Newspapers / Grimsley High School Student … / Feb. 28, 2007, edition 1 / Page 14
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Page 14 High Life Sports February 28, 2007 Lady Whirlies bounce up scores, leave competition trailing in dust on gym floor Sports Editor Finishing another amazing season on Feb. 6, the Lady VVhiiiies basket- baii team enjoyed a 21-1 record, suf fering t heir only Joss of 49-51 to I'^age at the Little Four Tournament. They retaliated nine weeks later by defeating the Pirates 53-41. Longtime coach Phil Weaver has remained involved witlr Grimsley sports for 37 years, leading both women's and men's basketball teams and assisting with men's golf as well. Weaver played for GHS and Duke's freshman teirm. He also coached his fraternity team during college. V'V'ayne Butler, Hank Bullard, and Phil Barry thi help Weaver run prac tices and scout teams. They also advise him wlien they deem suggestions necessai'y. "I hope we have put our players in a position to succeed, and we have fairly evaluated their ability to con tribute in different situations. I know we have taught them more than they can absorb about how to be a better player. 1 just hope w'e have stressed the correct things and put everything in proper perspective," said Weaver. just as important to the team's success as the coaches are the dedi- cateci players who w'ork the court. One of the most important factors behind the team's outstanding perfor mance is the mutual respect the play ers have for each other and their coaches. Not only is the squad very talented, but many of them have been playing togetJier for three or four years. "Our team chemistry is great, and after last year's disappointing loss, the team is focused upon our goal of winning a state champi- onsliip," said senior Roxanne Neumann. Neumann, one of four captains, also leads the team in three- point shooting. Helping Neumtmn with the offen sive side of the game are scoring leaders Trumae Lucas, who scored 24 points against North Durham, and Krystin Fields, who scored 22 points against Northeast Guilford. Lucas and Fields also lead in rebounds, along with Nicole Hargraves. Fields had 12 rebounds against Northeast, and Hargraves contributed 10 rebounds against Dudley. Brittany Nicholscrn, Brittany Schaefer, and Amber Cook are all defensive leaders for the Whirlies. Lucas and Fields lead the team in steals, while Lucas and Hargraves lead the team in blocks. ms',' M V From left: Joniors Krj’stin Fields and Trumae Lucas and seniors Rickiah Wingfield and Roxanne Neumann hustle for the ball, while junior Amber Cook uses some fancy footwork. The women’s basketball team ended the season with a 23-1 record and then competed in the state playoffs. Another key to the team's achievement is the depth of talent on the bench, many of whom easily de serve recognition as leaders. "Whoever is on the floor and can motivate the team the most is our leader, and rn^iny of our players demonstrate that quality," said senior Bril tany Nicholson. Despite the program's stellar record, the Lady Whirlies will not be satisfied until they reach their ultimate goal of winning a state championship. Because the squad has set its aim so high, the athletes still must overcome additional challenges. "Staying both focused and determined are imperative to winning the state championslrip," said Nicholson. Focus and determination are also traits the Lady Whirlies carry with them to the classroom. The five seniors, Nicholson, Neumann, Cole, Schaefer, and Wingfield comprise a GPA averaging over 4.0. This is an exceptional feat. Post season began February 19 at home. To teach is to learn; to coach is to guide Doing both proves doubly challenging 4 .1>, A'" Coach and physics teacher Durante Griffin shares mutual respect with his students who also swim for him. Senior Sarah Peterson and Junior Sam Hyman know that Griffin has their best interests at heart in both the water and lab. BY RACHEL WHNS'l'OCK Copy Editor Athletics and academics may appear to be polar opposites, but teachers who also coach find mmiy similarities between the two. "They are the same thing. Teaching and coaching require the same amount of organization and preparation. With coaching, prac tices are your day to day instruc tion. The games are considered the tests that show how prepared you are," said English teacher and varsity boys' basketball coach Darren Corbett. Coaches w'ho teach tend to agree that communicating information, en- courciging htu'd work and determina tion, and working with students to help them reach their full potentials are equally important on the field and in the classroom. Despite the personal satisfaction of coaching, it is often difficult to avoid over-scheduling when one is con cerned with grading tests, winning the big game, developing lesson plans, and completing tedious paperwork. Personal time for family and relax ation are minimal tiuring the season of play. However, Spanish teacher jade Dickerson says taking a lot of time for oneself is necessary during this hectic period. "You have to take time for your self. It is essential for growth as well as stability. So no matter how busy I think I am, sometimes I have to stop myself and take consideration," said Dickerson. Generally games and meets do not conflict with classes. Some teachers tr\' to schedule sixlh period planning if they have events that would ne cessitate leaving class during tliat time. Others are fortunate enough to have games that occur at night or on weekends. "1 teach a zero period so that 1 whl! not miss class. However, I do fee! badly about not being able to offer after-school help to my students during the season," said volleyball coach and math teacher Roberta Rohan. Teachers unavailable for af ter-school help sessions frequently offer to assist students during lunch so that they can still benefit from small-group tutoring. Occasionally, these teachers fear that students whom they do not coach will ntistakenly believe they favor those whom they do. All agree that they make every effort to treat each student fairly, whether or not he or she is an athlete. As profes sionals, it is the teachers' job to re main unbiased. Ironically, math teacher and men's soccei; coach Mat thew Martineau confesses that lie may even have higher expectation for athletes he teaches. "1 think that a lot of my players would rather be in imother teacher's class. They know that that the level of expectations in my classroom is the same if not higlrer for my ath letes than for my other students," said Martineau. Members of sports teams must meet certain academic standards to participate, which creates a great level of pressure for teachers whose athletes are not performing well in the classes they teach. Typically in high school general consensus is that academics trump sports in terms of importance. "I think that it is a great oppor tunity to get a struggling athlete more help, but 1 -would never and never have 'ensured' that a player will be able to play," said U.S. his tory teacher and JV softball coach Ltury Williamson. Both teaching and coaching of fer adults a means of forming con nections with students and sharing in their plentiful successes; the most common simikirity bet-ween coach ing and teaching is that both are extremely gratifying professions. "The most rewarding part of teaching and coaching is being able to share in successes that our stu dents and athletes attain. It is a great feeling when a student scores well on a difficult test or swims his best time. I'-le may not be the top stu dent or the best swimmer, but it is a pleasure to see each individual do his best" said swim coach and physics teacher Durante Griffin.
Grimsley High School Student Newspaper
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Feb. 28, 2007, edition 1
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