During the 2016 ESPYs, Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, and Chris Paul, together known as the “Banana Boat Crew,” spoke out on the rise of social justice and racial profiling. As prominent figures in the NBA and influential models for those that admire them, they took the stage as an opportunity to influence change and work towards solidarity. They addressed the issues together as not only athletes, but members of the community as well.
Throughout their respective careers, James, Paul, Anthony, and Wade have been superstars that in the NBA have developed a large fan base, not just in the United States, but worldwide. Their celebrity status has allowed them the opportunity to be vocal regarding issues that exist in our society. They have taken advantage of this opportunity during their careers, and view it as a responsibility as a social figure. Anthony addressed his duty as a citizen in a Guardian editorial he wrote in 2016.
“[Speaking out] is not really about politics,” Anthony said. “There’s nothing political about taking a stand and speaking on what you believe in. When I chose to speak out, it was a matter of being honest, speaking from the heart about what’s going on and calling on my colleagues to step up, get out there and put pressure on the people in charge to not let this happen anymore.”
The ESPYs is an annual award show for individual and team athletic achievement and other sports-related performances. The ceremony is broadcasted on ABC and ESPN, where millions of viewers tune in to see their favorite athletes get recognized. With the increased publicity of racial profiling and retaliation within society, prominent athletes took the stage to raise awareness for these issues. They commenced the award show with brief, powerful speeches on the importance of solidarity and change.
“We stand here accepting our role in uniting communities to be the change we need to see,” Paul said during his speech at the ESPYs. “We stand before you as fathers, sons, husbands, brothers, [and] uncles.”
Wade addressed the rise of police brutality in recent years, particularly against African-Americans as a source of the tension in society. He condemned the offenders, and also called on athletes like himself to help modify the culture in America, no matter how difficult it may be.
“Not seeing the value of black and brown bodies has to stop,” Wade said to the audience. “Now, as athletes, it’s on us to challenge each other to do even more than we already do in our own communities. And the conversation, it cannot stop as our schedules get busy again. It won’t always be convenient. It won’t. It won’t always be comfortable, but it is necessary.”
Together, the four stars spoke out on the issues plaguing society as communal members and harbingers of change. Like everyone else, they were tired of the societal inequalities and injustice that has reigned supreme against African-Americans and minorities for hundreds of years. The problems were not new; however, the methods of change and raising awareness in efforts of reaching solidarity as a community has become a mission for these NBA stars.
“The system is broken,” Anthony urged in his ESPYs speech. “The problems are not new. The violence is not new, and the racial divide is definitely not new. But, the urgency for great change is at an all-time high.”
James, arguably the best player of his era, echoed the thoughts of hopelessness that many Americans feel today. He finished their collective speech by calling for everyone to look at their actions and see where they could improve to benefit society.
“We all feel helpless and frustrated by the violence,” James said. “It’s time to look in the mirror and ask ourselves what are we doing to create change. ...We all have to do better. Thank you.”
Authored by Armani Damiron and Michael Stern
Thursday, March 30, 2017
Wednesday, March 8, 2017
Alex West: The rising dragon of HSMSE
Alex West has shown her potential this season as a junior for the High School For Math Science and Engineering’s girls' basketball team. Her impact on the team as a leader and valuable scorer played a large role throughout the season and in the playoffs.
In the 2015-2016 season, West averaged only six points per game. She looked to her team for inspiration for the next season, specifically coach David Scheiman and team captain Annabelle Shultz.
“Mostly Annabelle and Scheiman [have helped me improve] because they knew I had the potential and I have finally been achieving what they always thought I could do,” West said.
West showed great improvement this season as she averaged 14 points per game and led the division in assists. The Lady Dragons finished the season 10-1 and faced Eleanor Roosevelt in their first playoff game, where they suffered a heartbreaking 50-45 loss. West performed well in the playoff contest, scoring 16 points and making key defensive stops.
She attributed their playoff appearance to the strength of the entire team. The team's chemistry improved as the season went along.
“This year we [were] more of a team even [when] we lost," she said. "We are bonded closer together. Scheiman has focused more on the technique behind our shooting and layups, so we have become more consistent and we have had better practice of this.”
Scheiman described technical improvements in West’s play that has raised her confidence on the court. As her role in the offense has grown, so has her output.
“Her dribbling, her shooting, and her on and off-court leadership [has improved], she has been very vocal on and off the court," Scheiman said. "She’s starting to come into her own and feels a lot more confident dribbling and shooting this year.”
As a coach, Scheiman saw potential and growth in West both on and off the court. Since freshman year he was impressed by her athleticism and fierce determination.
“On the court she’s a leader," he said. "She’s a fierce competitor and a lot of the other players will follow her on that effect. Off the court, she is the leader amongst her grade and people look up to her. So pretty much, for Alex for next year the girls [will] look up to her, so if she leads the way they will follow her."
West will be looking forward to playing her last season with the Lady Dragons next year. Scheiman has high expectations for her next season as a leader both on and off the court, as well emerging as a top player in the league with Shultz’s departure.
“I would like to see her anywhere from a 15 to 20 point scorer," Scheiman said. "I would like to see her averaging five rebounds per game. I think she can be a top player in the league, she’s very good in basketball and she can do that next year.”
Although she suffered a crushing loss in the playoffs after improving immensely, West held her head high in hopes of winning it all next year.
“We’ll practice harder, play harder, and I’ll do my best to lead the team,” she said.
Friday, March 3, 2017
Freshmen taking big steps towards a role on the HSMSE basketball team
This season the freshman boys’ basketball players at the High School for Math Science and Engineering have made contributions across the board to a rebuilding basketball team that lost eight seniors. The team has relied upon its younger players for support because of the gaps left at the shooting guard and small forward positions by the graduated players.
Freshmen Jasper Saar and Adrian Wu have been sharing minutes at the shooting guard position, as well as freshman Yahmani Price , who has seen minutes at the small forward position. Price has also made valuable contributions as a rebounder and a scorer. Saar plays well as a ball handler and as a defender. Wu is a sharpshooter who is also a plus defender.
The Dragons went from a 6-10 record in 2015-16 to an 8-6 record this season. This improvement comes after a loss of seven players, three of whom were starting players last year. Their defensive contributions and the ball handling skills of all three players have been valuable assets to the team.
The freshmen have helped to push the offense, especially Price. His playmaking ability is advanced for a ninth grader.
“I’m a good passer and I have [court] vision,” Price said.
This ability is not just an unbacked claim, as he averaged three assists per game which is second only to Jonathan Katzman on the team, who leads the division in that category.
The future looks bright for HSMSE basketball if these freshman continue to develop and get playing time. They show an ability to handle the ball and shoot. If the team can fill the rebounding loss from their departing front court, HSMSE boys basketball will have an opportunity to play post-season basketball once again.
Authored by Charles Dicus and Gabriel Cuilan
Freshmen Jasper Saar and Adrian Wu have been sharing minutes at the shooting guard position, as well as freshman Yahmani Price , who has seen minutes at the small forward position. Price has also made valuable contributions as a rebounder and a scorer. Saar plays well as a ball handler and as a defender. Wu is a sharpshooter who is also a plus defender.
The Dragons went from a 6-10 record in 2015-16 to an 8-6 record this season. This improvement comes after a loss of seven players, three of whom were starting players last year. Their defensive contributions and the ball handling skills of all three players have been valuable assets to the team.
The freshmen have helped to push the offense, especially Price. His playmaking ability is advanced for a ninth grader.
“I’m a good passer and I have [court] vision,” Price said.
 |
| Yahmani Price / Tom Henning |
The future looks bright for HSMSE basketball if these freshman continue to develop and get playing time. They show an ability to handle the ball and shoot. If the team can fill the rebounding loss from their departing front court, HSMSE boys basketball will have an opportunity to play post-season basketball once again.
Authored by Charles Dicus and Gabriel Cuilan
Thursday, March 2, 2017
Eric Abreu’s leadership drives HSMSE boys basketball to playoffs
Eric Abreu’s improvement throughout his four year tenure on the High School for Math Science and Engineering’s boys’ basketball team has propelled the Dragons to their first playoff appearance in five seasons.
In the 2016-17 season, Abreu scored 16.7 ppg, placing him second in his division. His scoring output is even more impressive considering the fact that he has doubled it since freshman year.
“There wasn’t many seniors on the team when I came, so through the years I tried to step into that leadership role,” Abreu said. “[I wanted to] be that leader that we didn’t have.”
Aside from his on-court contribution, Abreu is also a tremendous asset off the court. He must balance his responsibilities in the Mount Sinai concentration, a medical internship that HSMSE offers that requires the student to spend half the school day at Mount Sinai hospital. Abreu makes sure that his work at Mount Sinai does not interfere with his role on the team.
“I try to make up for Sinai when I don’t have school,” he said.
As one of only two four year players on the team, he must be a mentor for players who are not as experienced in the PSAL, and try to mold new additions to contributors for the team. Gabriel Culian is a second year player for the Dragons, and he feels his production has increased through Abreu's guidance.
“Certain times when I was working by myself he would come to me and show me certain skills,” Culian said. “He’s pushed me to strive harder in school and he’s helped me when I had trouble.”
Since the Dragons are heading into the playoffs for the first time since the 2011-12 season, no current member on the team has played a game in the postseason. Despite their lack of experience, Abreu is confident the team will do well.
“Over the years I've been on the team, we've gotten a lot better,” Abreu said. “When the ball is in someone else's hands, they can do something well for the team.”
Authored By Mohammed Kabir, Michael Stern, Matthias Granja
In the 2016-17 season, Abreu scored 16.7 ppg, placing him second in his division. His scoring output is even more impressive considering the fact that he has doubled it since freshman year.
“There wasn’t many seniors on the team when I came, so through the years I tried to step into that leadership role,” Abreu said. “[I wanted to] be that leader that we didn’t have.”
Aside from his on-court contribution, Abreu is also a tremendous asset off the court. He must balance his responsibilities in the Mount Sinai concentration, a medical internship that HSMSE offers that requires the student to spend half the school day at Mount Sinai hospital. Abreu makes sure that his work at Mount Sinai does not interfere with his role on the team.
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| Teammates show appreciation for Eric Abreu / T. Henning |
“I try to make up for Sinai when I don’t have school,” he said.
As one of only two four year players on the team, he must be a mentor for players who are not as experienced in the PSAL, and try to mold new additions to contributors for the team. Gabriel Culian is a second year player for the Dragons, and he feels his production has increased through Abreu's guidance.
“Certain times when I was working by myself he would come to me and show me certain skills,” Culian said. “He’s pushed me to strive harder in school and he’s helped me when I had trouble.”
Since the Dragons are heading into the playoffs for the first time since the 2011-12 season, no current member on the team has played a game in the postseason. Despite their lack of experience, Abreu is confident the team will do well.
“Over the years I've been on the team, we've gotten a lot better,” Abreu said. “When the ball is in someone else's hands, they can do something well for the team.”
Authored By Mohammed Kabir, Michael Stern, Matthias Granja
Nathan Cates: Passion personified
Clank! The ball bounces off the rim and into the big man’s hands. He rises up strong and finishes with contact. The player screams “AND 1!” with ferocity as the crowd cheers him on. This sequence has been a normality in senior Nathan Cates’ high school career, as he’s remained an integral part of the HSMSE boys basketball varsity team.
Cates, who has played three out of the four years, wasn’t always the most dedicated and focused player. During his freshman year, Cates struggled to maintain composure on and off the court and as a result of that, only played in four games his rookie season.
“When you’re younger, you can be hot-headed,” Cates said. “As a captain, you have to keep your head cool.”
Referring to an incident earlier in his career in which he got benched for a scuffle with an opposing player after a foul, Cates said he matured over time. This year he has yet to receive a technical foul and has used his experience to instruct the underclassmen.
“Throughout the years I’ve had a change of attitude,” Cates said. “As I became an upperclassman, I was able to improve through practice and learning from those before me.”
As his focus improved on the court, so did his focus off the court. The only year Cates was not able to participate in varsity sports was his sophomore year of high school, in which subpar grades limited him from playing on the team. Motivated to get back on the team, he began to work harder in school, stating that the desire to play basketball has helped him with his academic responsibilities.
“When I’m doing my classwork I know that it’s necessary to play the game I love,” he said. “It pays off. I used to have academic issues, but it’s not worth missing basketball season.”
The maturing process he has gone through has physically and mentally changed Cates. Averaging a career high 10.7 ppg to go along with 14.7 rpg, his rebounding and his post play has been vital to the Dragons playoff push.
“Rebounding is the beginning of offense,” Cates states. “Every rebound is the start of a new possession. That’s how I get most of my points. Nothing’s better than rebounding.”
Now, as the team gets ready for its first playoff game in five years, Nathan Cates has sustained confidence in himself and his teammates. He believes a title, which would be the first in HSMSE basketball history, is not out of the question.
“We have a great team,” he said. “We have a lot of chemistry. I think we can beat any team.”
Authored by Arik Armstead, Bruce Mayfield
Cates, who has played three out of the four years, wasn’t always the most dedicated and focused player. During his freshman year, Cates struggled to maintain composure on and off the court and as a result of that, only played in four games his rookie season.
“When you’re younger, you can be hot-headed,” Cates said. “As a captain, you have to keep your head cool.”
 |
| Nathan Cates / Tom Henning |
“Throughout the years I’ve had a change of attitude,” Cates said. “As I became an upperclassman, I was able to improve through practice and learning from those before me.”
As his focus improved on the court, so did his focus off the court. The only year Cates was not able to participate in varsity sports was his sophomore year of high school, in which subpar grades limited him from playing on the team. Motivated to get back on the team, he began to work harder in school, stating that the desire to play basketball has helped him with his academic responsibilities.
“When I’m doing my classwork I know that it’s necessary to play the game I love,” he said. “It pays off. I used to have academic issues, but it’s not worth missing basketball season.”
The maturing process he has gone through has physically and mentally changed Cates. Averaging a career high 10.7 ppg to go along with 14.7 rpg, his rebounding and his post play has been vital to the Dragons playoff push.
“Rebounding is the beginning of offense,” Cates states. “Every rebound is the start of a new possession. That’s how I get most of my points. Nothing’s better than rebounding.”
Now, as the team gets ready for its first playoff game in five years, Nathan Cates has sustained confidence in himself and his teammates. He believes a title, which would be the first in HSMSE basketball history, is not out of the question.
“We have a great team,” he said. “We have a lot of chemistry. I think we can beat any team.”
Authored by Arik Armstead, Bruce Mayfield
Wednesday, March 1, 2017
Coach David Scheiman takes Lady Dragons to new heights
Coach David Scheiman has led the High School for Math Science and Engineering Lady Dragons basketball team to the playoffs in three consecutive seasons. In doing so, he has helped many players at the school develop their skills and their basketball mentality. Scheiman has been influential to these student athletes, both as a coach and teacher.
He became the head coach of the Lady Dragons in 2015, taking over a losing team with a 7-9 record. They have come a long way since, sporting a winning record in the three consecutive seasons and a playoff win. He expressed his hands-off approach when it comes to his role in the development of the team.
“I’m more of a player’s coach,” he said. “I kind of let the players dictate what they want to do. Of course I have control, but I think the important part is to give the players the ability to think on their own.”
This approach has been a proven winner, as their record keeps on improving and his players continue to look up to him. The relationship between Scheiman and his players was put on display during senior night when he awarded his graduating seniors with gifts to show his appreciation for them, including a ring for thousand point scorer Annabelle Shultz.
Over the past three years, Scheiman has experienced a tremendous amount of success as the head coach of the HSMSE girls basketball team. A great part of this success has been thanks to the play of Shultz, who in the 2015-2016 season was the leading scorer in the city; however, even with her absence next year, Scheiman is still confident for the team's future success.
“We have a core nucleus coming back and we’re only missing two starters and I think everybody will have to step up a little bit in the future,” he said.
He feels that the team's hard work will play a big role in the team’s success next season. He emphasized the importance of their practice routines during the offseason.
“If they take it seriously and really work hard, I think we can be very good next year and in playoff contention,” he said.
He became the head coach of the Lady Dragons in 2015, taking over a losing team with a 7-9 record. They have come a long way since, sporting a winning record in the three consecutive seasons and a playoff win. He expressed his hands-off approach when it comes to his role in the development of the team.
“I’m more of a player’s coach,” he said. “I kind of let the players dictate what they want to do. Of course I have control, but I think the important part is to give the players the ability to think on their own.”
This approach has been a proven winner, as their record keeps on improving and his players continue to look up to him. The relationship between Scheiman and his players was put on display during senior night when he awarded his graduating seniors with gifts to show his appreciation for them, including a ring for thousand point scorer Annabelle Shultz.
 |
| Annabelle Schultz receives ring from coach Scheiman on senior night / T. Henning |
Over the past three years, Scheiman has experienced a tremendous amount of success as the head coach of the HSMSE girls basketball team. A great part of this success has been thanks to the play of Shultz, who in the 2015-2016 season was the leading scorer in the city; however, even with her absence next year, Scheiman is still confident for the team's future success.
“We have a core nucleus coming back and we’re only missing two starters and I think everybody will have to step up a little bit in the future,” he said.
He feels that the team's hard work will play a big role in the team’s success next season. He emphasized the importance of their practice routines during the offseason.
“If they take it seriously and really work hard, I think we can be very good next year and in playoff contention,” he said.
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