Everything is bigger in Texas

The phrase “Everything is bigger in Texas,” came true over the weekend during the Texas State Championships games at NRG Stadium.

The Katy Tigers won its 8th state championship tied with Celina and Southlake Carroll High School for the most state titlesdefeating Lake Travis (Austin) 34-7. Since 1997, Katy won seven of those eight titles. 

The Katy Tigers are in a similar spotlight and position as the New England Patriots. The disputing, opposing and fault-finding person considers them to be similar because both teams “bend the rules.” On the other side, the pleasing, understandable and well-informed person recognizes the greatness of the 2000’s era. 

“I can say this is the best one I have had in 34 years at Katy High School,’’ said head coach Gary Joseph.

In another part of Texas, the comeback team North Shore can not be overlooked. This team is now the Class 6A Division Istate champions. North Shore has put this team out of GalenaPark back to the promise land after defeating No. Westlake Austin 21-14 in overtime fashion. 

“If it wasn’t for our early-season adversity,” head coach Jon Kay said. “I don’t know if we would have had the guts to finish this.”

However the adversity played out, the competition of high school football in Texas legitimate expresses factual truth. If the testimony of someone’s hard work and dedication is playing in a high school championship game, then North Shore’s QB Maciah Long is destined for greatness. 

"It felt amazing playing in a championship game,” Kansas commit Long stated after their successful victory. “We were blessed to be there. I think I played pretty good. My teammates kept faith in me and I stepped up. My skill set is that I am a well-rounded athlete who is able to do a lot of things with the ball.”

If the world understood Westlake Austin talent, this North Shore team would be appreciated much more on a higher note because Westlake had a squad point blank period. 

APSE’s Player of the Year awards for all classifications is a big deal in the south. University of Texas pledge and also Westlake QB Sam Ehlinger gave his acknowledgement to North Shore.  

 

 

 

 

“Playing in the state game was crazy,” Cedar Park’s Jordan Meredith said. 

Cedar Park high school won their second Class 5A-DII state championship over the weekend defeating Frisco 22-6 after losing last season to Ennis in the same environment. 

“We needed to slow down their quarterback because we know he’s a great player,” defensive MVP Mac McCaskill, said.  “Losing in this game last year drove us all off-season. This is a great feeling.''

Junior Jason Shelley was the quarterback McCaskill was talking about. Shelley is a three star recruit with big offers from Clemson and Nebraska. 

“This was one of the largest crowds that I have played in front of by far,” Meredith said. “It adds a lot of pressure on situations that would regularly be routine. The state game is the biggest stage and the ultimate finish of a great season. It can make or break a team. Overall, it was an amazing experience!”

Texas outshines the list of high schools that have had the most players drafted to the NFL along with California and Florida. 

Over 250 NFL players came from a high school in Texas dealing with all classes. Superiority writes between the lone star state lines that crystalizes everything is bigger in Texas. 

Undervalued flair is repeatedly found within blue-chippers. What is better than a two-star country boy from in the valleys being a future NFL star? America loves the JJ Watt and Johnny Manziel. Manziel was a three star recruit and Watt was two-star. The underestimated realization of legit talent generates conversation of Texas producing the best football athletes. Texas high school state championships aren’t nationally televised on ESPN. The average football fan unfortunately does not get a chance to see Friday night lights here weekly. 

Richmond George Ranch, Waco La Vega, West Orange-Stark, Brock, Waskom, Canadian, and Bremond all were state champions after the weekend. Small schools need love too. 

“It was awesome,” Canadian quarterback Tanner Schafer said. “Especially being that some of us seniors had went to state last year and had the opportunity to go back to back. I felt like we played as a team and probably had one of the best all-around team efforts we have had all year.”

Canadian Football had an undefeated season going 16-0 defeating Refugio 61-0. Four star University of Houston junior quarterback pledge Jaylon Mascorro loved the moment even after losing in the championship game.

“It is always a great feeling to play in the state game,” Mascorro said. “I did not play my best game, it was horrible.”

It is what it is. Talent is all over the board in Texas with kids being recruited from small schools. A state championship is a game where small town kids can get noticed by the top notch recruits.  

“These state championship games are an awesome place and environment where high school kids like me are extremely thankful to get this opportunity,” Schafer said.  

Dance moves new trend in winning?

Television has a big impression on sports.

Americans are more inclined to follow the new trend, especially from athletes as collectively adored as Cam Newton and Odell Beckham. They are generationally accepted as long as their games back them up.

Reality: Cam Newton is a 6-foot-5; 245lbs quarterback with similar speed as Danny Amendola, trucking skills like LeGarrette Blount, and slings the ball like Ben Roethlisberger.

However, trends are derived from what is “new” and “in” at the time. Newton’s “dab dance,” was originated by Atlanta rapper Skippa Da Flippa. Odell Beckham’s “hit dem folk’s dance” started in Columbus, Georgia and it is similar to the Lambeau Leap in the 90s.

Vines, Twitter videos and sports highlights focus on every media outlet and constructs creativity, excitement, and likeness towards players. This is very similar to viral Newton and Beckham moments that is recently captured.

How can you not enjoy two young upcoming stars in the NFL dominating on the field with a “cool” celebration dance? Some may think it is cocky, and others my see it as an act of selfishness by creating the attention upon themselves.  In addition, Carolina’s head coach Ron Rivera is doing the dance also known as the “dab.”

Carolina is currently being “slept on”. They are the only undefeated team in the NFL at 12-0.  The media is focusing on the rejuvenated Seahawks and celebrity quarterback, Russell Wilson instead of the Panthers.

States like Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia are considered the south. Newton (26 years old) is from Atlanta and Beckham (23 years old) is from New Orleans. Let’s not overlook the fact that both players were considered as the “underdog players” in high school.

Beckham was a three star recruit out of Isidore Newman School but signed to LSU where he dominated his stay in Baton Rouge and practiced his spectacular catches at Charles McClendon Practice Facility.

Newton was the ninth ranked quarterback out of Westlake High School and ranked 58^th in the country. In his college years, he signed with Florida where he faced zero playing time. However, Cam Newton excelled on every level. He transferred to Blinn and carried them to a 2009 NJCAA National Football Championship and then committed to Auburn where he won a 2010 BCS National Championship game.

Both athletes overall NFL success boosted their admirations. Making impacts in a way the league has never seen before generates discussions. Beckham’s famous one-handed catch is arguably the best catch ever. With Ted Ginn, Corey Brown, Devin Funchess, and Jerricho Cotchery, Newton is challenging Tom Brady for league MVP based off what less he is working with. Additionally, the attention remains on every Newton’s touchdown as he continues to “dab” his way into winning football games. Newton has no pro bowl receiver. But somehow, his group of guys’ rallies behind his confidence he shows every week. Let’s not forget that Newton seeks out the younger fans in the stands and gives them hope as they receive the actual football from one of his many touchdowns.

The biggest question is will the Panthers be able to dominate the same way thus far as they’re doing in the regular season?

The highlight videos, which Americans witness on a weekly basis, ties back into the growth on social media and television towards sports. A fan focuses on off-field situations and personalities of a player on their favorite team in addition to how well they are playing. Kids around age eleven have access to watch highlights on their social media sites where the vast majority of new trends are established. Without technology, athlete’s off-field issues would not matter because it would be less media buzz.

To every success comes attention, whether positive or negative. (Just ask Rivera)

"I know the league has talked about trying to find ways to allow the players to keep their personality,” Rivera said. “But at the same time do it in a tasteful, positive manner that isn't taunting.”

By adding too much attention on yourself can be a good and a bad thing. Along with the attention, comes the ability to handle the consequences. Basically, not just talking that talk but walking the walk too.

Beckham and the Giants are 5-7, which leads to limited room for Beckham to talk.

Newton can continue to “dab” as long as the Panthers keep winning games.  

Idols of the Past and Present

Stephen Curry is present day Michael Jordan?

Not saying he is as good as Mike or even close to him.

The impact is similar based off children looking up to both players. Only difference is that Curry is doing it in a generation of more technology and social medias quickly evolving the sport.

On Friday, December 11th^, the Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry scored 38 points against the Boston Celtics in double overtime in a nail-biter that extended their streak to 24 wins.

“I think Stephen Curry, for sure, is going to change what we see in players coming into this league,” Hall of famer Jerry West said. “All those little kids would want to look like him [and] play like him,” West said. “He doesn’t have a big body, he’s not the most incredible athlete we have, and he plays the game with finesse.”

Even though the Warriors streak ended Saturday night in a 108-95 loss against the Milwaukee Bucks, the Warriors are 24-1 and looks to be at the top of their game early in the season.

Since winning the NBA championship, Stephen Curry is leading the league in scoring. He averages 31.6 points a game. The 27-year-old Curry is revolutionizing the game of basketball before our own eyes in a perimeter-oriented league.

I decided to speak out to Anthony Morgan, Plano West basketball coach, about his style of basketball that he teaches his kids and the direction he feels basketball is heading. Morgan coached guys like Mickey Mitchell, DJ Hogg, and Tyler Davis. Last season, Plano West won the UIL 6A basketball championship against Clear Lake 56-54.

Last season, Plano West had only one player under 6-foot. The height is attractively tall for a high school team who only lost five games last season. This team displays excellence in multiple ways with their up-tempo style and feeding down low.

“Basketball is slowly moving away from the big post game to taller more skilled guard and wing play,” Morgan said. “Offenses are not necessarily changing; the players are more skilled and athletic.”

“We are accustomed to the big game, High Low with solid guard play,” Morgan continued. “My basketball style is Flow offense, similar to the Dallas Mavericks style with quick hitters. I believe in up tempo and man to man defense with ball pressure.”

In Morgan’s knowledge, he doesn’t think the game is changing quite yet. He just believe that basketball players now are more skilled than before at a younger age.

During the Michael Jordan era with the Chicago Bulls, kids grew up watching him and modeled their games just like him. Reason #1: The NBA never had a player like Mike before. Jordan was idolized by many players and fans. His athletic shoes and accessories continue to soar in profits today. Unfortunately, every kid cannot be 6-foot-6. Near Jordan’s retirement, there were more scoring guards under 6-foot-6. For example, Stephon Marbury, Allen Iverson, Baron Davis, Steve Francis, Dwayne Wade, and Gilbert Arenas just to name a few. Guys like Vince Carter and Kobe Bryant were fortunate enough to have similar size to Jordan. The players, who arose after the Jordan era, grew up watching the best player to ever play on this planet.

The NBA seemed to be prepared for Curry’s lights out shooting. Curry entered the league in 2009 during the LeBron James, Bryant, Kevin Durant, and Carmelo Anthony fiasco. The league was dominated by shooting guards and forwards at the time despite Derrick Rose’s MVP season being the last dominance by a point guard.

“Curry is going to create remarkably a good shooting NBA five years from now,” Colin Cowherd said. “The league is making it more perimeter. Kids 12, 13 and 14 years old will mimic his game.”

For those growing up having a younger sibling, that younger sibling usually mimics everything their older brother or sister does. Some of the habits include, wearing the same clothes, playing the same sports, and doing the same daily routines. In a nut shell, kids become what they see.

The impact sports has on America is tremendous. Even if someone misses a game, there are usually highlights or video clips on Twitter, Instagram, Vine, and etc. With that being said, the hot topic right now hands down is Curry. From the Warriors winning the championship last season, to them being 19-0, America are accustomed to watching Warriors games or at least hear about what is going on.

Curry has to be the “coolest” basketball player on the planet right now. He has a stunning wife, cute baby girl, beautiful family, son of Dell Curry, and the best shooter to ever live. Let’s not overlook that he is only 6-foot-3 in stature. He is becoming an American Idol similar to Jordan.

We are now witnessing a new trend of basketball favoring three point shooters since the game is a perimeter league. In the 90’s era, the game was played inside out. If this is the transition, the 2015 NBA champions, Warriors, style of play benefits from the NBA rules of modern basketball. 

DJ JY

Intelligent minds generally attend college. In an era of rap/hip-hop expanding the global field, rap artists from overseas tends to get overlooked because of the quantity that America is used to.

Most won’t know anything about Bermondsey, South London. With tons of bars and pubs in this town, Bermondsey also provides the Design Museum, the Scoop, and the Maltby Street Market for outside attraction.

“I’m originally from Southwark, south east London in the United Kingdom,” Johnathan Yesson said. “Living in central London has been a struggle because the area is very modern and living costs are expensive but I love London.”

Twenty six year old Yesson, known as DJ JY, turned a talent into reality by simply chasing his dreams & doing what he loved. He studied at Bacon’s College and worked as a website manager at a major power-tool company. Online marketing is what he specializes in and is a power tool expert.

Yesson started working with music at an early age and free-styling was an art that he showcased outside of working I.T. “Freestyling” is where someone improves words and displays it on a beat or without one. Music has always been within the blood of Yesson being known on Twitter, Keek, Facebook, Instagram, Google, and etc.

“I got into rapping the moment I first heard Eminem's Marshall Mathers LP which was the first album I ever listened to,” Yesson said. “From then on I knew I had to work towards becoming a rap artist. The best part about making music is hearing the feedback from listeners; it’s why I do this.”

Many artists are influenced by someone similar to their lifestyle or persona of specific genre that relates to most of the artists cases. For example, there are legends in the hip-hop game that most can compare based off parallel characteristics.

“Eminem is someone I look up to,” Yesson said. “I was raised listening to his music; he inspires me because he is a fantastic story teller and has complex rhymes. Other’s I look up to are Dizzee Rascal, Skepta, JME and a few other grime artists as I love to support other UK artists.”

With the great support of the UK movement, Yesson also understands that in order to get his national rotation on the spins one day means hard work has to come into play.

With dreams, there are a lot of hesitant minds in regards of chasing them. If you feel like you’re a better actor than Michael B. Jordan, then typically the best move is to show the world. Same goes with dreams of opening a business, being a doctor/lawyer, real estate agent, construction worker, along with profusely more careers as in music.

“My goal from making music is to be in national radio rotation which would be a dream come true,” Yesson said. “But honestly I just want people to hear me. I want to go out to America and test the water. I love American TV, music and culture. I’d like to take my music over there and share with the American audience.”

Rap is poetry.

Music is art.

With art and poetry underlines a true story within that musician’s life.

“As a child growing up was particularly difficult as I was raised by my single mother and I don’t know my dad,” Yesson said. “We never had much money and when I was younger I wanted to be a futbol (soccer) player but have recently changed focus. I have a half brother and sister both younger than me.”

Everyone loves the transition from a boy to man. Another example would be a girl to a woman. These are things the normal human pays attention to whether someone likes it or not. From I.T guy, to known UK artist, and the rest of the transition is put on hold until his next list of things planned.

“I’m currently working on my debut EP called “The Way Forward” which I will be releasing to iTunes in early 2016,” Yesson said. “It will be produced by Los Angeles based record label: Redstar Music Group owned by celebrity mentalist Morgan Strebler.”

You can expect some collaboration between DJ JY and a few other artists.

“2016 is going to be a busy year for me with new EP, singles and music videos,” Yesson said. 

2015-16 NFL Record Predictions

AFC East                                                                        NFC East
1. New England Patriots 11-5                                              1. Dallas 10-6
2. Miami Dolphins 9-7                                                         2. Eagles 10-6
3. Buffalo Bills 8-8                                                               3. New York Giants 9-7
4. New York Jets 4-12                                                          4. Redskins 2-14







                         

                                   NFC North
AFC North
1. Baltimore Ravens 11-5                                                     1. Green Bay Packers 11-5
2. Pittsburgh Steelers 9-7                                                      2. Minnesota Vikings 9-7
3. Cincinnati Bengals 8-8                                                      3. Detroit Lions 7-9
4. Cleveland Browns 3-13                                                     4. Chicago Bears 4-12

AFC South                                                                       

1. Houston Texans 9-7                                                  

2.Indianapolis Colts 8-8                                                         3. Jacksonville Jags 5-11                                             
4.  Tennessee Titans 2-14                                          













AFC West                                                                         NFC West
1. Kansas City 11-5                                                               1. Seattle Seahawks 11-5
2. Denver Broncos 9-7                                                          2. Arizona Cardinals 10-6
3. Oakland Raiders 9-7                                                          3. St. Louis Rams 8-8
4. San Diego Chargers 7-9                                                     4. San Francisco 49ers 5-11

What's with college basketball?

Curtains closed and legendary moments relive once again in an incredible uplifted fashion. With the Duke win, coach Mike Krzyzewski creates another addition to the NCAA Championship trophy which is now his fifth one. In substance that only stupendous coaches attain.

Back-to-back championships, which were last accomplished by Florida with Billy Donovan in 2006 and 2007, depicts a laborious determination when there have been two coaches to win in consecutive years since the John Wooden era. The John Wooden era occurred in the 1960’s and 70’s.

For the avid college basketball fan, it is safe to say that when filling out your bracket, the winner always has an entrenched coach backing them up.  Since 1999, the coaches with multiple championships includes: Jim Calhoun, Krzyzewski, Roy Williams, Billy Donovan, and Rick Pitino. Each of these coaches fabricated a traditional franchise that still lives.

Want the Cinderella team to win?

The former so-called Cinderella teams to at least advance to the final four were VCU, Butler, Wichita State, and George Mason. The only team to play in the title game was the Butler Bulldogs two straight years in 2010 and 2011.

Brackets are busted every year and upsets do occur. However, the hottest team appears to portray clear dominance throughout the NCAA tournament. The presence of outstanding guard play with defense wins games throughout the tournament. For example - UConn’s Shabazz Napier and Ryan Boatright led the Huskies to defeat the Kentucky Wildcats in 2014. 

There are many cases of great guard play including Peyton Siva and Russ Smith with Louisville in 2013. Other notables include Kemba Walker with UConn in 2011, Ty Lawson with North Carolina in 2009, and Mario Chalmers with Kansas in 2008.

“One and dones” commutated college basketball, quicker NBA fortuity, the abatement of juniors/seniors being drafted, and the recruiting schemes by some coaches that conjecture student athletes to leave after their freshman year like John Calipari. This leads to a new era of basketball where the prevailing teams lands the top kids in the country to joust at their college programs but also have to replace them after just one year.

"I'm not doing this to please everybody," Calipari said. "I'm doing this to please these young people and their families. That's my mission...… What we do for these kids changes their whole lives and direction, and that's how I look at this."

The routine state of college basketball latches itself during grueling times. There are some people like UConn’s women's basketball coach Geno Auriemma who consider men’s college basketball as a joke. 

“I think the game is a joke,” Auriemma said. “I do not coach it. I do not play it, so I do not understand all the ins and outs of it. But as a spectator watching the game, (forget that I am a coach), it is a joke. There are approximately ten (10) teams out of 25 that actually play the game of basketball that you would like to watch.  The bottom line is that nobody can score. Many would tell you that it is because of great defense, good scouting and tons of team work. I would add nonsense, nonsense and nonsense. College men’s basketball is so far behind the times it’s unbelievable.”

It’s downright an embarrassment to put most accusations on coaches for the one-and-done year tenure and the state of men’s college basketball. The media does not have insight between the player-coach relationships. Having the expertise behind these players framework will bring more of an understanding and actuality behind players’ situations.

These one-year student athletes also get agonized for leaving their schools. The pattern of this trend is in favor of more rotational players than actual stardom since 2006. Kevin Durant, Derrick Rose, Kevin Love, DeMar DeRozen, John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins, Kyrie Irving, and Anthony Davis highlight the one-year players that turned out to be stars. Those are certainly great names, but each year, there are only a couple of one-and-done student athletes that are not just a rotational guy.

"I'm very much in favor of high school kids going pro," Louisville Coach Pitino said. "I had six young men commit to me out of high school that didn't go to college, that went to the pros. I'm very much for that because they didn't want college. They wanted to go to the NBA.”

In all honesty taking the money while you can is the best idea. You only live once. Basketball does not last forever and the merchandise that comes with it does not either. Only being restricted to make salary within a short lifespan justifies the reason players should leave when they can. Players out of high school like LeBron James, Kevin Garnett, Kobe Bryant and Tracy McGrady did not need years of college to develop their games.

There are many cases on why expanding the NBA age to 20 can actually be a bad idea. Naysayers would say otherwise.

“You would have more skilled players,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said. “More mature players. The draft would be better. It would be better for basketball in general. Strong college basketball is great for the NBA. And we know those players are eventually going to come to the NBA, whether they are 19 or 20 or 21.”

Increasing the NBA age to 20 could assist the game of college basketball. Future NBA players and traditionally an established basketball program bring in the media attention and revenue to immense operations for the NCAA. Programs like Kentucky, North Carolina, Kansas and Duke can bring in enough income amongst themselves.

Men’s college basketball game is a “joke”, stated by Geno Auriemma. Auriemma feels that the joke is centered on rules established by the National Basketball Players Association which have allowed teams to pursue one-and-done student athletes.

There is no reason college basketball should receive the amount of criticism like Tony Romo quarterbacking the Cowboys. Prestigious college coaches that won a championship and appeared to multiple final fours should feel flustered. Jim Boeheim, Bill Self, Calipari, and Kevin Ollie – coaches with at least one ring – implemented good basketball systems and created national powerhouses at their schools. It is unusual when a Kentucky team goes 38-0 but still does not receive honors as the best team of all-time. Certainly, they will not get it now after losing to Wisconsin in the final four. The Wildcats did make history with a perfect 38-0 start. With the entire lecture on smaller schools pulling off upsets in the NCAA tournament, they never take it all. 

Why only the same coaches win?

Because these basketball coaches understands what it takes to win and most importantly understands the fundamental game of basketball.

It starts off with recruitment, building relationships, the importance of winning and understanding the important role of leadership. Convincing a player to stay another year to help the team improve but also have that extra year of development is very important.

Why do coaches preach team over talent?

It’s simple. The better team beats talent any day of the week and Wisconsin proved that against Kentucky.

“We were not necessarily intimidated,” Wisconsin guard Josh Gasser said. “We knew we were a different style team.”

Comparing and contrasting the eras of college basketball starts with an early admission to the league for student athletes served by the NBA. The abbreviating number of juniors/seniors entering the NBA has shaped college basketball to be debilitating. That has led to fewer rivalries due to players leaving after just one year.

The importance of teamwork, in a sport where talent win games, is not just about winning during the regular season but winning during March Madness. A better team over just ‘pure’ talent will win over 50-percent of the time.

Fundamentally sound basketball still matters.