Special Olympics Baseball is on the rise

David Shonis and Kyle Lynch
Staff Writers

Located in the small town of Lawrenceville, NJ, the New Jersey Special Olympic facility is the home to many athletes that are granted opportunities to play the sports that they love. Over the years, the Special Olympics have taken place across the nation in every state providing adults and kids the resources to allow them to play sports. 
  A few years ago, Special Olympics in New Jersey established the first-ever baseball team. For many participants, it is the first time they can live out their dreams of playing our nation’s pastime. 
  Tony Vlahovic organized the sport for the Special Olympic athletes and continues to promote the game. Vlahovic is the current head baseball coach for the New Hope-Solebury Lions team and many team members have put in endless hours to support these special athletes. Students not only help them develop a great knowledge about the game, but also want them to take great pride and joy.
  “I’ve become friends with many of the guys there and the entire program allows many of the New Hope players to give back,” Danny Doherty, senior Lion’s baseball player said.
  Special Olympics in New Jersey teamed up recently with New Hope-Solebury High School and Solebury School to have a unified baseball game in which the Special Olympic athletes could play a short 4-inning baseball game alongside both high school baseball teams and also against the teams too. This is the second straight year that this event has taken place and it has been a tremendous success. The opportunity for these athletes to play baseball with high school players and to learn off of them is something that they will cherish for a long time. 
  “I love their passion for the game. They have rejuvenated my love for the game being around them.” Head Coach Tony Vlahovic explianed 
  Special Olympics Baseball in New Jersey has been growing the past few years. They even took home gold a few years ago in the USA Games. 
  Many companies and organizations that are proud partners of Special Olympics New Jersey and some include: Wawa, ShopRite, United Airlines, TD Bank and the New York Giants. With the help of people volunteering and working with these athletes to teach them the game of baseball, anything is possible for them. 
  The Princeton University baseball team also trains the athletes and holds clinics at their complex to teach players more about baseball. The Somerset Patriots recently gave an athlete from the Special Olympics baseball team the chance to fulfill his dream of playing baseball for a semi-pro baseball club. 
  Without all the contributions from high school baseball teams, colleges, organizations, parents, kids and coaches, none of this would be possible. 
  Coach Vlahovic explained what sparked his interest in coaching and he said, “The reason why I got involved in coaching Special Olympics Baseball was I felt that these people can play baseball, but; we’re never given the opportunity to play.” 
  This baseball team that has been put together by Special Olympics in New Jersey deserves recognition for the effort and hard work that they put in to make these athletes happy and to open more doors for opportunities to play baseball.

2017 NBA draft is right around the corner

Will Kelley, Parker Cane, Justin Horak, Connor Fitzgerald

Staff Writers

The 2017 NBA draft is one to look forward to. There are many prospects that have showcased their skills during this years NCAA March Madness tournament. With UNC winning the title, their top 2 players Joel Berry II and Justin Jackson look like they could be solid late first-round picks. The 2016 draft class has not impressed many people, but rookies Jaylen Brown and Dario Saric have been very solid players for their respective teams, the Boston Celtics and the Philadelphia 76ers. With the Brooklyn Nets trading away three future first-round picks to the Boston Celtics, the Nets terrible record has rewarded the Celtics with the first-overall pick, which they will most likely use to take Point Guard Markelle Fultz from Washington State. Other teams that look like they will receive a top 5 pick are the Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns, Orlando Magic and Philadelphia 76ers. The top 5 projected picks are all backcourt players, meaning a Point Guard or Shooting Guard. The most exciting prospect is Point Guard Lonzo Ball from UCLA, the Ball family consists of three boys who are all basketball superstars. Ball showcases beautiful court vision, shooting perfection and can occasionally throw down vicious dunks.

 Some notable players worthy of attention are Malik Monk, a guard from Kentucky University who can bring prestigious shooting and quick defense that can transition into offense. Monk proved what he could do while playing for Kentucky in this year’s NCAA tournament. Kentucky went to the Elite 8, but fell short to tournament champions UNC. Monk hit two clutch three-pointers in the closing minutes to keep the game close. De'aaron Fox another guard from Kentucky looks to be a top 10 pick as he showcased his skills along with Malik Monk in the tournament, most people would probably give Monk the edge over Fox because of his shooting. Other prospects that look to go in the top 10 are Josh Jackson, Forward from Kansas, Dennis Smith Jr., Guard from NC State and Jayson Tatum, Forward from Duke University. Overall, this year's draft is one to look forward to as many of these prospects are capable of reaching their full potential in the NBA.

Barcelona wins El Clasico on Messi’s game-winner

Thomas Muzekari

Staff Writer

FC Barcelona defeated Real Madrid 3-2 in Madrid on Apr. 23 in the biggest rivalry in world soccer thanks largely in part to another astonishing performance from Lionel Messi who netted two goals that included a game-winner on the last play of the game. That goal was also the 500th that Messi has scored in his career with the Spanish club.

 Barcelona, down three points in the standings coming into this match, needed a win to give themselves a decent chance at still being able to grasp the league title.

 The game started off fast, and both teams were going at the other. In the first half Messi took a nasty elbow from Marcelo in the mouth which caused him to start bleeding severely. Messi would then play the rest of the first half with gauze in his mouth.

 The first goal of the match came from Casemiro for Real Madrid in the 28th minute, but then Messi, with some of his magic, scored just moments later to equalize in the 33rd minute. The score at halftime would be 1-1 after an exciting 45 minutes of the much anticipated Spanish clash.

 The second half provided many opportunities for both teams, and both goalkeepers were tested and had to make some difficult saves. In the 73rd minute though, Barcelona found the back of the net with a brilliant strike by Ivan Rakitic to put his side ahead 2-1.

 Four minutes later, Messi was taken down by a vicious sliding tackle from Sergio Ramos which earned the center back a red card. So, Madrid was now down to 10 men. Even so, they were able to tie the game 2-2 on a goal by James Rodriguez in the 87th minute.

 But it wasn’t over yet. Barcelona provided a magical moment on the last play of the game. Sergi Roberto surged forward for Barcelona and eventually played a ball to Andre Gomes who was to the left of the top of the box. Gomes then found Jordi Alba on the overlap, who then played a ball back across the center to the arriving Messi, who struck it first-time with that magical left foot of his and into the goal for the 92nd minute winner.

 It was the last kick of the game, and the Argentine went to the corner to celebrate by taking off his jersey and holding it up in front of the crowd. The referee gave him a yellow card, but Messi took it undeniably as he did not care at that point. He just had an unbelievable performance that included two goals, the second of which won El Clasico for Barcelona in dramatic fashion.

 It was a memorable night for Barcelona and the fans of the club, and it was one of--if not the greatest--rivalry games between these two sides ever. It had everything, saves, goals, great plays, controversy, and of course the dramatic ending.

 The 3-2 win put Barcelona tied with Real Madrid atop La Liga standings with five games remaining. Barcelona still needs a Real Madrid stumble since Madrid has a game in hand, but nonetheless, Barcelona is in position to make a run at another league title due to a great team effort and a heroic performance by--as head coach Luis Enrique put it-- “the best player in the history of the game.”

The process has stalled

Lear Asplundh

Staff Writer

After many believed Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid would team up post All-Star break, bad news seemed to swarm the Sixers. After a Feb. 23 scan on Ben Simmons broken foot showed a setback, many Sixers fans grew unhappy. During a Jan. 27 game vs the Houston Rockets, Joel Embiid suffered a knee injury. Bryan Colangelo, President of the Philadelphia 76ers, reported false information that Embiid would be day to day following his injury scare vs the Rockets. A report came out that Embiid will likely have knee surgery during the offseason. Embiid will once again be sidelined the rest of the season.

 During Embiid’s time playing he did look promising, averaging 20 points and 7 rebounds per game. Many were hopeful that he would potentially lead the Sixers to the playoffs, but after minute restrictions and injuries Embiid only got to play in around 20 games the whole season. While on the court, Sixers fans were as loud as during the team’s 2012 run to the playoffs. Sixers fans are furious after the false news by Colangelo that Embiid was day-to-day. Colangelo has lied to the fans many times and fans seem to be done with it. Although it may seem Sixers fans are losing hope, they are still confident in the upcoming draft and offseason to form a championship caliber team.

Girls’ Lax hopeful about 2017 season

Shayna Berman

Stella Kelley

Laura Nagg

Staff Writers

The girls’ lacrosse season is one of the most anticipated times of the school year; players look forward to it from the beginning of the year. With a new JV coach, Rory Yerkes, and several new students joining the team, this year is guaranteed to be exciting and fun, and hopefully successful.

 The girls’ first game of the season, scheduled for March 21, was canceled due to field conditions after the snow storm. While some girls were upset about this, it gave new players some more time to practice and figure out where they belong on the field. Their next game took place at the end of that week, on Friday the 24. Unfortunately, the girls could not pull out a win with a tough loss against Upper Moreland, but it will definitely give the girls motivation to work hard and be prepared for the next game.

 Junior player Riley Brennan claims that she is “really excited for the rest of the season and cannot wait to get outside to play on the actual field.” Along with most of the other junior and senior players, she has been part of the team with Coach Dougherty since freshman year, and a strong bond is definitely present.

 Senior captain Victoria Kalinovich took a break from lacrosse for a few years, but last year she decided to dive right back in. She proves to be a strong leader and uplifts the team, as voted captain by the team last May. This spring will be her final sports season at New Hope, and she reflected on her career by saying: “I love it! I really do love it! I love the people, the sport, the bus rides, the coach, the family-feeling! It’s a great environment to be part of and I’m so glad I get to finish my career in high school sports on this team. I love everything!”

 Betsy Dougherty, the team’s fearless and passionate coach, who played on the Penn State Women's Lacrosse Team, and on the World Cup team for three consecutive years, has been the head coach for the past three seasons and assistant for the year prior. In anticipation of the season and team, Dougherty states: “I definitely see a lot of potential for this team. It is a rebuilding year with our strong seniors from last year gone, but everyone this year is pretty much at the same level and we can grow and advance together. Although there are no real shining stars on our team there’s plenty of skill that can be built upon.”