June 29, 2010
Tim Tebow scored a 96.92. So far this year, the highest score is
127.86. Who will beat it? On July 8th, the 25 fastest, strongest, most
explosive players in high school football will clash at the inaugural
SPARQ Rating National Championship at Nike Worldwide Headquarters.
For the past six months, Nike Football and SPARQ have been going across
the country hunting for the top high school football athletes,
measuring the athleticism of football players through a series of
drills and tests geared toward the sport - the 40-yard dash, agility
shuttle, kneeling ball toss and vertical jump.
The 25 highest-rated athletes will report to Nike’s campus in
Beaverton, Oregon all with the same goal in mind – to be crowned the
SPARQ Rating National Champion. The competition will be headlined and
emceed by Heisman Trophy winner and Denver rookie Tim Tebow, who had
this to say about the event, “I’m thrilled to be a part of the SPARQ
Rating National Championship because it celebrates the nation’s best
football athletes and all the hard work they have put in this
off-season.”
Who is the country’s most elite high school football athlete? We’ll
soon know. Stay tuned for news and updates about this first-ever, one
of a kind event.
Story via Nike Football
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Monday, July 12, 2010
Jesse Jackson faults Cavs owner's LeBron comments
CHICAGO (AP) -- Jesse Jackson criticized Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert on Sunday, saying Gilbert sees LeBron James as a "runaway slave'' and that the owner's comments after the free-agent forward decided to join the Miami Heat put the player in danger.
Shortly after James announced his decision last week, Gilbert fired off an incendiary letter to Cleveland's fans, ripping the 25-year-old and promising to deliver a title before James wins one. He called James' decision "cowardly'' and later told The Associated Press he believes James quit during a handful of Cavaliers playoff games.
"He has gotten a free pass,'' Gilbert told the AP in a phone interview late Thursday night. "People have covered up for (James) for way too long. Tonight we saw who he really is.''
Jackson said Gilbert's comments were "mean, arrogant and presumptuous.''
"He speaks as an owner of LeBron and not the owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers,'' the reverend said in a release from his Chicago-based civil rights group, the Rainbow PUSH Coalition. "His feelings of betrayal personify a slave master mentality. He sees LeBron as a runaway slave. This is an owner employee relationship - between business partners - and LeBron honored his contract.''
Messages were left Sunday night seeking comment from Gilbert, the Cavaliers and James.
Jackson also called Gilbert's comments an attack on all NBA players and said the owner should face a "challenge'' from the league and the players' association.
NBA spokesman Tim Frank declined comment.
Copyright 2010 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Shortly after James announced his decision last week, Gilbert fired off an incendiary letter to Cleveland's fans, ripping the 25-year-old and promising to deliver a title before James wins one. He called James' decision "cowardly'' and later told The Associated Press he believes James quit during a handful of Cavaliers playoff games.
"He has gotten a free pass,'' Gilbert told the AP in a phone interview late Thursday night. "People have covered up for (James) for way too long. Tonight we saw who he really is.''
Jackson said Gilbert's comments were "mean, arrogant and presumptuous.''
"He speaks as an owner of LeBron and not the owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers,'' the reverend said in a release from his Chicago-based civil rights group, the Rainbow PUSH Coalition. "His feelings of betrayal personify a slave master mentality. He sees LeBron as a runaway slave. This is an owner employee relationship - between business partners - and LeBron honored his contract.''
Messages were left Sunday night seeking comment from Gilbert, the Cavaliers and James.
Jackson also called Gilbert's comments an attack on all NBA players and said the owner should face a "challenge'' from the league and the players' association.
NBA spokesman Tim Frank declined comment.
Copyright 2010 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Friday, July 2, 2010
Celtics, Pierce reach agreement
By Steve Bulpett | Friday, July 2, 2010 | http://www.bostonherald.com | Boston Celtics
Paul Pierce will remain a Celtic.
The club has reached agreement with its captain on a new contract, according to sources. The deal is for four years at $61 million with certain options for both sides after the first three.
The papers cannot be signed and the deal cannot be officially announced until next week.
Pierce opted out of the final year of his previous contract and became an unrestricted free agent at 12:01 Thursday. But he took that route with the intention of re-signing with the Celtics [team stats] in a deal that would help his own future and allow the club better maneuverability.
Pierce will in the 2010-11 season make significantly less that the $21,513,521 he was scheduled to receive. That will aid the Celtics’ position versus the luxury tax.
It’s important to note that, while the basic parameters of Pierce’s new contract (years, money) have been agreed upon in principle, there are still a number of details to be worked out — as one would expect when more than $60 million is involved.
There is no doubt the sides have achieved their main goal of keeping Pierce in Green, but the deal will gain more definitive shape before it can be signed next Thursday.
The team’s other big-name free agent, Ray Allen, has been contacted, but it remains to be seen what other type of interest he gets from NBA teams looking for a veteran shooter.
Nevertheless, Pierce’s return, on the heels of Doc Rivers’ decision to return as coach, means the Celtics are well on their way toward restoring most of the team that came up a game short in the NBA Finals in June.
Article URL: http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1265319
Paul Pierce will remain a Celtic.
The club has reached agreement with its captain on a new contract, according to sources. The deal is for four years at $61 million with certain options for both sides after the first three.
The papers cannot be signed and the deal cannot be officially announced until next week.
Pierce opted out of the final year of his previous contract and became an unrestricted free agent at 12:01 Thursday. But he took that route with the intention of re-signing with the Celtics [team stats] in a deal that would help his own future and allow the club better maneuverability.
Pierce will in the 2010-11 season make significantly less that the $21,513,521 he was scheduled to receive. That will aid the Celtics’ position versus the luxury tax.
It’s important to note that, while the basic parameters of Pierce’s new contract (years, money) have been agreed upon in principle, there are still a number of details to be worked out — as one would expect when more than $60 million is involved.
There is no doubt the sides have achieved their main goal of keeping Pierce in Green, but the deal will gain more definitive shape before it can be signed next Thursday.
The team’s other big-name free agent, Ray Allen, has been contacted, but it remains to be seen what other type of interest he gets from NBA teams looking for a veteran shooter.
Nevertheless, Pierce’s return, on the heels of Doc Rivers’ decision to return as coach, means the Celtics are well on their way toward restoring most of the team that came up a game short in the NBA Finals in June.
Article URL: http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1265319
Thursday, June 24, 2010
MIAA RESCINDS PENALTY IMPOSED
MIAA RESCINDS PENALTY IMPOSED
ON LYNN ENGLISH BASKETBALL COACH
Franklin, MA June 24, 2010 - A three member sub-committee of the Board of Directors has voted unanimously to rescind the 10 game suspension imposed on Lynn English Varsity Boys’ Basketball Coach Buzzy Barton for recruiting violations.
Following is the sub-committee report on the hearing held on June 23rd and its decision:
In the matter of Lynn English High School appeal of the 10 game suspension of Varsity Boys' Basketball Coach Buzzy Barton.
The Rules and Regulations of the MIAA (MIAA Handbook rule 88.2) provide member schools an opportunity to appeal a District Committee decision. Such an appeal to a Sub-Committee of the MIAA Board of Directors (BOD) was made by Dr. Catherine Latham, Lynn Superintendent of Schools.
Attending the appeal held on June 23, 2010 at the MIAA Office were: Dr. Latham; Gary Molea (Lynn English Athletic Director); Thomas Iarrobino (Secretary to the Lynn School Committee); and Buzzy Barton. James Peters (Monson High School Principal) served as BOD Sub-Committee Chair, joined by Board Members Charles Lyons (Shawsheen RVT Superintendent/Director) and Francis Whitten (Algonquin Regional HS Athletic Director). Also participating were Dana Brown (District B Chairman and Malden High School Principal) who was Chair of the Committee which conducted the original hearing, and Dick Baker (MIAA Executive Staff Liaison to the Sub-Committee).
Dr. Latham testified first and apologized again for the previous actions of Lynn English representatives. Dr. Latham acknowledged that Lynn has no defense, and that the original penalty was a justified response to the admitted violation of the MIAA Recruiting Rule 44. She appreciated that the District decision did not penalize the team and expressed thanks to Mike Rubin, East Boston HS Principal, for his comments made at the District hearing, urging the Committee to penalize adults, and not the student participant.
Dr. Latham then outlined what she has done since the District hearing:
1. Suspended the Lynn English Principal for one (1) week without pay.
2. Assumed, with the Assistance of Gary Molea, the supervision/operation and management of the entire athletic program at Lynn English High School.
3. Met with all three (3) Lynn City Athletic Directors (Lynn English, Lynn Classical, & Lynn Tech) to inform them that she would not tolerate any violations of MIAA rules.
4. Met separately with each school Athletic Director and their coaches and provided each with an MIAA Handbook and stated all rules must be followed.
5. Has assigned Dennis Thompson, Health & Physical Education Director, and Thomas Iarrobino to work with her on overseeing any and all athletic issues in the city of Lynn.
Dr. Latham then stated her singular appeal was of the penalties assessed by the District Athletic Committee requiring a 10 game suspension of Buzzy Barton for the 2010-2011 season. She also reported that he had accepted his 2010 tournament penalty with dignity and class. Coach Barton will attend an MIAA Coaches’ Education Program prior to his return to coaching.
After hearing testimony from other attendees and posing questions, the BOD Sub-Committee voted the following:
1. Lynn English is to notify the MIAA (Dick Baker) upon the completion by Coach Barton of the MIAA Coaches’ Education Class.
2. Because of the actions and follow through of Lynn Superintendent, Dr. Latham, the Sub-Committee voted 3-0 to then lift the 10 game suspension of the Boys’ Head Basketball Coach.
www.miaa.net
# # # #
ON LYNN ENGLISH BASKETBALL COACH
Franklin, MA June 24, 2010 - A three member sub-committee of the Board of Directors has voted unanimously to rescind the 10 game suspension imposed on Lynn English Varsity Boys’ Basketball Coach Buzzy Barton for recruiting violations.
Following is the sub-committee report on the hearing held on June 23rd and its decision:
In the matter of Lynn English High School appeal of the 10 game suspension of Varsity Boys' Basketball Coach Buzzy Barton.
The Rules and Regulations of the MIAA (MIAA Handbook rule 88.2) provide member schools an opportunity to appeal a District Committee decision. Such an appeal to a Sub-Committee of the MIAA Board of Directors (BOD) was made by Dr. Catherine Latham, Lynn Superintendent of Schools.
Attending the appeal held on June 23, 2010 at the MIAA Office were: Dr. Latham; Gary Molea (Lynn English Athletic Director); Thomas Iarrobino (Secretary to the Lynn School Committee); and Buzzy Barton. James Peters (Monson High School Principal) served as BOD Sub-Committee Chair, joined by Board Members Charles Lyons (Shawsheen RVT Superintendent/Director) and Francis Whitten (Algonquin Regional HS Athletic Director). Also participating were Dana Brown (District B Chairman and Malden High School Principal) who was Chair of the Committee which conducted the original hearing, and Dick Baker (MIAA Executive Staff Liaison to the Sub-Committee).
Dr. Latham testified first and apologized again for the previous actions of Lynn English representatives. Dr. Latham acknowledged that Lynn has no defense, and that the original penalty was a justified response to the admitted violation of the MIAA Recruiting Rule 44. She appreciated that the District decision did not penalize the team and expressed thanks to Mike Rubin, East Boston HS Principal, for his comments made at the District hearing, urging the Committee to penalize adults, and not the student participant.
Dr. Latham then outlined what she has done since the District hearing:
1. Suspended the Lynn English Principal for one (1) week without pay.
2. Assumed, with the Assistance of Gary Molea, the supervision/operation and management of the entire athletic program at Lynn English High School.
3. Met with all three (3) Lynn City Athletic Directors (Lynn English, Lynn Classical, & Lynn Tech) to inform them that she would not tolerate any violations of MIAA rules.
4. Met separately with each school Athletic Director and their coaches and provided each with an MIAA Handbook and stated all rules must be followed.
5. Has assigned Dennis Thompson, Health & Physical Education Director, and Thomas Iarrobino to work with her on overseeing any and all athletic issues in the city of Lynn.
Dr. Latham then stated her singular appeal was of the penalties assessed by the District Athletic Committee requiring a 10 game suspension of Buzzy Barton for the 2010-2011 season. She also reported that he had accepted his 2010 tournament penalty with dignity and class. Coach Barton will attend an MIAA Coaches’ Education Program prior to his return to coaching.
After hearing testimony from other attendees and posing questions, the BOD Sub-Committee voted the following:
1. Lynn English is to notify the MIAA (Dick Baker) upon the completion by Coach Barton of the MIAA Coaches’ Education Class.
2. Because of the actions and follow through of Lynn Superintendent, Dr. Latham, the Sub-Committee voted 3-0 to then lift the 10 game suspension of the Boys’ Head Basketball Coach.
www.miaa.net
# # # #
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Celtics’ Perk will play; NBA rescinds technical foul
By Herald staff | Thursday, May 27, 2010 | http://www.bostonherald.com | Boston Celtics
In an email received at the Herald this afternoon, the NBA has announced that the technical foul slapped on Celtics [team stats] center Kendrick Perkins [stats] in the final moments of the second quarter of last night’s Game 5 against the Magic in Orlando’s Amway Arena has been rescinded.
As a result of the NBA’s review of Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals, Perkins will now be eligible to play in tomorrow’s Game 6 at TD Garden as the Celtics try to close out the series and earn a spot in the Finals, scheduled to begin June 3. Perkins was facing a game suspension for going over the NBA’s six technical foul postseason limit.
Perkins entered the game with five technicals in the playoffs. He got his sixth when he jostled with Orlando’s Marcin Gortat with 2:15 left in the first half.
The second technical foul was whistled by Ed F. Rush with 36.1 seconds remaining in the half. After Perkins was called for a foul against Dwight Howard, he bolted from the scene. But Rush apparently thought he did so in too demonstrative a fashion.
Perkins was sent to the showers at that point and the Celts went on to lose Game 5, 113-92, forcing tomorrow’s game 6.
The second tech called against Perkins last night was the one rescinded by the league.
As second ruling was handed down yesterday by the league, upgrading a foul called against Celts captain Paul Pierce [stats] with 8:12 remaining in the fourth quarter to a Flagrant Foul 1.
Article URL: http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1257749
In an email received at the Herald this afternoon, the NBA has announced that the technical foul slapped on Celtics [team stats] center Kendrick Perkins [stats] in the final moments of the second quarter of last night’s Game 5 against the Magic in Orlando’s Amway Arena has been rescinded.
As a result of the NBA’s review of Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals, Perkins will now be eligible to play in tomorrow’s Game 6 at TD Garden as the Celtics try to close out the series and earn a spot in the Finals, scheduled to begin June 3. Perkins was facing a game suspension for going over the NBA’s six technical foul postseason limit.
Perkins entered the game with five technicals in the playoffs. He got his sixth when he jostled with Orlando’s Marcin Gortat with 2:15 left in the first half.
The second technical foul was whistled by Ed F. Rush with 36.1 seconds remaining in the half. After Perkins was called for a foul against Dwight Howard, he bolted from the scene. But Rush apparently thought he did so in too demonstrative a fashion.
Perkins was sent to the showers at that point and the Celts went on to lose Game 5, 113-92, forcing tomorrow’s game 6.
The second tech called against Perkins last night was the one rescinded by the league.
As second ruling was handed down yesterday by the league, upgrading a foul called against Celts captain Paul Pierce [stats] with 8:12 remaining in the fourth quarter to a Flagrant Foul 1.
Article URL: http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1257749
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Napier Here to Help Kemba Shoot Better
Video Link: http://fwix.com/new_haven/share/7b4b163771/napier_video
Friday, April 23, 2010
David Borges
Location: Southington, CT, United States
Went up to Shabazz Napier's "press conference" at the Tobin Community Center in Boston's Mission Hill this afternoon. Napier's announcement was supposed to come at 3 p.m., but had to wait until after a 3 p.m. youth hoops game inside the gym was finished. Wouldn't you know, that game went to overtime.
Anyway, we finally got to chat a bit with Napier after he unveiled his UConn hat. Seems a good, personable kid. Definitely think he'll help the Huskies on the court -- and we're talking right off the bat.
Some tidbits:
Napier, who will make his official visit to UConn this weekend, was blown away on his unofficial in February:
“I felt like this is the place I want to be,” he said. “It’s not too far away, my mother can come see every game like she always does. I just felt like I can make a life there.”
Napier grew up in the tough Mission Hill neighborhood of Roxbury, and by age 5, had fallen in love with basketball. He frequently played at the Tobin Community Center, where Friday’s brief press conference was held, tagging along with Will Blalock, the future Iowa State player, and Steve Hailey, who later played at Boston College.
Napier has emerged as a top-notch scoring point guard.
“When I went to the Reebok All-America camp, I showed everybody that I’m a true point guard,” he noted. “Teams I’ve been on, I have to score. But if you want me to be a passer, or if you want me to be a role player, I’ll do that. I’m so competitive, I want to win each game, no matter what. If I have to score 50 points or get 50 steals, that’s how I am.”
Napier knew current Huskies Alex Oriakhi, of Lowell, and Jamal Coombs-McDaniel of Boston through playing together in community center leagues and against each other in AAU ball. The two didn’t reallly influence Napier’s decision to go to UConn. He is, however, relishing the opportunity to share a backcourt with Kemba Walker.
“He’s a great player. He’s fast, I’m fast. We’ve played against each other, it’s hard. I think it’s going to be good, because he can teach me some certain things, and I guess I can teach him how to shoot better.”
Gotta love that.
Napier is in the process of re-classifying from a Class of 2011 recruit to 2010. The process won’t likely be complete until May, but he’s confident it will get squared away.
“I decided I’d rather go to college and be a better person, than stay in high school and be the same person I am,” he said. “Competitive-wise, (high school’s) not good anymore.”
Napier will take his SAT’s again in May. He hopes to be in Storrs over the summer to start working out and getting ready for the season. Napier was offered scholarships by schools like West Virginia, Florida, Miami and Memphis.
“But it really came down to Connecticut,” he said. “I felt like that was a special place. I think I can learn there, academically and on the court. Tough coach, (Jim) Calhoun, he’ll be screaming and yelling at me.”
Oh, and don't say he's only 5-foot-10 or 5-11.
"I’m going to clear that up. I’m not 5-11. I’m 6-feet and 170. I’m not 160, I’m 170. About to be 175 in a few minutes," Napier said, apparently on his way to an early dinner.
Standing next to him, I'm on board with him being 6 feet tall.
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