Beware the strides of March
Where Mo Rivera begins his arch
Mo Rivera knows his foe
He can fan them all
Amateur to Murderer’s Row
Mo Rivera takes his stride
The short leg kick left
Beauty even age can’t hide
The biting steam of his cut fastball
Splitting atoms in the air
Worthy of a curtain call
Rivera is in the Mo zone
A familiar layer of land
Where every batter stands alone
Rivera is called on in the clutch
With his unprecedented track record
No one this lifetime will ever touch
Beware the strides of March
Where Mo Rivera begins his arch
Parting Points: Song for the day- “Good” by Better Than Ezra
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Leonard’s Last
Thursday March 3rd, Wes Leonard took his last shot. He made a basket no one will ever forget and paid dearly for the game he loved to play.
I’m sure you’ve heard by now the story of the 16 year old Michigan high school basketball player who collapsed and died after hitting the game winning shot for his team. Wes Leonard’s death is tragic, scary and sad. It’s frightening when any young person loses their life inexplicably. It’s especially horrific when death occurs following one shining moment in an athlete’s lively existence. Leonard was a high school junior with a gift. He participated in both basketball and football for Fennville High School. An enlarged heart causes Leonard to go into cardiac arrest immediately after nailing the game winning shot in overtime Thursday night. The American Heart Association advises children with dilated cardiomyopathy not to participate in sports. The risk of heart failure increases during competition for people with this condition. The symptoms are never really apparent if you are unaware of your diagnosis. Those who knew Leonard said he took excellent care of his body. It is truly scary as an athlete to imagine having your life taken away by a health condition. It’s become too familiar a situation for many athletes. It makes you wonder if preventative measures are being taken seriously. It makes you wonder what you would do if you found out you couldn’t compete because of a heart condition. Personally, I’m not sure I would be able to handle that news. I’m accustomed, like many athletes, to pushing myself beyond my limits. It would make me think twice if I knew I couldn’t push myself hard. It’s a shame what happened to Wes Leonard. It would be an even bigger shame if nothing were done to prevent other young athletes from a similar fate.
I’m sure you’ve heard by now the story of the 16 year old Michigan high school basketball player who collapsed and died after hitting the game winning shot for his team. Wes Leonard’s death is tragic, scary and sad. It’s frightening when any young person loses their life inexplicably. It’s especially horrific when death occurs following one shining moment in an athlete’s lively existence. Leonard was a high school junior with a gift. He participated in both basketball and football for Fennville High School. An enlarged heart causes Leonard to go into cardiac arrest immediately after nailing the game winning shot in overtime Thursday night. The American Heart Association advises children with dilated cardiomyopathy not to participate in sports. The risk of heart failure increases during competition for people with this condition. The symptoms are never really apparent if you are unaware of your diagnosis. Those who knew Leonard said he took excellent care of his body. It is truly scary as an athlete to imagine having your life taken away by a health condition. It’s become too familiar a situation for many athletes. It makes you wonder if preventative measures are being taken seriously. It makes you wonder what you would do if you found out you couldn’t compete because of a heart condition. Personally, I’m not sure I would be able to handle that news. I’m accustomed, like many athletes, to pushing myself beyond my limits. It would make me think twice if I knew I couldn’t push myself hard. It’s a shame what happened to Wes Leonard. It would be an even bigger shame if nothing were done to prevent other young athletes from a similar fate.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Tar Heels Take Tallahassee
There were plenty of great games Wednesday in college basketball. Pittsburgh knocked off South Florida, Duke defeated Clemson and West Virginia took it to 16th ranked UConn. Then there were the Tar Heels, who harassed ACC opponent, Florida State 72-70 in Tallahassee. Freshman, Harrison Barnes, hit a three-pointer from the top of the key with three ticks on the clock to lift NC over the Seminoles. The 18 year old silenced the boisterous FSU home crowd after the Seminoles rallied from seven down in the second half. The Tar Heels now lead the ACC by a half-game over Duke. John Henson turned in 19 points and 12 rebounds in the win as the Heels locked up a number two seed in the ACC tournament. The men in powdered blue jerseys can clinch a top seed with a win over the Blue Devils on Saturday.
Florida State fell short of their bid to complete an undefeated conference record at home. The first half saw nine lead changes and nine ties. Derwin Kitchen had 13 points overall for FSU, who led by seven midway through the first half. Backup, Ian Miller, had a big first half and finished the game with seven points and four assists for the home team. North Carolina earned the rebounding edge and shot 47.2 during the contest. Henson took over the first half with three blocked shots and six rebounds. The towering sophomore tapped in 10 first half buckets but the visitors still trailed by a point at the break. Florida State’s bench outscored NC’s reserves 20-5.
FSU guard, Michael Snaer added 11 points as the ‘Noles played without top shooter, Chris Singleton. FSU’s tremendous defense has kept them ahead of the pack in the ACC. Last night the Tar Heels trumped that tenacious defense, forcing the ‘Noles to scramble off balance in the end. North Carolina took the lead midway through the second half. . Leslie McDonald contributed 10 points for the Tar Heels, including a pair of treys that gave NC a five point lead with just over fourteen minutes remaining. Kendall Marshall knotted a three-pointer with four minutes to go to lift the Tar Heels to a seven point advantage. North Carolina won their fifth straight game on FSU’s court after fighting off the ‘Noles one point lead with 18 seconds left. Kitchen’s free throws gave the Seminoles a 70-69 advantage but the home team turned the ball over and Barnes sealed the deal with the game winning basket.
Parting points: The NFL is considering extending the collective bargaining agreement talks. I just hope they settle because a year without football would be devastating.
Florida State fell short of their bid to complete an undefeated conference record at home. The first half saw nine lead changes and nine ties. Derwin Kitchen had 13 points overall for FSU, who led by seven midway through the first half. Backup, Ian Miller, had a big first half and finished the game with seven points and four assists for the home team. North Carolina earned the rebounding edge and shot 47.2 during the contest. Henson took over the first half with three blocked shots and six rebounds. The towering sophomore tapped in 10 first half buckets but the visitors still trailed by a point at the break. Florida State’s bench outscored NC’s reserves 20-5.
FSU guard, Michael Snaer added 11 points as the ‘Noles played without top shooter, Chris Singleton. FSU’s tremendous defense has kept them ahead of the pack in the ACC. Last night the Tar Heels trumped that tenacious defense, forcing the ‘Noles to scramble off balance in the end. North Carolina took the lead midway through the second half. . Leslie McDonald contributed 10 points for the Tar Heels, including a pair of treys that gave NC a five point lead with just over fourteen minutes remaining. Kendall Marshall knotted a three-pointer with four minutes to go to lift the Tar Heels to a seven point advantage. North Carolina won their fifth straight game on FSU’s court after fighting off the ‘Noles one point lead with 18 seconds left. Kitchen’s free throws gave the Seminoles a 70-69 advantage but the home team turned the ball over and Barnes sealed the deal with the game winning basket.
Parting points: The NFL is considering extending the collective bargaining agreement talks. I just hope they settle because a year without football would be devastating.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
March Mad-less
Going, Going Gone
Soft kisses on stormy nights
That it what you are to me.
The thought of touching you,
Sets my smile in motion
As far as the eye can see.
I can’t hide the way I feel
As you move into me.
The reassuring breath of you,
Is like the sun that breaks the clouds
Between the offing and the sea.
Now that you’re gone,
You’re afraid we went too far
And I’m afraid of what we are.
But we’re not children anymore,
Responsibility is more than a chore.
Because you are gone,
I’m alone behind this shield
Neglectful of how your body feels
Hurtful from the things you said
As tired as the time that fled.
What remains are broken strings,
Empty hands wrapped in tears.
The separation from you,
Not unlike the shoulders strong
Burdened and beaten by years.
March Mad-less
At cliff’s edge,
What holds you back
When all the others slip through the crack?
What prevents the poison
From pushing you tolling
As if you were a pebble rolling?
Devoid of glory,
What drives your reason
When you enter your darkest season?
What begins the rise
From dejected to determined
As if you caught hold of the screaming wind?
Soft kisses on stormy nights
That it what you are to me.
The thought of touching you,
Sets my smile in motion
As far as the eye can see.
I can’t hide the way I feel
As you move into me.
The reassuring breath of you,
Is like the sun that breaks the clouds
Between the offing and the sea.
Now that you’re gone,
You’re afraid we went too far
And I’m afraid of what we are.
But we’re not children anymore,
Responsibility is more than a chore.
Because you are gone,
I’m alone behind this shield
Neglectful of how your body feels
Hurtful from the things you said
As tired as the time that fled.
What remains are broken strings,
Empty hands wrapped in tears.
The separation from you,
Not unlike the shoulders strong
Burdened and beaten by years.
March Mad-less
At cliff’s edge,
What holds you back
When all the others slip through the crack?
What prevents the poison
From pushing you tolling
As if you were a pebble rolling?
Devoid of glory,
What drives your reason
When you enter your darkest season?
What begins the rise
From dejected to determined
As if you caught hold of the screaming wind?
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Missing: Melo Meshing
Carmelo Anthony and the new-look Knicks were crushed by Cleveland 115-109 at Quicken Loans Arena Friday. The dreadful but diligent Cavaliers bested New York in Anthony’s second game since being traded from Denver. The Cavs won for just the 11th time this season behind five double digit scorers. Veteran forward, Antawn Jamison, led the way with 28 points and 13 rebounds and J.J. Hickson scored 24 to go along with a game-high 15 boards in the win. Anthony tallied 27 points, shooting 9-for-22 from the field. New York’s A’mare Stoudemire led all scorers with 31 points and contributed five blocks. The 6’10” Stoudemire is still adjusting to life with Anthony on his side. Both players undeniably excel at succeeding individually, but are unfamiliar with playing together. It could take a while before the Knicks begin to mesh. Last night, New York took Cleveland too lightly and paid for it.
Baron Davis was sidelined during the second half for Cleveland, but the Cavs still scored 62 in his absence. Cleveland took advantage of New York’s confused defense and utilized their scrappy roster to put up 115 points overall. Anthony scored 14 first quarter points as the Knicks led 30-28 heading into the second stanza. The home team rebounded to post a 25 point second quarter that tied the game at the break. Jamison’s offensive rebounds proved the difference in the second half. Ramon Sessions added 12 buckets, including nine free throws for the Cavs, who shot 70% from the foul line. New York quickly fell behind, scoring just 22 to Cleveland’s 30 in the third quarter.
Chauncy Billips pocketed 20 fourth quarter points for the Knicks and finished the game with 26. Billips’ jumper with two minutes to play cut the Cavs’ edge to 103-101. The short-handed Cavs would not be denied. Instead, they canned the Knicks by working the shot clock down and relying on swift shooting Daniel Gibson to hit a late three. Gibson’s launch made it a five point Cleveland lead with thirty ticks and was the real dagger for New York’s comeback hopes. Anthony came through with a layup to trim the lead to three, but missed a free throw and was fouled out on the next play. Anthony notched just 11 points through the last three quarters and left with a numb elbow. Stoudemire ironically seemed to do his best scoring with Anthony on the bench. Cleveland held the edge on the boards 62-42 and was able to outwork New York for their second win against the Knicks this season.
Parting Points: Yankees’ Spring Training opener today!
Baron Davis was sidelined during the second half for Cleveland, but the Cavs still scored 62 in his absence. Cleveland took advantage of New York’s confused defense and utilized their scrappy roster to put up 115 points overall. Anthony scored 14 first quarter points as the Knicks led 30-28 heading into the second stanza. The home team rebounded to post a 25 point second quarter that tied the game at the break. Jamison’s offensive rebounds proved the difference in the second half. Ramon Sessions added 12 buckets, including nine free throws for the Cavs, who shot 70% from the foul line. New York quickly fell behind, scoring just 22 to Cleveland’s 30 in the third quarter.
Chauncy Billips pocketed 20 fourth quarter points for the Knicks and finished the game with 26. Billips’ jumper with two minutes to play cut the Cavs’ edge to 103-101. The short-handed Cavs would not be denied. Instead, they canned the Knicks by working the shot clock down and relying on swift shooting Daniel Gibson to hit a late three. Gibson’s launch made it a five point Cleveland lead with thirty ticks and was the real dagger for New York’s comeback hopes. Anthony came through with a layup to trim the lead to three, but missed a free throw and was fouled out on the next play. Anthony notched just 11 points through the last three quarters and left with a numb elbow. Stoudemire ironically seemed to do his best scoring with Anthony on the bench. Cleveland held the edge on the boards 62-42 and was able to outwork New York for their second win against the Knicks this season.
Parting Points: Yankees’ Spring Training opener today!
Friday, February 25, 2011
Steeltown Sizzle
Lamar Patterson scored the first five points of the second half as the Pitt Panthers easily dispatched the visiting Mountaineers 71-58 last night. The reserve finished with a career high 11 points for fourth ranked Pittsburgh. Patterson replaced the injured Talib Zanna and sparked the Panthers’ second half home comeback against Big East rival, West Virginia. Nasir Robinson led Pitt with 15 points, while Casey Mitchell knocked down 22 for the Mountaineers. Pittsburgh has a two game edge in the conference. West Virginia sits at a three-way tie for ninth place. The Panthers beat WVU for the tenth time in their last 11 tries.
Gilbert Brown poured in 11 points during the first half but the Panthers quickly found themselves in a 7-0 hole. The Panthers stormed back to even the score against the hard charging team from the Mountain State. Pitt fell behind to trail 31-30 at the break but the Mountaineers couldn’t maintain their advantage after halftime. West Virginia’s second half collapse began early. The Mountaineers missed five of their first seven attempts and were crippled by cold shooting. Pittsburgh, meanwhile, shot 65% in the final 20 minutes and finished with 57.4% for the game.
Patterson and the Panthers built a 47-36 lead with just under 12 minutes left. Brad Wanamaker put up 11 points, eight assists and added seven rebounds in the win. Pittsburgh’s transition defense hobbled Bob Huggins’ Mountaineers and WVU never threatened again. Gary McGhee was a force on defense with two blocks as Jamie Dixon won for the 213th time as Pitt’s head coach. Joe Mazzulla scored nine and pulled down six rebounds for the Mountaineers, who were outscored 41-27 in the second half. The Panthers also bested the Mountaineers in rebounding by three. The win pushes Pitt’s record to 25-3 overall, including a staggering 9-2 road record. There are three conference games remaining before the Big East tournament. Pitt looks like a top seeded team who can pummel just about any opponent.
Parting Points: Song of the day- “I’ve Got My Mind Set on You” by George Harrison
Gilbert Brown poured in 11 points during the first half but the Panthers quickly found themselves in a 7-0 hole. The Panthers stormed back to even the score against the hard charging team from the Mountain State. Pitt fell behind to trail 31-30 at the break but the Mountaineers couldn’t maintain their advantage after halftime. West Virginia’s second half collapse began early. The Mountaineers missed five of their first seven attempts and were crippled by cold shooting. Pittsburgh, meanwhile, shot 65% in the final 20 minutes and finished with 57.4% for the game.
Patterson and the Panthers built a 47-36 lead with just under 12 minutes left. Brad Wanamaker put up 11 points, eight assists and added seven rebounds in the win. Pittsburgh’s transition defense hobbled Bob Huggins’ Mountaineers and WVU never threatened again. Gary McGhee was a force on defense with two blocks as Jamie Dixon won for the 213th time as Pitt’s head coach. Joe Mazzulla scored nine and pulled down six rebounds for the Mountaineers, who were outscored 41-27 in the second half. The Panthers also bested the Mountaineers in rebounding by three. The win pushes Pitt’s record to 25-3 overall, including a staggering 9-2 road record. There are three conference games remaining before the Big East tournament. Pitt looks like a top seeded team who can pummel just about any opponent.
Parting Points: Song of the day- “I’ve Got My Mind Set on You” by George Harrison
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