SPORTS SECTION

BASKETBALL SEASON ENDS FOR THE BOYS -D’Shaun Thomas      It is with a lot of sadness that I write of the boy’s basketball season being over.  We played hard all year and we were all upset that we didn’t make playoffs.  Our overall record was 4 and 5.  Many of our losses were close.  Due to sickness, we were down a few players during those games too.  Coach Leemhuis is a really good coach.  He didn’t get mad that we lost.  He’d always say that we just need to try harder the next time.  The team will miss the 8th graders who were Thomas Simmons, Jermaine Jackson, Rashod Allen, Ameer Colemen, Noor El-Hajomar, Raykwon Thomas, and myself.  We learned a lot this season, but the most important thing was to work as a team and never give up.  Good luck to next year’s team.

SWIMMING TO SUCCESS! -Shyree Hamilton           The swimming team is going strong and working hard for the championship meet coming up on January 28th.  Currently, swimmers are working to improve their times for events in order to qualify.  The team is made up of awesome swimmers Jeffery Edders, Dustin Hanovick, Tyree Searcy, Chris Malicki, Jamal BigStaff, Joel Casey, Hannah Hanovick, Angel Rodgers, Shylynn Harfield, and Aria Adams-Thorpe.  The manager is Neveah Best.  The team participates in many events including the 50 freestyle, 50 breaststoke, 50 butterfly, 50 backstroke, 100 freestyle, 100 relay, 100 individual medley, 200 freestyle, and 200 relay.  50 means the swimmers must go down and back in the pool.  Coach Outten has great wisdom.  She said, “players must have patience.  We did not have a swimmer who could do breaststoke or butterfly at the beginning of the season.  Now we have four!” GOOD LUCK AT THE CHAMPTIONSHIP!

Lady Patriots Wrap Up Season -Alexus Harris The girls’ basketball team had a great season!  Their record was 4 to 5.  The members of the lady patriots are Dinasia, Talaya, Taija, Savanna, Zeena, Arianah, Neema, Kaniesha, Antronice, Destanee, Ronnae, and Tychae.  Six of the 13 players are 8th graders that will be missed by the other students, teachers, and coaches.  The head coach, Mr. D’Angelo wants to thank every player and Coach Askew for a great season.  He also wants to give special thanks to all of the 8th graders.  Antronice: “Thanks for coming in and playing hard when you were needed.” Savanna: “You got 100% at all times.  I hope you keep learning how to be part of the team. Tychae: “You made a lot of improvement towards the end of the season.” Arianah: “I am proud of how you got through the end of the season, ‘1, 2 go!’” Diana: “Your heart hustle will be missed.  I remember when you were a young 6th grade student who couldn’t dribble the ball!  Now, I hear people coming out of the crowd asking who #5 is!” Talaya: “Thanks for leading our team this year.  You can be as good as you want to be, but you have to want it and work hard!  Keep your head up!”