Category: Sports

By Brandon Bowers-

Anything can happen, UConn girls are geared up and ready to play in the this year’s NCAA Championship game, going for their seventh national title. And history.

UConn’s captain forward Maya Moore may lead her team to yet another NCAA Championship.

She is one of the best scorers in the league. Her score total in four years is 1110 with a percentage of .538 and her 3-point field goals are 294 with an average of .406.

She only misses a shot one out of every two shots she takes and from long range she only misses about one in every two or three shots.

“UConn is one of the best girls basketball team in history, no one would had ever thought that one team could go 90 and 0 before finally losing to Stanford. It was a heart breaker for them they had history and would of taken it farther, But 90 and o will be hard to beat,” said junior Kevin Bubaker.

People may not watch girls basketball because they may think it’s boring or not interesting, but UConn may make basketball a different story.  They have won six championships and may be ready to take on seven.

The tournament will decide if they are the best team in the country.  If so, they will be making history, even if they are “girls.”

After this year, Moore will be leaving and may be entering a draft to the WNBA so UConn will be losing a big threat in the lineup.  UConn coach Geno Auriemma will have a tough time replacing her.

“I personality don’t watch girls basketball but when highlights come on ESPN, it is always UConn and Maya Moore making ridiculous shots or them beating a team by 30 to 40 points,” said junior Will Welsh.  “That is crazy. The UConn girls should just play in the men’s league and beat up on all the boys. They are so good when I seen that they where 90 and 0 I was shocked,” said Welsh.

The girls may only have four more games until they are in the championship game but they may still have to come out ready to play and win these key games so they can get that seventh title.

“It’s just that girls seems too slow to watch,” complained junior Matt Duvall.  “But UConn is a different team.  They have the plays and the talent to take their time to get a good shot or find an open hole for a lay up. they have had a disappointing game against Standford to snap the 90-game win streak, but they will win this year’s NCAA Championship.”

Their big win against Purdue now puts them in the final four match up against number five- ranked Georgetown this Sunday. If UConn pulls off  yet another big win it will put them in the championship game for a chance for the historic seventh title.

To see the UConn women in action, go to this video: http://search.espn.go.com/uconn/women%27s-basketball/57

By Sam Valentin –

Five Penn Manor seniors will be playing  one more game before moving on to college. Five talented seniors were voted to the Tri-county All-star game playing for the south squad.

Linebacker Ande Olson, Wide receiver Demetrius Dixon, Wide receiver Teon Lee, linebacker Garret Young, and defensive back Darius Howard were all selected for the south team of the all star team.

Coach Scott Lackey expressed his feelings about the seniors being selected, saying,” I think it’s super. There hard work is being rewarded.”

Last year nine Penn Manor players represented the south team. In 2009 four comet seniors were involved in a south victory. In 2008 which was also a south victory, the Comets were represented by two seniors.

“In years past we didn’t have  as many. To have five players selected is quite an honor,” said Lackey. There were only ten seniors on the football team this year and five players will represent Penn Manor as a school and and as a football program.

“We have some very good kids coming up,” said Lackey about future players representing Penn Manor at the all star game. But next years senior class is smaller so don’t expect as many players being selected for the game.

The game is scheduled for 7 p.m. on May 28 at Manheim Central High school. The south will be coached by the Garden Spot football staff. While the north squad will be coached by the Ephrata football staff.

By Corbin Gillichbauer –

Trapped within walls with a ball and a bunch of prime athletes trying to win glory for their team.

Indoor soccer is played when everyone is getting ready for bed at the Red Rose Indoor Soccer Arena. It is six on six with a goalie in each net played just like soccer, but indoors.

Cliff Overdorf and Tom Buckius coached “Attack soccer” since fifth grade but Buckius left after grade seven, since then Overdorf took control.

“It is more physical than outdoor soccer. We take it seriously out on the field and leave  it on the field,” said Zane Sensenig the coach’s son.

The younger Sensenig is the captain of the field and possesses the team spirit during each game and makes sure his team doesn’t get into a fight because the games are played fiercely.

Ryan Connelly is a member of Attack for three years now and loves the sport. Connelly said he will play indoor soccer until he can’t play any more.

“It is the most intense sport anyone can play, it is a way of life,” said Connelly.

The top four teams go to playoffs and battle it out for the championship and Attack has secured fourth place and will play in the playoffs.

“We just have to play hard and hope for the best,” said Zane Sensenig.

By Marc Summy –

The Penn Manor girl’s soccer team looks to make an improvement from last season’s 13-5-1 record.

Hopes are high within the team to win districts and make a deep run into states.

The team has come up with a slogan: “Diez Anos de GANAS” (ten years of GANAS). Loosely translated it means, “ten years with the desire to win.”

The girls have taken this to heart, supporting it on the back of their t-shirts.

Team captain Veronica Willig said of the team’s near-miss accomplishments in the past.  “We’re sick of losing in districts.”

As for the competition for the Comets, they will be up against section rivals Hempfield and Manheim Township, “who are always tough,” according to coach William Zapata.

The lady Comets will look to their robust defense and tightly netted team as their strong suite.

“Communication is a key to having a successful season this year,” said Arkansas State-bound Logan Kramer.

Although the team lacks varsity experience, they had an impressive off-season, winning all five of the tournaments in which they entered.

The Comets only visible achilles’ heel is varsity experience. “Other weaknesses will only come if the girls get too comfortable or complacent with what they’re doing.” added Coach Zapata.

The Penn Manor’s girl’s soccer team has high expectations from one another and will kick things off with their season opener March 25, home against Wilson at 5:30 p.m.

By Cody Straub,  Simon Zimmerman and David Mohimani

Penn Manor High School has a buzz surrounding it. Why? Because it’s that time of year again.  No, not Saint Patrick’s Day weekend. It’s the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament, and, as Dick Vitale would say, ” It awesome baby! With a capital A!” March Madness is back, and the students of Penn Manor are ready for the most drama-filled weekend in sports.

With the toss of the basketball at 12:15 on Thursday, March Madness began  with West Virginia vs. Clemson.

Why is everyone so excited for the tournament?  It’s the passion of the players who want to make it to the Final Four in Houston makes this tournament great. It’s for the non-stop basketball, the suspense of not only the games, but if your bracket will be correct.

“When March Madness comes around it feels like a second Christmas,” said junior Alex Kirk.

The game everyone was waiting for was the Penn State vs. Temple game at 2:10 on Thursday. For Penn State fans, it’s a welcome change to see the basketball team making some noise in March instead of just the football team in the fall.

Before the game there was buzz around the high school about being able to witness Penn State basketball in the national spotlight, a very rare occasion compared to its football team.

“I’m excited for it(the Penn State game) because I’m looking forward to watching Penn State basketball for once,” said senior Josh Carle.

Unfortunately  for the Lions and their fans, it was an early exit when they lost to Temple 66-64, on a last-second shot.

Just making the tournament  is a huge accomplishment for  Penn State who is in the tournament for the first time since the 2000-2001 season. The main reason for their return is Talor Battle. Battle averaged 20.1 points per game this season, and made countless big shots to help the team get the wins it needed to get a bid for the Big Dance.

Kirk made a bold and incorrect prediction for the game.

“Penn State is gong to win because of Talor Battle,” said Kirk.

Other students  weren’t as optimistic of Penn State pulling off the upset as a 10 seed over 7 seeded Temple.

“They used up all their magic in the Big Ten Tournament,” said senior Peter Horning.

It looks like all the last second magic was left at home for the Lions.

Even though Penn State had the majority of Penn Manor on their side, because  it’s a battle of two local teams, some were rooting for Temple, and others were indifferent and just excited to watch the local teams square off.

“I was excited to watch the two local teams go at it, I just wanted to see a good game,” said junior James Servansky.

The Penn State-Temple game won’t be  the only game students tune into as the tournament is just getting started, continues all weekend, and the next two weekends as well.

No matter who you root for, March Madness is the greatest time of year for all college basketball fans. So sit back relax and enjoy the madness.

President Obama made his NCAA Mens Basketball Championship picks. And let’s just say he doesn’t take the same risks with his bracket that he does with politics.   All number one seeds.

In fact Obama does not have any seed ranked lower than a number three in his Elite Eight, not to mention no team below a number five seed in his Sweet Sixteen.

Obama favors the Kansas Jayhawks to beat the Buckeyes from Ohio State in the championship game.

Obama has a history of picking all chalk. Last year he also had two number one seeds in the championship game and no lower than number two seed in his Elite Eight.

While Obama may believe that these are the best teams, is picking chalk the easy way out?

“I get disgusted when I see that, that’s never going to happen,” said junior Andrew Herr, referring to the outcome of the tournament.

Junior Alec Keck said of people that pick all number one seeds, “They are afraid to take chances.”

When students were told that it was President Obama who had picked all number ones,  their views were not swayed.

“Obama sucks for picking all number ones,” said Herr.

After Keck discovered it was Obama who picked all number ones, he stood by his earlier comments.

“That doesn’t change my mind at all,” said Keck.

While the President’s picks may be predictable, the most important question is – are the picks correct?

Obama has been 50 percent right so far in his presidency when it comes to predicting the college basketball champion.

In 2009 he correctly picked North Carolina and last year he incorrectly selected Kansas, whose team did not make it past the second round.

Obama has better luck this year, when in doubt #1 seeds is not a bad place to start.

By Spencer Barnett-

Don’t blink.

In a split-second you could miss one of the most explosive UFC fights to date.

Jonny “Bones” Jones will be making UFC history March 19th, fighting Mauricio “Shogun” Rua in a five-round bout for the Light-Heavyweight belt. Along with the title shot, former WEC Featherweight champion Urijah Faber will make his UFC debut fighting Eddie Wineland.

Any predictions on the fight?

Trevor Troop, a senior at Penn Manor, believes Rua will retain the title.

“Shogun is gonna win,” said Troop,”by a submission in the third round.”

“Rua’s got this,” said Kyle White. “I’m predicting an arm-bar submission win.”

“Shogun will win with a TKO (Technical Knockout) in the third round,” said Josh Carle.

Some other students like Jessen Smith, Daltyn Willard, and Casey Wells would beg to differ.

“Jon Jones looks like a young (Anderson) Silva,” said Smith. “and he’s extremely athletic, good frame and fast.”

Smith loves watching his unique style of fighting with tricky spinning back-fists and flying knees. He believes the fight will not make it passed the third round.

“I see Jones knocking Shogun out with an elbow,” Williard said. “It won’t make it past the second round.”

A lot of controversy surrounds the event due to Jones receiving the offer only six weeks before the day of the fight.

The original line-up was supposed to be Rashad Evans fighting Rua, but because of a knee injury, Evans was forced to drop out, which opened up a spot for the title.

Even after that, Jones was still not next in line.

Quentin “Rampage” Jackson was next, but turned down the offer, leaving his fans in a rage.

“I don’t care who the opponent is,” said Jackson in an interview with mmajunkie.com. “I’m not taking a fight on four weeks’ notice. It’s not enough time to get ready for a five-round fight.”

Is Jackson scared because of his last loss to Rua where he had to be carried out of the ring? Or is it what he believes is his weight?

“I’m 250 pounds, and I would have to lose 45 pounds in, what, three or four weeks? The first time I fought ‘Shogun,’ I was injured going into that fight, and it’s haunted me all the way up to now. I always believed the second time I fight ‘Shogun’ that I’m going to be close to 100 percent as possible.”

Dana White, President of the UFC, decided that since Jackson would not take the fight, the winner of the Ryan Bader and John Jones fight at UFC 126 would fill in the spot. Jones of course went on to win.

“We did the deal literally next to the Octagon,” said White. “We told Shogun ‘hey, listen if this kid wins, we want to put him in there for the fight. Right before Jones and Bader walked out, (Rua) and his team accepted it.”

How did Jones react to this?

“I had no clue my title shot was coming,” Jones said during the UFC 126 post-fight press conference. “Would I have asked for it? Sure, you know my goal is to be considered the best fighter in the Light Heavyweight division. “I feel as if it’s my time. My confidence is very high. I’m already in shape and I’ve got six weeks to make myself even better. That’s what I’m excited about. It should be great.”

So everyone: save your money, get together, order UFC 128 on Pay-Per-View, and getcha’ popcorn ready.

By Blake Wales –

Dylan Tremellen, a 16 year old student at Penn Manor is really talented at a sport but he won’t win a varsity letter for it.  He races ATVs and he’s good.

It all started five years ago when his dad bought Tremellen his first ATV – an All Terrain Vehicle – a quad and he has progressed ever since.

In 2008 he placed second in the District 6 Championship, but then came back the following year and won. During the same year he placed second in the PAMX, and placed eighth in two national classes. In 2010 he won it all including the two national classes which made him number one in his division in the United States.

Dylan Tremellen and his 2010 National Championship Trophy