Penn Points Online

Lacrosse the Fastest Growing Sport and Lifestyle

By Brady Charles –

Lacrosse is shaking off its cobwebs, and coming into the 21st century stronger then ever.

It may have been the first sport in North America, and it may be the fastest growing sport in the United States today, but the sport went into a long hiatus until a steep rise in popularity in the 21st century.

lacrosse-participation-in-high-school — Lacrosse is gaining popularity throught out the years. Photo by Laxbuzz.com.

Lacrosse was first created by the Native Americans as a preparation for war, it was later adapted and raised by the Canadians. According to US Lacrosse, youth participation has increased 138 percent since 2001, and no sport has grown as quickly at the high school or college level in the past decade.

Everything about the sport is fast. Lacrosse is a sport of quickness and speed, not brawn nor size.

“Anyone can be good no matter what size, it’s all about your stick skills and how well you can use your body,” said Harrison Manning, a senior attackmen for the Penn Manor lacrosse team.

With no required size, anyone can play the sport whose popularity is drawing athletes from other sports.

“It’s really interfering with baseball since they’re in the same season. I played baseball growing up, but once I was old enough to play lacrosse there was no doubt that’s what I wanted to play,” said junior midfielder Adam Hess.

“A lot of kids are making the transition from baseball to lacrosse,” said Hess.

Manning also guesses that the reason for lacrosse’s popularity is because kids love the fast-paced play and excitement.

Lacrosse is a sport gathering people from all different cultures and regions around the country.

“The growth started in the Northeast and is now spreading to the South and is very popular in the West now,” said Hess.

Although its popularity is spreading throughout the country, the best teams in the country still reside on the east coast.

“The powerhouse teams are still the teams from the Northeast such as Calvert Hall, Boys Latin, Conestoga, Haverford, West Islip, I don’t see that changing,” said Manning.

Lacrosse is not only a sport, it’s a lifestyle for some.

“It’s definitely trending. I see kids everywhere wearing lacrosse pinnies, people love the perception they get,” said Manning.

The growth of the sport is leading to a “overflow” of so called “Lax Bros.”

The stereotype of a “Lax Bro” includes having a very strange way with their words. Lacrosse jargon includes words such as flow, lettuce, bro, gnarly, Rip the Duck, spoon, bucket. The fashion includes lacrosse pinnies, pastel shorts, mid-calves, fitted hats, and long curly hair.

“I think their whole perception is pathetic, it makes no sense to me,” said senior Bob Warfel.

” I don’t understand it, the words they use don’t make any sense,” said senior Sara Bennis.

Although some may not understand the culture of Lacrosse, the rise of the sport is surging.

New Competitors, Licensing Issues Among Many Netflix Problems

By Joey Jackson –

Comcast announced Tuesday of a new video streaming service in the works, a service that could prove disastrous to the current leading online video streaming service, and high school student favorite, Netflix.

Although Netflix’s library will still contain much more content than the new Xfinity Streampix, the new service would be offered to all of Comcast’s current subscribers with premium channels free of charge, versus the eight dollars a month for those out there that are currently subscribed to Netflix.

Even with the drop in price, the new addition isn’t worrying Penn Manor students.

“I think I could benefit from the competition,” guessed senior Bob Warfel, a current subscriber to both Netflix and Comcast. “They will both start adding shows and movies to their library and I’ll get to watch the additions to both.”

This outlook may differ from person to person, as some students pay for their bill while others rely on their parents.

“I’m not going to pay for Netflix anymore,” said a student at Penn Manor. “It’s not worth it to pay for both since they will probably have a lot of the same things.”

This isn’t the first time Netflix subscribers have been given an incentive to drop its service. Not only did Netflix nearly double their monthly subscription price, also Starz, who provides Netflix with over 1000 shows and movies, announced that they will not renew their contract with Netflix. Their contract is set to end today.

Bad news for Netflix subscribers, as arguably the most important provider of shows and movies to Netflix’s library will have all of their content pulled by Thursday. Some of this content includes Tron: Legacy and Toy Story 3.

“It’s a bummer,” Warfel said. “A lot of my favorite stuff was from Starz. Now I’m not going to be able to watch the last season of Weeds or Party Down.”

Starz, who could have made an estimated $300 million by renewing their contract with Netflix, decided to end their agreement when they realized that subscribers to Netflix received new content to Starz for eight dollars a month instead of subscribing to Starz through a cable company for $15 a month.

“I’m going to go home and watch Starz stuff for about 13 hours,” Warfel added. “I need to finish the last 10 episodes of Weeds before they disappear.”

HBO, a premium TV station much like Starz, has also declined to partner up with Netflix.

Unfortunately for Netflix, however, their contract issues are only one of their current leading problems.

Wal-Mart, Verizon, Redbox, and Amazon have also released statements regarding a future online video streaming service for their respective companies.

So, after all of this, Netflix stock, which cost almost $300 a share in July of 2011, has dropped all the way down to around $110 a share.

Netflix, on the other hand, is confident that the transition to a time without Starz will be smooth.

“While Starz was a huge part of viewing on Netflix several years ago because it was some of the only mainstream content Netflix offered, over the years Netflix has spent more and more licensing great TV shows from all four broadcast networks and many cable networks,” said Steve Swasey, a Netflix spokesman, in an interview with the Los Angeles Times.

Signs of both growth and decay have come forth in the past few weeks for Netflix, with much more content being added to the instant streaming in preparation for the Starz departure but also the stock has progressively dropped $17 in the past week.

“I really think Netflix will survive this,” Warfel concluded. “It’s a company that has been around for a long time and pretty much everybody that has it loves it, I can’t see it doing poorly.”

Rising Gas Prices Means Changes for Americans

By Cody Straub, Simon Zimmerman, and Connor Hughes –

It’s a bad reality for American drivers all over again – filling up the car with gas.

The money ticker keeps rising at the pump while the amount of gallons of gas slowly creeps along. And for a full tank, some drivers are emptying their wallets like never before.

Teachers at Penn Manor are feeling the pinch and are finding creative ways to save money.

Just like 2008, gas prices are hitting all-time highs in the United States, and with rising petrol prices come some unwanted changes that the American people have to make.

Take for example Penn Manor gym teacher B.J. Atkins, who owns and cherishes her pickup truck. The only problem is it isn’t the most economical car when it comes to gas mileage.

“When I bought it, I knew I just wanted a truck,” said Atkins.

Unfortunately for her, the rise in gas prices have made her dream vehicle into a gas-gulping monster.

atkins fuel gas phone — A recent bill for Atkins to fill up her gas tank. Photo from B.J. Atkins.

“Recently it has been super expensive, $400 a month just for gas,” said Atkins.

Gas prices have risen at least 40 cents in just the past year to a national average of $3.56 per gallon, according to a CBSnews.com article.

The discussion about rising gas prices has even found it’s way intto the Presidential Race. The Republican candidates are blaming the price increase, and the burden it is putting on the American people on current President Barack Obama.

They are putting part of the blame on Obama’s decision not to allow the Keystone Pipeline.

Another factor is the tension between the U.S. and Iran.

According to CNNMoney, Iran’s 2.2 million barrels of oil a day they produce could be cut off, which, according to basic economies means the supply goes down and the prices go up.

With the weather getting nicer and gas prices rising, some people are leaving the car in the garage and bringing out the old bicycle to get where they need to go. Not only can they get exercise, they can get where they need to go without shelling out money at the gas pump.

Penn Manor history teacher Streeter Stuart is making the short walk from his home to the high school for economic and physical reasons.

“I enjoy walking, it wakes me up in the morning.”

Although gas prices may get as high as $4 by summer, Stuart isn’t too worried.

“I don’t like it, but I’d still do the things I like to do,” said Stuart. “I don’t do a ton of driving as it is. We take our summer vacations, I go to a few Virginia football games, and that’s about it.”

Since Stuart doesn’t commute to work, he has a huge advantage when it comes to conserving gas. But, he is sympathetic to those who are forced to drive everyday.

“If I traveled more, it would definitely be a bigger concern,” said Stuart. “But I live close by, I walk to work.”

Penn Manor math teacher is going to bike to work to save on gas.

Gas is expensive and it’s healthier (to bike),” said Staub who is going to start Monday riding rather than driving to school.

It’s a three-mile ride and Staub admits his bike is not the newest.

“I’ve had it for a while and I’m not going to go out and buy an expensive bike when I’m trying to save money,” Staub said.

Although lots of people are complaining about the price of gas, most conversations haven’t turned to conservation – including car pooling.

Gas prices are on the rise and will continue to rise for the foreseeable future. That means many Americans will have to make changes to their lifestyle to save a few bucks at the pump.

Students Face a Glass Act

By Taylor Skelly-

From nerds to NBA all-stars, the public’s perception of eye glasses is changing, again.

Whether it’s casual wear or black tie attire, eye glasses are becoming more and more prevalent amongst celebrities and average citizens.

Local merchants are noticing the trend and reaping the benefits.

I’d say there’s been at least a 20 percent increase in overall consumption, but as far as teenagers and people in their early twenties, probably a 35 percent increase in consumption in the past year said Michelle Barton, who is the General Manager at the local Park City Mall LensCrafters store.

However, this trend has been seen before and now it’s back, here at Penn Manor, too.

“They’re called attitude glasses,” said Penn Manor history teacher Rich Brenton, who knows a thing or two about history. “Kids were wearing them when I was in college, which was in the 80s.”

Since the 80s, many people have gradually moved away from eye glasses, deciding instead to wear contact lenses, because of their convenience, and glasses’ increasingly nerdy reputation. But over the past year, glasses are making a comeback.

“I feel like people are always aware of what they look like, so they want to try something new, maybe even try to look more intelligent,” said Penn Manor junior Jena Lacock.

KevinDurantglasses — Kevin Durant wearing glasses at the 2012 Celebrity Allstar Game. Photo courtesy of hoopsmack.com

Surprisingly, this fad is just as popular, if not more, in men compared to women. In last weekend’s NBA all-star game, six of the ten starters have been observed regularly wearing “attitude glasses” as they enter and exit their respective basketball arenas through out the 2011-2012 season. Last year’s NBA all-star game proved to be a different story. Only two out of the ten starters were seen sporting glasses as a part of their normal pre and post game attire.

This recent surge of celebrity eye-wear has caused much of the general population to jump on the bandwagon, but why are celebrities opting to rock a pair of their favorite frames instead of their tried and true contacts in the first place?

“Glasses lend themselves to individuality more so than contacts, glasses are no longer just an optical need,” said Barton

Adam Sahd, also a junior at Penn Manor, has a different approach.

“Personally, I started wearing my glasses more because I didn’t feel like putting my contacts in in the mornings, but it has gradually become the popular thing to do, so I just keep wearing them,” said Sahd, who can regularly be seen wearing a pair of prescription Ray Ban eye glasses.

Regardless of the reason, eyeglasses have made yet another appearance in not only the general public but the public eye as well. Will this trend last or fade away fast? Whether you’re one of the celebrities setting the trend, or one of the many simply following in their footsteps, one question remains, when will you re-frame yourself?

Are You a Cinna’man’?

By Ryan Flexman and Jordan Rineer-

Men around the world are finding a new way to prove their manhood, and so are the boys at Penn Manor.

Who would think that choking on cinnamon or vomiting milk would prove anything to anybody? But what started out as two kids having fun has changed into a small international phenomenon that’s catching on at Penn Manor.

“The real reason I did [the cinnamon challenge] was to impress the girls,” said Kyle Musser, Penn Manor junior who tried the challenge and videoed himself.

Penn Manor sophomore and friend tries cinnamon challenge. Photo from facebook

The cinnamon challenge is the new phase that teenagers are obsessing over. They start with a tablespoon of pure cinnamon. They then have 60 long seconds to swallow it all without taking a drink. Most of the time, this process results in vomiting and choking from the dry cinnamon. Side affects include uncontrolled coughing, burning, nausea, breathlessness, and the overwhelming feeling of failure.

“A mushroom cloud of cinnamon came out of my mouth,” said Musser.

The internet sensation went viral as soon as the first video of someone taking the challenge was posted in 2007. Since then, more than 5,000 videos were posted all over the internet of people attempting the cinnamon challenge, the majority of them being men, or boys, or boys trying to prove they are men, through cinnamon.

Like many dares, this one can be dangerous.

Doctors are persuading teenagers to avoid the challenge because they could possibly burn the tissue in their nose and throat. Also, if the cinnamon is inhaled, there’s a high chance of severe chest pain.

Schools around the nation have sent home advisories to show the possible consequences of the cinnamon challenge.

Pottstown Middle School in Pennsylvania has banned boots because kids were sneaking cinnamon into the school to try the challenge during school hours. All open top boots are banned there, the students may wear them to school but not in school.

“I haven’t encountered anybody in the past several days who feels like this cinnamon challenge is anything other than ridiculous and potentially dangerous,” said John Armato, Pottstown’s School District spokesperson.

Carmen Ana Rodriguez, principal of Clinton Avenue School, witnessed students doing the cinnamon challenge and turned her head on the incident, according to a recent news report on CBS news. She is now on administrative leave and her future with the school is questionable.

“Teenagers like to try fun and daring things, sometimes they don’t pay attention to the potential risks as much as they should,” said Musser.

Search Engine Guru Spies More Than Ever

By Richard Schulz –

Jon West gets on his laptop everyday. He searches for scores on the most recent college basketball games, he often takes mental notes to plan for his March Madness bracket. At he same time someone is taking notes on him.

In what is a growing infringement on individual privacy online, Google announced Thursday it is changing its privacy settings so it can find out even MORE about its users than ever before. And they’re not the only ones. Amazon is compiling everything it can about its shoppers and some Apple apps are snagging the information out of user’s address books without their permission.

Although the France government has announced it may take action against Google, because European countries have much stricter privacy laws, many here in America are not happy about it but it will probably not do much about it.

“Maybe at first, but that will subside,” said West, a student from Penn Manor High School, who disagrees with the change but admits he will still use it.

Like millions of others.

The convenience of Google, Google Docs, Gmail and other services will keep West and others using Google despite the fact that Google is spying through their virtual fence.

Spying eyes may make users more cautious to what they do on Google or Safari.

“I’m interested in how long they keep the search history,” said librarian Diane Bounds who thinks Google should help enhance student searches but not keep records.

The policy change is that anything that searched, or even slide their mouse over, Google and Safari can use information from it and relate it to advertisements in which the user may be interested. Safari normally blocks these cookies because it’s in their privacy policy.

But there’s an exception.

Penn Manor student using Google for research. Photo credit from author.

When an ad is on the screen and the user clicks on it, a form pops up. If the form is filled out then all that information can be used for any searches you may make. Using script, which many major companies use, the user doesn’t have to submit that form for that information to be recorded. Google already practices this.

“Google is trying to keep up with everyone else,” said Sean McKnight, a Penn Manor tech teacher. He says he’s against it, like many others, and doesn’t want to deal with it.

“You pay to be online. Do I want to have my information published? No!” said McKnight.

“Computer cookies,” said Jonathan Mayer, a grad student at Stanford, talking about what the new settings can do, from an NPR interview. Mayor is in the process of making an option in the privacy option saying “Do not track” which will send a message to websites blocking the ability.

“It’s kind of like planting a Do Not Trespass sign in your lawn only for your web policy,” said Mayor about his option to the policy.

Some sites support Mayor’s idea, others not so much.

Two of the major companies that are going to join Google and not follow Mayor’s option are websites used by millions each day. Facebook and Twitter.

Lawsuits were quickly mentioned when the news broke out. Even a letter of complaint was signed by three dozen state attorneys general to Google. The news spread like wildfire and reached even the tallest branches of government.

Users from Penn Manor agree that they just want the old policy settings instead of feeling like they are having all their information tracked. They agree that it needs to be “simple principles” for privacy protection. Regular people want simple settings.

Snooping continues to get high tech. Sites can get to know their users better by a nifty tool, the beacon. The beacon tracks mouse movements and can take information about a picture or that site and use it for advertisements. Every move the mouse makes, Google’s watching.

“There’s a large number of companies that have been circumventing internet explorers and privacy protections for a long time,” said Lori Faith Cranor a Computer Science Professor at Carnagie Mellon University.

Unless consumers put their privacy doors slammed, Google and others will be peeking in.

Superstars Are Lottery for Professional Teams

By Ian Noll

It’s another superstar story.

The clocks winding down. Five seconds, 3 seconds, 1 second. The coach gives Jeremy Lin, a recently unknown player who now is the starting point guard for the Knicks, the OK to take the last shot. With that, Lin throws up a three in the face of Toronto defender Jose Calderon, and gets nothing but net. The phenomenon of Jeremy Lin continues.

Look for the win and Lin’s fame to recruit thousands more fans around the world and even here in Penn Manor.

“He’s an inspiring story because he came out of nowhere and it’s easy to root for the underdog,” said Junior, Alex Quinn.

Jeremy Lin, Guarded by Jose Calderon, has become another national sensation.

It seems that the rise and play of superstars and sports “icons” attract fans who usually wouldn’t watch or care about that team. It gives the fans something to get excited for when their team might not be pulling through.

This all means one thing for the team though, profit.

Everybody has heard of and/or witnessed “Linsanity” and “Tebow Time,” which have both become national sensations in sports.

Tim Tebow’s inspiring fourth quarter comebacks helped the Broncos gain some much needed publicity. Ticket prices for the Broncos – Bears Game in early December according to TiqIq.com increased a total of 44 percent from the time Tebow made his first start to game day.

“I definitely tuned into more Denver games,” said Penn Manor science teacher Erick Dutchess.

tebow4 — Tebow celebrating yet another victory. Photo by Yahoo Sports.

Lin’s unrealistic stats for his first career NBA starts has caused a monstrous stir in the NBA, attracting attention from all directions. After starting 7-0 in his first 7 starts, Lin had 171 points. Don’t forget his game-winning three against Toronto either. He has become an icon for Asian basketball players and citizens.

The Knicks ticket prices increased a whole 33 percent over the span of his first 7 starts. That’s a 8 percent increase from last years “Melodrama” when Carmelo Anthony was traded to the Knicks, before Lin even wore the orange and took the floor at the Garden.

According to Jonathon Supranowitz who is affiliated with the Knicks,” We have currently sold out 51 consecutive games. While we are very proud of Jeremy’s accomplishments, the New York Knicks fan has consistently attended our games over the past 25 years.”

Students at Penn Manor can’t seem to get enough of players like this.

“I follow the Sixers, but it’s pretty hard not to notice when he is all over ESPN and being on three Sports Illustrated covers,” Quinn said.

On the flip side though, many people see these phenomenons quickly vanishing.

“It’s just a spur of the moment thing, people will soon see the bad side of them,” Jonathon West said.

Some of the Bronco’s new fans can’t keep themselves from tuning in even though they don’t like that style of play.

“I think that they are poor examples of football games,” Dutchess said of Denver’s comebacks.

Whatever it may be, people flock to stories like these. They love the underdog. Which means that the teams end up getting a payday thanks to the inspiring play.

Dangers of Tattoos Sometimes Lost on Teens

By Simon Zimmerman-

Penn Manor students have been inking themselves up more frequently, but are they aware of the serious health affects that can come along with the images on their skin?

As of 2003, surveys showed that 15 to 16 percent of American adults ranging from the ages 18 to 50 have a tattoo. Recent surveys, however, say that this number is on the rise and has reached as much as 24 percent.

Tattoos have certain side affects that should cause concern for anybody who gets one.

Pauly D tattoo from Jersey Shore — Pauly D of Jersey Shore shows off his tattoo. Photo courtesy of Tattoodonkey

Hepatitis B and C and MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) can be transferred from unsterilized needles used in some tattoo parlors and some freelance tattoo artists who work out of their home.

MRSA is a type of staph infection that does not respond to some antibiotics that are commonly used to treat staph infections. Hepatitis B and C, on the other hand, are inflammation of the liver due to infections of the hepatitis B or C virus.

Some students from Penn Manor say they are aware of these infections and do take measures to stay away from parlors that could be disease-prone.

“I knew I was going to a clean place so it didn’t bother me getting my tattoo,” said Penn Manor senior Kyle Black, who has a large tattoo on his side that says “young, wild and free.”

Black also offered that some of his friends who have inked themselves up have received ‘jailhouse’ tattoos.

A jailhouse tattoo, according to Black, is a tattoo that is acquired from a tattoo artist who is sometimes inexperienced and who operates out of their own home.

These tattoo artists are not regulated and may not live up to the standards of commercial tattoo parlors. These amateur operations can have a reputation of being unclean because they are unregulated.

Black’s fellow classmate, Lauren Anderson, got a so-called jailhouse tattoo when she received her tattoo on her foot.

But just because they may undergo inspections, doesn’t mean all commercial tattoo parlors are guaranteed safe places to get a tattoo.

“I got it (when I was) underage at some guy’s house who used to work at [a commercial tattoo parlor] and stopped because there were cases of MRSA and Hepatitis B and C,” said Anderson.

“He sterilized the needle so I knew everything was okay, I wouldn’t get a tattoo unless I felt completely safe,” Anderson continued to say.

Anderson said she does show concern for her health, but this is not always the case for many teens anxious to get their first tattoo.

As the number of young people getting tattoos continue to rise, so do the number of cases of MRSA and Hepatitis B and C. Those are two diseases that can be deadly.

In 2011, more than 18,000 deaths were attributed to MRSA in America. In the same year, 16,000 deaths were attributed to the more widely known threatening disease, AIDS.

At the same time, the rate of tattoos obtained by Americans ages 18-50 continue to rise and they don’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon.

Class of 2013 hits the Wall with the PSSA

By Dayonte Dixon –

Administrators at Penn Manor High School said this is the year there will be graduation and other consequences for students not scoring proficient on the PSSA.

But the consequences are not completely clear cut and some students said they were aware of new consequences while others were clueless.

“I’m going to have to take online courses or something in the school to prove that I know the material,” predicted junior Natosha Polaski if she is not proficient this year.

“I don’t graduate,” said Lindsay Hutchinson.

“Wait, is that what happens?” said junior Becky Miller, responding to Hutchinson’s comment. “I didn’t know that’s what happens.”

Administrators promised that this would be the year that class members would suffer consequences if they didn’t take the test seriously.

They are talking the talk, but are they walking the walk?

Administration members said earlier in the year they would mail home letters to parents of students letting them know the consequences of not passing this year’s PSSA test, but it seems many of the consequences, including the letters, have fallen through the cracks.

“There were no letters sent home,” said principal Phil Gale. “Just requirements they have to fulfill.”

Gale outlined the most recently added consequences that will befall students not scoring proficient on the PSSA, including a three-step program that makes it almost impossible not to graduate.

“If they don’t develop proficiency in math and reading, as defined by state standards, then we will develop a program for them to demonstrate their proficiency,” Gale stated.

The three-step program starts with the PSSA testing. If the student does not score proficient, he or she will have to retake the test at a later date. If the student again fails to score proficient, then the school will design an individual program for that student, that is designed specifically for that student to pass, according to latest administration reports.

“If they don’t develop that proficiency, then there is a possibility they don’t graduate,” Gale said about those who fail the three-step program.

“We need to show a 10 percent increase in each section (reading and math),” Gale said referring to the percentage of students in eleventh grade who need to score proficient on the PSSA this year.

Penn Manor High School PSSA results from previous years.

Grade 11

Reading
69% (2011)
72% (2010)
67% (2009)
72% (2008)
75% (2007)
The state average for Reading was 69% in 2011.

Science
47% (2011)
46% (2010)
50% (2009)
The state average for Science was 41% in 2011.

Writing
90% (2011)
89% (2010)
91% (2009)
95% (2008)
95% (2007)
The state average for Writing was 85% in 2011.

Math
59% (2011)
60% (2010)
59% (2009)
68% (2008)
67% (2007)
The state average for Math was 60% in 2011.

The school has experimented with many different ways of improving Penn Manor’s overall PSSA scores.

One of the more recent changes Penn Manor has made is that juniors now have remediation periods almost every day in either math or reading.

“We practice problems that will show up on the PSSA,” said junior Erica Williams, referring to what happens during remediation sessions.

Basically there is an extra 45 minutes for one of the classes, depending on what day it is. And that time is dedicated to remediating students who may not be proficient on the test.

“It was amazing how many seniors made growth,” principal Krista Cox said about the results of benchmark exams after remediation.

Some students are worried about the consequences of the test while others are not.

“I am a little worried about taking the PSSA, but I feel like I am ready,” Williams said.

Some think that there should be more of a negative repercussion for not passing the PSSA testing, that it would make students take it more seriously.

“I think it should effect a student’s course selection,” said senior Jared Banzhof, who has witnessed the recent changes the school has made to improve PSSA scores. “Or it would give the kids more incentive, if they lost their electives.”

“If you take away stuff, then kids become less interested,” said junior Mark Hutchins, referring to privileges and punishments. “But other than remediation, I haven’t really been paying attention to any of the other consequences.”

According to Gale there are no punishments, only requirements to be fulfilled.

But there are possible incentives as well. Seniors who improved or were proficient or advanced on their PSSAs last year got free parking passes this spring.

As of now, it seems Penn Manor is sticking to their three-step program. Which could prove to be successful in due time. But only time will tell.

Trending Basketball Gear, for Performance and Looks

PX00001_911 — Picture of Dwight Howard Photo Courtesy of the Orland Sentinel

By Daulton Parmer-

As each basketball season continues, it seems as if more and more compression wear is being worn in games. What is the point of wearing them?

“I wear a shooting sleeve because it keeps the sweat off my hands,” said Marc Summy, Penn Manor basketball player. “The less sweat on my hands, the stronger I am at controlling the ball.”

Many basketball players, high school, college, and professional are all starting to wear either an arm or leg compression sleeve, or both. Compression sleeves are sleeves with two holes at each end made from stretchy material to slide over the arm or leg.

Allen Iverson was the first to start this back in 2000 after having elbow surgery. The sleeve acted as a compression bandage. Iverson believed this arm sleeve would help the healing process move faster, while protecting it against further injury. Iverson continued wearing his bandage after his elbow healed, and other players followed, making sleeves not only for medical reasons, but for straight fashion.

Most athletes feel if they look great, they feel great, and in return perform great.

“Man I just wear the sleeve because I like how it looks,” said NBA All-Star Dwight Howard. “I started wearing it in practice it felt good one day and I thought ‘Man, I should wear this in the game. It might make my shot look better,” said Howard after an interview with Randal Stevens, a writer for www.ballerstatus.com.

Some NBA players also wear the sleeve to cover any inappropriate tattoos.

The sleeves don’t end with the arms. Slowly working down the body.

Knee, calf and whole leg sleeves are now participating in basketball.

chi_u_deng_b1_300 — Picture of Josh Smith and Luol Deng Photo Courtesy of ESPN

Recent studies have that the ”Basketball leg sleeves incorporate compression technology which keeps the legs warm and promotes healing and blood flow while protecting the legs from scrapes and bruises during play,” according to ‘CSS TECH’, a company that specializes in customization of compression sleeves..

The calf sleeve acts as a muscle energizer. It keeps the muscle tight and warm. It allows the best performance for the longest time. Without the sleeve, the muscle would start to grow weaker after performing for a long period of time and start to get droopy, according to ‘CSS TECH’.

Other types of compression wear are completely about protection.

Special type of sleeves, both leg and arm, contain a pad on either the elbow, knee or shin.

Compression shirts and shorts are also being worn with padding on them.

“I wear the compression shorts with the padding on the thigh. One knee (to the thigh) and you could be out for a few days,” said Summy.

The shirt contains special padding protecting the ribs.

Suiting up for basketball is almost the same as suiting up to go to war now.

No one knows what will come next.