Category: Sports

By Aaron Brown –

It was the Celtics versus the Lakers without Kobe and Pierce, but it wasn’t without excitement.

A Lakers’ shot made at the buzzer sent the tense game into overtime, but it was not enough momentum to push the Lakers past the Celtics Monday night.  Uh, not the NBA, it was the always popular Penn Manor Rec Championship game.

“First Rec Championship, you tell me how I’m feeling,” said Cody Straub.

Straub, the Celtics first-round pick, was flying high after the win. It was  Straub’s final year in the Penn Manor Recreational League, and it was a sweet note to end with a first place trophy.

But he was sure to spread the credit across his squad.

“We won the game thanks to Ian Noll heating up, clutch free throws made by Ian Toomey, and solid defense,” said Straub.

The Lakers, were hot off beating the number one seed Rockets and were hoping to keep their ‘Cinderella Story’ alive, but the Celtics were waiting to close the book on that fairy tale.

The bleachers were filled with fans from both teams, much like a famous  Hempfield vs. Penn Manor duel, but it was just the Penn Manor Rec Championship game.

But it wasn’t “just” a game.

The Celtics got a contribution from every member on their team, whether it be points or assists.

Although the Lakers scored the first four points, they could not score the last three to give them the win.

This game may be remembered for many years to come because of all the ties and lead changes. Also, ‘The shot heard around the gym,’ Austin Watson’s made three at the end of regulation to send it into overtime erupted in screams from the crowd on both sides of the gym.

“There is nothing better than rec basketball,” said Nick Tulli, a fellow rec player who watched from the stands after his team, the Sonics, were eliminated in playoffs.

This game was always close, with no team ever winning by more than seven points.

“It was a nail bitter all night long,” said Tulli.

At halftime, the Celtics were winning, 19-17, thanks to Bobby Goss’s shot made seconds before the half was over. The MVP at halftime was Jake Shiner, although his team was losing. He  scored 11 of his team’s 17 points.

During the sixth period-eight periods in a rec game- Ian Noll drained a three in two straight Celtic’s possessions to raise their lead to seven points. The Lakers roared back, on behalf of Jake Shiner and Dougie Taylor.

Then the real drama began. In the last minute of the eighth period, Ian Toomey made two free throws to give the Celtics a one-point lead. The Lakers hurried down the court, but missed the shot. The Celtics sunk two free throws at the hand of Noll. With the Celtics up by the three, Watson caught the ball a couple feet behind the three point line, raised up and ‘swish’, the shot went in to send the game into O.T.

The crowd didn’t get their money’s worth in the three-minute overtime period because the Celtics only scored three points and the Lakers only had one.  Good thing admission was free.

The momentum from regulation time was not enough for the underdog, Lakers. They lost to the Celtics 48-46.

 

 

By Taylor Skelly –

Experience.  It’s what the Comets hope will pull their baseball team out of the slump that plagued them last year.

Last spring, the Penn Manor High School varsity baseball team ended the season with a less than inspiring Lancaster-Lebanon League record of seven wins and nine losses, coupled with an overall record of nine wins and twelve losses. In the 2011-2012 season, Penn Manor looks to a more experienced pitching staff to carry them through the season.

“Last year we didn’t have one returning starting pitcher, this year we have three, Darren Weidman, Joe Witmer and Zac Burke, which will give us some extra experience,” said head coach Jim Zander.

Pitching, along with fielding will be oh so important this year due to the change in rules regarding the types of bats allowed. As a result of an increased number of injuries to high school and college baseball players, the National Federation of State High School Associations requires that all bats meet the new Batted Ball Coefficient of Restitution, or BBCOR, standards. Although making the game safer, these bats will greatly inhibit players’ ability to hit for power, creating lower scoring games, all while making the team’s ability to field without error and pitch efficiently all that more important.

On the diamond tech, the Comets will rely on returning starters, senior Will Welsh at first and junior Zac Burke at third to hold down the corners.

Junior Darren Weidman at short stop and senior Joe Witmer at second will protect the heart of the infield.

Coupled with the added experience, this year’s team has been dedicated to the weight room and off-season work outs.

We’ve had a good off season with a lot of dedication, we have workouts Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 6 a.m. in the weight room, as well as open gyms a couple times a week in the evenings said Zander.

“Everybody is doing what they can to improve,” said junior Zac Burke excitedly.

Although the season has yet to begin, the team is already looking forward to the post season to achieve their number one goal.

“Last year we finished with a record under .500 which was a disappointment, so we are looking to improve that record to be over .500, and of course we want to win a section title,” said Burke.

The final season for all high school athletes is always special, but for this year’s group of seniors there is an increased sense of urgency.

“It’s more emotional because I know it’s my last year and I feel like I have something to prove, and there’s more kids looking up to me,” said senior Austin Richwine, “We(seniors) all have a leadership role on the team.”

Penn Manor’s baseball team may have lacked the experience to be successful last year, but the 2012 season may a completely different story.

 

 

 

 

By Brady Charles and Daulton Parmer

A “hott” new start is in store for the Penn Manor Girl’s Soccer program.

Jason Hottenstein.

The next heir to the throne.

Hottenstein was the assistant coach to former ‘Coach of the Year’ William Zapata (185-49-17) for 10 years. Zapata ended his legacy by stepping down after last season.

“I’m curious to see if the coaching and system changes will maintain the success of the girls team,” said junior boys soccer player, Juan Cubano.

With two state championships since the 2002 spring season, the Penn Manor girls soccer program has built a winning tradition that has stained the hearts of the Penn Manor community.

They’ve established themselves as a front runner year in and year out for the state crown.

“The girls [soccer] tradition is always strong, no matter how many seniors they’ve lost, you still know they’ll be good,” said Cubano.

The coaching change isn’t the only change to the program.

A total of nine seniors, graduated last June, putting a big question mark in the thoughts of the Penn Manor girls soccer team.

“My goal this year is to win a game,” Hottenstein said jokingly about his upcoming first season as a head coach.

“But in all seriousness, I’d like to get back into the LL (Lancaster Lebanon) League final,” Hottenstein said.

During a wild run in last year’s postseason, the Comets took the league championship in a game decided by penalty kicks.

A month later, the Comets came up a play short in a crushing loss during the state championship match against Cumberland Valley.

The 2012 team will be led by their captains, Logan Kramer, Lindsay Hutchinson and Sara Bennis.

“We’re going to have a lot of growing pains losing nine seniors and our goalie, but our three captains as well as our seniors will need to step up,” said Hottenstein.

Defense has always been the backbone of the girl’s team.

“We need our defense to step up this season, we lost a lot of defenders to graduation, we’re going to be counting on a lot of first-year varsity players,” said Hutchinson.

The defense is now playing in a flat back four formation, which is a change from the team’s old stopper and sweeper style.

“The defense fits well with our personnel, the new style will open up space for us to attack, and make runs from the defense,” said Bennis.

The three captains believe they can be very successful this coming season.

“I’m confident in our team and I know we can fill in our missing spots which the seniors left open after last season,” said Kramer.

Will the dominating tradition continue to grow with a brand new system and a first year head coach?

The Comets will find out March 19, when the Comets begin their season at Wilson.

 

 

By Ryan Flexman-Penn Manor junior Matt Gue helped his team reach the playoffs, but can’t help them any further.

“I’m already missing hockey. It’s my life it’s what I do and I got it taken away from me,” said Gue via Twitter.

The school’s ice hockey team had one of their best regular seasons this year, with a total of seven wins, nine losses and two ties. Tallying around 12 goals and 30 points, Gue was a significant part of their offense, until he dislocated his shoulder after being smashed from behind into the boards during a game.

“It will be hard to miss the playoffs, especially being there to watch my team and knowing I could be helping out,” said Gue.

Harder than Gue knew.

The Comets fell to  one of the league’s power houses, The Warwick Warriors, in the first round of the playoffs 5 to 2.

Jason Green, one of Gues’ teammates,  also noted that they had already played, the Warriors twice before with two inconsistent efforts, once with Gue and once without.

When playing with Gue, Penn Manor won 9-4, but without Gue, they lost 6-1. Gue tacked on one of his 12 goals against Warwick.

 “As you can see, Matt is a big part of our team both on and off the ice. We’re really going to hurt without him,” said Green.

Gue thinks his injury was “bad timing” considering he has been playing multiple sports for 12 years and this is his first athletic injury, but he’s looking forward to next year being even better.

“I think if our team plays together, we could easily beat Warwick and go further than people are expecting of us. We are known for our physical play and high amount of penalties, but when we play together, we could beat anybody,” said Gue before Wednesday’s loss.

Not only is Gue missing all of the playoffs, but he was also invited to play in the CPIHL All-Star game, where only the best players in the league play in. Due to his injury, he was unable to participate in the All-Star game.

“Yeah I am missing the All-Star game also, and all of baseball season” said Gue, “but missing the playoffs is my biggest pain, letting my team down.”

Gue received surgery on his shoulder Tuesday, and is now out of any activity for the next four to five months. The surgery took almost six hours, and it’s nothing but a blur to Gue.

“When the medicine wears off, there’s an excruciating pain in my right shoulder,” said Gue. “But at least it’s only my junior year, we still have next year to do big things.”

 

By Aaron Brown and Ian Noll –

Penn Manor Boys Volleyball team is returning key players from last year’s squad to make a run in the league, districts and state tournaments.

“Our goal this year is to put up a banner,” junior Mark Dano said.

Last year, the Comets lost two seniors, Ryan Mays and Pat Navin, but the team is getting prepared to set their goals in motion, with key returning players such as seniors Dylan and Cheyenne Weber, Reagan Forrey, Marc Summy, Dayonte Dixon, Joey Jackson and juniors Mark Dano and Devon Reis.

Dano said that the team is looking to be undefeated and top their powerhouse rival, Hempfield. A large part of Hempfield’s success is not returning this year, which could put the Comets up as the favorite for the section.

“The better question is whether Hempfield can contend with us,” Dano said confidently.

The long-time rivalry with Hempfield is a reoccurring theme for Penn Manor’s boys volleyball. They face off with each other at least twice a season.

Another goal for the boys is to bring out more fans to their games. Volleyball isn’t as popular at Penn Manor compared to football and basketball, but this season could change that.

“Hopefully our play will bring out more Comet fans,” Dano said.

Like most sports, the home team has the advantage because of the home crowd, but if there is no one in the crowd, there is no advantage for the home team.

“It is an honor. I’ve been involved with Penn Manor volleyball in one way or another–as a fan, sibling of a player, player, or coach–since its inception,” said Chris Telesco, the head coach of the profound 2005 state runner-up to Hempfield, and current head coach. “So I’ve seen the best players and the best teams. The team I played on was one of the better teams, yet I take joy in seeing my athletes and teams raise the bar.”

Penn Manor is very fortunate to have such an experienced coach. With this experience comes great knowledge of the game of volleyball.

“Our goal is nothing new – to maximize our potential,” said Telesco. “We have a talented and deep team this year, so I know that this is a team that can be a league, district and state contender, but it depends on how these boys come together, how hard they work. We are in the toughest league and district in the state, so we have our work cut out for us.”

 

 

By Sam Valentin-

It is one of the most under-respected sports here at Penn Manor. It also is the most mentally challenging. It is played on a board with two players. Did you figure out what sports team this story is about?

Why the chess team of course.

They just concluded their season with a wrenching loss to higher ranked  Warwick in the semifinals of leagues 2-3.

Board one senior, Logan White and Trent Warfel picked up wins for Penn Manor. Chris Penn, Daniel Lyons, and Jake Shiner all lost to the Warriors. Daniel Lyons and Jake Shiner both made costly miscues which cost them their games and ultimately their season.

“It was a really good season,”said White. “We made it to semis and just barely lost. I had a good time and everyone improved.”

The Penn Manor Comet’s chess team finished the year 8-5. They started the year off very strong, leading the league. They dropped some close matches but still secured the fifth seed in leagues which handed them a meeting with Ephrata. They beat Ephrata 6-3 overall which set up their meeting with top-ranked Warwick.

Everyone on the team believed that they could beat Warwick and have a chance to face Lancaster Mennonite or Hempfield in the final. But the Lancaster- Lebanon League was very strong this year.

“Closest matched chess league in 20 years,” estimated chess coach James Yearsley about the L-L league. “Its like the NFL on any given day another team could beat the other.”

Even though the Lancaster-Lebanon league is highly contested when it comes to chess, the chess team here is just not very recognized. Several students at Penn Manor did not know the school had a chess team.

“I really don’t know. I think so,” answered Penn Manor senior Cody Diehl. “I have heard of chess club but did not know we had a competitive team.”

The chess team should not be confused with the chess club, although the chess team players do participate in the chess club.

Even the chess team recognizes the fact that they are relatively under the radar at Penn Manor.

“No it is chess. Not really something most people enjoy watching,” joked Logan White, Penn Manor’s number one player.

Although some students are in fact aware that there is a chess team here, the chess team hopes to gain more popularity next year  – and even more success.

 

By Brad Kruger –

Penn Manor High School’s Jason Green was chosen recently to play in the 2012 Central Penn Interscholastic Hockey League (CPIHL) All-Star game along with three other Penn Manor teammates.

Jason’s biggest challenge he said has been playing at his highest ability consistently game after game, and this year he has accomplished that and it has paid off.

Green, who leads his team in points, currently has 21 goals and 13 assists, will be joined at the all-star game with teammates Kevin Reinhart, Matt Gue, and Jessie Capanelli.

“He has contributed to the team by scoring goals and has been a good leader to the younger players,” said Reinhart.

Jason has been playing hockey since he was 5 years old. The sport of hockey is in his blood.

“My dad used to play,” noted Green.

With several years of experience playing the game, Green has played for Lancaster Firebirds travel teams as well as Penn Manor Ice Hockey Club’s middle school and varsity teams.

“The feeling of winning and just playing the game” is what motivates Green to keep playing and reach his goal, he said. Green plans to play for a D1 Club team in college.

The junior has been lighting up the scoreboard in the 2011/2012 CPIHL season this year. Playing for the Comet’s he leads the team in points with 34, seventh in the league in the Comet’s tier.

“I’ve had a good year so far and I would say it has been my best year,” said Green.

Jason’s coaches have high hopes for him in the All-Star game.

“Jason’s a very fun player to watch,” said Penn Manor assistant coach Garth Bolin.  “He has been playing travel hockey for awhile now and has become a strong player”

His coach said he has many resources from which to draw.

“He plays well on either side of the ice and loves to score,” added Bolin. “(He) has nice hands, is a great skater and can snipe goalies. I think we will see him excel at the all star game and will represent Penn Manor well, hopefully with a few goals for himself.”

The All-Star game consists of two teams, each team is made up of the best players from five teams in their tier. Green’s team consists of players from Warwick, Annville Cleona, Ephrata, Lampeter Strasburg and his own Penn Manor.

“The coaches from the other teams we’ve played and people on the league board picked the players for the All-Star game,” said Green.

Most would think that when a player goes to play in an all-star game they will be playing with all strangers, but for Green its a little different.

“I’m excited to play with the other players because I currently or have previously played travel hockey with a lot of the kids on the all-star team,” said Green.

The All-Star game will take place on February 15th at 8 p.m. at Twin Ponds East in Harrisburg, PA.

By Cody Straub-

There is a new phenomenon in the NBA, and he goes by Linsanity, or Linsational, or Linspiration, or Linvincible, or just plain Jeremy Lin.

Last week’s Eastern Conference Player of the Week, Jeremy Lin has burst onto the scene for the New York Knicks leading them to seven straight victories while averaging 24.4 points and about 9 assists over those seven games. One of his many highlights durinh this winning streak is when he  hit a game winning three Tuesday night in Toronto. Not only has he led the Knicks, minus Amare Stoudemire for five games, and Carmelo Anthony for the past seven, on a seven game winning streak, he has also caught the attention of the entire nation.

The President of the United States, Barack Obama is even keeping tabs on Lin. According to the White House spokesperson Obama has been watching Lin this past week and he saw him hit the game winning three versus the Raptors.

The spokesperson went on to say that Lin’s success is “just a great story, and the president was saying as much this morning.”

Many non-Knicks fans are even beginning to follow Lin and supporting him.

“I’m more following Lin then the Knicks as a Sixers fan,” said Penn Manor junior Nick Tulli.

So what makes Linsanity catch the attention of the nation? Maybe it is because he was cut by two teams in his short NBA career, and never got a chance to play? Maybe it was because the Knicks were on the verge of making a colossal mistake by cutting him right before his stardom began? Or maybe it is because he is a graduate from Harvard, and who plays in the NBA from the Ivy League?

“America loves the underdog story,” said Tulli.

Some  think this small sample of success for Lin is not enough to say he is a star yet. But consider that this is his first chance to play extended minutes in the NBA, so it’s not like he failed in the NBA before, and even the greatest three point shooter in the NBA is believing in him.

“OK. I GIVE IN!!!!!!! ITS LEGIT!!!!!!! WOW!!!!!!!,” was Reggie Miller’s Tweet after Lin hit the game winning three in Toronto.

With Lin’s new found success, which isn’t that new at all, college and NBA coaches alike are all asking the same question, why didn’t we see this coming? Why didn’t we see this guy had talent? Why didn’t the California universities’ see his talent and offer the local kid a scholarship when he led Palo Alto High School to a 32-1 record and a state championship? Why didn’t NBA coaches and scouts see his talent when he led Harvard to become an “up and coming” program and dropped 30 points against Kemba Walker and Connecticut in 2009? People are losing sleep asking themselves these questions.

No matter though Lin is with the Knicks, and he is leading them back to relevance in the Eastern Conference playoff picture, and the national spotlight.

By Shadrack Kiprop –

From a modest childhood to a prosperous life, Penn Manor head track coach Arthur Morris has had one constant throughout it all in his 66 years, a love of running.

At the young age of 9 years in his native England, Morris fell in love with running after a chance encounter with it at his school.

While he was at a middle school, everyone who had gym class had to run cross-country races.  He won most races and discovered that he was decent at running, and it encouraged him to do more. 

“As I embarked on my journey in running to be one of the best, I learned to be patient in seeing the results that arose from my training, and I believed that hard work paid off,” said Morris.

As the years fell on Morris’s shoulders, he drew an inspiration from the former English athlete Roger Banister, best known for running the first mile in less than four minutes.

Banister had a reflection on achieving his goal.

After his failure at the 1952 Olympics, Banister spent two months deciding whether to give up running.  Instead, he steeled himself for an even greater achievement.

Banister decided he would be the first man to run a mile in under four minutes.  He intensified his training and did hard intervals.The following year on May 2,1953, he ran 4:03.6 and declared,”this race made me realize that the four minute mile was not out of reach.”

Banister achieved his goal in  1954.

“Doctors and scientists said that breaking the four-minute mile was impossible, that one would die in the attempt,” said Banister at the time.  “Thus, when I got up from the track after collapsing at the finish line, I figured I was dead.”

It’s no wonder Morris was so inspired by Banister’s words and dedication.

Six years after Banister’s dramatic race, the prospect of America and all the opportunities there lured the Morris family from their native Great Britain.

At the thought of leaving his homeland country for America, Morris said that he didn’t want to come because it meant leaving his friends, but later appreciated the chance he was given to obtain a college education.

Morris sailed from England to America at the age of 14, and landed at J.P. McCaskey High School, a school that has always had competitive track and field  athletes. 

Since he had gone to only boys’ schools during most of his early school career back in England, he had to sort out what it meant to go to a new school that was definitely co-ed.

But within a year, Morris said he blended in with the student body.

“I was very shy but running enabled me to build a sense of confidence, meet and be accepted by other people,” said Morris.

Penn Manor English teacher Michael  Kaufhold was a McCaskey graduate, track and also a cross-country runner. He followed in Morris’ footsteps, by placing in the top ten in the crosscountry championship in his senior year.

He recalled Morris as an outstanding runner.

“Art Morris kept the McCaskey winning tradition in cross-country races,” recalled Kaufhold.  “No one wanted to lose a cross-country dual meet,” said Kaufhold.

During his senior year, Morris continued his philosophy of working hard and striving to be the best runner, and his success came to reality when he earned a silver medal in cross-country and won the state mile championship in track and field. After his break-through in the championships, he inspired many runners to believe that nothing was impossible to accomplish.

In a blink of an eye, Penn State, one of the best colleges in Pennsylvania, according to Morris, was quick in hand to recruit him. In addition, he got a full scholarship for both track & field, cross-country running and also soccer.

At Penn State, he embarked on continuing his running career and pursuing a civil engineering degree.

Morris smiles at the notion that, since he was a well-known runner, he won the mayoral elections in Lancaster. He was sworn in as the youngest mayor in Lancaster history at the age of 34, and served for a decade.

“I was elected  as a mayor even though I wasn’t a natural born citizen of America,” said Morris.

As the Lancaster Mayor, he insisted on being an advocate for good government, public disclosure and accountability.

“We brought water and sewerage to people with low income, and I was proud of trying to help those who were left unfortunate and neglected. I hope I made a difference  in their lives,” noted Morris.

As Morris aged, he decided to give back to the community by being a track and field coach, and currently serves as a Penn Manor track and field head coach.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By Errol Hammond –

Some people might think Ryan DiCamillo playing and practicing on the same hockey team with his girlfriend is weird, but DiCamillo doesn’t think it’s even unusual.

“We act as teammates,” said DiCamillo. “We don’t act like we’re dating when we’re on the ice. We just play the game, so it’s not weird.”

It’s the first year that DiCamillo, also know as “Dico,” has ever played hockey on an actual team.

His girlfriend, Jessie Capanelli, however, has been playing singe age 10.

Although it’s his first year, he has done very well.

Teammate Braden Kruger (goalie for the Comets) had positive things to say about the couple.

“Being on the same team with them is unique and kinda cool,” said Kruger.

Dico said he wasn’t intimated to come out for a new sport in his final year of high school.

“It’s senior year,” he said.  “I like the sport and it’s something to do. Plus it would be cool to do it with her.”

DiCamillo is supportive of his girlfriend and proud of her accomplishments. She received a scholarship and recently committed to Stevenson University to play ice hockey there.

“I’ll be watching her play,” said DiCamillo.  “It’s not a far drive and she’ll play on the weekend, so it’ll work out well.”

But DiCamillo can’t completely separate his feelings for his girl when she’s playing on the team.

“Alright, if she gets hit clean then I’m cool with it,” laughed DiCamillo. “Then when she get’s hit dirty, ’cause she’s a girl, then I get [mad] and hit them, but it’s hockey you know, so…that’s how that works.”

Playing a good season on a team with his girlfriend for the first year was a fun way for Dico to end senior year.

“I had fun playing with her and the team this season,” he said.  “I would have started in my freshman year if I could go back.”