Category Archives: Sports

Sports, Sports Opinion

Cavs start season swinging

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By Anthony Chmielewski

 The Cleveland Cavaliers have been on a roll through the first month of the NBA season, led by superstar LeBron James. The Cavs currently sit atop the eastern conference at 13-4, and have the third best record in the league, only trailing San Antonio (14-3), and Golden State (18-0).

    Cleveland came into this season with high hopes of winning their franchise’s first ever championship. The Cavs have shown throughout the first month of the season that they are for real. Many people expected them to come out slow to start the season due to the absences of Iman Shumpert, and Kyrie Irving. Instead the Cavs have come out in full throttle, playing with a chip on their shoulders because of last years finals loss.

    Even with the third best record in the league, forward LeBron James does not think that his squad is living up to its full potential. According to ESPN.com, he held a players only meeting, questioning some of the players’ effort on the court.

    “It’s all mindset,” James says “It comes from within. I’ve always had it; my upbringing had it like that. It’s either you got it or you don’t.”

    James also said that the defending champion Warriors, who have started the season with a historic 18-0 record, look hungrier than the Cavs even though they won it all last year.

    A big part of Cleveland’s early season success has to be credited to different role players stepping up. Point guard Mo Williams has been a valuable temporary replacement for Irving. Backup small forward Richard Jefferson has stepped in to give James some well earned rest during the games. The Cavs have many players who have answered the call to step in so far this year.

    Cleveland has looked unstoppable at home in “The Land” this year. They are now 9-0 at home, thanks to James, as he hit a game winner in their last game against Brooklyn.

    The Cavs have looked strong this season and can only get better when the are at full strength. Their season is a championship or bust, and it will be difficult, but they are ready to deliver Cleveland its first sports championship in over 50 years.

Sports

Ronda Rousey’s defeat leaves top title open for Holly Holm

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By Dylan Astor  

  Nov. 14 was a very significant day in women’s mixed martial arts. The undefeated champion Ronda Rousey was to fight against the number nine contender Holly Holm for the Bantamweight Championship in Melbourne, Australia.

    Going into the fight, Rousey was heavily favored to win. She has never had a fight come to the judge’s decision. Her last three fights lasted a total of 64 seconds, two of which ended with Rousey knocking out the other contender. 

    The other fighter, Holm, had a tough challenge to overcome. Although Holm was 9-0 before entering the fight, she has never fought anyone on the same caliber as Rousey. Holm has knocked out just as many people as Rousey but is not as quick as her.

    During the weigh-in, things got heated after Rousey stepped off the scale and shoved her face right into Holm’s. Holm stated that she was ready to shock the world on Nov. 14 and that she was ready to fight. Rousey responded by saying, “On Sunday I’m going to show you why I am the champ.”

    The dreaded Sunday finally came. Most people were probably thinking, “Oh here comes another blood bath. Hopefully Holm makes it out of the first round.” To everyone’s surprise, it was the other way around. Holm was absolutely demolishing Rousey. Luckily, Rousey made it out of first round. The second round approached, and it picked up right where it left off in the first. Holm ended up giving Rousey a nice kick to the face, sending her to the ground. The referee ended up calling it once she became defenseless on the ground.

    Right when the fight ended, the audience could actually see the astonishment on Holm’s face. She had just defeated the arguably best women’s fighter in the world. 

    Rousey, however, was not so lucky. She was beaten around by Holm the entire fight. After the fight, she was transported to the hospital. Rousey’s lip was split in half, which needed to be sewn together. She is facing up to six months in suspension to heal her injuries.

    With the defeat of the great Ronda Rousey, there is now a new champ in town. Holly Holm is ready to defend her title spot against anyone, at anytime.

Front/Home, Sports

Gobble honored with award

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 By Dema Obaid

 Out of 15 schools in the Suburban League, senior running back Jayson Gobble was honored with the 2015 Suburban League Award Player of the Year. Gobble has been playing football for Stow since 2006, when he was just 6 years old.

      He was inspired to play by his older brother Aaron when he was younger. Gobble is a excellent player today and has always loved football since day one.

      Gobble feels very honored and accomplished for receiving this award. He would like to thank his family, friends, coaches, and especially his teammates for their support.

     “I thank all my team and my blockers especially for helping me,” Gobble said.

     As Gobble’s position as being the running back he has scored 33 touchdowns and 2,009 rushing yards so far this season. The boys definitely would not have been able to pull out an undefeated regular season and into the fourth round of playoffs without Gobbles leadership and performance on the field.

     “I add another aspect to our team that other teams would look to be as a threat,” Gobble. said.

     Gobble’s teammates also agrees that he add a lot to the team, on and off the field.

     “Jay is a huge part of the team because he always does his job. That makes him a good role model for the rest of us, so we can do our jobs and that’s what puts points on the board,” Anthony D’alessandro said.

     Junior quarterback Kyle Vantrease and Gobble have a great connection on the field, contributing to Gobble’s high scoring games.

     “Our relationship off the field is great, we are like brothers and on the field is the same way. In the backfield we have like a sense of what each other is going to do and it helps our mesh a lot and that’s how we are so successful,” Vantrease said.

     Gobble is a great role model for everyone especially the underclassman. He is always on everyone to be doing their best. He is an unbelievable running back and he is able to carry the team when he is needed.

     The boys are now in the fourth round of playoffs after beating Midpark, Solon, and Olentangy, which is the farthest the Bulldogs have ever gone through the playoffs in history. They will take on Lakewood St. Eds, the returning state champions two years in a row, on Sat, Nov. 28.

 

Sports Opinion

Cleveland Browns to play Baltimore Ravens in divisional game

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By Declan Ange

On Nov. 30, the Cleveland Browns host the Baltimore Ravens in a divisional battle and have hopes to defeat the Ravens for the second time this year.

The Browns are having an absolutely terrible season this year sitting at a 2-8 season record and a 1-2 divisional record. The only two teams the Browns have defeated this year are two of few teams worse than them, the Ravens and the Tennessee Titans.

The Browns have had two different quarterbacks this year. The first being Josh McCown, and the second starter, who was previously named starter for the rest of the season, Johnny Manziel. When McCown started, the Browns had only won one game and lost six. Under Manziel, the Browns have won one and lost three.

The Browns are not the only team struggling this year. The Ravens are having a rough seasons as well. Baltimore has a record of 2-7, putting them ahead of the Browns in the divisional ranking, due to the Ravens already having their bye week.

These two teams happen to have a prime time game scheduled which should be a fun one to watch. The Browns have already defeated the struggling Ravens this year; therefore putting the odds in the Browns’ favor.

The first game was a close one as it went into overtime. The Browns won on a game winning field goal and the final score was 33-30. Both teams seemed to play well, putting up at least 30 points each.

The game on Monday night will not be a very popular game for people to watch, but it could be a key game for the Browns. If the Browns win a primetime game televised for all to watch, it may create a spark. The Browns need to come back and be a team with an 8-8 record.