Sports Reading and Writing Final

   
     In Norton Massachusetts there are many sports teams, some good and some bad but in the end they're all a part of Norton.The teams vary all the way from swimming to lacrosse. I interviewed the Norton high school er Joesph Weber. Overall Norton High School is a great sports team! Leaving many records for different sports. Recently the Norton Track team has qualified and won states, which is an outstanding accomplishment for Norton. With all the sports already tied in with Norton they started a new team for the high school, the lacrosse team, and the school was anxious waiting for the season to start. I have talked to some of the Norton lacrosse team members asking them on how they felt before the season about the sport. Most of the players responded with a smile saying, "I couldn't wait, it's been something I was really looking forward to and happy that it was finally here."
     The Norton Lancers took on the Medway Mustangs on April 15th, 2015 at Norton High school. The game was a tough, hard fought game but not tough enough with the Norton Lancers falling to an astounding 20-1! The home team was lead by Johnmichale Lee and Luke Kane, the two captains of the team but someone who really stood out was Joe Weber a defense men and long pole middie. In the first period the Norton Lancers start the game off strong with a great defensive setting, staying on their man and making sure they can't get to their goalie. Nick Joyce was also playing great in net, saving shots but yet letting up some goals. When it came to the offense there wasn't much to it, but when they had the chance they would take it.Yet throughout the game Joey was playing great, with a great defense with a solid physical attitude. It then came to the second Lancers down 7-0, Lancers hoping to get back where they wanted to be with a more offensive setting. Midway through the second period Norton pulled it together and scored their first goal, but still is down 11-1. As the second period came to a close it ended 15-1, Lancers getting more physical trying to hang in there.
     The second half began with the Medway Mustangs leading the Norton Lancers with a 15-1 lead, leaving the Lancers with the need of a miracle. As the period was being played you could see the frustration and disappointment on the teams faces, but that didn't keep the kids from playing and giving up. Joe Weber was also feeling disappointment, as a player that I know well he does not like the feeling of a loss. During this period he tried to keep the spirit going and make sure that he was trying his best to make sure his team didn't fall apart. In the offensive zone the Norton Lancers just could not complete their goals, they would try but it just wasn't their for them in this game. As the 3rd period came to a close the Mustangs scored 19 against Norton's 1. Starting a new period the Lancers replace their goalie Nick Joyce, with Clint Gallagher. As the game came to a close the Norton Lancers stayed strong and only let up 1 goal, increasing their defense but yet leading with their offense getting as many shots off as they could. In the end it just wasn't good enough as the Norton Lancers fell to the Medway Mustangs 20-1.
     Joesph Weber number 13 plays for the Norton Lacrosse high school team. His role on the team is to play as long pole midde or defense. All throughout the season, Joe provided the team with a positive attitude and great game play. Joe also provided the team with many assists, either stealing the ball or receiving passes and once he had that ball it was hard for him to let go! Joe has been playing lacrosse ever since he was a kid, loving the sport from now until then and its going to continue until the day he dies. All throughout the season Joey showed how much of a well organized, team player/leader. From my experience with Joey I knew that he was going to be a huge support on the team and a great help. Once Norton found out that they were going to be creating a team for the high school, Joe already knew that he was going to make varsity and he wasn't worried about it at all. Overall I think that Joe is going to, no doubt in my mind become a captain as soon as he can showing great leadership, attitude, respect, and skill level.
     Lucky enough I was able to get to talk to Joe after the game ended. I asked him a series of questions about Lacrosse overall. I started off by asking him why he has such a passion for lacrosse and he responded with, "Its just been my favorite sport ever since I started playing it when I was little, and ever since then I have just always wanted to get better and improve." I then proceeded to ask him, what makes you want to play the sport so bad. He responded with "Kinda like I just said you know, its always just been so much fun to me I never really wanted to stop playing because I never got bored of it." I then proceeded to ask him more questions, but one question that really stood out to me was about how he thinks the team will do in the future. He told me, "I think moving forward we'll
get better because more people are going to see that we have a team, and they'll start to practice which is going to lead us to becoming a better team." This question stood out to me because I like how he has a positive thought moving forward, after facing a tough season this year ending 4-14.
     Ultimately the team had a rough season ending 4-14. It does seem pretty rough for the Lancers but you still have to have the thought in your mind that they played great, for a new team with some kids having this as their first year! As a team together they treat each other as a family, and with respect. Even at the end of the season they weren't mad but they were satisfied with the results for a new team going against some of the best teams. I asked Joe if their was room for improvement and he replied with, "There's always room for improvement." If the team keeps playing the way they are now, their is going to be improvement because they are playing how they need to play but they need to practice as much as they can. It will take time but that's what happens with any sport, you have to put in the time and effort to get better. Hopefully by the end of Joey's time in Norton High School he's going to lead the team to a winning record.
     As the season came to a start everyone was wondering who the coach was going to be and that was Mark Notz. Mark has a background with lacrosse he used to coach at Mansfeild, but Norton caught his eye and tried our team out. The Norton Lacrosse team's staff was great this year also including Joe Weber's dad Kevin Weber. Throughout the season the coaches had a big influences on the team leaving them with a positive attitude. The team started off with some kids just starting off never playing a game of lacrosse in their life, to now lacrosse is one of their favorite sports. This also connected with the team and coaches together, overall the team didn't know how to play with each other or what to do but the coaches brought them together and made then a team that can put up a good fight. If the team didn't having a coaching staff that didn't know what they were doing the team might have not even won a game!

Marion Jones Track Superstar

     In the documentary about the track superstar Marion Jones, it tells us the story about what she went through after taking PED's. Marion Jones was a track winning 5 Olympic medals, 3 gold and 2 bronze in the Sydney Olympic Games. Yet no one knew that she took performance enhancing drug from a man named Victor which owned a protein company. This was not the first time that Victors company was connected with giving PED's to outstanding athletes, his business was then raided and searched, which was when they then found the files about giving drugs to Marion Jones and other athletes. Marion Jones had everything that she could want, a family, money, and does what she loves doing for a living but then in the end lost everything because of them. Throughout her career people was drug test her before events but not finding a thing, eventually she was asked during a session with the press if she has ever taken PED's or if she ever will. She then responded with a simple no I never will and never have, yet not knowing that the FBI had the information they needed. Marion was then contacted by a friend letting her know that she is going to be talked to about this, just letting her know. Jones was then brought to a questioning room where she was then asked question after question for two and a half hours. Eventually they took out a bag inside a bag with a small bottle in it. The question then arose asking her if she knew what this was, and she replied with a simple no, but in the inside she knew that she was lying. She was then notified saying that they have the files and evidence of her using the drugs. She then revealed to the public letting everyone know that "She has betrayed their trust," which everyone was then in shock with. A lot of people sad, not mad at her but just sad because she had everything and just went and screwed up. She then served 6 months in prison, yet it wasn't like a normal prison, it was like a "Martha Stewart" Prison. In prison a women attacked her and she was then sent to Solitary Confinement for 43 days, where she would run in place and just act like she was training to pass the time. Once jail time was over she was given another chance in the WNBA, which sadly did not end well when she was cut next season.

Analysis :

     In my opinion I agree that she was treated unfairly and that she was cornered during the "interview." I feel this was because its different cause shes black, if she was white this may have been a different story. Overall she was an amazing athlete and she made a mistake, yet people need to understand that she was just trying to protect herself. Yet with the FBI they did the right thing, they brought the proof and showed her what she's done and why its wrong, which it was. So with that being said I do feel as if she was treated fairly and was not cornered.

Norton High Lacrosse team takes on Medway Mustangs (*Rough Draft*) Not Close to Done yet

Norton High School Lacrosse

Title - Norton High School takes on Medway Mustangs
Who - Norton High Lacrosse Team
What - Norton High School Lacrosse game
Where - Norton High school
When - April 15, 2015
Why - To take on the Mustang's and try and get more wins on their record.
How - They are going to go out there and try to show who the better team is

Starting Paragraph : talk about Norton sports, and how they have been overall with sports. Also talk about the Norton Lacrosse team and how they just began

Body 1 : Recap of the first half.

Body 2 : Recap of the Second half. Why does he have such a passion for lacrosse?

Body 3 : How Joe has done well over all in the past with Lacrosse?

Body 4 : How do you feel about the team overall? How do you think they played this year?

Body 5 : How he thinks the team can improve, and how he thinks they're going to do in the future

Body 6 : Back Story

Concluding Paragraph : Overall recap on everything and how the team did all year. Talk to Coach Weber and how he thinks the team did all year, things they could improve on, and if there is any motivation that's going to improve the team for next year.

     Starting : In Norton Massachusetts there are many sports teams, some good and some bad but in the end they're all a part of Norton.The teams vary all the way from swimming to lacrosse. I interviewed the Norton high school er Joesph Weber. Overall Norton High School is a great sports team! Leaving many records for different sports. Recently the Norton Track team has qualified and won states, which is an outstanding accomplishment for Norton. With all the sports already tied in with Norton they started a new team for the high school, the lacrosse team, and the school was anxious waiting for the season to start. I have talked to some of the Norton lacrosse team members asking them on how they felt before the season about the sport. Most of the players responded with a smile saying, "I couldn't wait, it's been something I was really looking forward to and happy that it was finally here."
     Body 1: The Norton Lancers took on the Medway Mustangs on April 15th, 2015 at Norton High school. The game was a tough, hard fought game but not tough enough with the Norton Lancers falling to an astounding 20-1! The home team was lead by Johnmichale Lee and Luke Kane, the two captains of the team but someone who really stood out was Joe Weber a defense men and long pole middie. In the first period the Norton Lancers start the game off strong with a great defensive setting, staying on their man and making sure they can't get to their goalie. Nick Joyce was also playing great in net, saving shots but yet letting up some goals. When it came to the offense there wasn't much to it, but when they had the chance they would take it.Yet throughout the game Joey was playing great, with a great defense with a solid physical attitude. It then came to the second Lancers down 7-0, Lancers hoping to get back where they wanted to be with a more offensive setting. Midway through the second period Norton pulled it together and scored their first goal, but still is down 11-1. As the second period came to a close it ended 15-1, Lancers getting more physical trying to hang in there.
     Body 2 : The second half began with the Medway Mustangs leading the Norton Lancers with a 15-1 lead, leaving the Lancers with the need of a miracle. As the period was being played you could see the frustration and disappointment on the teams faces, but that didn't keep the kids from playing and giving up. Joe Weber was also feeling disappointment, as a player that I know well he does not like the feeling of a loss. During this period he tried to keep the spirit going and make sure that he was trying his best to make sure his team didn't fall apart. In the offensive zone the Norton Lancers just could not complete their goals, they would try but it just wasn't their for them in this game. As the 3rd period came to a close the Mustangs scored 19 against Norton's 1. Starting a new period the Lancers replace their goalie Nick Joyce, with Clint Gallagher. As the game came to a close the Norton Lancers stayed strong and only let up 1 goal, increasing their defense but yet leading with their offense getting as many shots off as they could. In the end it just wasn't good enough as the Norton Lancers fell to the Medway Mustangs 20-1.
     Body 3 : Joesph Weber number 13 plays for the Norton Lacrosse high school team. His role on the team is to play as long pole midde or defense. All throughout the season, Joe provided the team with a positive attitude and great game play. Joe also provided the team with many assists, either stealing the ball or receiving passes and once he had that ball it was hard for him to let go! Joe has been playing lacrosse ever since he was a kid, loving the sport from now until then and its going to continue until the day he dies. All throughout the season Joey showed how much of a well organized, team player/leader. From my experience with Joey I knew that he was going to be a huge support on the team and a great help. Once Norton found out that they were going to be creating a team for the high school, Joe already knew that he was going to make varsity and he wasn't worried about it at all. Overall I think that Joe is going to, no doubt in my mind become a captain as soon as he can showing great leadership, attitude, respect, and skill level.
     Body 4 : Lucky enough I was able to get to talk to Joe after the game ended. I asked him a series of questions about Lacrosse overall. I started off by asking him why he has such a passion for lacrosse and he responded with, "Its just been my favorite sport ever since I started playing it when I was little, and ever since then I have just always wanted to get better and improve." I then proceeded to ask him, what makes you want to play the sport so bad. He responded with "Kinda like I just said you know, its always just been so much fun to me I never really wanted to stop playing because I never got bored of it." I then proceeded to ask him more questions, but one question that really stood out to me was about how he thinks the team will do in the future. He told me, "I think moving forward we'll get better because more people are going to see that we have a team, and they'll start to practice which is going to lead us to becoming a better team." This question stood out to me because I like how he has a positive thought moving forward, after facing a tough season this year ending 4-14.
     Body 5 : Ultimately the team had a rough season ending 4-14. It does seem pretty rough for the Lancers but you still have to have the thought in your mind that they played great, for a new team with some kids having this as their first year! As a team together they treat each other as a family, and with respect. Even at the end of the season they weren't mad but they were satisfied with the results for a new team going against some of the best teams.
     Concluding :

Like Thunder and Lightning

In Will Grimsley's "Thunder and Lightning" he explains Muhammad Ali's bizarre 50th knockout. The author first explains on how the fight was basically a waste of one-hundred dollars because the fight was only a minute long. The fight started off fine, Ali was "moving like a butterfly and stinging like a bee," until suddenly he came out with a ginormous right hook to bring Liston to the ground. For a moment he layed there then attempted to get back up, but fell again. Walcott the referee confused looking for the time table rushed around the ring looking for him, yet he couldn't be found. As the ref was searching, Ali hit Liston three more times before the ref came and officially stopped the fight. Finally the announcer raised the microphone and announced the winner of the fight was Muhammad Ali with a stunning one minute knockout. It then became the quickest knockout in boxing history. After the fight was done and over with Liston was complaining about how he could have gotten up but he didn't hear the count. In boxing the rule is that its the ref's duty to start the count as soon as the fighter is knocked down, but it never occurred.

Deflategate

     On Thursday, May 14th Tom Brady was given a four game suspension, one million dollar fine for the team and two first round draft picks for next year taken away. This was all caused because Brady was accused of deflating the footballs in the AFC championship against the Colts. What was believed that happened was that before the game the Pats deflated the balls because once the "investigation" occurred the found out that the balls were under the amount of PSI that was needed. This is an advantage for the Pats because during a game its easier to catch, easier to hold so you don't fumble and easier to throw. The league believes that this is a fair punishment, but I disagree because the info is just not enough. Which leads me to believe that he is not guilty.
     Reporters believe that Brady is one hundred percent guilty, but some people also believe that he is not. Most of the people that believe he's not guilty are Patriots fans themselves. Reporters have found text messages talking to the equipment guys before the game and they include references that have to do with Brady and air pressure. Brady will not turn in his phone or let anyone go through his e-mails, which I agree with because that's his personal information. He could have personal things between his wife, kids anything on his phone. That being said, I still believe that Brady is not supposed to be found guilty because just because they found this little bit of information its not enough to get him in trouble.
     The punishment that Brady got is stupid. At the most he should have just gotten a two game suspension with a small amount for a fine. There is no need to take away a draft pick, fine him that much money, and suspend him. The Pats are going to have to work hard and play together as a great team to get those wins. Without having Brady and loosing some of your best players then its going to be difficult, I don't understand why Brady is getting the million dollar fine, enough damage was done to the team and himself with the draft picks and suspension. Overall the team is going to be hurt from this mistake that, no one is one hundred percent sure he did it.
     Honestly I don't think that there are any solutions to this because no one is going to stop until they find out what really happened. The reporters are going to keep on trying to get his phone, look at his emails, and just do their job getting the best report they can. Brady maybe should just give them his phone and delete the private messages between his wife or personal information he has with anyone. There is nothing that Brady can do, that I can think of he kind of screwed himself over with this.

The Short Game

     The Short Game directed by Josh Greenbaum is a documentary about how eight young golfers play in the kids national championship, Pinehurst North Carolina. The eight children that are filmed are Amari Avery, Jed Dy, Allan Kournikova, Zamokuhle Nxasana, Alexa Pano, Sky Sudberry, Yang Kuang, and Augustin Valery. These players have to compete against 1500 other players coming from 80 different countries. The eight players that the director chose are all different in many ways some better at driving, putting, anything. In this film they all compete for the world championship but in the end Allan Kournikova ends up taking home first place in the boys division, having Alexa Pano follow up winning the girls division. These children practice everyday non stop, skipping over sleep overs, hanging out with friends, when ever they have a chance to play they do, 365 days a year. I feel like golf is a lifestyle not a hobby to these kids, everything to them is golf.
     Personally I like this movie a lot and i've showed this movie to my dad and my brother because they really like golf, and they enjoyed it. In this movie I think that the kids take the game a little to seriously. I know friends and kids that play sports religiously but don't take it this hard, they take breaks and hang out with their friends. My favorite sport is wrestling and I have been doing it my entire life and have always taken breaks, and yes I agree that if I took it that seriously then I could be a very good wrestler. This summer im doing wrestling a lot, for practice in the off season. In the documentary I wanted the kid young boy Jed Dy to win so badly, they ended up saying that if he didn't earn that ten stroke penalty he would have came in first place! The mom ended up admitting to what she did but Jed played well and will get them next time. I was doing research and found out that he went on to winning the Junior Masters which is a big deal. Overall the movie was great.
   

Schooled

The general argument made by author Trevor Martin in his work is work, "Schooled The Price of College Sports", is that the NCAA is a joke and cheating College players by not paying them for paying sports. Throughout the film it shows many animations and interviews with different people, explaining their thought and sides of the story to this. Everyone is know as a "student-athletes", but throughout their career as a college student, certain sports can miss a lot of time in school like the NCAA Final Four. They are treated as like they're actually on a professional sports team, after games some players get interviewed. All of the teams throughout any sports, just want the best players to create the best team for the money, most of the coaches don't care about the kids they just like the money. All of these kids go through the trouble of having to worry about sports when they don't have a job and can't buy food or essentials that they need, because the NCAA will not give them any money!
        

Norton Wrestler

Devin Santangelo

     When I was younger I played many sports such as baseball, basketball, football and wrestling. To this day Wrestling is still my favorite sport, I've been doing it for 9 years or most of my life. I dedicate everything that I can to wrestling. Wrestling has made me become a new person in my life, i have become nicer, happier, and a more disciplined. Wrestling is a winter sport, it starts in November and usually ends in February. I personally like this better than a summer or spring sport because in the summer ill then have more time and freedom to do what I want. At the moment I'm doing wrestling two days a week and crossfit the other three days, I'm very busy but its all going to be worth it in the end. I started a varsity wrestler at the weight 113lbs, I went 2-9 because I was very sick in the beginning of the year and forgot most of the things that I knew. I ended up remembering everything and becoming more healthy, i went 18-8 in the rest of the season as a JV. High School Wrestling is very different from middle school, much more intense. In wrestling there is no positions like in football or basketball, but on the mat your either on top, bottom, or neutral.

~Devin Santangelo(113) At A Wrestling Tournament~

My favorite sports player is Martin St.Louis on the New York Rangers(NHL). Which goes along with my favorite sport, hockey. Hockey is my favorite sport to watch and is very fun to play, but if I had a favorite sport to play/do it would definitely be Wrestling. Martin St.Louis is one of the best players in the NHL and is also one of the smallest, he is an outstanding passer, also scoring goals left and right. My favorite quote is not about hockey but about life itself, “Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It's a very mean and nasty place, and I don't care how tough you are, it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain't about how hard you hit. It's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward; how much you can take and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done! Now, if you know what you're worth, then go out and get what you're worth. But you gotta be willing to take the hits, and not pointing fingers saying you ain't where you wanna be because of him, or her, or anybody. Cowards do that and that ain't you. You're better than that! I'm always gonna love you, no matter what. No matter what happens. You're my son and you're my blood. You're the best thing in my life. But until you start believing in yourself, you ain't gonna have a life.” - Rocky Balboa. This is my favorite quote because it shows how no matter what you just have to keep fighting no matter what, and don't let anyone get in the way of what your doing. 

New York Rangers Take The Win Over The Chicago BlackHawks

     The New York Rangers played against the Chicago BlackHawks on March 8th, 2015 and took home the win. The two teams went into over time and Derrick Brassard took a slap shot from the top of the keep on Corey Crawford to take home the win. The Rangers had Talbot in net while the Blackhawks had Crawford in net. The Rangers are still in a lost with out Lundquist. Lundquist is one of the key players to that team, he always keeps them in the game. The Blackhawks have won four of their previous five games and were hoping to pull closer to the St. Louis Blues for second in the Central Division. The Rangers are now 16-4-2 in their past 22 games and one point back of the New York Islanders for first in the Metropolitan Division. Talbot thought that the game was a great fight between both teams fighting non-stop throughout the entire game! "It's two good teams going at it, fighting for big points right now," Talbot said. "They're trying to climb spots in their division, same as we are, so it's going to be a battle going down the stretch against teams like that. Every point is huge right now, so it was great we came out with the extra one tonight."

     The three stars of the game were 1 : Cam Talbot with 29 saves on the night. The second star of the night was Derrick Brassard scoring one goal, off of two shots. Finally the third star was Corey Crawford with 36 saves on the night. The BlackHawks power play advantage hasn't been on their side for the past 15 games. Patrick Kane has been a very large help, being able to bring the puck into the offensive. Without Kane the BlackHawks are rarely successful on their power play chances not getting any shots off, and if they do its not many opportunities. Personally I think that if the BlackHawks could pull it together on their power play they could have many more chances at the net, and scoring many more goals. The Rangers advanced to being 40-17-7 sitting comfortablety in their playoff spot. The BlackHawks are 39-21-6 also sitting happily in the playoff spot.

The New York Rangers Face A tough OT Loss

    The new Detroit Redwings player Marek Zidlicky scored one minute and nine seconds into overtime to give the Red Wings a 2-1 win against the New York Rangers on Wednesday at Joe Louis Arena. "Can't be a better feeling, especially to score in my first game here," Zidlicky said. "It was a good win." Jimmy Howard was a big help for the Red Wings saving 39 shots on goal. "They threw a lot at the net," he said. "Coming into tonight I knew I was going to be busy," Jimmy Howard said. Zidlicky's overtime winner came with the help of the New York Rangers Derek Stepan, receiving a minor penalty which then gave the Detroit Red Wings the power play advantage. Coach  Alain Vigneault of the New York Rangers thought that the game was played well, but had a disadvantage with the power play. "I liked the way we played, especially in the second period," Rangers coach Alain Vigneault said. "Unfortunately, we got a penalty late, and they were able to score in overtime."
     I personally think that not having Lundquist in net was a huge disadvantage for the Rangers. Yes, Cam Talbot is a great goalie for the Rangers but having Henrik in net could have changed the game! In the third period with ten seconds left Cam Talbot saved a glove high shot from Nikilas Kronwall, which could have ended the game even sooner. The game all started six minutes in when Justin Abdelkater was assisted by Henrik Zetterberg and Jonathan Ericsson to score the first goal. The game was then followed by Dan Girardi scoring a power play goal late into the first period. Nothing happened throughout the second period except for shots on net from both teams. This low scoring game was then ended by Mark Zidlicky in the overtime period. The New York Rangers still scoring one point for their division score puts them on top, and over the New York Islanders for first place in the Metropolitan Division. "I think we played a pretty good game. They got a lucky bounce at the end," Yandle said. "I think we played pretty well. You're going to have some missed shots."

Hoop Dreams

      The movie hoop dreams is a documentary about 2 students named Aurthur Agee and William, it shows their dream on how they want to become an professional basketball player. This movie can be very inspiring to some people, it shows on how to stay dedicated, show discipline, and to stay away from drugs and alcohol. Both children have tough lives throughout the their "carrer." Willam and Aurthur both attended St. Joesphs High school. Williams life was hard because he was having trouble with money, and the fact that he had his own child. Aurthur also had problems with money until his mom was promoted in her job as a nurse, but before that their dad left them because he was having troubles with alcohol and drugs. It was ironic because towards the end of the movie Aurthurs father ended up coming back when Aurthur had something to do with money, but yet he was never there for him before. Both students throughout their school career have trouble trying to keep up their grades in school. Both fog the players were outstanding at basketball and played the same position, point guard. However both students do what ever they can so they can continue their career in high school basketball and one day reach their "Hoop Dreams."

     A theme that was recognized in the film was that basketball was a job for these kids. I believe that basketball was a sport for the kids when they were younger, but as time progressed it became more of a job, because they always had people taking pictures asking them questions. People acted like they were in the NBA but they were only in highschool. I think that the importance of the boys skill was a really big impact on their basketball career. Withouth these players having that amount of skill I don't think they would've went anywhere. Overall I think that talent is nessacary to breakout because once you have a lot of talent your going to break out into the public and you'll be know, just like Aurthur and William were! Their family's played a really big role throughout their career and led them to all the right paths, and because of that they made it really far in what they wanted to do with their life. I personably believe that basketball is not only about the money but also about your scholarship. If you don't make it into the NBA you should be able to have something to be your plan B. In the end he boys never made to the NBA, they made it to college and played on the college team. 

Cultural Differences

      Professional Sports has impacted our culture in many different ways. When people are different races and have different cultures that doesn't mean anything when it comes to sports. When you play sports and you are going out there to win the game, your not going to care what the other person looks like or acts like your out there to win. Having different cultures is also a good thing during sports because that brings people that are different together. Different people are sometimes better than there teammates in the sports that they're playing, which is also a good thing. This is a good thing because this brings the too players together and better. When you play on a team with players that have different cultures because of their culture it might have an influence to make them better at the sport, which you may be interested in learning about. Finally pros have an influence because your favorite player could have a different culture than you and your really into how he plays the sport so you want to learn about it.

     It continues to influnece our culture every day. This does have its ups and downs though. Some of the negative effects of this are sterotypes, for example there is a sterotype that blacks are better than anyone at basketball, but if you look at the NBA there is white people. Some of the times when people are influenced they think that they need to take it wicked serious, like the players that they're influenced by. That can cause drama and maybe when they're playing their emotions can get in the way and have them not do as good during the game. Some positive effects are that if your influenced by a great player and you practice and try as hard as you can all the time, and take your time out of anything you can to become the player that influenced you, you'll become a great player. I know many people that have had that happen to them and they're great players in the sports that they play, and even off of the field or cour they're just a great person. 

     Overall sports has had a great influence and impact on my life. All throughout my life the people in my life have wanted to become the greatest sports players that they could be. For example my dad was an outstanding wrestler all throughout college. He was undefeated his senior year then sadly got a kidney infection and couldn't wrestle in sectionals or states. That was the last time he wrestled because he moved on and became a marine instead of going to college. Also my brother wanted to become a great wrestler, which he became, He ended up becoming the captain of Xaverain Wrestling during his Junior year. He worked all the time every season trying to become the best that he can be. He eventually quit the team because he wasn't happy with how things ended up going with the team. Personally I am very infulenced by my father and brother to become the best wrestler that I can be. 

SuperBowl Sunday 49

     Who is going to win the Super Bowl, thats what everyone is talking about now. I personally think that the New England Patriots are going to win. I think that its going to come down to the wire but Im with the Pats. I think that overall the Seahawks are a better overall team, but I think that the Pats are going to come in clutch and get the win. With Lynch on the Seahawks the Pats are going to have to really play solid defense in the front line. Also Revis and MCourty are going to have to makes sure that their game is on point because they need that defense on those wide receivers. Overall for the QB's Brady is a much more talented and experienced quarter-back, for Wilson he is a young player and doesn't have that much experience but yet is a really good QB. The Pats receivers I think are better than the Seahawks, they play very well together and Brady is always there to have them pumped up and focused, but they are going to definitely need someone to cover the big man Gronk because he is unstoppable! That is why I think that the Pats are going to win Super Bow 49.

What is a Sport?

     What is a Sport? In my opinion a sport is an activity that requires physical work, where you have to work towards scoring a goal. I think that this is a sports definition because people overall work hard everyday! If you work hard everyday thats just a lifestyle. In sports you need to work together as a team to achieve the goal your working for. Like in basketball you have to pass, communicate and shoot, that takes a lot of hard physical work. On the other hand I do think that some sports shouldn't be called a sport, and some people might agree with me. I also think that there are many under viewed/watched sports like UFC. I don't know why these sports aren't watched that often but people have their choices.
     I do not think that many sport should be called a sport. I don't think that baseball, polo, swimming,   track, or lax should be a sport. I don't think this because these sports are just plain out boring and overall many people do not like them. With swimming you aren't really doing anything your just racing swimming around in a pool. I could see if you were swimming and having to score a goal I wold consider it, like Water polo. Overall I don't think that many sports should be called a sport because they're just boring and many people do not find them fun! I think that if your are going to play a sport you should be able to have fun!

Boston Bruins vs New York Islanders

     "Bruins bounce back from break," by Denis Gorman, the Bruins have had a rough year this year but they've started to come back and one of their wins have came off of the all star week break. Last night the Boston Bruins played the New York Islanders and came out with a 5-3 win. "We definitely wanted a good start after the (All Star) break," Rask said. "We had a good start and (that was) very key." This quote is saying that one of the key things for a Bruins victory is that they need a good start in the beginning of the game. I personally think agree with Tuukka, from the games that I've seen the Bruins play and have a good start they usually come out with a win. Some games they have a rough start and don't come out with the win or just have a bad game, like the game with the Columbus Blue Jackets if the Bruins went out and played like the should have then they wouldn't have lost 6-2. In that game they had a good first period but then they started to fall apart during the end of the game.
      I feel that the article is a good explanation of the game and how the Bruins need to play/played. I agree with Tuukka's saying of. "We played our system (from) start to finish." The Bruins did play there game from start to finish and need to start playing like this all the time! If they played like this from the beginning to the end of the season the Bruins could be the top seed in the NHL for their division. Right now they're in the fourth seed for their division but I feel as if they could be the top seed in the East. My friends and I talk about the NHL teams and how they're doing all the time and we agree with the Bruins being capable of winning it all this year if they take it to the other teams, and don't let anyone in there way!