Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Dissecting the UNC-Duke Rivalry

Thomas Muzekari
Staff Writer

The North Carolina and Duke rivalry is arguably the best rivalry in basketball. The two schools are just ten miles down what is known as Tobacco Road from each other. Both the Tar Heels and the Blue Devils obviously have great history, both being among the top five winningest programs in men’s college basketball history, and the two schools have had many exciting games against each other. Every time they play, the anticipation is immense, because of the great players, great coaches, and the overall historic significance of the programs and the rivalry itself.
 Roy Williams’ Tar Heels are 25-5 overall and have a 13-3 record and the lead in the ACC standings. The scoring for Carolina is led by Justin Jackson, who averages 18.8 points a game and Joel Berry II, who averages 14.8 points a game. Inside, Carolina is stout with their size, athleticism, and rebounding, led by Kennedy Meeks and Isaiah Hicks.
 Meanwhile, Coach Krzyzewski’s Blue Devils are 22-7 overall and tied for fifth place in the league with a 10-6 record in ACC play. Duke is led by guards Luke Kennard and Grayson Allen, as well as Jayson Tatum. Kennard leads the team in points per game with 19.9, Allen averages 15.0, and Tatum 16.1.

 Duke and UNC already met once this year back on Feb. 9 at Cameron Indoor Stadium when the Blue Devils won 86-78 in front of their home fans. The two schools will meet again for their last game of the regular season on Mar. 4 at UNC. These games are always intense. Right now, Carolina currently holds a two game lead over the next spot in the standings, and Duke can’t catch them with just two games left. However, the rivalry game could alter seeding for the ACC tournament and could be significant leading up to Selection Sunday on Mar. 12.

The 2017 NBA All-Star Game

Connor Fitzgerald and Justin Horak
Staff Writers

The time many have been waiting for, the East vs West NBA all star game.The game where 12 players are chosen for each conference. There is five starters and seven reserves. The 2017 NBA All Star Game was played in the Smoothie King Center located in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Western Conference defeated the Eastern Conference with a 192-182 final score. Anthony Davis, the power forward for the New Orleans Pelicans, was MVP of the 2017 all star game. He scored an all star game record of 52 points. He had passed Wilt Chamberlain's record with 42 points in 1962. There was a ton of controversy on Russell Westbrook not starting for the Western Conference. Coming off the bench he scored a eye opening 41 points. This was outstanding for many people because he scored the second most points on the team while being the 6th man for the team.
 Brad Stevens was the head coach of the Eastern Conference team. He has been the head coach for the Boston Celtics since 2013. Before his start as a head coach of a NBA team he was head coach at Butler's Men's basketball team. Steve Kerr is an American former professional basketball player and the current head coach of the Golden State Warriors. He coached the Western Conference team of the All-Star game.  Steve Kerr has been the head coach of the Golden State Warriors since 2014. Steve Kerr played for the Phoenix Suns in 1988 and then traded in 1989 to the Cleveland Cavaliers.   


Tuesday, February 14, 2017

Come join Athletes Helping Athletes

Kelly Hyland and Taylor Selbst
Staff Writers

New Hope-Solebury just added a new club, Athletes Helping Athletes (AHA). AHA is an amazing program that focuses on bringing mainstream students and students with special needs together to share athletic experiences and build lasting friendships. In doing so, everyone grows in their compassion and mutual respect for one another.
 Numerous colleges and high schools in our area are involved in AHA. Last year, NHS girls’ basketball team had an amazing experience with having an honorary captain, and participating in AHA fun nights at other schools. This season, the  girls’ basketball team plans on having more Honorary Captain events.
 “I love having an Honorary Captain at our games, I’m looking forward to having more Honorary Captain games this season.” Junior, Sarah Wilson said.
 In addition, the boys’ basketball team will be having Honorary Captains at multiple games this season. Other sports teams are also getting involved in bringing Honorary Captains to their teams.
 Joining AHA is a great experience and something every student should consider. If interested in joining the AHA club, please talk to Mrs. Yerkes, Bella DeVito, Kelly Hyland, Zoe Palau, or Sarah Wilson.
   

Monday, February 13, 2017

Patriots score historic victory in Super Bowl LI


Adrian Roji, Neftali Jimenez-Castro, and Charlie Stadler

Staff Writers
On February 5, 2017, Super Bowl LI kicked off at 6:30 p.m. Eastern time. The matchup between arguably two of the most efficient offenses in the National Football League was sure to be a high scoring and entertaining affair. People packed into NRG Stadium in Houston to watch the biggest sporting event in America, and it sure did not disappoint.
 When people view the box score and see a 34-28 final score, a Super Bowl passing yardage record by Tom Brady, they would assume this game was controlled by the New England Patriots. The irony however, is that the Atlanta Falcons blew the largest lead in Super Bowl history.
 To everyone’s surprise, the first quarter was scoreless, but beginning in the second quarter, the Falcons took total control of the game. After Devonta Freeman punched it in to score the first points of the game, Tom Brady threw a pick six. Things kept snowballing for the Patriots, and by halftime, Atlanta had built a 21-3 lead. The only thing that could seemingly turn the tide in the Patriots’ favor would be a 30 minute Lady Gaga performance.
 Unfortunately for Tom Brady, that did not happen. Atlanta kept rolling, coming out of halftime and  creating an insurmountable 28-3 lead. The game was over. With only a couple minutes left in the third quarter, it seemed impossible for Brady to capture his defining fifth Super Bowl title.
 Matt Ryan had played a perfect game up to that point, sporting a perfect passer rating going into the fourth quarter. To be honest, his play did not dip in the fourth quarter. After a quick score at the end of the third quarter, the Falcons led by 19 going into the fourth. As a Super Bowl caliber team with great coaching and a fantastic offense, Atlanta could just manage the last 15 minutes and come out with a comfortable and unprecedented Super Bowl victory.
 All of a sudden, the Falcons seemingly forgot how to play football and gave the best quarterback ever a chance to get back into the game, which he did. A field goal made the score 28-12, and soon after, Devonta Freeman blatantly missed his block and allowed for a strip sack of Matt Ryan, giving the Patriots the football at the Atlanta 25. Brady capitalized and after a two point conversion, it was a one score game. Everything seemed to be collapsing, but then there was Julio Jones. As it became a one possession game with under 5 minutes remaining, the Falcons just needed to score a point to make it a two possession game and end it once and for all. Julio Jones, on an on-the-run dime from Matt Ryan, made one of the most spectacular catches of the season in order to get the Falcons inside the New England 25 and effectively ice the game. Matt Bryant, the Atlanta kicker, was the best kicker in the NFC this year, so a 39 yard field goal would have been no problem for him. All Atlanta had to do was run the ball and play it safe.
 Obviously the box score shows a Patriots victory, so it is even more obvious to know that the Falcons did anything but run the football. Matt Ryan dropped back and took a sack. A holding penalty was called on the ensuing play. The Falcons punted.
 Surgical passing from Tom Brady and a miraculous Julian Edelman catch allowed the Pats to tie the game, after another two point conversion, and the game went to overtime. At this point everyone knew the Patriots just needed the ball and the game was over.
 They did just that, and the game ended in a James White touchdown. Brady’s legacy was cemented as the best QB ever. But, just like two years ago, the New England Patriots had no business winning the Super Bowl. The Seahawks lost their minds and chose to throw the ball at the one yard line, and the Falcons blew the largest lead in Super Bowl history.
 It is a rough time to be a Falcons fan right now. 28-3. Enough said.