Boys basketball coach expects team to give their all

By Liz F.

Mr. Anderson, the coach of this year's sixth and seventh grade boys basketball team, expects all the team members to demonstrate their dedication and represent Peacock with pride. Practices are held Monday through Friday for two hours after school. The team is made up of fourteen players who will participate in about eight to ten games. Mr. Anderson thinks the team will do very well this season. At practices, the team will go over a lot of conditioning, skill practicing, and strategies for the games.

A typical game for the boys team is about an hour and 15 minutes or so. They have four quarters which are about eight minutes long. The games have lots of fast pace action, intensity, and excitement. Mr. Anderson said, "Peacock’s competition is usually very intense." Coaching basketball is one of Mr. Anderson’s favorite things to do. He played basketball in middle school and high school, and he still plays today.

Girls basketball teams finish strong seasons

By Maggie F.

The sixth and seventh grade girls basketball team won their conference championship with a 6-0 record. Their coach, Mr. Anderson, said that the team's most difficult game was also their best game. This was the game against Churchville. According to Mr. Anderson, the team stuck together and raised their level of confidence to win.

Mr. Anderson said he thought the hardest-working and most talented players this season were Brianna C. for her defense and offense, Alexia I. for her defense, and Kristy H. for her ability to shoot from outside. He named Holly B. and Sarah Zelenka as the most improved players. Mr. Anderson also said, however, that all the players were mostly equal in terms of talent and effort. Mr. Anderson described Peacock's conference as very competitive.

The eighth grade team, coached by Mr. Martin also had a successful season. They defeated the conference champs in two out of three games.

WNBA of Peacock

By Kristina R.

With hopes and dreams

And colorful schemes,

To win this season,

We have a reason.

To bring the joy of victory to the team,

As the others shine with envy,

While we shine with glee.

A record of 11 and 1,

The best anyone could have done,

It took a lot of dedication, inspiration, and motivation,

But also a lot of perspiration.

When the crowd would sound,

We knew we were bound,

To win the game,

Yet stay the same.

Everyone tried their hardest,

To make the team proudest,

When we put the uniform near,

No one could fear,

That we would most likely prevail,

While the crowd,

Would sound in our ears.

All in all, we player our best,

And we were put to the test,

We had a triumphant season,

And stood above the rest.

Good job eighth, seventh and sixth grade girls basketball team with an 11 and 1 victory during this astonishing season, and special thanks to the coaches, Mr. Martin, Mr. Anderson, and Mr. Ashenhurst.

Brian offers NFL roundup and predictions

By Brian C.

The NFL season is more than half over and there have already been a lot of surprises. The best team so far is the Denver Broncos who at press time were 11-1.

In the NFC, who is the best team can be debated. The Minnesota Vikings have the best record but their defense has shown inconsistency. The 49ers have great offensive firepower, but their defense has been weak and they recently suffered a huge loss to the Atlanta Falcons. Speaking of the Falcons, they have an all around solid team, with a great offense, good defense and excellent coaching.

What about the Packers? They have beaten the 49ers, but they have also lost to the lowly 3-7 Detroit Lions. My midseason predictions follow.

MVP - Terrel Davis, Denver running back

Offensive Rookie of the Year - Randy Moss, Minnesota wide receiver

Defensive Rookie of the Year - Vonnie Holiday, Green Bay, defensive end

Coach of the Year - Dan Reeves, Atlanta

Final Outlook - In the AFC the Broncos should have an easy time going through the rest of the conference. I would be shocked if the Broncos were not in the Super Bowl. The NFC is a little more complicated. The Packers and the 49ers have experience but their play has been inconsistent. I’m picking the Vikings and Broncos in the Super Bowl with the Broncos winning 28-24. The Vikings offense is as good as the Bronco’s, but their defense is not as great. Although the Vikings are a better team the Atlanta Falcons, it wouldn’t surprise me if the Falcons made it to the Super Bowl, if they stay healthy.

He shoots he scores! Amonte and Hawks fight on

By Bo P.

The Blackhawks season started with high hopes, with a 4-2-1 record in the first seven games of the season. People started to think positively about the Blackhawks, considering that this was their best opening record since the 1991-92 season. With the new coach, Dirk Graham, the Blackhawks demonstrated real potential.

As the season progressed, however, scoring, or the lack thereof, became a serious problem and the Blackhawks stumbled badly. Later in the year, while the Hawks were playing the Tampa Bay Lightning they went from the coldest team in the league to the hottest team in the league. Tony Amonte scored two goals and took over the lead for the most goals in the NHL with 20. Unfortunately, the Hawks still suffer from a poor defense and lack offensive firepower, so it seems unlikely that they will even make the playoffs.

Eighth grade boys prepare for season

By Amar P.

Eighth grade boys basketball coach, Mr. Poremba said that he had great expectations for the team this year. These students made the team: Bratkovich, Ciampi, Collins, Erickson, Jump, Kelly, Myjak, Menos, Menotti, Neumann, Petralia, Rodriguez, and Sarot. The team practices everyday after school for two hours. They will play fifteen games.

According to Mr. Poremba, during an ordinary practice, the players start-off with open shooting, then they go to drills, then to exercises designed to build specific skills. Mr. Poremba rated Peacock's competition as strong. He also commented that he wanted the boys to try their best and to have fun.

Redwings have the talent to repeat

By Kevin B.

The hockey season has been exciting this year. The two teams that have been doing well are the Detroit (hockey town) Red Wings and the Philadelphia Flyers. The Detroit Redwings have a strong player in center Steve Yzerman who has 11 goals in the 1998-99 season. Some people think that the Flyers are going to go all the way but the Red Wings are in a strong position to continue their streak because they have the talent. But it is still too early in the season to start to seriously make Stanley Cup predictions.

The hometown Blackhawks are by no means front runners, but there are some bright spots. Tony Amonte leads the league in goals with 21, and defensive star Chris Chelios has 3 goals and 7 assists in the 1998-99 season. In his career, he has 187 goals and 701 assists.

How much do you know about sports?

By Jason D.

1. Who has the oldest baseball park?

2. Who has the newest baseball park?

3. What player has rushed for the most yards in one game?

4. What basketball team has the most wins in one season?

5. What quarterback threw the most touchdowns in one season?

6. What team has won the most World Series?

7. What is the oldest football field?

8. What team has appeared in the most NBA Finals?

9. In hockey who has scored the most goals in a season?

10. What team has the most wins on Monday Night Football?

Answers to Sport Trivia

1. Detroit Tigers

2. Arizona Diamondbacks

3. Walter Payton

4. Chicago Bulls

5. Dan Marino

6. New York Yankees

7. Soldier Field

8. LA Lakers

9. Wayne Greztky

10. Raiders