NEW YORK (AP)—Better luck picking next year, Mr. President.A day after his bracket was busted by Kansas’ stunning loss to Northern Iowa, President Barack Obama went 5-3 in the men’s NCAA tournament Sunday. He has only nine teams remaining in the round of 16, but five of his final eight are still playing. Obama ranks 341,262nd on ESPN.com’s leaderboard, putting him in the top 92.9 percent of users who made picks on the website. BARACK OBAMA
Now let’s see...“let the dead bury the dead.” No that’s not right; that’s the Holy Scriptures. “Nothing from nothing leaves nothing.” Not that one either, it’s the title of a Billy Preston song. Just two short years ago this was the Pittsburgh Pirates lineup on opening day: Nate McLouth, center field; Freddy Sanchez, 2nd base; Jason Bay, left field; Adam LaRoche, 1st base; Xavier Nady, right field; Ryan Doumit, catcher; Jose Bautista, 3rd base; Jack Wilson, shortstop; and Ian Snell, pitcher. All are history except Doumit. Is there some sort of method to this madness?
by Joseph White WASHINGTON (AP)—The football players at Calvin Coolidge Senior High School, Mayor Adrian Fenty and a room full of cheering staff needed only one word to describe her: coach. HISTORY MAKER—Natalie Randolph, 29, poses with members of her team after being introduced during a news conference as the new head football coach at Calvin Coolidge Senior High School in Washington. Natalie Randolph, a 29-year-old biology and environmental sciences teacher, was introduced March 12 as the coach of the school’s Coolidge Colts. She’s believed to be the nation’s only female head coach of a high school varsity football team.
It’s been a long time coming, but the Senator John Heinz Western Pennsylvania Sports and History Museum welcomed USA Boxing light heavyweight champion Tika Hemingway March 3 by unveiling of an exhibit in her honor for all her fans to see. Hemingway, a Perry Traditional Academy graduate, added the sports museum exhibit to her growing list of accomplishments. She owns this house, literally and figuratively. IMPRESSIVE ACCOMPLISHMENTS— Tika Hemingway poses next to her display at the Senator John Heinz Western Pennsylvania Sports and History Museum.
by Smokin’ Jim FrazierFor New Pittsburgh Courier Allderdice coach Andre McDonald and his top assistant, Jason Rivers, came up with a defense they named “Hawk-D,” while coaching summer league teams. Not many teams have shown more hustle than Allderdice, a program that prides itself on work ethic, desire and suffocating defense. However, Gateway used some late game defensive plays to hold on for a 46-43 victory over Allderdice March 13, in front of a near capacity crowd at Peabody High School in East Liberty. GREAT SCOTT— Gateway’s super sophomore Tyler Scott is fouled by Eric Maninger of Allderdice. Scott scored 15 points and hit two free throws in the final seconds to seal the win.
This past week, the City League sent four representatives, for both boys and girls, to compete in the PIAA playoffs in class AAA and AAAA. Unfortunately, none of the teams were able to come out with a victory. Allderdice (17-8) was one of the AAAA representatives for the boys. Their opponent, Gateway (19-5) came away with a 46-43 win in a first round game that took place March 13 at Peabody. Tyler Scott and Mike Kromka led the way with 15 apiece for the Gators. Ishmail Swain and Justin Dobbs each put up 12 to lead the Dragons. WAIT UNTIL NEXT YEAR—Perry star Dashawna Carey is guarded by two Chartiers Valley players. Carey was held to six points as the City League girl champions fell to the Colts, 65-22.
by Aubrey BruceFor New Pittsburgh Courier “Big” Ben Roethlisberger is traveling on a life road filled with some serious potholes and untimely speed bumps. The speedway leading to Latrobe, Pa. seems to be getting more treacherous by the moment. Unless you are living in parts unknown like Mesopotamia or Redjacket, WV, you should be aware of his current dilemma. Mr Roethlisberger is again being accused of sexual misconduct. Whether he is guilty or innocent or whether he wins or loses, the court battles before him are not the only conflict he is facing. After all the legal questions have been settled and the smoke has cleared from the courtrooms, there is a distinct possibility that his clean-cut image may be irreparably damaged. How many pink No. 7 Steelers shirts will we see the Steelers Nation female fan base sporting over at Heinz Field and venues beyond in light of these latest allegations?
by Antonio GonzalezAssociated Press Writer ORLANDO, Fla. (AP)—The disparity in graduation rates for White and Black players on NCAA tournament-bound men’s basketball teams grew this year, according to a study recently released. The annual report by The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport at the University of Central Florida found 45 teams graduated 70 percent or more of their White players, up from 33 teams last year. But only 20 teams graduated at least 70 percent of their Black players, the same as last year.
The Gateway boys basketball team was flying high a week ago after finally earning its first trip to the WPIAL championship in school history. That moment of excitement was replaced with a dose of reality after experiencing a heartbreaking 57-51 loss to Mt. Lebanon in the Class AAAA final last Saturday night at the Palumbo Center. Evan Pierce, a Wagner recruit, led Mt. Lebanon with 21 points all in the second half. With the Gators carrying as many as five Division I prospects on their roster, the sky is truly the limit for this bunch. EVAN PIERCE from Mt. Lebanon holds off Gateway’s Anthony Smallwood Keel as he drives to the hoop. Pierce scored 21 points to lead the Blue Devils to a 57-51 win over the Gators.
Justin Dobbs came off the bench to score 17 points to lead the Allderdice Dragons to a surprisingly easy 57-40 victory over the Oliver Bears to win their first City League championship since 1988. ALLDERDICE BOYS CELEBRATE CITY LEAGUE TITLE The two teams had gone a combined 75 years without winning a basketball championship, which has been dominated in previous years by Schenley. After trailing 21-20 at halftime, the Dragons took charge in the third quarter behind the brilliant play of the young sophomore who had nine of his 17 points in that quarter. A 12-0 burst pretty much sealed the game as Oliver went ice cold.
