Sports

Disappointing End for Boys Soccer

October 23, 2012 by lpahomov Leave a Comment

Junior Captain Jeffery Schwartz tackling opponent for possession over the ball.

By Heather Campbell

Staff Writer

The boys soccer season comes to an end after a devastating loss in the playoffs.

Losing 9-0 against Central High School in the playoff game on October 17th dashed the previous record of 6-3, that tied them for second place in the division.

“We played with a lot of heart, but they outplayed us.” commented Senior Alex Johnson, “They were just better.”

After a strong start early in the season, the loss in the playoffs was disappointing, but expected. “Even though we lost, we had a good season.” mentioned Senior Mohamed Marzouk.

The improvement in the team is evident in the way they have been communicating and passing to each other on the field. “Our record doesn’t really show it, but we have improved a lot.” Senior Captain Dan Wirt maintained.

A Successful Season Coming to a Close for Girls Volleyball

October 17, 2012 by lpahomov Leave a Comment

SLA girls volleyball warming up before a game.

By Heather Campbell

Staff Writer

The girls volleyball team currently holds the record of 7-1.With two more games to go in the regular season, they have big hopes for what comes next.

“For the first time in a while we are really close to making it into the playoffs and moving up to the gold division.” stated Volleyball Coach Karina Hirschfield.

Senior Volleyball Captain Marina Pyfrom is pleased with the team’s improvement. “Last year, we were even. This year I wanted to win more than we lost.”

In previous years, the girls volleyball team has struggled to find the consistency that allowed them to excel like they have this year. Starting preseason, the focus was to ensure there was a solid interest among the players.

“We are shifting the way we play on the team,” commented Hirschfield. “Before we were expected to get good at everything. Now we are starting to identify players’ strengths.”

Previously, the team was challenged by not having enough experienced setters. Having two experienced setters, who control the offense of the team, has allowed other players to focus on their attacking skills.

“A lot of people have improved.” stated Pyfrom, “We are playing as a team, and thats important.”

The success of their season shows in their record, having only lost one game so far against Parkway Center City. “It was a pretty even competition.” stated Hirschfield, “the biggest thing that we have been training around now is keeping it together and not choking.”

With their one loss behind them and two more games to go, the team is looking for further improvement. Hirschfeld has mentioned the idea of starting a volleyball club to keep the girls practicing year-round in preparation for next year’s season.

“Four seniors are starters, but I think the freshman and the subs can pick up the slack.” stated Pyfrom about what challenges the team might face next year.

Freshman setter Malwina Dymek is confident about the future. “We are going to be good.”

Track Seniors compete at the Penn Relays

May 11, 2012 by lpahomov Leave a Comment

By Marina Stuart

Staff Writer

For the first time in three years, Science Leadership Academy entered the Penn Relays. The Boys 4×100 relay team had qualified for the race and were set to compete on April 27th. The team was comprised of Seniors Doug Wallace, Jason Davis, Tariq Smith, and Trevor Hinton. They were accompanied by Coach Brad Latimer, and the two other captains, Junior Matt Ferry and Senior Marina Stuart.

The last time SLA students ran in the Penn relays was 2009. At that race, SLA had teams competing in both the girls and boys 4×100 races.

Davis was part of the first 4×100 team that ran the first time SLA was at the Penn Relays. “Freshman year, I was a lot more unprepared,” he said of that first experience. “Our relay team it wasn’t a solid team, it changed every week, there was lack of coordination, a lack of practice, plus as a freshmen being thrown into that environment without being prepared, it sets you up to make mistakes.”

“Being a senior and going to the Penn relays, it was a chance to redeem myself. We were prepared, my team with pretty proficient, I have a lot more confidence and there was more spirit within the team. Plus when I was a freshman there was something about two or three track meet before and senior year I’ve ran a lot and I am used to the pressure, I was able to appreciate it a lot more.” Said Davis.

Hinton was not on the team freshmen year, but since is arrival on the team in 2010 he said “It had been my goal to get there and run, since sophomore year. It was an experience that not a lot people get to see and run in and I’m glad it came my senior year.”

Wallace had never been to Franklin and didn’t know how big a race the Penn Relays is. “I have never been to Franklin Field before, there were about 20 thousand people there, not many people can say they have run in front of thousands of people. I ran where Usain Bolt did, and it felt AWESOME.”

This was also the first time Coach Latimer had attended the Penn Relays with a team. He said he had a great time and “I am extremely proud of our senior 4×1 team they showed exceptional poise and drive and skill in competing in the largest annual track and field meet in the world.”

For all these runners this is their last year on the team. This event really tied together the season and “Solidified their brotherhood,” According to Smith.

Smith has been a member of the SLA team since his freshman year, but had not run at the 4×100 previously. “Just knowing that you’ll never have an experience like this ever again in your life.” Said Smith, the final member of the team “It made me realize that I had to live in the moment and have fun while I’m there.”

Boys Baseball beat longtime rivals Randolph

April 27, 2012 by lpahomov Leave a Comment

By Isabela Aznar

Staff Writer

It is safe to say that Randolph and SLA are rivals on the baseball field.

“We lost to this team 3 times before (stretching back since the 2010 season)” Said Coach Doug Herman on the bus ride to the field. “If we win this game, we make our chances of making it into the play offs go up.”

On April 10th, The Rockets had their annual match against Randolph. All the boys on the bus listened intently as Mr. Herman gave his traditional speech that he gives before every game on the bus ride over to the field.

As well as the traditional pep talk on the bus from Coach Herman, He carries a tradition with the team of finishing a BLT (Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato) Sandwich before the beginning of every game for good luck,

As soon as The SLA Rockets arrived at the field, Senior and Team Captain Ian Mcclendon led them through a quick and thorough conditioning.

And then continued on with Coach Herman to talk to the refs.

“Baseball is a game the of inches,” McClendon said, referring to the fact that precision and timing is everything in the game, you have to stay focused and play close attention to everything that’s happening.

“Mental lapses and timely errors on our part have always led to their wins, but not this time” Coach Herman stated, referring to Randolph’s winning streak against SLA.

Based on this year’s game, however, the team was on point and completely aware of what was going on.

“Baseball has taught me how to work hard,” right fielder and Senior Blasé Biello said. “Especially going from bench warmer to assistant captain.”

The team tied together very nicely, and exemplified great teamwork together; always supporting each other, giving each other pep talks, and keeping focus on the game.

“I’d say that the biggest moments of the game were our five run 3^rd inning and holding them to just one run in the 5^th when it was 8-3,” said Coach Herman. “We held the momentum as a result and broke it open in the bottom of the 5^th inning to push it to 14-4 and winning by Mercy Rule,” which involves having a 10 run lead after 5 innings.

The team was proud and exauhsted coming back on the bus to SLA.

“We had a strong offense,” First baseman and senior Thomas Nicolella said about their performance. The entire team was proud after they had their well deserved victory.

Game Highlights by Coach Herman

Bottom of 3rd (SLA)

Ian McClendon (Batting 3rd and playing Center Field) bombed one to left for a triple scoring Stephen White (2 hitter and Short Stop).

Jeffrey Schwartz (4^th and playing Catcher) stole and was scored on a hit and run play when Abe Musselman (5th and in Left Field) smacked one down the third base line.

Still no outs, but Randolph’s 2011 All-Star Pitcher Justo Rodriguez finally induced Raekwon Smith (6th and 3B) to pop up to Short, and TJ Nicolella ( 7th and 1^st base) to line out to 1st.

SLA tacked on one more when Jhonas Dunakin (8th and 2B) looped a single to center, stole second and third and then scored when the umpire called Rodriguez for a Balk (a Balk is when the pitcher “deceives” the runner instead of pitching to the batter).

SLA scored 5 runs on 5 hits with 3 Stolen Bases.

Top of 5th (Randolph)

I sent Jeff back out for another inning to “get one out” since he threw a lot of pitches in the third. He walked the first batter, then hit the second so I pulled him and gave Allen Harmon his first relief appearance of the year. The kid has gas, can change speeds and is developing a curve.

We had a 4 run lead, but they had the bases loaded.

Allen Harmon landed a solid strike against one of Randolph’s hottest hitters on the first pitch, and struck him out swinging three pitches later.

In a quick and dramatic fashion Allen dispensed with there clean up hitter on three pitches to get out of the jam.

The team mobbed him in the dugout. I know from personal experience that it is something that he will remember for the rest of his life.

The Realities of Sports Funding at SLA

March 14, 2012 by lpahomov Leave a Comment

By Natasha Ashby

Staff Writer

How do we pay for sports at SLA?

Students often don’t think about where the money comes from to pay for coaches, uniforms and equipment — and they sometimes assume that it appears magically.

” I knew that some money came from donations and our sports funding, said Zayd Alsardary, senior and basketball player, “but I didn’t know where the rest came from.”

“Tyler Hankinson and Sam Sirochman’s grandfathers donated to the basketball team. People who want to see success in the teams would give us money for the things we need. I didn’t think we could afford most of what we can afford now due to budgets. It’s a good thing we have support from the SLA community and Home and School.”

As Alsadary learned, the process of funding each sport takes work.

The Philadelphia School District gives out a certain amount of money to each public school for the sports teams.

“The coaches salaries are all set. The teachers come up to me asking what they need and how much of it, then I go to the Home and School Association and ask for it.” said English Teacher and Basketball Coach Matthew Kay.

Sometimes schools also get high-profile donations. On December 1, 2011, Ryan Howard, Philadelphia Phillies star player, announced that he was donating 1.2 million in cleats and athletic wear to 57 High Schools in Philadelphia and 4 middle schools. SLA was one of those high schools.

” It was like 30 for baseball, 30 for softball, 30 for boys and girls soccer,” said Kay. “A little over 30 plus we’re waiting on jackets to come for the softball team and shirts for the baseball team.”

However, most of the fundraising falls on the shoulders of the coaches and players.

” This is the toughest season for funding that we have had,” said Matthew Baird, a SLA history teacher and girls soccer coach.

“I don’t know where we are going to get the money for the new home jerseys we had planned. I don’t know how we are going to cover the cost of the other jerseys for players and their families that cannot afford the $50.”

“VK [Soccer Coach Matt Van Koeuwenberg] thought it was a good idea to fundraise ourselves, but there were some complications with the ordering because they cost over $1000, so we did not get the uniforms,” said Junior and soccer player Jhonas Dunakin.

“I just went to people I knew had money and were willing to donate. I pitched them the idea and they donated.”

SLA coaches and students look for people outside of school who are willing to donate to the teams.

“We sell pretzels and I get private donations from friends who what to have girls soccer succeed at SLA,” said Mr. Baird.

The budget is tight and teams have come up with various ways to fundraise, from selling chocolate bars to pretzels in order to get what they need.

“Starting early on the fundraising is the key to success”, said Erin Garvey, SLA Algebra teacher and girls basketball coach. “We are trying to raise money so that all players have adequate sneakers and warm-ups. It also works to continue building camaraderie among players despite the season being over. We’ve been fortunate that we’ve had a lot of parent support and assistance with the fundraising effort, especially Ms. Randall. I would definitely encourage other teams to start their fundraising early so that these funds can be used for the upcoming season.”

In the past year, each school was hit with budget cuts and had to make changes.

“Every school had to drop one sport. We dropped track” from the budget, said Mr. Kay. “The district isn’t funding it anymore. Luckily, our Home and School are now paying for the coach.”

What’s interesting is that many students, including members of the track team were unaware of this change.

” You don’t need funding in order to do what you love. If you truly love it, you’ll find the means in order to accomplish it, said Senior and Track team captain Tariq Smith.

“As of my meeting last week, none of the sports are going away in the immediate future. That can all change tomorrow, I have no idea,” said Kay.

“As of now, there are going to be spring sports. However, I think there might be big cuts next year, but sports are kinda a sacred cow and it’s a public relations nightmare to cut sports. So, I don’t think anyone was trying to cut them, I think it was just a rumor.”

Money is an important factor when it comes to sports. Although many rumors have been going around regarding sports, they are just rumors. Coaches and players are looking for different outlets such as fundraising and donations in order to provide for their teams.