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Chapel Football
Juan, 14, of California
Posted February 20, 2008
I currently attend Cathedral Chapel School and here's a story
about our football team. Last season, our school football team's record
was 0-7-1. This had never happened to our school. It was a great
embarrassment.
However, this year, with the assistance of our new coach,
Coach Floyd, we were able to win games and have fun at the same time.
On our first game, we entered the field nervously and uneasily. As the
first few minutes passed, we were already in the lead with two
touchdowns. We won that first game with confidence and determination.
Later on, as each game went by, our football team grew more and more
confident.
Then came our school's "rival", St. Brendan. We practiced
hard everyday for this game and we were ready to win. However, our
desire to win so much caused us to not follow our instructed plays and
decided not to use teamwork. The result turned out to be a 14-7 loss.
Even though it was a disappointing loss, Coach Floyd explained to us
the importance of a loss, and how we can learn from our mistakes and
not make them again.
After few weeks, we entered the playoffs for the first time
in five years. We went against a much taller, bigger, and tougher team
than us, Corpus Chirsty. Although their players were more talented and
had more experience than us, we had a better team. Before the game
began, Coach Floyd taught us the importance of teamwork and how it
could help us win the game. As a result of our great teamwork, like
coach Floyd said, we were able to win the game by the final score of
23-15.
Then came our next big challenge in the sweet sixteen, St. Bruno, who
were the previous C.Y.O football champions. Once the game began, St.
Bruno scored and kept their lead for the entire game. Despite our hard
work, we increased our knowledge of teamwork and how its importance. As
we left the field, our team realized what an experience we've gone
through together as a team and what great fun it was. Thank You Coach
Floyd! GO CHAPEL!
Wild Wild West
Jae, 14, of California
Posted February 20, 2008
Over half of the 2007-2008 NBA season has passed and it
looks like the Western Conference is still the powerhouse of the NBA.
Two trades have occurred and another big trade is still pending but all
trades seem to be in favor of Western teams. The Memphis Grizzlies
traded Pau Gasol to the Los Angeles Lakers for Kwame Brown, Javaris
Crittendon, and two first round picks. The Miami heat traded Shaquille
O'Neal to the Phoenix Suns for forward Shawn Marion and guard Marcus
Banks. Jason Kidd said that he wanted to be traded many times before
and his wish may come true. The Dallas Mavericks offered quick guard
Devin Harris, forward Jerry Stackhouse who can still put up 30 point
nights when needed of him, Maurice Ager, Devean Geore, and 2 future 1st
round draft picks for the Hall of Fame point guard. This trade is still
pending but it is safe to say that these trades will probably make a
huge impact in the league.
The Pau Gasol trade was very lopsided in favor of the Lakers.
After Lakers center Andrew Bynum, who was playing extremely well by
averaging 13.1 points and 10.1 rebounds, suffered a left knee injury,
the Lakers needed someone to replace him while he was recovering. It
was obvious that Kwame Brown was not the man for the job. He choked on
several easy lay-ups and dunks and caused 11 turnovers in his first 3
games as the starting center. The Lakers home crowd showed their
disappointment by booing him whenever he touched the ball even when it
was obvious that the booing deteriorated Brown's performance. The trade
with the Memphis Grizzlies seemed unreal for the Lakers. Not only did
they receive a solid forward-center who averaged around 20 points and
10 rebounds in his career but they got rid of Kwame Brown, who will
probably be only known for being one of the biggest busts in the NBA.
He was drafted number one overall in the 2000 draft by the Washington
Wizards. He has been in the league 7 and a half seasons and he has not yet developed a solid low-post game and his only valuable attribute if he has any is
his defense which is a little above average at best. And yet, he was
making 9 million dollars a year. This trade did not please other teams
in the West. Gregg Poppovich, head coach of the defending champions San
Antonio Spurs, said to the media that the NBA should form a committee
that can veto a trade if it is too lopsided. The Lakers fans are not
complaining though. From the parks, the gyms, and almost everywhere in
LA people are already talking about the championship years coming back.
Shaquille O'Neal promised a repeat after he led the Lakers to
a championship in 2000. When he was traded to the Heat in 2004, he
promised to bring a championship to Miami. On both occasions, he kept
his promise. Now, he made the same commitment to the Phoenix Suns. Last
season, it was obvious that Shaq was not the dominant Shaq that people
are used to seeing. He was barely able to run and his free throws
didn't get any better if not worse. Even now, he doesn't look like he
got in a better shape. Although Shaq's terrible condition is so obvious
that Stevie Wonder would be able to see it, the Phoenix Suns have put
their trust in 'The Diesel'. They gave up Shawn Marion, one of the most
versatile players in the league, and guard Marcus Banks. Shawn Marion
was one of the Suns' best finishers in their fast break led by their
point guard Steve Nash. The Suns play a running style of basketball and
lack defense. Shaquille O'Neal may be able to help the Suns on defense
but he may deteriorate his new team on the other end. He cannot run for his
life in his current condition and there is no need to comment on his
shooting. Also, this may be a sign of disrespect from Suns General
Manager Steve Kerr to their head coach Mike Dantoni who coaches the
running style of play. For 3 seasons, the Suns have been excellent in
the regular season but always came up in the playoffs, never reaching
the NBA Finals. This may be time to finally change their playing style
if they want to win a championship ring.
Jason Kidd once rejected a large amount of money from the San
Antonio Spurs in order to remain with his Nets team because he felt
that the Nets was a better team to stay with. Ironically, the Nets lost
to the San Antonio Spurs afterwards. It has been 5 years since Kidd
reached the Finals and he may have had enough of his team's
shortcomings. Couple weeks ago, he demanded to be traded and his wish
may come true. The Dallas Mavericks and the Nets are pending a trade
and if the trade comes through, Dallas may have their last piece of the
puzzle. As excellent as they are currently, their flaw was the point
guard position. Devin Harris does not know how to run a team right now
and Jason Terry is better off in the wing. Furthermore, they do not
have anyone who has a great deal of experience, especially in the
Finals, as Jason Kidd. During the 2006 Finals, the Mavs had a 2-0
series lead over the Miami Heat. The next 4 games, they couldn't take
the pressure and let Dwayne Wade take over. They ended up losing the series in 6 games. The next year, they were humiliated by the Golden State Warriors, who were placed in the 8th seed while the Mavs were placed in the 1st seed and
still came up with the upset. After two straight humiliations in the
playoffs, the Mavs look to win it all this year and Jason Kidd may be
able to lead them to a ring.
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