Post By Nick Spino
On Tuesday, the AP All-America team was announced. The team is headlined by senior Frank Mason III of the Kansas Jayhawks. Mason was the only unanimous selection to the team, receiving all first-team votes from the same media panel that is responsible for selecting the weekly AP Top 25. Mason had a stellar season, averaging 20.8 points per game along with 5.1 assists and 4.1 rebounds while shooting 48.7 perfect from behind the three-point line.
The rest of the All-America team includes senior Josh Hart of Villanova, freshman Lonzo Ball of UCLA, sophomore Caleb Swanigan of Purdue, and junior Justin Jackson of North Carolina.
Hart, who was a key member of Villanova's championship team from a year ago, averaged 18.9 points per game along with 6.5 rebounds per contest. Hart received a total of 62 first-team votes.
Swanigan led the nation with a total of 26 double-doubles, averaging 18.5 points per game in addition to 12.6 rebounds. He shot over 50 percent (53.4) overall and 43.1 percent from three-point range. Swanigan was the only player in Division I to average at least 18 points and 12 rebounds.
Ball, who decided to declare for the NBA Draft immediately following UCLA's loss to Kentucky in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament, ended up averaging 14.6 points per contest with a whopping 7.9 assists and 6.1 rebounds. Ball received a total of 54 first-team votes.
Jackson, who averaged 18.1 points per game and 4.6 rebounds, was a key contributor alongside junior Joel Berry II with helping UNC reach the Final Four for the second consecutive season. Jackson received a total of 24 first-team votes.
Gonzaga's Nigel Williams-Goss leads the second AP All-America team and is joined by juniors Dillon Brooks of Oregon and Johnathan Motley of Baylor, along with sophomore Luke Kennard of Duke and freshman Malik Monk of the Kentucky Wildcats.
Freshman sensation Josh Jackson highlights the third AP All-America team. He is joined by fellow freshmen Markelle Fultz of Washington and Lauri Markkanen of Arizona, along with junior Bonzie Colson of Notre Dame and sophomore Ethan Happ out of the University of Wisconsin.
Tuesday, March 28, 2017
The High Point University Equestrian Team had a good year. With an extremely large and talented freshmen class, as well as the addition of a new male competitior, the roster now stands at a comfrotable and diverse 33 riders. It has been a great practice with our new and returning team mates. A selection of freshmen have really gotten involved by volunteering their time to fundrasie as a class for the team as well as competining in the Sedgfield Collegaite Cup this September with great success.
We ended the season of practice with an HPUET style tailgate on the eve of our first show. It was a wonderful evening at the barn filled with team pictures, pizza and all around team fun. The next day all 33 members of the team headed out at 5:30 am to Avarett University for the first official competition of the year. It was a great day overall, although we were only allowed 12 rides every one of our riders had a great deal of motivation and support from their fellow team mates. Sophomore, Bella Cramer started off the day in the open over fences division with a 3rd place to get us going and we are proud to say that the entire team maintained no lower than a 4th place throughout the entire day. With some stiff competition, including two new teams in the region, we ended tied for 5th place out of 10 teams. Also Lilly Chalfant, Lindsey Anuzis and Brittany Matters all pointed out of their divisons and qualified for regionals!
In three weeks we will have our regionals team
NASCAR Weekend Recap
NASCAR's premiere series continued its west coast "swing" this weekend with California native Kyle Larson sweeping both Saturday's Xfinity Series race and Sunday's Monster Energy Cup series race at Fontana Speedway in California.
The 400 mile race proved to be exciting as the finish came down to the final laps and a decision to hit pit road for four tires and a splash of fuel. Martin Truex Jr. was running second to Larson when the caution flag flew with just 10 laps to go in Sundays event. As Larson drove his number 42 Target Chevrolet to pit road, Truex Jr. stayed out to advance himself to the top spot. A notoriously rough track proved to be harsh on tires, as Truex Jr.'s worn Goodyears were no match for Larson's fresh rubber. Larson took the lead on the first lap of the green-white-checkered finish, and crossed the line first, finally breaking his runner up streak of three. Larson is the second driver in Fontana history to win from the pole.
The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series travels back east to Martinsville Speedway in Martinsville, VA this weekend for an "old school" short track showdown at the infamous half-mile track.
- David Garbo Jr.
The 400 mile race proved to be exciting as the finish came down to the final laps and a decision to hit pit road for four tires and a splash of fuel. Martin Truex Jr. was running second to Larson when the caution flag flew with just 10 laps to go in Sundays event. As Larson drove his number 42 Target Chevrolet to pit road, Truex Jr. stayed out to advance himself to the top spot. A notoriously rough track proved to be harsh on tires, as Truex Jr.'s worn Goodyears were no match for Larson's fresh rubber. Larson took the lead on the first lap of the green-white-checkered finish, and crossed the line first, finally breaking his runner up streak of three. Larson is the second driver in Fontana history to win from the pole.
The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series travels back east to Martinsville Speedway in Martinsville, VA this weekend for an "old school" short track showdown at the infamous half-mile track.
- David Garbo Jr.
AUDL's Nashville Nightwatch Sign Jesse Shofner - League's First Women To Make Opening Day Roster
It was announced yesterday (March 27) that former Oregon Ultimate superstar, Jesse Shofner, had made the official opening day roster for the AUDL's Nashville Nightwatch. This is the first woman to achieve this in the history of the league. The former Callahan Award runner-up and All-Star Ultimate Tour team member is expected to play Week One against the Cannons in Jacksonville, FL on April 1st. After numerous rounds of tryouts, Shofner had proven that she was capable of playing with the rest of the players on the field and the coaches and staff are confident in their decision to add her to the roster.
“The body of work over the course of three months that she showed left every single one of the coaches with full confidence in her to make the right decision on the field with the disc in her hands,” said Nashville Head Coach Ryan Balch. “That made it an obvious decision.”
“I’m excited to play for my hometown,” Shofner told Ultiworld. “I grew up in Nashville.”
The only other time a woman has been seen in the league was Jessi Jones, who signed a one-game contract with the Raleigh Flyers in 2015. She played 14 points in their 33-22 win over Nashville. While this was a monumental moment in the league, the signing of Shofner has definitely broken the glass ceiling.
While it's no doubt she will be extremely popular with anticipated jersey sales going through the roof, the real question is how will she do? At only 5' 1" she is definitely at a disadvantage athletically, however if the Nightwatch can strategically run defensive sets that can keep Shofner in the handler space and not downfield, her IQ will definitely be more than enough to generate some turnovers and make some big plays.
This is a very groundbreaking moment in professional sports, and we can hope to expect more great opportunities like this for women to keep happening in the future.
-Cam Bellando
“The body of work over the course of three months that she showed left every single one of the coaches with full confidence in her to make the right decision on the field with the disc in her hands,” said Nashville Head Coach Ryan Balch. “That made it an obvious decision.”
“I’m excited to play for my hometown,” Shofner told Ultiworld. “I grew up in Nashville.”
The only other time a woman has been seen in the league was Jessi Jones, who signed a one-game contract with the Raleigh Flyers in 2015. She played 14 points in their 33-22 win over Nashville. While this was a monumental moment in the league, the signing of Shofner has definitely broken the glass ceiling.
While it's no doubt she will be extremely popular with anticipated jersey sales going through the roof, the real question is how will she do? At only 5' 1" she is definitely at a disadvantage athletically, however if the Nightwatch can strategically run defensive sets that can keep Shofner in the handler space and not downfield, her IQ will definitely be more than enough to generate some turnovers and make some big plays.
This is a very groundbreaking moment in professional sports, and we can hope to expect more great opportunities like this for women to keep happening in the future.
-Cam Bellando
With Cavaliers Loss, Celtics Now Lead the East
By Thomas McNeeley
The Cleveland Cavaliers have now dropped four out of
their last six games on their current road trip. The latest coming last night
as the Cavaliers lost to the Popovich led San Antonio Spurs. The Spurs
absolutely dominated the defending champs as they won 103-71. One of the key
moments of the night came after the game. Kyrie Irving, who had a minus-28 plus
minus rating for the game, was seen on the court after the game to take part in
some shooting drills. Clearly Irving understands that the teams recent play is
unacceptable.
With nine games remaining in the season, there are questions to be asked about
this years Cavaliers team. They have a record of 7-10 in their past 17 games
and their inconsistent play continues to linger on their season.
Meanwhile, the Boston Celtics are 11-6 in that span while also winning 14 out
of their past 15 games at home. The Celtics now lead the Eastern Conference by
a half a game over Cleveland as the season is coming to a close.
Boston has a relatively easy schedule in its eight games remaining in the 2017
season. Cleveland has nine games remaining in their respective season. However,
they have some tough games left as they matchup against playoff teams such as Indiana, Atlanta,
Miami, and Toronto. The Celtics and Cavaliers also have a huge game on
Wednesday, April 5th, as the two teams face each other at the TD
Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.
Thursday, March 23, 2017
Most teams, Least left
By: Jarray Davis
The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), broke a conference record this year by sending nine teams to the NCAA Tournament this year. This is the second most a conference has sent, following behind Big East who had eleven teams in the tournament in 2011.
Although, the disappointment is widely seen amongst ACC and other basketball fans that may have their brackets ruined, al eyes are not on the Tarheels, as they continue to make their run back to the Final Four, for the 2nd consecutive year.
Kennedy Meeks, senior, is leading the way for the Heels, averaging just under 15 points and 9 rebounds over the first two games of the tournament. Meeks and the Heels are set to match up against the well-known tournament underdog, Butler.
Carolina, a usually fast-paced team that focuses on strong defense, leading to turnovers and easy buckets. So by all means, please don't mess up our brackets anymore. And for my sake, I am not trying to watch the championship game in Chapel Hill again to watch another lost. So win UNC, win for me, win for the ACC and please win for our brackets. Go. Heels.
The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), broke a conference record this year by sending nine teams to the NCAA Tournament this year. This is the second most a conference has sent, following behind Big East who had eleven teams in the tournament in 2011.
The ACC teams that were selected include: UNC, Duke, UVA, Louisville, Florida State, Miami, Notre Dame, Virginia Tech and Wake Forest.
But the real story is what's left of the ACC. This Thursday, we will enter into the Sweet 16 realm of the tournament and while all eyes were on the nine ACC teams entering the beginning of the tournament, they are all now focused on one, UNC.
That's right, just one. Only one ACC team is left for the Sweet 16 and the talks of the ACC only being a 2-team powerhouse is circulating once again.
Although, the disappointment is widely seen amongst ACC and other basketball fans that may have their brackets ruined, al eyes are not on the Tarheels, as they continue to make their run back to the Final Four, for the 2nd consecutive year.
Kennedy Meeks, senior, is leading the way for the Heels, averaging just under 15 points and 9 rebounds over the first two games of the tournament. Meeks and the Heels are set to match up against the well-known tournament underdog, Butler.
Carolina, a usually fast-paced team that focuses on strong defense, leading to turnovers and easy buckets. So by all means, please don't mess up our brackets anymore. And for my sake, I am not trying to watch the championship game in Chapel Hill again to watch another lost. So win UNC, win for me, win for the ACC and please win for our brackets. Go. Heels.
Tuesday, March 21, 2017
Kevin Keatts joins the Pack
By Zach Tucker
RALEIGH, NC - Although the NC State men’s basketball team is not playing in the NCAA tournament this year, the program gained a win on Friday after naming Kevin Keatts as its new head basketball coach. Keatts will earn $2.2 million annually over the course of six years.
Keatts said all of the right things at his press conference on Sunday. He wants to get the program back to its winning tradition. He mentioned growing up as a NC State fan in Virginia and watching players like David Thompson. He made a reference to the magical 1983 National Championship team with legendary coach Jim Valvano. Keatts wants his new team to pride itself on conditioning, an up-tempo style and creating turnovers with a pressure defense. “If you play for the front of the jersey, which is NC State, then the back will get credit,” exclaimed Keatts. Keatts believes that his system will be enjoyable for recruits and current players. He envisions a team that will not only excel on the court, but also in the classroom.
After entering the season with high expectations, the Wolfpack finished the 2016-2017 season with a 15-17 record and an abysmal 4-14 conference record. In fact, the Pack have only won nine games combined in the ACC over the last two seasons. Not even a road win against Duke (which was their first win at Cameron Indoor in 22 years) could save Mark Gottfried from the chopping block. Keatts will inherit a Wolfpack team that finished this past season ranked 73rd nationally in points per game and 323rd in points allowed per game.
Keatts comes to Raleigh with a good basketball pedigree. For the past three years Keatts had been the head coach at UNC-Wilmington. In two out of three seasons he helped coach UNCW to two first place finishes in the CAA tournament and a trip to the NCAA tournament. Keatts was an assistant coach at the University of Louisville from 2011-2014, before coaching at UNCW. In three seasons at Louisville, the Cardinals went to the Final Four twice and won the National Championship in 2013. Prior to his arrival at Louisville, Keatts was the head coach at Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, Virginia. Keatts compiled a 263-17 at the academy and led them to two prep championships, three runner-up finishes and two other final four appearances. Keatts also had stints as an assistant coach at Marshall University and Southwestern Michigan College.
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