Wednesday, December 14, 2011
NBA work stoppage ends
Written by: Travis Spitzley '13
After 149 days the NBA lockout has finally ended. The owners and the players agreed to terms on a new deal, and the first games of the season will be played on Christmas day, which is historically one of the most competitive days of play during the regular season.
The normal 83 game schedule will be shortened to only 66 games this year, the first coming on Christmas. Players will only miss about two pay checks, and shouldn’t suffer much financially. Getting back on the court is what most players have been looking forward to during the lockout. Some players have played overseas, while others like LeBron James and Kevin Durant have played a number of street league games in their hometowns and across the country.
Many players signed overseas to play during the lockout, and most of them should have no problem getting back to their NBA teams and out of their contracts with non-NBA teams. However, some players that signed contracts with Chinese teams will have a little more trouble, but should be able to get back to training camp on-time.
The NBA is hoping that they haven’t lost fan support after a successful last season. TV ratings from last season were some of the highest the league has ever seen. Part of this is due to the large number of superstars in the NBA right now, ranging from Kobe Bryant to LeBron James, both of whom were vocal about getting a deal done during the lockout.
The Christmas day schedule includes some of the best teams across the country going head-to-head from coast to coast. The marquee matchup would have to be the NBA Finals rematch from a year ago, as the Miami Heat try to beat the defending champions of last year, the Dallas Mavericks. Another game with big names is the Chicago Bulls against the Los Angeles Lakers. Two of the top MVP candidates from last year, Kobe Bryant and Derrick Rose - the winner of the award - will face off in L.A. The Boston Celtics look for another good start to the season as the face the emerging New York Knicks. The Oklahoma City Thunder play the Orlando Magic, a game that will feature last years scoring champ and defensive player of the year in Kevin Durant and Dwight Howard respectively. The last matchup is the Los Angeles Clippers against the Golden State Warriors, in a game of in-state rivals.
Coach K becomes all-time wins leader
Written by: Travis Spitzley '13
This year college football had a new Coach take over the top spot as all-time wins leader, and now, so has college basketball. On November 15, Coach Mike Krzyzewski beat Michigan State
Coached by Bob Knight, Mike Krzyzewski was a point guard at Army, but was always meant to be a Coach. He’s always had a great knowledge of the game and once he got his chance at Coaching he took complete advantage of it. Now, after winning game number 903, he passed his mentor and former Coach. Coach Knight was announcing the game and mentioned that he wouldn’t be more honored to be replaced by anyone else as the winningest Coach in NCAA men’s basketball. After the game the two met by the scorer’s table and shared a few words and a hug. Both men display an obvious respect for each other as Coaches, as well as people.
As head Coach of Duke he has won four national titles and has gone to eleven final fours. He has 79 tournament victories, which is also a record, and was elected to the Hall of Fame after the 2001 season. One of his other impressive accomplishments was as Coach of the 2008 Olympic team, where he led them to a gold medal. He was an assistant Coach on the 1992 “dream team” which also won a gold medal. With all of his accomplishments, Coach K’s greatest feat may have come after passing his former Coach and friend Bob Knight for the most career wins.
ER wrestling: A tradition of excellence
Written by: Kanon McVicker '12
For many years, Eaton Rapids has been well known for a skilled wrestling program. In November 2011, the wrestling team began practice in preparation for another fantastic season, coming off of a district title last year.
Key returners this year expect to be significantly improved. In an interview, Jacob Stewart claims, “I believe my skills and work ethic have improved in the past year. My varsity experience helped me to find the things I needed to work on in the off-season, and I have become a lot better.” There are few seniors on the team. However, what they lack in numbers they make up for in skill. Jacob Epling is projected to have another successful season as a Greyhound wrestler.
Needless to say, Mr. Warriner and his wrestling team hope to reclaim the district title, as well as the regional title. He says that in order to do this, the team will need to “work hard, be tenacious, and believe in themselves.” This wrestling season is expected to be an exciting one, so come out and support the Hounds!
Boys basketball is ready for a successful season
Written by: Jacob VanVliet '13
December has finally come around the corner and now it is time for the Eaton Rapids varsity basketball team to undergo a long and wintery season. The boys have been working hard all year long for this time. The team participated in the summer ball league and the fall ball league hosted at Lansing Eastern field house and Aim High. They played many tough teams throughout the two seasons, along with practice through June, and workouts during the fall.
With all they have done in preparation for the 2011-12 season, expectations are high. Second year head Coach Luke Brown said, “I expect the boys to win and compete at a high level in every game we play.” Goals that the team and Coach Brown have are high but attainable for this year’s season. “Compete in the league and make a good run in districts” says Jacob Masteller about his goals for the year. Another senior Craig Wells simply says “prove all the haters wrong.” As we all know it is easier said than done, but Coach Brown says he feels good about this year’s team and that they surprisingly may be better than last years team when they had senior point guard Travis Wells, leading all there games in points and many other stats as well.
Returning varsity forward and junior Ta’Ron Gentry says, “A goal that I want our team to accomplish this season is to make a name for our program by winning at all cost.” The 2011-12 season will have a lot in store for them, and they are striving to accomplish goals and get better every day. Come out and support you’re Guys Varsity basketball team this season. Winter fest is January 2nd versus our rivals the Charlotte Orioles.
Greyhound swimmers excited for upcoming season
Written by: Sean Mills '12
After finishing 3rd at the league meet last year the boy’s swim team is hopeful that this year will be much better. “Many of the guys have done club swimming in the off season,” says Coach Jackson, and team captains believe improvement can already be seen. “I think this season’s going to be good, we’ll have a much better chance of succeeding due to the new league,” says Austin Doolittle.
Swimming has one of the longest seasons of all the sports offered in high school going from November to March, plus with three hour practices all season, things can seem to drag on for the team. “Three hours is long and tiring, but it’s the only way we’ll get better,” says Mitch Poyer.
As with every sport, each year teammates must say goodbye to graduating seniors. “We lost some depth last year when Robert Baker and Andrew Benkovsky graduated,” says Doolittle, “but we’re also gaining new swimmers that already have some swimming experience, which will bring more opportunity for victories.” The team is welcoming a new diving coach as well, Lena Wileczek, who will help the team gain pivotal points throughout the season, giving them a better chance for success. With two returning divers that attended the regional meet last year, things area already looking bright for them.
Fewer people have come out for the team this year however, which worries a lot of the boys because in previous years there have always been too many on the team, this year there will be trouble finding people to fill every event. “We’re going to have the best times in a while,” says Jackson
The boy’s team is optimistic that they will succeed. With the help from the new coach and returning members, this season has the potential to be very rewarding.
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