Boys basketball
Portsmouth 55, East Providence 42
Middletown 65, Mount Hope 54
Cranston East 50, Tiverton 48
Girls basketball
Portsmouth 51, Immaculata (N.J.) 40
Barrington 54, Rogers 39
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Decade of memories
I began watching sports when I was 8 years old. It was the 1986 World Series, and I kind of wish I had started in 1987. And even though I was a sports nuts throughout my formative years in the 1990s, I consider this decade when I took my passion to an extreme level (just ask Olivia, my live-in girlfriend).
With only a few days remaining in this decade, I thought I'd share some of the best memories I have watching sports, and I encourage you do list a few of yours in the comment section.
Without a doubt, the No. 1 memory I have is Feb. 3, 2002, when the Patriots defeated the Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI. Actually, those three weeks (the Snow Bowl and the AFC title game against the Steelers) were just awesome. I'm not sure anyone really knew just how good the Patriots were, and week after week, fans were on pins and needles.
The Red Sox winning the World Series in 2004 was just a fantastic moment. Although I don't consider myself to be a member of the media fabrication that is Red Sox Nation, it was nice to see Boston's team finally get the best of the Yankees and finish the job in the championship series.
It's been a tough few years for the Providence College men's basketball team, but being on press row to see the Friars knock off No. 1 Pittsburgh at The Dunk has to rank up there. That senior class of Geoff McDermott, Weyinmi Efejuku, Jonathan Kale and Randall Hanke knock off the Panthers was just plain awesome.
I'm a huge golf fan, and seeing the U.S. Women's Open at Newport Country Club was certainly a treat. Annika Sorenstam, who hadn't won an Open in more than a decade, defeated Patty Hurst in a playoff on Monday. Who doesn't love extra golf?
And last but not least, my favorite college team won four national championships. The Florida Gators men's basketball team won back-to-back titles with a close-knit group that returned after winning the first one. Will we ever see that again? And Tim Tebow and company took home two titles in three years.
I've been pretty lucky these past years, having seen a lot of wins and a lot of championships for my favorite teams. Here's hoping next decade can be just as successful.
With only a few days remaining in this decade, I thought I'd share some of the best memories I have watching sports, and I encourage you do list a few of yours in the comment section.
Without a doubt, the No. 1 memory I have is Feb. 3, 2002, when the Patriots defeated the Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI. Actually, those three weeks (the Snow Bowl and the AFC title game against the Steelers) were just awesome. I'm not sure anyone really knew just how good the Patriots were, and week after week, fans were on pins and needles.
The Red Sox winning the World Series in 2004 was just a fantastic moment. Although I don't consider myself to be a member of the media fabrication that is Red Sox Nation, it was nice to see Boston's team finally get the best of the Yankees and finish the job in the championship series.
It's been a tough few years for the Providence College men's basketball team, but being on press row to see the Friars knock off No. 1 Pittsburgh at The Dunk has to rank up there. That senior class of Geoff McDermott, Weyinmi Efejuku, Jonathan Kale and Randall Hanke knock off the Panthers was just plain awesome.
I'm a huge golf fan, and seeing the U.S. Women's Open at Newport Country Club was certainly a treat. Annika Sorenstam, who hadn't won an Open in more than a decade, defeated Patty Hurst in a playoff on Monday. Who doesn't love extra golf?
And last but not least, my favorite college team won four national championships. The Florida Gators men's basketball team won back-to-back titles with a close-knit group that returned after winning the first one. Will we ever see that again? And Tim Tebow and company took home two titles in three years.
I've been pretty lucky these past years, having seen a lot of wins and a lot of championships for my favorite teams. Here's hoping next decade can be just as successful.
High School Basketball Scores: Monday
BOYS BASKETBALL
Middletown 75, Narragansett 65
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Portsmouth 65, South Sumter, Fla. 42
Tiverton 57, Middletown 44
Middletown 75, Narragansett 65
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Portsmouth 65, South Sumter, Fla. 42
Tiverton 57, Middletown 44
Monday, December 28, 2009
Questioning the Colts
A couple years ago, admittedly, I decried the New England Patriots' "pursuit of perfection." (On a side note, how happy is Lexus every football season with their slogan being tossed about on a daily basis?)
I thought it was arrogant and disgraceful how they kept Tom Brady & Co. in for nearly every minute of every game while they ran roughshod over the NFL en route to a 16-0 regular season, despite having clinched home field long before the final game.
It's funny how a different uniform can change your perspective.
It was quite disappointing to see the Indianapolis Colts phoning it in against the Jets on Sunday and making it clear they had no interest in a perfect season. I can't put my finger on it, but I was psyched at the possibility of two 18-0 teams (Colts and Saints) in the Super Bowl. When the Saints stunk it up against the Cowboys, I thought, at least one team still has a shot at 19-0.
Not any more. Now, no matter what happens in the final month of football, we'll have another run-of-the-mill Super Bowl winner. Not that it won't be exciting and fun to watch as the postseason unfolds. It is every year, regardless of the teams and records involved.
But I was probably alone in this region in rooting for the Colts to go undefeated and win the Super Bowl. And watching Peyton Manning on the sideline in the second half, I have to believe he felt the same.
Classy as usual, though, Manning publicly backed the decision, saying he and coach Jim Caldwell were on the same page.
Imagine if it were the Vikings who were 14-0 and Brad Childress, again, wanted to pull Brett Favre. I don't doubt for a second that Favre would throw his coach under the proverbial bus.
I thought it was arrogant and disgraceful how they kept Tom Brady & Co. in for nearly every minute of every game while they ran roughshod over the NFL en route to a 16-0 regular season, despite having clinched home field long before the final game.
It's funny how a different uniform can change your perspective.
It was quite disappointing to see the Indianapolis Colts phoning it in against the Jets on Sunday and making it clear they had no interest in a perfect season. I can't put my finger on it, but I was psyched at the possibility of two 18-0 teams (Colts and Saints) in the Super Bowl. When the Saints stunk it up against the Cowboys, I thought, at least one team still has a shot at 19-0.
Not any more. Now, no matter what happens in the final month of football, we'll have another run-of-the-mill Super Bowl winner. Not that it won't be exciting and fun to watch as the postseason unfolds. It is every year, regardless of the teams and records involved.
But I was probably alone in this region in rooting for the Colts to go undefeated and win the Super Bowl. And watching Peyton Manning on the sideline in the second half, I have to believe he felt the same.
Classy as usual, though, Manning publicly backed the decision, saying he and coach Jim Caldwell were on the same page.
Imagine if it were the Vikings who were 14-0 and Brad Childress, again, wanted to pull Brett Favre. I don't doubt for a second that Favre would throw his coach under the proverbial bus.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
NE 28, JAX 0
The game began in 55 degrees and it looks like it's getting hotter out there outside the press box, but not as hot as the Pats.
Brady just hit Moss in the back of the end zone again for another touchdown. Moss was even more open than on his first touchdown.
The sun looks like its coming out.
I've just been informed that the state of Florida is down 72-0. Which means my pick for Miami to beat Houston is looking as good as the pathetic Jags right now.
Brady just hit Moss in the back of the end zone again for another touchdown. Moss was even more open than on his first touchdown.
The sun looks like its coming out.
I've just been informed that the state of Florida is down 72-0. Which means my pick for Miami to beat Houston is looking as good as the pathetic Jags right now.
NE 21, JAX 0
Sammy Morris should spring for a couple of beers for Dan Connolly, the Pats' backup lineman.
This fourth-year guy from collegiate biggie Southeast Missouri State lined up at fullback and made a devastating straight-up block that sprung Morris for a 55-yard gain - equaling his longest ever - on a run through the right side.
Then Connolly did the same over the left side on Sammy's 1-yard touchdown run.
It's 21-0 and a rout is on.
This fourth-year guy from collegiate biggie Southeast Missouri State lined up at fullback and made a devastating straight-up block that sprung Morris for a 55-yard gain - equaling his longest ever - on a run through the right side.
Then Connolly did the same over the left side on Sammy's 1-yard touchdown run.
It's 21-0 and a rout is on.
NE 14, JAX 0
Jaguars are moving well behind the running of Maurice Jones-Drew until David Garrard sails one over tight end Marcedes Lewis and is picked off by center fielder Brandon Meriweather, who returns the ball more than 50 yards to the Jacksonville 27.
It's the worst overthrow I've seen since Uncle Dave, Boston College's ancient freshman quarterback, was spraying balls all over San Francisco in BC's loss to USC in the Emerald on Saturday night.
After one play that gains one yard, Brady hits tight end Chris "I'll just push off a little bit" Baker in the end zone to put the Pats up by two touchdowns.
It's the worst overthrow I've seen since Uncle Dave, Boston College's ancient freshman quarterback, was spraying balls all over San Francisco in BC's loss to USC in the Emerald on Saturday night.
After one play that gains one yard, Brady hits tight end Chris "I'll just push off a little bit" Baker in the end zone to put the Pats up by two touchdowns.
NE 7, JAX 0
Now that's more like it. Pats went back to the left side, where Matt Light and Logan Mankins reside, and Sammy Morris starts a 21-yard run from the Jaguars' 35, thanks to Jax coming up short on a fourth-and-1.
Brady finishes off this drive with a 2-yard scoring toss to Randy Moss in the back middle of the end zone.
New England's moving the ball with ease. If Jacksonville gets down a couple of scores, this could be settled early.
Brady finishes off this drive with a 2-yard scoring toss to Randy Moss in the back middle of the end zone.
New England's moving the ball with ease. If Jacksonville gets down a couple of scores, this could be settled early.
New England fizzles after long drive
The Patriots go from their 17 to the Jaguars' 1 after running well to the left side and passing great, then on their first run to the right get Laurence Maroney fumbling away the ball.
What a bittersweet start.
What a bittersweet start.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)