BCDS Spring 2008 Sports Preview

TYLER STARR '10

Boys Varsity Tennis

Last Season: The '07 BCDS Varsity Boys Tennis team was very successful. It had four EIL All-stars, three of which are returning this season. They were co-champions of the EIL, and only lost one match.

Biggest Loss: Graham Loyd. He was not a huge loss, he is the only non-returning.

Biggest Gain: Time to improve. Over the past year, several of the tennis players have been getting better by going to tournaments, clinics, and taking lessons. Pierre Planche ’10 and Lukas Mead ’10, both EIL All-stars, told me that everyone has improved their games since last year.
Strength: The tennis team is still young. Three of the seven starting players are sophomores; one is the number one on the ladder.

Projected Record: 12-1. Almost undefeated last year, this year they are determined to learn minor mistakes and play another almost perfect season.

Girls Junior Varsity Tennis

Last Season: The 2007 season was a building year for Girls Junior Varsity Tennis team. There were many of new tennis players, who had never played tennis before. Though the team only had one win, Hayley Peck ’10 and Brook Marram ’10 both had strong seasons.

Biggest Loss: Peck and Marram. Some experts considered them the best on the team last year and this season they will most likely be moved up to the varsity team.

Biggest Gain: Freshmen. There is a plethora of new freshman on the team, including Nicole Penn and Kasjah Scarlett who are very talented players.

Strength: Depth. The team does not have one stand out player, but will have a strong line up every match.

Projected Record: 6-3. The team looks very strong this year, and will shock everyone with a over 500 average.

Boys Varsity Baseball

Last season: The varsity baseball team had a rough ‘07 season. They had talent but they did not win many games. The team had a lot of talented young players, but unfortunately did not have a successful season.

Biggest Loss: Lamarre Rey. He was the on of the team’s captains for this year and the main pitcher on the team. Rey is currently attending the Pingree school.

Biggest Gain: Freshmen. There are some skilled freshmen who joined the team this year. The best part about these freshmen is that they will only improve over the next three years.

Strength: Fielding. There are plenty of gifted fielders on the team including infielders Shane Bourque ‘10 and Sam Packard ’08.

Projected Record: 9-6. The team has ten games scheduled for this year on upper-field. Due to fan support they should win almost every one. The team will be looking to prove themselves after last year’s upsetting season.

Girls Varsity Softball

Last season: The team had a challenging season last year with only one win. The team grew and learned from their hardships and should improve this year.

Biggest Loss: Dayo Oyedele ‘07. She was an overall strong athlete and a team player.

Biggest Gain: Coach Kaplan. Kaplan, as she told the upper school learned in a Wednesday Forum, played catcher in college. She has a lot of experience playing softball. She plans to share her valuable knowledge with the team this season.

Strength: Young, number of team members, lower field. The team is very young which will help them in the upcoming years. There are a lot of young women on the team this year which will keep the team rested. After last year’s construction fiasco, the team kicked Ultimate Frisbee off their turf this spring and will have Lower Field to play on this year.

Projected Record: 6-9. The team will have a rough slow start to the beginning of the season; out of their first six games, only one of them is home.

Boys Varsity Lacrosse

Last season: The team had an average record last year. They were only a par last year and they plan on being an elite team this year. Peter Jackson ‘07, and David Miller ’07 were last year’s captains.

Biggest Loss: Peter Jackson. He was one of the most skilled players on the team. Jackson was also the leader of their offense. Peter Jackson was the team’s leading goal scorer.

Biggest Gain: There is no single biggest gain known to the team other than experience. Players have been improving better throughout the last year by going to camps, and playing indoor lacrosse during the winter.

Strength: Defense. The defensemen on the team are excellent at playing their position. Jon Paul ’08 is a very devoted player to the team and has greatly improved his strength by wrestling in the winter. The goalies are also very good. Parker Barrell ’10 and Tory Fruciano ’09 are the goalies for the team and have been getting better since last season.

Projected Record: 9-5. The five seniors on the team are extremely devoted and want to prove themselves in their last year with Coach Brooks.

Girls Varsity Lacrosse

Last season: The ’07 season was a building year for the lacrosse team. They had no wins but improved consistently throughout the season.
Biggest Loss: Molly Swain. Swain was a exceptionally skillful player who was very devoted to the team.

Biggest Gain: Freshman. There is a new group of freshman to join that have joined the team this year. All of them are eager to play and will aid the team tremendously.

Strength: Communication. The team works very hard on communicating to each other during practices, which pays off in their games.

Projected Record: 5-7. With the help of a new coach, is expected to perform better than in the past.

Ultimate Frisbee

Last season: The ’07 season was a character building year for the Frisbee team. They only had two wins last year, but progressively got better throughout the season.

Biggest Loss: Will Knight ’07 and Josh Raab ‘07. Will Night was the tallest player on the team and scored the most out of all the players. Josh Raab was captain last year and used his leadership skills to teach the younger players how to play Frisbee.

Biggest Gain: Coach John Schatz and Chris Rush ‘08. Coach Schatz is a great athlete, and is teaching the team how to keep in shape. He coached cross country in the fall and brings some of his endurance building skills to the Frisbee team. With the loss of Will Knight, the team was without a “big man”. Rush has proven himself during preseason as the team’s newest “big man”. He has a large reach and can jump high as well. Rush is projected to have the most touch downs this year on the Frisbee team.

Strength: Heart. The Frisbee team plays with a lot of spirit. Adam Offit ’09 is one of the many devoted players who gives his all every practice and game.

Projected Record: 5-5. The team has a tough schedule playing Gann Academy twice. Based on last year’s final scores against the Gann team (losing by 10 touch downs) these two games will most likely be losses. The team is better than last years team, but will have a slow start because it will take the team a few games to learn how to function together due to limited practice space.

Read more!

Jacoby Ellsbury Traded to Yankees for Johnny Damon

JESSICA PENZIAS ‘08

At 8:00 this morning, reporters gathered at Fenway Park at the request of Red Sox general manager, Theo Epstein. Soon thereafter, Epstein took the podium and announced that, after considering input from both Terry Francona and the Red Sox owners, the team has resigned former Red Sox player Johnny Damon. Damon, who was traded to the Yankees immediately following the 2004 World Series victory of the Red Sox, has, of late, become an enemy to all members of Red Sox nation. In fact, when Damon returned to Fenway as a member of the Yankees in 2005, Red Sox fans threw money on the field to demonstrate their frustration with Damons’ greedy nature and lack of devotion to the Sox.

The news of the latest trade received a similar public reaction. Reporters flooded Epstein with questions and soon after the story was released to the public (at around 9 AM) crowds gathered outside Fenway Park. Outraged Bostonians, banded together with signs protesting the return of the despised center-fielder. At this time, Epstein returned to Fenway Park to address the concerns of the growing crowd. When he was asked about his decision, Epstein was recorded as stating, “Due to Coco Crisp’s injury, we have resigned Damon in an effort to rebuild our outfield.” He then went on to say, “Trading Jacoby Ellsbury was a necessary move for the Red Sox administration and we are excited to welcome back our former teammate.” A public outcry followed this statement and some fans even speculated that this trade may be reminiscent of the famous trade of Babe Ruth.


APRIL FOOLS!!!...Thank goodness!
Read more!

Advancements in Baseball: Not Always Beneficial

ZACK LEVANDOV '08

Beginning in the slums and alleys of New York City in the 19th century, baseball has risen to become America's favorite sport and one of the most successful athletic businesses. In the old days, many had to take long treks to the nearest professional ballpark. Today in Boston, all it takes is a short T ride or a quick car ride down Storrow Drive to Fenway Park.

Baseball has not only experienced beneficial changes, there have been numerous negative alterations as well. Fifty years ago, going to the ballpark was a unique and special experience. Baseball used to be an important social event: fans dressed up and went to games to gamble, to enjoy themselves with friends, and to bond with their families. Today, fans goes to games more casually, are less emotional, and their behavior is controlled with strict rules.

Furthermore, when baseball began, all stadiums had natural grass and seats piled up high, so close to the players that the fans could hear them talk and shout on the field. Today, stadiums are becoming fake and tacky. Fans are placed in domed, bowl-shaped parks where players meander about on artificial turf and view the game from such a far distance that the action on the field might as well be on small TV screen. Fans simply should not have to endure the flaws of such aesthetics and architecture.

To start off, the artificial surface must go. There should be nothing fake or artificial about baseball, least of all the grass. Baseball is America’s sport, so why should there be an artificial quality to it? Baseball, in its ideal, form is one of the most pure sports played today across the globe. It is a simple and laid-back game, requiring only a few friends, a ball and a stick. The odd shade of the artificial grass is a poor and unappealing counterfeit of green grass. Sitting around an artificial field is almost like sitting on a picnic blanket. Why gather around a carpet to enjoy peanuts, sodas, hotdogs, and the game when you could do the same thing without leaving the comfort of your own home?

Artificial turf also affects the game of baseball negatively for the players both physically and strategically. When the game is on the line and an outfielder has an opportunity to make a quick run towards the infield to catch a fly ball, what do they have to consider? Since artificial turf is harder and more abrasive than grass, the impact on the ground is going to feel like a collision with a cement wall, and a player risks a rug burn or a tear in his pants. Additionally, the away team has to consider the possible directions the ball can take when bouncing from the ground and how high it will soar over the outfielder’s head, since balls bounce less predictably off artificial turf than off natural grass.

Moving on, domes create a bland ambience for baseball. As human beings, we love sunlight and the warm feeling of the rays on our skin. Why play baseball inside when it was invented as an outdoor sport? Yes, it is true that domes protect the weather from ruining the field and the sun from shining in players’ eyes, but baseball should be a pastoral sport; players lope across the field, and a strong batter can send a ball seemingly far into the sky. Underneath a dome, it is all a different story. The game is sealed, players’ skin even appears unhealthy, and the ball is in danger of hitting a rafter. The sense of outdoor sport is completely taken away from the fan. Instead, fans are in a room.

Don’t you, as a fan, want to be outside and closer to the game while have the feeling of genuine baseball in front of you? One should have a desire to feel closer to the game instead of being forced to the back wall of a bowled stadium, like the remnants of unwanted cereal. Don't you, as a fan, want to be outside and close to the players? Don't you want the sun on your face and the wind to blow, while the players scamper across natural grass? I like hearing the ball slap the catcher’s mitt, and the shortstop shouting “I got it!” when the ball is popped up in the infield, which you can't hear when you're far from the game in a domed stadium, listening to air conditioning vents. In baseball, atmosphere is just as important as athletics and false environments should be eliminated.

Read more!

NHL Trade Deadline Passes

LUCAS JUDSON ‘13 (middle school)

Hi to all of you very few hockey fans at Beaver, or just someone reading something they saw. My name is Lucas Judson and I will make a weekly report about the NHL. As you may know, the trade deadline passed on February 26 and a few teams cashed in with some great players.

The Pittsburgh Penguins got Marian Hossa (f), another all-star to play alongside Evgeni Malkin (f), the current point leader. The defenseman Brian Campbell now plays for the San Jose Sharks. Brad Richards (f), who played with NHL great Martin St. Louis (f) and “St. Vincent” Lecavelier (f) on the Tampa Bay Lightning, is now playing for the Dallas Stars for Jussi Jokinen (f) and Mike Smith (g). Tampa Bay also picked up the goalie Karri Ramo. “Ollie” Kolzig (g) is back on the Washington Capitals and Garey Price (g) is now on the Minnesota Wild. Big surprise but Sergei Federov (f) is now playing with the Washington Capitols and Peter Forsberg (f) is back on the Colorado Avalanche. If you read this far I hope you enjoyed it and wait for more. Good bye.

Image from NHL.com
Read more!

A Look Back at the Varsity Volleyball Season

MARGARET GREGORY '10

The 2007-2008 Beaver Country Day School varsity volleyball season so far has been impressive compared to years past. Last year, varsity won two games and this year the team has doubled that record with four wins.

The team consists of six starting seniors, one junior, and two sophomores. The captain, Liz Cobb, is a leader both on and off the court, bringing laughs to practice and intensity to games. Additionally, Khadijah Gray has made over 25 kills and 73 attempts, making her the number one hitter on the team. She never lets a block go unblocked or leaves a hit un-hit. Every player has a sense of leadership and teamwork which makes varsity volleyball such an amazing team. “The team is so close it’s unbelievable, I have never been on a team where everyone is friends and gets along so well!” says Brooke Parker, a junior on the team.

The head coach, Aaron Montgomery, pushes the players every day in practice. He encourages them to try their hardest and to work as a team. Aaron also coaches at Northeastern University and is the assistant coach at Newbury College. His knowledge of the sport is extraordinary and he always has a fun drill for the team to try out every practice.

Come out and watch volleyball play in their last game of the season on February 20 at Chapel Hill at 4:30!
Read more!

Girl's Varsity Basketball hopes for a spot in the EIL tournament

LAURA BULKELEY '08

The start to the girl’s varsity basketball season at Beaver has been both trying and exciting. The first game against Berwick was a heartbreaker, when the girls lost by one point in the last few seconds. Though the girls suffered other losses, there have also been some exciting wins against Southfield and Bancroft. Dani Lubin Levy (’09) and Janaya Hart (’09) have led the team as junior captains.

Though the captains play a large role, other players such as Emily Belowich (’11) and Ibbie Yardley (’10) are regular starters and help the team with their high spirits and tough play. Their promise, along with a strong JV team, keeps hope for a strong program in the future. Already, Kasjah Scarlett (’11) has been brought up to varsity from JV and has had ample playing time. At the end of the year, the team will only lose three seniors, one of which has started in two games. Unfortunately, the team has begun to suffer due to injuries. Jessye Crawford (’08) and Kasjah Scarlett are both out due to hand injuries. Kasjah will be out for two weeks, and Jessye will be out for the rest of the season.

Though the team has gotten off to a rough start with a record of 4-9, there is still time to improve. The girls have beaten in-league Bancroft twice, showing that Beaver is a competitor and will hopefully grab a spot in the EIL tournament. The end of the season will surely be intense; come support the team on senior night this Friday at 3:30pm.

Read more!

Loss to Kansas Revealing for Boston College

DANA SPIGELMAN '08

Kansas’ post players produced 55 points including 25 from junkyard dog Darnell Jackson, who rarely scores far away from the basket. Kansas exposed BC all the way around. They were simply too weak and too slow in their defensive rotations to stop the tough Jackson and the polished Darrell Arthur. Kansas point guards routinely stood beyond the three-point line and lobbed alley-oops over the unaware BC defenders to their dominating big man. Al Skinner was simply out coached as Bill Self was able to time and again find the flaws in BC’s game plan. However, Skinner can only be blamed to a certain extent. BC showed their youth, committing 14 turnovers and making horrible decisions at every turn. Tyrese Rice committed six turnovers, unusual for the smart and instinctive point guard. Rakim Sanders was caught taking awful fade-away three pointers and Corey Raji seemed overly passive. It certainly got ugly in Conte Forum.

The young BC squad also showed their youth. Biko Paris was not bothered at all by the most intense pressure he will ever have to face, reversing his dribble and easing his way up the court against the intense Russell Robinson, Sherron Collins and Mario Chalmers. Rakim Sanders, while at first showing his youth, scored 14 points and led a minor second half surge with a barrage of threes and an electric put-back dunk. Through the first half Tyrese Rice also showed just how good he can be, dominating Kansas and keeping BC in the game as long as he could. Rice has a history of stepping up in big games against quality point guards, dating back to games against UNC, Georgetown and others over the past two years. Those strong spotlight performances can only be an indication of further success to come for the BC star.

With only a match up against a weak Robert Morris squad left, BC has just about finished off their non-conference schedule. In somewhat of a rebuilding year, the realistic goal for BC has become a NCAA tournament bid and they will have to play well now to achieve it. With a win over Robert Morris, BC will go into ACC play at 11-3 (1-0 inside the conference). With only the fifteen conference games left BC has a pretty easy conference schedule, facing Duke and Clemson each only once. The remaining games are against beatable teams and a 9-6 mark against the remaining schedule appears attainable. That would leave BC 20-9 with a 10-6 record in the ACC and a lock for the NCAA tournament. While this is attainable, it is still highly unlikely that the inconsistent, young Eagles could pull it off. They will need Rakim Sanders and Corey Raji to mature quickly, continued solid play from Biko Paris, Shamari Spears and Tyrelle Blair. Despite what anyone says, this is a solid BC team and one that nobody in the ACC is looking forward to playing. Although this year has the potential to turn for the worse, the future in Conte Forum is bright.

Image from: ESPN

Read more!