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Tag Archives: sports
Featured Athlete: Freshman Clara Shean
By Blake Dykes
For most people it is difficult to be involved in one sport and get schoolwork finished. However, freshman Clara Shean manages to be involved in basketball and softball while maintaining A’s and B’s.
Shean has been doing softball for the past eight years and basketball for nine. This includes travel, school, and recreational teams. Having already finished her first basketball season at FC, she is currently in the middle of the FC softball season.
“Even though the sports are different seasons, it is still difficult because they take so much time.”
With basketball conditioning starting the first week of summer and softball at the beginning of November, she does not get much of a break.
“I don’t get to condition with the softball team because basketball carries into the season.”
Once basketball season is over, Shean is allowed one week break before practicing with the softball team.
Due to her tight schedule, sacrifices have to be made.
“I don’t get to hang out with my friends as much.”
However, Shean likes both sports, but still favors basketball.
“I like both a lot, but I would have to say I like basketball more. I just enjoy playing better, even though it’s harder for me.”
Even though Shean likes basketball more, she said she is better at softball.
“I’m more talented at softball because in basketball you have to be big and it’s a physical sport, and I am small and get pushed around a lot. I try to go to the gym and lift weights, though.”
Shean shared her goals for both sports.
“I hope to maybe get maybe get a scholarship in softball,” said Shean. “And I want to play basketball all four years because it would make me stronger and I enjoy playing the sport.”
Indiana and Kentucky prepare for intense tournament rematch
By Luke Geraghty
Ever since selection Sunday, fans around Kentuckiana have been wondering if a rematch between UK and IU will take place in the Sweet 16. This past weekend, both the Cats and the Hoosiers won their their round games to help advance to the Sweet 16. The rivalry between UK and IU had been down for a few years since IU was rebuilding. However, when IU beat UK on a last second three pointer in December, the rivalry is as intense as ever.
Both UK and IU came into the NCAA tournament with not a lot of momentum after both teams lost in their conference tournaments. However, both teams have fought back to win their first two games of the tournament. UK beat Western Kentucky and Iowa State quite easily. IU beat New Mexico State handily, but saw themselves in a much tougher battle with Virginia Commonwealth. Nevertheless, getting a win in the NCAA Tournament is crucial no matter what the margin is. In order to get a win, both teams will have to play their best.
For UK, the key to getting a win will rest on their front court. The size and strength of UK’s front court makes them the most talented in the country. Freshman Anthony Davis may go down as the best freshman to ever play at UK. His ability to block shots makes it extremely difficult for any player to get a shot off against him.
Sophomore Terrence Jones joins Davis in the front court. Jones is a great all around player who could have been a lottery pick had he declared for the draft last year. Keep him off the offensive glass will be a tough task for the Hoosiers.
In order for UK to win, they will need to keep Davis and Jones out of foul trouble. In their previous meeting, Davis had been in foul trouble which made his minutes limited. This was probably the biggest factor in that game. Also in that game, Jones had trouble scoring and rebounding. It was one of his worst games while playing at UK. If UK can get them going, and get some contributions from their backcourt, UK will find themselves in the Elite Eight.
For IU, getting another win against UK will be very difficult. However, if IU uses a similar game plan like they did in the first meeting, they have a shot.
Getting Davis in foul trouble will be critical for the Hoosiers. Freshman Cody Zeller may not be able to score on Davis, but if he can draw fouls on Davis, that will be a victory in itself. They will also need to pray that Jones has a similar game as he did before. IU will also need a contribution from their perimeter players. IU has was it takes to get hot from three-point range, but UK has been known to be a stingy team when guarding the perimeter. This is probably the most important area for the Hoosiers in this game.
Getting to the Sweet 16 has been a great accomplishment for the Hoosiers. IU has the better coach in Tom Crean and a lot of great players, but UK is more talented. If Davis and Jones stay out of foul trouble, then UK is almost unbeatable against any team. UK will get off to a strong start and will hold off the Hoosiers 78-68
Cards face off against Spartans Thursday night
By Ty Elliott
Tonight at 7:47 p.m. on TBS, the fourth-seeded Louisville Cardinals will look to upset the number one seed Michigan State Spartans in a Sweet 16 matchup in the West region. The two teams come into Thursday’s game after winning close games against their third-round match-ups. The Spartans defeated ninth-seeded Saint Louis Billikens 65-61, and the Cardinals beat the fifth-seeded New Mexico Lobos 59-56.
Both teams come into the game evenly matched. Michigan State is a tough and physical team that likes to impose their will on their opponent in the paint. Their star player, Draymond Green, averages 20 points and 12.5 rebounds per game during the tournament, while point guard Keith Appling is averaging 14.5 points and three assists per game. Appling is a scoring point guard with amazing speed in a fast-break situation. Louisville’s Peyton Siva and Russ Smith will have to control Appling on the fast-break and slow down Green on the offensive end in order to win and advance to the Elite Eight.
For Louisville, the key is the overall play of point guard Peyton Siva. Siva has had mixed performances during the tournament so far. Against the 13 seeded Davidson Wildcats, Siva finished with 17 points, two rebounds, and six assists, and in their game against New Mexico, Siva played poorly and had six points, five assists, and only one rebound. Siva must play well in order for the Cardinals to win. Louisville also needs to have big performances from their front court. Freshman forward Chane Behanan and sophomore center Gorgui Dieng must play big for Louisville to out-rebound Green and the Spartans.
The pace of game may be the biggest factor in determining who wins. Michigan State will look to slow the game down by running their half-court offense and creating fast-break situations when they can, and by playing a zone defense. Louisville wants to play at a fast and up tempo pace using their press to force turnovers and score easily. The team that can play at their pace will win.
Although the Spartans are regarded as the favorite to win the game and advance to the Final Four, I believe Louisville will win. The game will be a tough defensive battle and a low scoring game, but the Cardinals will end up winning 54-52.
Geraghty’s sports bucket list
By Luke Geraghty
As a sports fan, I have been to many sporting events. From college basketball to the NBA and from peewee football to the NFL, I have seen the excitement that sports has to offer. However, there are many things that I still have on my sports bucket list I have not done yet. I narrowed my long list to the top five places and events I would like to visit.
#5: The Rose Bowl
Opening in 1902, the Rose Bowl is one of the most historic college football stadiums in the U.S. Its Pasadena setting gives a beautiful background to an already beautiful stadium. Fans from all across the country come to watch the bowl game which features the Big Ten and Pac-12 champions. Because of this, it has been the highest attended bowl game since 1945. The great setting and tradition of the Rose Bowl makes it one of the best sporting venues in the U.S.
#4: Phog Allen Fieldhouse
One of the most historic places in college basketball, Phog Allen Fieldhouse is a nightmare for the visiting team. Since Feb. 20, 1994, Kansas has won over 95 percent of its regular season home games. Their home court was recognized as being the loudest college basketball arena in the country by ESPN magazine in 2010. Around 5,000 of the 16,000 seat arena is dedicated to the students. With a lot of the other seats bought by season ticket holders, it makes attending the games very difficult.
#3: The FIFA World Cup
The Olympics are supposed to be biggest sporting event around the world, but the FIFA World Cup might be an exception. People all across the world tune in to watch this extravaganza. Countries put aside their problems just to cheer on their team all the way to the FIFA World Cup Final. Stadiums are filled with people from all across the world. From the Americas to Asia, all of the cultures unite in one place. The U.S. last hosted a world cup in 1994 so they are not exactly due to receive one in the near future.
#2: Super Bowl
Super Bowl Sunday is constantly one of the most watched events every year. The top two teams in arguably the most popular sports league give the people plenty of reason to watch the this incredible event every year. However, attending the Super Bowl can be very expensive. It is practically impossible to purchase a ticket less then $1,000 in less you win it in some competition. This can make it hard for the casual fan to a purchase a ticket, but if you are willing to make it your vacation for the year then it could work out.
#1 Fenway Park
Home of the Boston Red Sox, my favorite Major League Baseball team, Fenway Park might be the most unique sports venue in America. From the green monster to Pesky’s Pole, this park has a great history. Fenway Park opened in 1912, making it the oldest ballpark in the MLB. Much like the other places on the list, attending a game at Fenway Park is very difficult. Fenway Park is one of the smallest ballparks in the MLB and with a large fan base, it’s hard to find an available ticket. Quite possibly the biggest regular season game in Red Sox history will take place on April 20. This will be the day that the Red Sox celebrate Fenway’s 100th anniversary. Something tells me it is not a coincidence that the team they will be playing are their arch rivals, the New York Yankees.
Each of these places brings a great tradition that draws attention of avid sports fan like me and even though they all will be difficult to attend, I will refuse to cross them off my list.