“Chalky” Final Four Hypes up Weekend

By Ian Noll –

Time to wash your hands, this year’s Final Four is chalky.

The four remaining teams of the 2012 March Madness Tournament consist of the heavily favored Kentucky Wildcats, Louisville Cardinals, Ohio State Buckeyes and the Kansas Jayhawks. All of the remaining teams are 1,2, or 4 seeds.

After this weekend’s games, another favorite, UNC, who played without star guard Kendall Marshall, was knocked out by Kansas. Syracuse also fell to the hands of the Buckeyes, which was expected by most since ‘Cuse had been playing without key center Fab Melo.

Final Four will be played March 31, in New Orleans. Photo from CBS.collegestore.com

“There’s no “madness” this March,” junior Matt Hatch said referring to this year’s Final Four.

(1) Kentucky vs. (4) Louisville

According to ESPN’s Myron Medcalf, the big men will reign in New Orleans and with Kentucky’s Anthony Davis matching up against Louisville’s Gorgui Dieng, it’s not a case of David Vs. Goliath, it’s a case of Goliath Vs. Goliath’s twin brother. Both are the country’s best shot-blockers, each with an average of over three blocks per game, and are key post players on offense.

As for the outcome of the Kentucky-Louisville game, expect the Wildcats to control the game. Louisville might come be coming in on train full of momentum, but Kentucky is just too powerful of a team, scoring 102 on Indiana, and defeating every single team in the tournament so far by double digit points.

It’s time John Calipari gets his National Championship, and he has the team to do it. Especially with Center Anthony Davis leading the charge.

“It’s obvious Kentucky is the favorite, they will end up winning it all,”  science teacher Erick Dutchess said.

Putting all uni-brow jokes aside, Anthony Davis is not a force Louisville wants to

Kentucky Center Anthony Davis looks to be cutting down the net in New Orleans too. Photo from SBnation.com

reckon with.

(2) Ohio State vs. (2) Kansas

As for the other game, Ohio State will be matching up against Kansas in a “battle of the 2 seeds.”

Ohio State will be lead by returning forward Jared Sullinger, who had returned as a sophomore to win a national championship. Sullinger is surrounded by a  team that has the potential to do it, especially with their top 10 ranked perimeter defense.

But Kansas can match that defense, and also has a team full of talent. Lead by Thomas Robinson and Jeff Withey, Kansas could potentially have a rematch with Kentucky in the national championship. Kansas just doesn’t rely on one player, it’s the whole team that shows up and plays, which means Ohio State has to worry about every player to step on the court.

“I like how Ohio State is playing, I think that they will be able to top Kansas,” junior Mark Dano said.

The games will be played in New Orleans on March 31st, with the national championship game that following Monday.

Make sure you tune in Saturday, these games are something not to miss.

 

Fresh Start For Lady Comets

By Taylor Skelly and Daulton Parmer –

The girls soccer team hit the ground running with two good results to begin their season.

They opened  the season with non-league play by visiting the Wilson Bulldogs under the lights  Friday night and and hosting the Daniel Boone Blazers Saturday afternoon, earning good results in both games.

Against Wilson the lady comets jumped ahead early when senior  captain Logan Kramer scored unassisted five minutes into the game. Ten minutes later, junior captain Lindsay Hutchinson made a great hustle play, taking the ball from one of Wilson’s defenders  and then followed it up with a bit of trickery, dribbling by the keeper and passing the ball into the goal. However, Wilson fought their way back into the game by scoring off a rebound from a break away save from junior goalkeeper Stacey Groff, and finishing a penalty kick.

The teams headed into the locker room at halftime tied two-two.

The team meets in a huddle before over time. Photo by Daulton Parmer.

Two minutes into the second half senior Elisa Ott crossed a ball into Kramer, who slipped it past the keeper, putting the Comets ahead. However, with a little under 10 minutes left in the game, Wilson responded with a goal of their own, leveling the score for the final Friday time. Even after two 10-minute, sudden death overtimes, the score remained even resulting in a hard-fought tie.

Though the girls prevented a loss, they weren’t satisfied with merely a tie.

“We didn’t play to the best of our ability, and we need to break our habit of being a “second-half” team,” said Hutchinson.

Saturday afternoon the Blazers of Daniel Boone brought rain showers and that was about it.

In the first half of the match the Comets controlled much of the game, earning a decent number of opportunities to score on offense and limiting their opponent to minimal chances of their own.  Senior captain Sara Bennis kept the back line tight and organized. In the second half however, the Blazers couldn’t seem to find an answer for senior captain Logan Kramer, who completed every soccer players goal, a hat trick.

“I was able to get some good opportunities, and the ball found the back of the net,” said Kramer, “That’s the way it goes some days.”

The girls will have little time to enjoy their weekend success, because they begin league play with Elizabethtown, Manheim Township and Conestoga Valley this week.

Tebow Sweepstakes Over for Now

Tebow celebrating yet another victory. Photo by Yahoo Sports.

By Aaron Brown –

Poor Tim Tebow. With the Manning Sweepstakes over, is Tebow next?

Tebow has just been “thrown” out of his starting spot by Peyton Manning, What’s next for Tebow?

“I wouldn’t say I feel bad for him,” said Robert Ayers, a defensive end for the Denver Broncos, according to ESPN.  “It’s a business. And I’m pretty sure Tim understands that. … We wish him luck, no matter what he does. I hope he’s here. He’s a great leader, a great locker room guy.”

“I don’t understand why people do not believe statistics,” said Cody Straub, a huge Tebow fan at Penn Manor. “He went 7-4 as a starter last year with a playoff win over Pittsburgh. Quarterbacks are judged on winning, right?”

The Broncos signed Manning for five years for 98 million dollars, making him the highest paid player in the league based on annual salary.

One option he could have chose was to sit the bench and learn from one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play in the NFL, National Football League. This option would be a very good learning experience for Tebow, but will keep him off the field for at least five years.

“I know what kind of player Tim Tebow is, what kind of person he is,” Manning said, according to Chicago Sun-Times. “What an awesome year he had this year. If Tim Tebow is here next year, I’m going to be the best teammate I can be to him. He and I are going to help this team win games.”

Another option for Tebow was for him to get traded and start another sweepstakes for a very winning quarterback. There were already teams that are eying up Tebow. The possible sites for the next “Tebow Time” are Jacksonville, Cleveland, New England, New York, where he got traded to, and Miami.

“If other opportunities present themselves to him, I’m going to wish him the best,” said Manning.”He’s going to be a great player wherever he is.”

“I really want Tebow to go to Buffalo,” said Brad Snyder, a junior at Penn Manor, before he was traded. “He make a huge difference in ticket sales and winning games.”

Now fans in New York will always be yelling “Tebow Time”.

With Tebow, comes hard work, a great leader, and a winning tradition, both in college and professional football.

“Tim Tebow is a great kid. If I want someone to marry my daughter, it would be him,” John Elway, executive of the Broncos and two time Super Bowl winner with the Broncos, according to Chicago Sun-Times said. “But I think with the opportunity to have Peyton Manning’s services, we had to take advantage of that. Now that it’s happened, we have to go back and address Tim and see what the best situation is for the Denver Broncos, as well as him.”

Editorial: The Lorax who once spoke for trees, now hawking SUV’s

By Dakota Jordan

We all know the Lorax who spoke for the trees, for the trees had no tongues,                                                                                              But I’m asking myself at the top of my lungs,
What’s that… *thing*?!
That horrible thing that I see!
What’s that thing that’s been wearing his skin on TV?!

The Lorax, the new hit movie that everyone is talking about, but where is the original message that the Lorax once famously boasted, “I speak for the trees, for the trees have no tongues “for now the Lorax is merely speaking for Mazda in what is merely a big market ploy.

“Remember me from the days when the world didn’t stink?
Well, come see my movie,” it says with a wink.
There it prances and pratfalls, and all laugh along,
And all leave the theater like nothing is wrong,

And they smile and quote lines as they climb in their cars
And drive away under the smog-smuggered stars.
Then at home, on the TV, they see its new ad
For a Mazda that’s only a little less bad
About belching up clouds full of poisonous smoke
And destroying the planet for air-breathing folk.

Mazda one of the motor companies who are trying to lead the new ‘green’ movement and are using the Lorax, a character who was once bathed in nostalgia and environmentalism as a spear head for there new Read Across America campaign where the fluffy character rides around in a “truffula tree approved” Mazda offering kids prizes if their parents come to test drive their new car.

“Unless someone like you drives one straight off the lot,
Nothing’s going to get better; it’s not.”
And the misplaced nostalgia o’erpowers all sense
And some think themselves part of the planet’s defense
For buying a car the good Doctor would like
And buying the movie for their little tyke.

At 35 MPG the Mazda CX-5 could be toted as the most fuel efficient SUV in America but to have this, or any car marketed to elementary age students as a ploy to boast the companies profits is outlandish and to use a character who was once so pure as the Lorax is even more despicable.

The majority see the extent of the lie
But defeated and cynical let the world die.
And the Hollywood studios search with a surety
For the next decent thing they can rob of its purity

Outside of one school hundreds of kids filed past the two Mazda vehicles on display.

Some reached out to touch the cars. A few kneeled to have their photographs taken. Others erupted into a spontaneous chant. “Lorax car, Lorax car, Lorax car!” they said,

One of their classmates quietly objected.

“The Lorax doesn’t drive a car,”

And squeeze just a little more blood from the stone,
No matter whose coffin is muffling a groan,
While the clattering engines keep smoking on
As they will till the truffula trees are all gone.

Dakota Jordan

 

Penn Manor Faces Off Against Hempfield in Season Opener

By Jordan Rineer-

Penn Manor starts off the lacrosse season at Hempfield on Fri., March 23,  at 4:15.

“Starting off the season playing our biggest rival on their home turf… I don’t need to hype it up anymore than that,” said Penn Manor Junior lacrosse player Adam Hess.

Hempfield is considered one of the best teams in the state. Hempfield Senior CJ Bosch committed to University of Maryland Baltimore County who is ranked 30th in D1 Mens Lacrosse rankings. two Juniors Nick Valentino and Matt Senft both committed to Drexel University which is ranked 26th in D1 Mens Lacrosse rankings.

But Penn Manor has been looking for revenge since last season’s opening day loss to Hempfield 14-5.

“With Township not being as good as they usually are, Hempfield is our main focus.” said a lacrosse player who wanted to remain anonymous.

“We need this win to start off a good season,” said senior lacrosse player Alex Kirk.

Penn Manors five captains were named this week: Brady Charles, Alex Cummins, Alex Kirk, Adam Hess and Harrison Manning.

Penn Manor has never beat Hempfield in boys lacrosse.

“We are trying to make history here,” said Kirk.

“We need to be confident, we need to expect a win, said junior lacrosse player Adam Hess.

Penn Manor’s defense should have a strong point with Alex Cummins taking charge for the defense.

Penn Manor’s midfield is led by a veteran first string, with a lot of varsity experience from Ryan Dicamillo, Adam Hess and Brady Charles.

The attack line is a senior-filled force with Mitch Domin, Alex Kirk and Harrison Manning, with help from Junior Matt Hatch off the bench to contribute.

Pay attention to the Penn Manor lacrosse team this year as they look to make a run in districts and leagues.

“We are looking for Charles and Manning to create and make plays for others against this strong Hempfield squad,” said Hatch.

 

 

 

Editorial: Madness- in more ways than one

By Brady Charles –

Let’s toss out this flawed March Madness selection system and start fresh.

31 automatic bids are awarded to many teams from mid-major conferences, but many of these teams don’t deserve to ‘dance’.

Instead of giving automatic bids to these unknown teams who don’t stand a chance against the powerhouse Big East, ACC, Big Ten and Big 12 teams, the NCAA should change their way of selecting teams.

Take this into perspective. Last season Virginia Tech (21-11) was left out of the tournament along with Boston College (21-13), Alabama (25-12), and Colorado (21-11) due t

Brady Charles

o their ‘weak’ non-conference schedule, even though they’re all in major conferences playing powerhouse teams.

While those teams were eliminated from the ‘dance’ teams such as Arkansas Little Rock (19-16), and Alabama State (17-17) who won their conference and earned their automatic bid with an RPI (Ratings Percentage Index) of 196 and 263 out of a possible 344, played in the 2010-2011 NCAA Tournament. This whole selection system is very unfair by eliminating teams who don’t play tough non-league games, since the selection committee admits teams who are in conferences that are unheard of, with teams that are unheard of, and with records that are mediocre at best.

The selection committee needs to change this system, by either expanding the bracket and selecting more teams, or eliminating all of the automatic bids and take the down right best 64 teams. A poll should be taken each week of the season, that would put a teams RPI, key wins and losses and their record into perspective. This poll will be voted on by experts of the game, as well as members of the prior selection committee.

With this new system, the best 64 teams will be selected, which will make every game more and more of a grind for the top seeded teams. The first round match-up (in the present-day system) is between the 16 seed and the number one seed, the 16th seed has never beaten a one seed since the field expanded to 64 teams in 1985. With the substitution of the best 64 teams the best teams will be in the tournament, the problem of weak automatic bid teams will be eliminated. The top seeded team would play better competition and it would make the first couple of rounds way more interesting for viewers.

This new system will eliminate the teams who have weak records and play in easy conferences. If the no-name schools have a problem with the ‘new’ system, there’s a way for them to get them into the mix as well. They have to earn their bid just like everyone else for once, play some major teams in your non-league schedule. Or even better yet change your conference.

 

Another Payton in the News

By Daulton Parmer –

There is so much commotion about Peyton Manning and where he’s going to play, the other one, the other Payton may get lost in the frenzy.

Sean Payton is the coach for the New Orleans Saints suspended by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell  for allegedly paying Saints players to hurt players on opposing teams.

New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton

The defensive coordinator for the New Orleans Saints was said to have paid his players to physically knock their opponents out of the game. Which was dubbed “crush for cash” by the Associated Press.

‘The NFL said the scheme involved 22 to 27 defensive players, targeting opponents including quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers, Cam Newton, Brett Favre and Kurt Warner. “Knockouts” were worth $1,500 and “cart-offs” $1,000, with payments doubled or tripled for the playoffs.” according to a report filed on ESPN.

“I was completely shocked when I heard this, I could never participate in anything like this. Football is a man’s sport and should be played with respect,” said Penn Manor High School football player Joe Timmins, a Comet linebacker.

The Saint’s bounty incident is being overlooked. And Super Bowl Champion Sean Payton will be suspended for the 2012-2013 football season, along with his general manager Mickey Loomis, only for half the season, though.

Bounty Hunter = One who hunts predatory animals in order to collect a bounty(money). According to thefreedictionary.com

This scandal wasn’t for just last year, it’s been around for a few. In the 2010 NFC Championship, captain Jonathon Vilma offered $10,000 to anyone who knocked Brett Favre out of the game. The game checked in with two roughing the passer penalties and a few cheap shots at Favre that injured his ankle.

Payton is the first NFL head coach to be suspended. He has been accused of trying to cover up the system of extra cash payouts that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on Wednesday called “particularly unusual and egregious” and “totally unacceptable.”

Payton hasn’t given much to the press about his suspension, but he is shocked to say the least.

“I think the entire team thought maybe there would be a four-game suspension, but not a year.  ‘Are you OK?’,” said reporter Michael Smith.

Payton responded with, “No, I am not OK.”

To add onto his suspension, he will also be going throughout the year with zero payment. Losing about $8 million.

The news shocked the entire NFL community.

“I am speechless. Sean Payton is a great man, coach, and mentor. The best there is. I need to hear an explanation for this,” tweeted on Twitter from long friend/player of Sean Payton, Quarterback Drew Brees.

 

One Round Done. One to Go.

By David Mohimani-

Two weeks down, two more to go.

Penn Manor High School completed its first round of PSSA testing this Wednesday and overall school officials said it went rather well. But with reading and math in the bag there are still two categories that will be tackled in April.

Juniors have completed six days of grueling testing in math and reading, the two subjects most critical to the success of students.

Penn Manor has been preparing with daily enrichment and remediation sessions aimed at raising the basic skills of students before the testing dates.  Enrichment sessions will continue until the rest of the year.  This is the first year in Penn Manor when students will have to prove proficiency to graduate.

Junior Ali Khan isn’t going to be losing sleep over his results.

“They are so easy. I think I did pretty good,”said Khan.

Although Khan is confident he did well, he still did not enjoy taking the test.

“They are too long, (I) just sat there for an hour and a half. They suck,”said Khan.

Khan also noted that he did not really feel that enrichment helped prepare him for the test.

Khan hated the entire PSSA process.

“The best part of the test was leaving,” said Khan.

Well, Khan will be less than thrilled to hear that the test is only a little more than half complete.

In April the juniors will be back at it on the 18th and 19th, they will be completing the writing  portion of the exam.Then a week later on the 25th and 26th of April, the students will finally finish the PSSA’s with the science section.

One group of students that is sad to see the first set of tests come to a close is the seniors.

“I am extremely mad that I have to come in at 7:40 now, when I was learning just as much coming in late,” said senior Alex Cummins.

Cummins is counting down till the next round of PSSA testing days.

“I’m looking forward to the next set of PSSA’s so that the seniors get to sleep in again,”said Cummins.

While some are ecstatic and some are depressed about the upcoming assessments, they are going to come just the same.

Preparation and focus will be key to success on the writing and science portions.

Hopefully the added emphasis on the PSSA performance will increase Penn Manor’s scores which have been on the decline reccently.

Vice principal Krista Cox was more than optimistic about how the tests’ went.

“Very well,” said Cox on how the first round of tests went,”attendance was fantastic, student effort was fantastic.”

Cox also believed that the extra enrichment sessions will pay dividends.

“Absolutely, anything extra to get ready (for the PSSA’s) is better than doing nothing,”stated Cox.

Although the first round went well, that does not ensure that the exams in April will go as smoothly.

Cox pointed out some key factors that will hopefully help the students be as prepared as possible for next month.

“It’s always good to get a good night of sleep and eat a good breakfast,that’s research based. Also (its important to) apply what you already learned,”said Cox.

 

 

 

 

Getting a Job Just Might be Easier Now

By Alex Sorce and Richard Schulz –

The unemployment rate in Lancaster County has dropped from a high of 8.8 percent to 6.1 percent this month, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Since the rate has dropped, some students from Penn Manor High School feel it will be easier to get a job than it has been during the past several years.

Deion Valentin, a junior from Penn Manor, has had a seasonal job but has recently been looking for something more part time. So far he’s sent out four applications in the last two weeks with no response, yet. He plan’s to check his email with hope of one new message.

Deion Valentin, who is wishing for a job. Photo credit to Alex Sorce.

“I haven’t heard anything from any of the places I’ve applied to, but I”m still looking,” said Valentin.

Even when the unemployment rate was at it’s highest, the teen rate was as high as 23.8 percent and has been in the 20’s since mid 2008, according to the US News website.

For some it’s easy to find a job, but for others it seems nearly impossible.

Even younger students such as, sophomore, Kelly St. John will be on the hunt. Her expectations for her summer will be to send out at least three applications.

“Yes, it will be easy,” she said with knowledge of the unemployment rate lowering and her optimistic point of view.

While a majority of students have had trouble finding a part time job, others, including junior Missy Shultz, it comes as second nature.

In search of a job, Shultz is two for two in being hired. She is employed at Shenk & Tittle in Park City Center and left a job at Stauffer’s of Kissel Hill.  Although she has had a flawless record, she quit her first job to pursue her second.

“Everyone says they’re having trouble finding a job, but it hasn’t been difficult for me,” said Shultz.

 

Texting at Lunch should be Allowed

By Richard Schulz –

A student gets a text from his dad but waits until lunch to read it. His mom’s going into labor with the young man’s, soon to be, little brother. A teacher comes to his side and asks for his phone. The boy gives up his phone, crushing the joy the he had. A light of happiness eclipsed by the school law. Even though the student wasn’t in class and waited until lunch to view it, the teacher took his phone.

Not fair.

Students should have the right to have their phone out during lunch since it’s a free time and not considered a class. That way students wouldn’t have the urge to text in class. While class is in session, students should have all attention on the teacher, of course, but at lunch what should students have their focus on, their lunch?

At Penn Manor High School, a lot of students admit that they have been caught texting during lunch by a teacher or principal, but in other schools, such as Hempfield High School and Manheim Township, students are allowed to text during their lunch. Not only at lunch are they allowed to text, but during homeroom too.  A student attending Hempfield said schools have been letting students text in school for at least a year and it doesn’t look like it’s stopping anytime soon.

Richard Schulz Penn Manor junior. Photo by Daulton Parmer

“It’s not like anything important is going on,” said Kevin Brubaker, a Penn Manor senior who was bothered to hear that other schools can text during lunch. He’s also a victim of this rule and has been caught with his phone out often.

“Other schools have that privilege in the county, so why shouldn’t we?” he said.

Certainly texting and tweeting shouldn’t occur when the teacher is talking. However there is no designated teacher to listen to or follow directions of at lunch. Only principals who sit there to supervise and tackle any rambunctious teenagers that are ready to throw down. Philip Gale, principal of Penn Manor High School, says the office gets 50 percent or more phones that are collected from lunch than from teachers during class throughout the whole school.

The school should adapt to the new technology that’s available to them and  allow students to text during lunch so they’re less inclined to text in class.