frame. Senior pitcher Daniel Perez admitted he was overcome by the pressure surrounding the first game. "I was nervous; I hurt my back the night before and was worried about it while I was pitching."

In the top of the third inning, the Dragons started to come to life with the help of relief pitcher, senior Matthew Josephs. Josephs started the game at second base and was summoned to the mound to relieve Perez. Josephs quickly cooled off the Bulldogs' bats, allowing only one unearned run for the next two innings.

"It was fun to be out there. I wasn't getting my fastball over so I switching to my change-up which they started swinging at and missing," Josephs said.

The Dragons bats heated up in the bottom of the third due to the timely hitting of Josephs and junior catcher Zach Elvove. After two walks, Elvove plated both runners with a double to left-center. Two batters later, Josephs scored Elvove with a single over the shortstop's head.

Unfortunately, this would be the end of the Dragons' scoring, as they could not muster a counter-attack late in the game. Their defense improved as they got deeper into the game, with junior shortstop Leo Pena making a nice play in the field and first baseman Harry Cummins making a diving stop to save an extra-base hit.

The final score was 14-3 after six innings. Even though the Dragons lost their first game, they felt a sense of accomplishment by getting on the field. "It felt good to be out there even though we lost," Perez said.

Josephs saw a spark in his teammates during the second half of the game that caused him to be optimistic about the remainder of the season. "We could win a couple of games if guys swing the bat and field better." 

Coach Scheiman was proud of his charges after such a long wait. "This was four years in the making, the guys never gave up and had full support of each other."

Get next year champs...

Pau Gasol without the ball
Andrew Bynum fouls them all
Dwight Howard should make the call

Bynum's flaring elbows

Bynum lost his cool
With his wrestling type moves
To bid Phil adieu

Haiku

Lakers swept by Mavs

No surprise Lakers were mad

Played like dust, not champs

The Losing Lakers : A Haiku

The Losing Lakers
Violence is not the way
Good Sportsmanship Please

Lakers Haiku

Bynum and Odom
Mad Kobe was very sad
Lakers are so bad

The shot heard 'round the league

I was watching a UFC match on TV when a basketball game started...

Odom is a big bully
Bynum needs his anger checked
Lakers need to think

Lakers Haiku

Lakers down thirty
Andrew Bynum is now mad
Elbow goes up, the man down

Lakers Loss Haiku

He throws the elbow
Needs to control his temper
Time to change his ways

The Indianapolis Colts improve their offensive line in the 2011 draft

Anthony Castonzo / Sage Autographed Football 2011

Once a year, the NFL Draft rolls around and it is known for providing teams the extra edge they need to become stronger for the next season. One of the teams that look to return to the top through the 2011 draft is the fading Indianapolis Colts. After their Super Bowl victory in 2006, the Colts have been on a slow decline. Last season was one of their worst in recent memory, as they went 10-6 and got eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the New York Jets.

The Colts are not totally in trouble, as they have top rated quarterback Peyton Manning, who is notorious for being able to bring the best out of young players very quickly. Manning has found it difficult to stay on his feet as of late, as his sack totals the last few years have increased. What saves the Colts from more sacks is Manning's quick release. The faulty part in their offense is a lackluster offensive line. Knowing this, Indianapolis Colts General Manager Kevin Moynihan and Head Coach Jim Caldwell agreed that a stronger offensive line would be the main focus for this draft. This contributed to the Colts picking offensive tackle Anthony Castonzo of Boston College as the 22nd pick in the first round.

Life was very tough for Castonzo growing up, as he came from a poor family. He turned to sports as a release and excelled at many sports. Ever since high school, Castonzo has been breaking records and making a huge impact on the gridiron. In addition to playing football, he was also the captain of his basketball team and a fine runner in track and field. This athletic young man earned 2005 All-Area honors from the Daily Herald as an offensive tackle at Lake Zurich and also captured All-North Suburban Conference accolades as a senior. Currently he holds the record for most career starts at Boston College with 54. He is also a Third Team All-American, All-ACC first team honoree and a National Football Foundation National Scholar-Athlete.

He says that he owes many thanks to his family, who has supported him up to this point and continues to support him daily. "My family is ridiculously tight," he said, "I talk with my mom or dad every day, updating them on what I'm doing. It’s a fun time for the entire family, not just for me."

He is valuable to Indianapolis because he is a smart, instinctive and polished player, who can step in and learn the system quickly. He is very good at sinking his hips and using his hands to get into position. At the professional level he will have to work hard on his ability to create paths for his running backs. He also needs to work on his lateral mobility, which scouts viewed as one of his weaknesses. His experience at the collegiate level plays into the game plan at Indy, as they are big on zone blocking in their offensive scheme.

More Info -

NFL Film study: Anthony Castonzo - Mike Mayock

Anthony Castonzo Combine Stats - NFL.com

2011 NFL Draft Grades: Colts Get High Marks For Taking Castonzo, Ijalana - Brad Wells

Anthony Castonzo Draft Profile

Castonzo Leads Offensive Tackle Draft Class

Giant second round gamble on Austin

Marvin Austin / Wikimedia Commons

On the first day of the draft the Giants got a pleasant suprise when corner back Prince Amukamara dropped to the Giants at the 19th pick after many people speculated that Amukamara would be a top-ten pick. However, the pick that could make or break the Giants draft class is 6-2, 315 pound defensive tackle Marvin Austin out of North Carolina. From a talent stand point Austin's size and quickness off the ball made him a sure fire first round draft pick, but after being suspended his entire senior season for improper contact with agents and other behavioral incidents, many NFL teams became weary of his character.

The Giants took a chance on Austin partially because of his undeniable talent, but also because they have had success dealing with troubled players in the past. Ahmad Bradshaw was arrested during his college years and Mario Maningham was caught using marijunia and lied about it to NFL teams. Both of these players have since stayed out of trouble and made valuable contributions to the team. Austin has been saying all the right things so far, calling the experience "humbling" and that once he gets to the facility, "I’m going to bust my tail.” If Austin can follow in the footsteps of his teammates he may end up being one of the biggest steals of the draft.

From a football standpoint the Giants did not have a weakness at the defensive tackle postition; however, the Giants are known for taking the best player on the board regardless of position. Bringing Austin's speed and relentless play to one of the most feared lines in the NFL the unit will create a nightmare for offensive linemen and opposing quarterbacks. According to general manager Jerry Resse, Austin is, “ Going to bring that nasty attitude. ... I like to have some big, nasty guys in your front. I kind of like that.”

This draft strategy of selecting the best player available regardless of position and taking risks on charater issues has paid off for the Giants before. If Austin can stay out of trouble and develop his natural talent he will be a huge asset to the Giants defense.

Lucky Pick for Jets

The New York Jets are known for their prized defense but the Jets' defensive line is getting old and are in need of an upgrade. With only one experienced player under the age of 30, fresh talented defensive players are very much needed. To their astonishment, Muhammed Wilkerson from Temple University fell right into their hands. Being potential top 20 talents in this draft, and prime fit for their 3-4 defensive line, the Jets made sure to not let this valuable player pass. At 6'4 and 315 pounds, Wilkerson will be able to work with his position in the NFL.

Wilkerson was not always a football player, but also played high school basketball. Back when there were weight restrictions in football, he played center on back-to-back state basketball title teams at Linden High where he his developed speed and agility. By the time he had left Linden, Wilkerson started playing football and dominated with 17 1/2 sacks in three seasons at Temple. Wilkerson probably won't start, but he will be in the defensive-line rotation and intime, will be able to be properly included into the line.

The new 'Ironhead'

Cameron Heyward / Sage 2011 Football Card

Ohio State's Defensive Lineman, Cameron Heyward was the first pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers (31st overall pick) in the 2011 NFL draft. He was surrounded by professional football players since he was a kid, and now he has become one of them.

Heyward is the son of Craig "Ironhead" Heyward, former running back for the New Orleans Saints. Although he followed in his fathers footsteps and became a professional football player, he paved his own road to do so. But he is not defined by his father's accomplishments.

His achievements in high school and college are what makes him qualified to play for the Steelers. They are also some of the reasons why he was the team's first pick. While attending Peachtree Ridge High School, Heyward helped his team obtain the Georgia Class 5A State Championships. That same year, he was the 2006 Georgia Class 5A Defensive Player of the Year. He was not only hardworking on the field, but also in school. He left his high school with a 3.2 GPA. The next year, he began school at Ohio State. As a freshman, he helped the Buckeyes reach the BCS National Championships. As a junior at Ohio State, Heyward led his team to the Rose Bowl, where they won the 26 to 17 against Oregon. Heyward started in 46 out of 52 games throughout his college career. He recorded 168 tackles, 15 sacks, and six quarterback pressures. He even recovered two fumbles, one of which ended in a touchdown.

Heyward always wanted to become a professional football player just like his father; however, he wanted to do it the noble way. According to a CBSSports interview, he wants to do things his own way and doesn't want special attention. "I don't want to live in his shadow...," the younger Heyward said. "I appreciate everything he's done. But I want to do everything by my own. I'm not asking anybody to give me a second look or anything just because my dad was 'Ironhead'." He did not want extra chances and he did not need them. All of his hard work and dedication to the sport over the years allowed him to become the Pittsburgh Steelers' first draft pick.

Both the Steelers and Heyward believe that he would be a great addition to the team. In a conference call, Heyward was asked, "What kind of player is the Steelers getting?" He said he is, "A team-first kind of player, very accountable and a guy that is constantly going to work hard and contribute as much as he can for his team." Heyward is definitely physical and athletic enough to make an impact on the team. He may not start this season, but he will greatly improve the defensive line. His future is promising and he has so much time to develop. While Heyward does not play the same position as his father, he is looking to create his own legacy of the Heyward name. He has what it takes to become the new Ironhead Heyward

Like Father Like Son

Every year there is a draft for many sports to give people the chance to play in the pros. One of the biggest shockers in the 2011 NFL draft was the decision made by the New Orleans Saints to select Mark Ingram. In the past, the Saints were known to be late in upgrading their team. But now they have one of the best quarterbacks in the game Drew Brees, and a great urge to win. The Saints still have to improve their running game and defense. On the day of the draft, the Saints managed to upgrade both of these areas.
The Saints drafted defensive end Cameron Jordan, a talented player with an aggressive nature. The Saints pulled nearly a miracle on the next pick; they pieced together a deal to acquire the best running back in the draft, Mark Ingram.

In order for this deal to happen, the Saints gave up their second round choice in 2011 and a first round pick in 2012 in a trade to the New England Patriots. But, now they have the 2009 Heisman Trophy winner who has excellent field vision and can run hard between tackles. Ingram was drafted in the first round as the 28th overall just like his father was in 1987. In 2008, Mark Ingram Sr. was sentenced to seven years in prison for money fraud. Although Ingram Sr. was in prison he still supported his son by jumping bail and attending his son’s game in Alabama, which ended up in him getting two additional years in prison. It must have been tough to have your father behind bars and still try to focus on your career. Ingram let out all his pain and sorrow as tears of joy came down his face during the draft after being selected by the New Orleans Saints. A bright future awaits for this young talented athlete.

Highest percentage winning rate quarterback

Andy Dalton was selected as the third pick of the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals. It was really surprising Dalton wasn't picked in the first round. Dalton has an impressive career record of 42-6 and has more wins than any active quarterback in the country. Dalton was the most important player of his team and was MVP of the 2007 Texas Bowl, 2008 Poinsettia Bowl and offensive MVP of the 2011 Rose Bowl. What lessens Dalton's value as a football player is his size being 6'2" and weighting in at 215 pounds. He is physically smaller compare to other quarterbacks and his arm strength is labeled as sub par but that is not enough to hold him back as his team was undefeated in the regular season last year. Dalton beats the mentality that size in football win matches.

Dalton played for the TCU Frogs in his college career and earned numerous awards for his plays. After Dalton was redshirted for his first season, he became the starting quarterback for the TCU Frogs. Dalton is considered to be a jack of all trades player that does not have a strength that stands out. While Dalton can not rely on his arm strength, he relies on his play making skills and accurate passes. He can makes passes that guide his reciever to a place with room to run after the pass. Dalton is incredibly mobile and will rush if the other team is unprepared.

Dalton looks to mature into a professional quarterback with the Cincinnati Bengals from his fantastic college career. The Bengals will renovate their offense after last season’s failures starting with the acquisition of new talents such as Dalton and wide receiver A.J. Green. The Bengals intends to strengthen their offense from the draft with four of their first six pick on offensive players. The Bengals previous quarterback, Carson Palmer gave an ultimatum to the Bengals, to trade him or he retires. Since it is clear that Palmer does not want to play for the Bengals which only have two winning season in the past 20 years, it is the perfect opportunity to turn the team over to Dalton.

Tampa Bay's new explosive defensive line

Tampa Bay's two major picks have gone through hard times before they reached the NFL espcially their new defensive end, Adrian Clayborn.

Adrian Clayborn has been going against the odds since birth. Clayborn was born with Erb's Palsy in his right shoulder and underwent therapy in his younger years to manage the condition. To make matters worse, his older brother Anthony, was robbed and killed by two of his "friends" at the age of 21. Clayborn's father spent his son's whole childhood in jail.

Clayborn, with one shorter arm and despite that teams still have to double team to keep him from getting a sack or a tackle. He was a powerhouse in the Big Ten and was voted to the All-Big Ten first team. He is so good on defense that in 2009, he received the Defensive Performer of the Year award. He fits perfectly into the Bucs' new defensive outlook and will be a key part in Tampa's new line.

Tampa Bay also picked one of the best defensive ends in the whole draft, Da'Qaun Bowers. Bowers was expected to be a very early pick, but due to a torn meniscus, teams decided to lay off until later in the draft. Bowers had a excellent career in college and when his injury subsides, he is expected to be a defensive force. Tampa Bay has upgraded their defense and if these two contribute as expected, they can be a contender next year in the playoffs.

Marcus Cannon's fight against cancer

Marcus Cannon / Upper Deck

Marcus Cannon was drafted by the New England Patriots as the 138th overall pick in the 2011 NFL draft. Back in February, the 22-year-old Cannon arrived at the NFL combine as a powerful offensive lineman with a promising future ahead of him. However, Cannon's future quickly took a turn for worse when routine drug tests revealed he had Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, a form of cancer. Naturally, this diagnosis put scouts and teams on edge since it would be a gamble to see if this condition could affect his long-term health. With such a display of talent from the young prospect, it was questioned whether this terrible news would be enough to significantly affect his selection in the draft.

Originally, Cannon was projected to be drafted in the second round as scouts saw potential for his ability to open up the rushing game against defenders using his impressive 358 pound build. Various websites including Bleacherreport.com, held NFL mock drafts and they believed that the Indianopolis Colts were likely to select Cannon. The Colts suggested interest in him even after learning that he had been diagnosed with cancer and was recieving chemotherapy treatments. However, teams like the Cowboys and Steelers that were looking to draft Cannon withdrew their interest and only those with voids to fill on their team would likely take the risk. It became apparent that his appeal in the draft pool took a bigger dive than expected as the New England Patriots ultimately selected him in the fifth round.

Cannon's potential to recover fully was heavily considered by teams interested in him as they want him to play at his best. One of his representatives revealed that he would undergo chemotherapy until late June and doctors believed he had a 90% chance of beating the cancer. When asked about his condition, Cannon emphasized that he was trying to stay calm with his family and celebrate the fact that he was going to be in the NFL. His representatives also reassured that he is likely to withstand the effects of his treatments and Cannon himself said that he felt "awesome." Whether or not Marcus Cannon is physically ready to overcome his battle, it is clear that he has the positive mental capability needed not only to play, but excel in the NFL.

Steroids in the Hall of Fame?

Mark McGwire / Wikimedia Commons

Many players put up statistically remarkable careers during the "steroid era." Now that many of the implicated players career's are over or coming to an end, Major League Baseball faces two major questions; how to deal with their records and if they should be eligible to be elected to the Hall of Fame. There are differing opinions as to how this situation should be handled; however, the most important thing is to have a consistent ruling across the board. This prevents writers and fans alike from having to pass judgment on the severity of individual players drug abuse.

The rule that should be imposed in Major League Baseball, which could be used in other sports as well, is only if the athlete has failed an official drug test administrated by the league would have their records erased and be ineligible for the Hll of Fame. This would mean that players who have just been rumored or implicated in drug use would be given the benefit of the doubt. For example Mark McGwire has never failed an official drug test but it is widely believed that he has used performance enhancing drugs. Therefore under this policy Mcwire would keep his records and not be penalized in Hall of Fame voting.

This solution is not perfect because during much of the steroid era players were not suspended for a first positive drug test so it was not made public when a player failed their first tests. Of the players suspended for steroid use, only Manny Ramirez and Rafael Palmeiro would have received serious consideration for the Hall of Fame. Under this policy Barry Bonds would not be eligible for the Hall of Fame, because although he was not suspended, he had a positive test for amphetamines which did not warrant a suspension for the first time offense. However, players such as Roger Clemens, Sammy Sosa, and Alex Rodriguez would still retain their records and be treated as any other player would be in Hall of Fame Voting.

Even though the past is cloudy and this policy may allow some drug abusers into the Hall of Fame, it would accomplish the most important goal which is to judge every player equally and prevent Hall of Fame voters from having to decide whether the athlete was guilty.



Contributed to by Haoli Mei.