Showing posts with label Sports. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sports. Show all posts

11/22/11

Not much to say...Football done

Twins and Ya Ya and Pa pa

High school football is over. I've had a blast. These boys have made me love this game. I mean realistically, I've always liked football. I had a football boyfriend or two and enjoyed watching them on the field but nothing could prepare me for the love I would have for this game once my boys suited up in the pads.  The thought that my son would take a role in which every game the defender would be set on crashing him and ripping the ball from his hands as he fought for yardage has made me sick, thrilled, insane, excited and many other indescribable emotions. 

Last Friday we lost to a team that was not better than us but, definitely more prepared for the emotions.  We showed up to a dog fight in our ballet shoes. (I posted the whole story, then decided against it and erased it). The boys played their hearts out and left nothing on the field. I'm proud and I continue to fall in love with the men they are becoming more each day.

College awaits, back to the bottom of the totem pole on the football field as Twin A continues to ponder his next move. Twin B moves on to basketball and his senior season on the hardwood. 

On a side note...CJ and Daddy's team won the championship! CJ enters the Ward realm of building a tradition of champions!

4/28/11

HATERS GON' HATE...congrats CAM


I caught my blood boiling today while listening to commentators like Steve Young, spew their "knowledge" regarding just how smart they believe Cam is not.  Reality is if this kid was "lighter" there wouldn't be a problem in the world with his past issues.  The media would say...he's a kid, he was young, his daddy is stupid, that has nothing to do with him. Instead you hate you cause you ain't me. You hate me cause I went to a JC first and did my thing, then transferred and did my thing, and finally went to Auburn and did the DAMN thing, point blank. You hate me cause I am the the alpha male, the BLACK KEN DOLL! 6"6, good hands, good feet, Adonis with a great smile and I'll make more more than you've ever seen. That's the reality of it. deal with it!  Cam's daddy thinks highly of his kid. He said what many others think "all that money my son making for ya'll, he should be getting paid", so what...he said it...DAMMIT! AND? What's that got to do with his son? His son made some early mistakes...just cause he isn't Grant Hill who never made a mistake in his life, and you have been perfect and lived straight your entire life. Everybody's story doesn't start out that way. Yeah, I said Grant Hill...ya hurd me!
"I was very immature during my early career playing college football. I will be the first person to say I wasn't ready to play football at the time. And I was too naive to even think that way, but now I'm looking back at it. I wasn't ready to play football during the time I was at Florida," he said.
Stop sitting and judging people that you don't have nothing to do wit'.  You mad cause your sperm didn't produce no million dollar babies? Don't be mad! Be happy..now you get to sit and hope he messes up every Sunday. Go Get 'em Cam

Sincerely,
Stop hating

2/7/11

The Message


Yesterday, as in each and every day in life, there was a lesson being taught for the entire world to quietly comprehend.


This lesson took place at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas during Super Bowl XLV, a football game played between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Green Bay Packers.

BLACK AND YELLOW, BLACK AND YELLOW
Pittsburgh, led by celebrated quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, was all but expected to defeat Green Bay with relative ease and proudly walk away with the the Vince Lombardi Trophy. Moreover, Green Bay had barely reached the playoffs this season.

BLACK AND YELLOW, BLACK AND YELLOW

Not only was Pittsburgh anchored by a proven quarterback who had led his team to their third Super Bowl appearance [winning both previous contests] in the past 6 seasons, but, most importantly, Green Bay was led by the basically unknown Aaron Rodgers, who played in the shadows of former Packer QB Brett Favre - one of the greatest to ever man the position.

BLACK AND YELLOW, BLACK AND YELLOW

In fact, if you let the experts tell it, as they did in the weeks leading up to Super Bowl Sunday, Green Bay might as well not even bother to show up to the game.

BLACK AND YELLOW, BLACK AND YELLOW

Well, they did.

The Packers showed up and showed out, and walked away as newly-crowned Super Bowl Champions.

GREEN AND YELLOW, GREEN AND YELLOW

In other NFL news, New England Patriots star quarterback Tom Brady was unanimously named 2010-11 NFL's Most Valuable Player award. Brady received all 50 votes.

Somehow, I find it hard to believe that Philadelphia Eagles QB Michael Vick wasn't worthy of a single vote.

Hmm. Again, there is a message in everything.

It's up to you and I to decode it.

11/29/10

Football Season is over

Well, we did our job (yeah, I said we)...but Friday night our season came to an end after facing Grant High School, ranked #4 in the nation, #1 in California. The prediction was that we'd get blown out 70-7! yeah baby! If we had to go out- let it be by the best. We had them on the ROPES! We went up 8-0 quickly after a safety and a trick touchdown.  Our fans were so pumped and let me tell you we were DEEP in the hood!
Too much talk, message boards and news attention the upcoming week about shutting down #30 let them to smash on my little guy each time he came near the ball and let me tell you with a o-line and d-line averaging 260 lbs, I was holding my breath each time he TOUCHED the ball, but I was so proud of my 5'8, 170lb baby that managed to tangle up their 275 lb linebacker all night! YEAH BABY! In the end it came down to us shooting ourselves in the foot multiple times with off-sides penalties time and again and 2 face masks walking them into the endzone. We have the respect of our town and the section and that's all we wanted.  Final score 20-11.  Basketball season starts today for Twin B, Twin A says he will continue to concentrate on football. His rationale...do I want to be a great high school basketball player or play football at the next level. Hmmmm, I love you son. Great season.

11/16/10

Playoffs....Round 2

We made it through Round 1...when I said MADE it...I mean literally. We were down 20-17 when the heavens opened up...yeap! Power Outage. The lights went out ALL OVER STOCKTON! The game resumed the next day and we came crashing back to a 34-20 win to lead us into Round 2. The boys will need to come much stronger for the next round and it's expected to rain.  Maxxpreps spoke to twin and few others shortly after the game:

Image for MaxPreps Video.

7/8/10

Okay Okay Already...Lebron


Since even my mother...the queen of "what was that call, why they doing that, what's going on" (in other words she don't really know basketball), is even calling saying 'Where do you think Lebron is going", I had to answer with a blog.

Seriously folks...I don't care! I roll with Kobe! Need I say more? No, but I will. Get 5 rings then ask me will I watch your special. Win a Championship with NOTHING but Scottie Pippen and BJ and a little bench help, Lose Shaq and pick up Paul Gasal, and pray for Derrick Fisher to have a good night, Hope Ron Artest don't lose his mind, beat the Green Machine then ask me if I care where Lebron is going.


In those anxious, heart-stopping moments before LeBron James addresses the nation on the state of the war in Afghanistan, I'd like to ... wait a minute [this is where Jon Stewart puts the fake phone to his ear] ... I've just been informed that the King's special is not about Afghanistan. It is about his deciding in which American city he will pursue his dream -- our dream, really, the dream of our collective nation, or more like the dream of the world, that's it, the whole world, the universe, that dream. Which is to play basketball, make a lot of money, and just maybe change humankind for the better.

But ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, as much as we are tingling with anticipation about LeBron's decision, to be announced in a one-hour ESPN special cleverly called "The Decision," you do realize that we are staring into the abyss. Because think of it: What will we do when "The Decision" has been, you know, decided? How will we fill the empty hours, the endless, malaise-driven days when there is no longer video of LeBron arriving at his basketball camp, LeBron posting delectable tidbits on his Web site, LeBron tapping out messages on his new Twitter account? We got nothing. An irritating war, something about an oil spill down South, a crumbling job market.
The Amar'e Stoudemire welcome that was plastered on the Madison Square Garden billboard -- incidentally, the same place they advertise the circus every year -- was an interesting diversion, as was his chest-pounding calls for Carmelo Anthony and Tony Parker to join him on the Knicks. But the over-the-top part began with Wade and Bosh,  we want to play on the same team. Can we? Can we? Pleeeeeeeeze? If LeBron joins them in Miami, it'll be all the cool kids on one side, taking over the playground, nerds over there against the wall.

Look, Wade is a great talent and he won an NBA championship in 2006 practically by himself. (Along with a few whistles that put him at the foul line a few thousand times.) But his diva act has been way, way over the top. Bosh is a solid player as well but the attention put upon a guy who at this point is about the 100th best player in NBA history defied belief. In his seven seasons with the Raptors, Bosh led them to two playoff appearances, both of which resulted in first-round exits.

But the big story, of course, is LeBron, who, is drunk on the greatness of his own LeBron-ness. He is clueless of how ridiculous this whole process has been. Scheduling a one-hour show when you have zero championship rings and, at last glance, were seen folding like a umbrella against the Celtics in the semifinals. I'm sure Team LeBron is claiming that "The Decision" is mostly about raising money for charity, but here's a simpler way he could do that -- take a million or two of the 100 he's going to get and write a check to the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. And if he's already done it, do it again.

Oh by the way, my simple pick would be Bulls, where he could actually play with some players like Derrick Rose who, as of now, don't care much about the fame and glory and are enjoying the game and making the entire team better. Just my pick but I don't care cause you still gotta cross Kobe and knock him off the pedastal at some point. That's all

1/25/10

OHHH WHEN THE SAINTS!


Boy boy boy what an exciting game! I was on the edge of my seat all night. What a glorious Victory for the Saints. I rememember when they were the AINTS. I once heard someone say the Saints were the only team who could snatch defeat from Victory...but I've seennnnnnnn the Mountain.

The Saints are SUPERBOWL BOUND DADDY! You tell them folks You were a Saints fan before I was an itch in your pants. ROLL ON SAINTS!

11/15/09

PLAYOFF TIME!

I can feel it come in the air tonight, oh Lord - Phil Collins


Well, it's that time. Been waiting all season for it to get here and now is the time. Playoffs are here and in the SJS Saint Mary's High School is rated #1 baby! Come get it!

Checked to make sure my boys were focused on the task at hand and grades look good. Next checked their myspace pages for inspection and I found this on Twin A's page...

love it!



On Twin B's page I found something equally as good. Love a multi-talented receiver -



Twin B has gone on to basketball. The last JV football game ended Friday night. Saturday morning he was at basketball practice at 8am. This was the last football reminent I found on his page as he's remade it to fit the upcoming basketball season. Still love that round ball! Can't wait for the season to begin but right now I got OUR (YES I SAID OUR)...okay okay, (THEIR) sights set on a run for the state title. It's all for the parents anyway right?

Be back with an update next Friday peeps!

11/4/09

Saints Are ROLLIN!


Yes, I am every bit the daddy's girl you thought I was. I love everything my daddy loves, including THE SAINTS! My daddy has been a Saints fan since their inception. When the Saints were losing he still repped his team with pride. His a Louisiana Boy! (RUSTON - WHA WHATTTT!) Whatcha know 'bout that GSU BABBBBBBY!

Anyway, the Saints are rollin! Only time we..YES now it's we cause like I said "I roll wit' my daddy" was in 1991 in the franchise's 43 year history.


Let's keeping it going guys!

11/1/09

Football Pics

The push for the holidays has begun. I'm getting nervous. Things are getting tight and the economy is starting to squeeze just a little...well a lot.
I'm having fun watching the boys week to week play their football games and I still continue to push them in the classroom. Sometimes it's a struggle. Got some new football pics. Thought I'd share!







8/15/09

Vick Returns


I've been working on this one for a few days and waiting a bit for the ruckus to die down. Honestly though, who am I kidding. I'm just excited as any TRUE lover of football that my boy is back.

I got into a discussion yesterday about the feelings of some regarding Vick and before I even go into my feelings this was one response.

"He sucked before, killed and funded the killing of dogs, and he'll return to the NFL to suck again."

Come one dude...be honest with yourself. Michael Vick and suck have never come in the same sentence. I won't even go into the records he broke at Virginia Tech and all his college stats. In his 6 years in the NFL he had rushing 4,000 yards, 11,000 passing Yards, 71 passing TDs, 21 rushing TDs, and that's just the MINOR stuff that the basic non-football fan would care about. Micheal Vick NEVER SUCKED! See for yourself.

Which leads us to the now. A man who admittedly killed dogs and funded a dogfighting ring, served 18 months in federal prison, has been to more therapy sessions, watched more animal cruelty video, will give more speeches on animal cruelty, not to mention the MILLIONS gone, bankruptcy and shame of the nation. He AND his children will forever wear the last name Vick and he is currently the most hated man in professional sports. He will be shunned by many at most away games and his family dinners will be interrupted by obnoxious dog-lovers from now to eternity who feel the need to never give him a second chance. He has gone from making $130 Million to $1.5. What more do you want?

I will say this again and again and again. I am not a dog lover, can't stand cats (as a matter of fact I've been known to pour buckets of water on strays who find my yard interesting), never had a bird, hamster, turtle...you get the picture. I just don't understand people who shoot deers and birds for sport...okay okay I won't go there but you get the picture.

Now, I do have a small problem with the Eagles picking him up but only for a couple of reasons. I realize they are a big enough program to shoulder what is to come but honestly... If Andy Reid finds a way to get him on the field for 10 snaps per game and Vick becomes an unstoppable weapon. If this happens the weapon may win over the distraction. My guess is Roger Goodell lets him play by the third week.

“We think he brings some elements to the things we can do on the football field that will help enhance our chances of winning the Super Bowl this year,” Eagles president Joe Banner said. “And it’s really that simple.”


The Eagles and Vick, however, are just a bad fit, for a bunch of reasons. This is a tough, blue-collar town. They take sports very seriously. Sports talk radio can be brutal. Eagles fans once pelted Santa Claus with snowballs and cheered when Michael Irvin went down with a career-ending neck injury. Vick would have been better off in Green Bay, where they love all their players, or Buffalo, which somehow has fallen in love with T.O. We won't even go into what happens if he comes back "goes off" and Donovan gets benched again...This will be so much more interesting than The Real Housewives of Atlanta.

Finally, we as parents, role models, etc. teach our children when you make a mistake apologize, DO better! Just because you make mistakes does not mean life is over. Don't we teach our children that? I know I do. What terrible mistakes are hidden in your families closet of secrets? We all have also been taught some things that were wrong by "supposed" role models. We have no idea what Vick grew up being taught up dogs, fighting, etc. Who are we to judge. He has made his apologies and served his punishment. Are you so upset because he is getting a second chance? He's done everything asked of him and thank goodness someone is saying let's give this man and his family second try instead of throwing him to the wolves and letting him being a another crackhead story on Inside Sports. Sooner or later someone is gonna have to foot the bill for an out of work NFL player with bills and kids. I think if I was Michael Vick I'd have to think about a million dollar contract vs. what hell he'll be put through before he Show and Proves. I'll try my chance at the lottery ticket I play each week. Congrats Mike!

8/7/09

Crab-Booty if you ask me!


Okay okay so you all know I'm a bit sports chick and so of course my eyes landed on the screen on Sportcenter after hearing that the newest hotboy of 49ers status, Michael Crabtree has decided to sit out due to contract negotiations.

Wow! I'm just simply amazed. If you are the typical football player Crabtree your life has been somewhat like this - you've been on the field since you were 7-8 years old trying to play this game,laying in your bed at night just begging for a chance for someone to look at you, two a days, three a days. Long hot summers and cold winter nights. Recruiters, Sharks, good coaches, bad coaches, hot weight rooms, bad test scores,youth championships, highschool championships, worrying about the SAT and all the bull that goes along with trying to make it to the BIG SHOW....just for this moment...just cause you LOVE TO CATCH A FOOTBALL! Well I guess now you forgot that some days mommy and daddy didn't have two nickels to rub together or a pot to piss in. Now cause the Niners don't want to give you $23.5 million and you are prepared to sit out a year to prove your point??? BOY YOU AIN'T NO PLAYER!!! GET THE HELL OUTTA HERE!

You know that scene in Remember the Titans were the blacks and the white finally come together and the kids start screaming STRONG SIDE and smacking each other. Well we watch that every year before football season and we get pumped just like it was the first time we've ever seen the movie. Then we watch Varsity Blues, Friday Night Lights and Any Given Sunday just to make sure we still got that feeling. YEAH BABY! There is not a PLAYER I know that wouldn't do what they love EVERYDAY for league minimum if you told them that's all you were gonna give them, take it or leave it.

Now maybe league min. is a little far-fetched but do you really thinking you are in a position to say, "I'll sit out if I don't get $23.5??? The ridiculousness of a guy who’s never caught a professional pass deeming $20-something million is crazy and is a testament to the troublesome way the NFL pays its rookies. A sense of youthful entitlement combined with a flawed system so that the unproven rookie often makes more than many veteran All-Pros.

Don't get me wrong–NFL players EARN their money- a HUGE percentage leave the game as near-cripples dealing with neurological problems. Crabtree still needs to get to camp and focus before worrying about his millions he may earn.

His attempt is to try to get paid off perception, not reality. Pre-draft hype? Come on guy! REALLY?

Crabtree may be a better player than Heyward-Bey, but let's also remember that he played on a high-profile Texas Tech team and scored a dramatic touchdown to upset Texas. Heyward-Bey played for a small Maryland team. Easily why the fans would lean towards him in a "mock draft". Because fans and media are more excited about Crabtree means absolutely nothing.

The Raiders believed Heyward-Bay was better than Michael Crabtree and they put an large contract behind it. So in my opinion it is Crabtree's job to go out and prove that he is worthy, not just talk about a mock draft or what he "believes" he can do once he gets his money.

UNBELIEVABLE!

6/17/09

Mama There Goes That Man...Part 2

Took me a few days but you know I was gonna give it to you!
Don't hate the player...HATE THE GAME

6/16/09

High School vs. AAU



All of these coaches make good points. It's so hard and so much pressure on these kids though. I feel bad for the high school coaches however it sometimes feels as if the AAU Club coaches go make the extra effort to get to "know" their players. By get to know I mean, read their faces, their emotions, know what moves them and what drives them to win and get the most out of each one. Because these coaches are squished into a passenger van or SUV with their players on road trips, staying in a cheap hotel and eating at McDonalds with them they get to KNOW their players. That is why at the end of this segment you heard the player say that his club coach is the one he picks to help him out with his future.

Now that my boys are in high school I see the difference between high school coaches and club coaches. I have the additional experience of having their coach also be their father which brings another link into the picture. Coach Dad knows EVERY ONE of the players on his team. He knows how to tell if "Jimmy" is tired, if "John" can give more. He knows that "Bobby" is having a hard time at home lately, that Shawn needs to hear some encouragement to get him going and that the ball should always be in "Paul's" hand at the end of the game because he's going to make that shot or draw the foul. He knows how to call a time out and look his team in the face and say "dig dammit or I'm calling the season and I'm done with with crap". He wants it as much as they want it.

High School coaches often simply just don't have enough invested in their players. They haven't paid for the player who's parents couldn't afford it. They haven't fed 5of the kids in the SUV with them. They haven't picked up 4 of the kids for practice or talked with them 30 minutes after practice while waiting for their parents to get there. They haven't listened to the conversations going on in the back seat. They haven't had an event outside of basketball to watch the kids personalities. Something as small as sitting by the hotel pool while the boys swim and watching how they interact with each other makes a world of difference. Instead, they get the kid often after he's left the house at 7:00am, done a long day at school, had a bag of chips and soda before practice, flunked his math test and doesn't really feel like running lines because his teammate missed his freethrows. The coach has to play "everybody" on the team. He doesn't understand why Seth feels his minutes are being wasted on the "scrub" behind him who is getting minutes because he comes to practice everyday and who just got beat by his man the last three trips up the court. Lastly, the club kid is unconfident in his coach because not only is he usually a highschool teacher who doesn't get on their level but he's given the kids no reason to believe they can relate to him. Highschool coaches tend to do two things. They either feel the AAU player has a big head already so they do not reward them when they do well or kiss their butt so much that the kid doesn't respect him. You'd be amazed just how far "nice pass or good job buddy" go. These remarks can't just be for the bench players. Let's be honest though. Highschool teachers HAVE to be held to a certain standard though. They more often have to deal with the student-athlete. A club coach is in a position to be a little more personal with the player's family. You actually pay your money to this coach to get the best. Can a highschool coach really grab your kid up by the neck and say "get your ass out there and ball". Not really...a club coach can do it and have a replacement for your kid by next week should he decide not to oblige.

On another coach there is the highschool coach who wants to prove so much that the player ain't sh**, that it becomes a personal vendetta to break the kid down to show them and everyone else who will pay attention that "he ain't sh**", instead of doing what an AAU coach tends to do which is say "get out there and get in his chest and lock your man down, I know you can do it". I believe that we all know a "bad" club coach when we see one. It's reflected in his players. As an observer of both sides I've been to a million AAU tournaments and highschool games. This is an on-going battle that will continue for years. As a parent I can only hope that both my sons' AAU coach and highschool coach has the best interest in my son. To make him better, be a role model to him and use his love of the game to help him along the road of being a successful man. This does not mean that basketball will be his life but when he looks back on these years in high school I want him to enjoy these years, make lifelong friends and know that the time has not been wasted but made him grow as good human being. Vince Lombardi said "Winning isn't the everything, it's the only thing" however I hope he meant in the game of life. It's the most important part.

3/10/09

Put Your Money Where Your Mouth is Courtney!


I love it! Courtney Paris says she will bet it all!
The All-American senior recently told Sooner fans that if OU doesn't win the national championship this year, she will pay back her scholarship ... all $64,000 of it.

"We're gonna win a national championship. If we don't, which is not even an option, just to put something on the line - and it might take me the rest of my life - I will pay back my scholarship because I didn't do what I said I was going to do."


The guarantee is admirable, if, perhaps, foolhardy. Oklahoma has had a great season and will be a favorite to make the Final Four. If they make it that far though, they'll be big underdogs as Geno Auriemma's undefeated Connecticut squad is said to be one of his best ever. Considering he's won five titles, that's saying something.

In addition, WNBA rookies make around $50,000 per season, with stars bringing in a little over $100,000. (And this presupposes that the WNBA will still be around next year.) If she actually intends to pay back the money, those payments might be hard to come by. (Maybe she'll hit-up her father for the dough. Bubba Paris played eight years in the NFL and won three Super Bowl rings with the San Francisco 49ers.)

Paris said that if they don't win she'll feel like she didn't earn her scholarship. That's where she's wrong. She's the greatest player in Oklahoma history and maybe even Big 12 history too. She was named first-team All-American as a freshman. One year later she won national player of the year honors. On Monday, she won her third straight Big 12 player of the year award. And starting next week, she'll lead the Sooners into the NCAA tournament as a No. 1 seed.

If anything, the $64,000 Oklahoma gave Courtney Paris in tuition was a bargain.

3/9/09

Nesha On Sports

Couple things have me caught up lately...couldn't come at a better time. Right before the start of March Madness! I love this season!

In Order of my greatest this week:

1. Anthony Brock missed his flight from Little Rock, Ark., to Knoxville on Saturday after attending his grandmother’s funeral. Good thing he didn’t miss the game. Brock hit a desperation 3-pointer at the buzzer to secure Alabama’s 70-67 upset of Tennessee on Sunday. The coaching staff had a flight for him and he missed it so he drove ALL NIGHT to get there.

The Vols had grabbed a 67-65 lead on a fastbreak dunk with 1:43 left. Alabama called hit a jumper from the free-throw line to tie the game at 67 with 1:15 left.The Vols ran the clock down, and the game appeared headed to overtime. Brock dribbled through traffic out of Alabama’s timeout and hit the game-winning shot—his only of the second half—as he tripped near the top of the key. Grandma was watching over her baby!



2. Saint Mary's of Stockton Continues their domination. Although I wish the boys were just a bit better (I have a feeling they will be in the upcoming years), the girls are ROLLIN!! They started off the 2008-2009 year ranked No. 1 in the country. After a few mishaps they fell quite a ways but have battled back to No. 21 according to ESPN, and No. 5 in California. Friday night they crushed the Sacramento Dragons to win Saint Marys 10th Section Championship in girls basketball and now the battle is on to be the best in Northern California. I have a feeling this is our year to take the State Championship. Fight on Rams!


Pictured above are Afure Jemerigbye and Chelsea Gray both ranked as Top 10 Juniors in the country.

3. Delta Fastbreak opens the season 2-0! So our little team opens the season in the Tice Valley League leading the pack. The boys have been hard at work since the high school season ended a few weeks ago. Hard work paid off on Sunday as Fastbreak fell right back into the flow of things. Although they had a few fouls, couple turn overs here and there, they stepped it up. First beating Vallejo High followed by the Diablo Valley Tarheels which was a AAU team with combination of stars from around the bay area. Nice work guys!

3/6/09

Mr. Paul Does It Again

Getting my Tomboy on. Don't deny that this is BY FAR the best point guard in the league. NUFF SAID!



2/19/09

Sportsmanship Amongst Grief


I found a great story today on my sports forum. It's playoff season and everyone is waiting for the brackets to come out but in Illinois some character has risen amongst competition. A Delkalb Ill. basketball had traveled over two hours to make it to their basketball game only to arrive and still have to wait an hour to play. Most of the opposing team where at the hospital with their teammate.

During his college ACT exam Johntel Franklin's mother had taken a turn for the worst at the hospital. She was hemmorraging as a result of her 5 year fight with cervical cancer. This time she lost. Her son and several of his teammates were at the hospital late that afternoon when the decision was made to turn off the life-support system. Carlitha Franklin was just 39. He was very distraught and it happened so suddenly he didn't have time to grieve.

His coach was going to cancel the game, but Franklin told him he wanted the team to play. And play they did, even though the game started late and Milwaukee Madison dressed only eight players. During the second quarter Johntel Franklin arrived at the game. He came there directly from the hospital to root his teammates on.
The Knights had possession, so his coach called a time out. His players went over and hugged their grieving teammate. Fans came out of the stands to do the same. He told his coach that he wanted to play.

There was just one problem. Since Franklin wasn't on the pre-game roster, putting him in meant drawing a technical foul that would give DeKalb two free throws.

Though it was a tight game, and the coach was willing to give up the two points. It was more important to help his senior guard and co-captain deal with his grief by playing.

Over on the other bench, though, the team wasn't so willing to take them. The opposing coach told the referees to forget the technical and just let Franklin play. The refs told them, "no, that's the rule. You have to take them."

That's when Rohlman asked for volunteers, and McNeal's hand went up.

He went alone to the free throw line, dribbled the ball a couple of times, and looked at the rim.

His first attempt went about two feet, bouncing a couple of times as it rolled toward the end line. The second barely left his hand.

It didn't take long for the Milwaukee players to figure out what was going on.

They stood and turned toward the DeKalb bench and started applauding the gesture of sportsmanship. Soon, so did everybody in the stands.

"I did it for the guy who lost his mom," McNeal told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "It was the right thing to do."



Franklin would go on to score 10 points, and Milwaukee Madison broke open the game in the second half to win 62-47. Afterward, the teams went out for pizza, two players from each team sharing each pie. Carlitha Franklin's funeral was last Friday, and the school turned out for her and her son. Cheerleaders came in uniform, and everyone from the principal and teachers to Johntel's classmates were there.

"We have a losing record but there's life lessons going on, good ones."

None so good, though, as the moment a team and a player decided there were more important things than winning and having good stats.

Yes, DeKalb would go home with a loss. But it was a trip they'll never forget.

"This is something our kids will hold for a lifetime," Rohlman said. "They may not remember our record 20 years from now, but they'll remember what happened in that gym that night."

2/2/09

Kobe vs. Lebron


Okay, so most of my folks know I'm the Kobe Bryant junkie. It's my little secret fetish. I love Kobe in a different way than Ray Allen. Kobe is the best player ever (yes, i said it Michael Jordan fans...come fo' me). Ray is my husband in the 3rd life...lol

Anyway, let's get down to business. I had a discussion with a friend who said that Lebron was better than Kobe. I differ in opinion of course. This is part of an ongoing discussion that there really is no answer too as of yet. The best you can do is compare Kobe’s first 4 seasons with Lebron’s first 4 seasons. This little post will attempt to compare the two with numbers and facts that I compiled from ESPN and NBA.com.

Season 1 -
Kobe Bryant appeared in a total of 71 games and scored 7.6 points/game. This number is a bit misleading because he averaged only 15 minutes a game. Lebron James played in 79 games and averaged 20.9 points/game and 39 minutes per game. Kobe appeared in 9 playoff games while Lebron did not make the playoffs. Kobe averaged 8.2 points/game during those playoffs. Kobe’s team went 56-26 during the regular season and made it to the conference semi-finals. Lebron’s team went 35-47.

Season 2-
Kobe Bryant appeared in 79 games and scored 15.4 points and played 26 minutes/game. Lebron James appeared in 80 games scoring 27.2 points and playing 42 minutes/game. Kobe appeared in 11 playoff games while Lebron did not make the playoffs. Kobe averaged 8.7 points/game during the playoff run. Kobe’s team went 61-21 and made it to the western conference finals. Lebron’s team went 42-40.

Season 3-
Kobe Bryant appeared in only 50 games because of the strike. He averaged 19.9 points and 37 minutes/game. Lebron James played in 79 games and scored 31 points and played 42 minutes/game. They both appeared in the playoffs during this time. Kobe in 8 games and Lebron in 13. Kobe averaged 19.8 points/game and Lebron 30.8 points/game during the playoffs. Kobe’s team went 31-19 and made it to the conference semi-finals. Lebron’s team went 50-32 and made it to the conference semi-finals.

Season 4-
Kobe Bryant played 66 games and averaged 22.5 points and 38 minutes/game. Lebron James played 78 games and averaged 27.3 points and 41 minutes/game. Kobe played 22 playoff games averaging 21.1 points/game and won his first championship. Lebron played 20 playoff games averaging 25.1 points/game and got swept in the NBA Finals against the Spurs. Kobe’s team went 67-15 overall during the regular season and Lebron’s team went 50-32.

Extra Facts
Lebron James numbers are also higher in assists and rebounds for all 4 seasons. Lebron James was the only superstar on his team for these 4 seasons. Kobe’s first 4 seasons were played with Shaquille O’Neal who was the first scoring and rebounding option on the team.

Conclusion -

These numbers conclude that Lebron James was the better Athlete (minutes played), Scorer (points/game) and passer (assists/game). While Kobe was the better Winner (team record, playoff appearances), defender (steals, all defensive team), and shooter (free throw percentage).

Winning is the best statistic of all. It trumps all other numbers. By this time in Lebron’s career Kobe had already one championship under his belt and was about to get his second. While Lebron made it to the NBA Finals last season when they were embarrassed by the Spurs, it appears that the Cavs will not be winning an NBA Title anytime soon. As you can see Kobe’s winning percentage far outweighs Lebron’s.

Who’s Better?
Kobe Bryant is! We cannot forget that Lebron still has time on his side. But not as much as you think. Kobe has 4 NBA finals appearances with 3 championship rings and he’s still playing for more. Lebron still has to win a championship first. Which may not be possible if he stays in Cleveland. And it does not help Lebron James' case when Kobe Bryant continues to do amazing things. Like 61 points in one game (I hope you watched Sportscenter last night). And four straight games with 60 or more points. Lebron has a chance. But he has a long way to go. Alot longer of a road then many people assume. So as it stands, Kobe Bryant is the best player on the planet until someone can dethrone him!

Summary
Don't challenge me! Especially on a sports forum cause I will check my facts and bust your ass fellas! God Bless and Good Night

2/1/09

Tidbit Tomboy

The thing about me is that I am TRULY a sports junkie. I love basketball, football, track and boxing. Occasionally I try to stay up to date on some ultimate fighting as well. My morning routine begins with me reading the local paper as well as CNN and USA. I can't really function well in the world until I do so. I follow that with a brief look at the local and national forums to check out the high school forums regarding football and basketball. I think my family is still quite tickled that they can be in the middle of a conversation with a group of men and lean over and say, "what is that player of at such and such high who averages 28 points a games" and I answer. It's not really a hobby but more of a need to know for me. I love to be in the know about sports. It makes watching the sport more exciting. I smiled to myself when a friend mentioned Georgia Tech's number one basketball recruit Derrick Favors and I was able to easily engage in conversation about him.
When you've read up on a player, their story, where they come from etc. It makes watching them so much more enjoyable. Sportcenter is so much more enjoyable when you can actually identify who is who and what events are coming up. You should try it ladies. The Allstar NBA game is quickly approaching. Do you know who are on the 2009 rosters? Do you care? I realize I'm loosing major points with my Jack and Jill Club and the other girls who are busy discussing this week's dinner recipes but the forums truly call my name. Now I'll reveal my best secret. The guys on the forum have no idea I'm just a girl! I don't think they would give me the time of day if they knew. Instead they actually ask my opinion about football and basketball in my area. That cracks me up!!! I've had a long night at the Superbowl Party. I'll be honest though...I was stuck in the kitchen with the ladies discussing kids, clothes, food and life and all the while I kept looking over their shoulders at the game the guys were watching in the living room.