Obama Continues the Fight to end Racism - The Heschel School

Page 8 Helios Volume 7 Issue 2 December 2008
By Brandon Bell
A Subway Superbowl?
The last time two New York
City teams met in their sport’s respective
championship was in 2000
when the Yankees and Mets squared
off in the World Series. That occasion
was eight years ago, and since
then sports fans have been deprived
of anything like it.
In this 2008 football season,
the New York Giants and New York
Jets have displayed dominance in
their respective conferences and
each has made its case that they are
the better New York team. As reigning
Super Bowl champions, the Giants
have proved to the rest of the
league that they are not a fluke.
With their core players returning
every year, the Giants are now considered
a legitimate dynasty. Using
the momentum they gained from the
historic Super Bowl victory against
the New England Patriots, the Giants
are at the top of the league in
wins and have displayed supremacy
in a range of areas. Eli Manning has
proved that his stellar season a year
ago was a testament to his ability
as a team leader. Skeptics thought
the Giants’ defense took a big hit
when they lost their most talented
and reliable player, Osi Umenyiora.
To fill this hole, players like Justin
Tuck and Antonio Pierce have
stepped up in his place. The Giants
are ranked as the third best defense
in the league.
Meanwhile, in the AFC the
New York Jets are a completely different
team than they were last season.
The Jets put that dismal season
behind them and have been at the
top of the AFC all year. Success
for the Jets has not come without
hard work and preparation. During
the off-season, the Jets went on a
spending spree to sign many players
who they believed would help
transform the Jets into a powerful
team. The most important of those
acquisitions has been the future hall
of famer, Brett Favre. The legendary
quarterback has improved the
Jets as a whole by creating one of
the most dangerous offenses in the
league. Favre’s presence on the field
and in the locker room has boosted
the confidence of many Jet players.
Illustration by Rachel Zeuner
With the success of both
teams, a New York Super Bowl is
very likely. Adam Bresgi, a junior
at Heschel and a dedicated Jets fan,
said, “The prospect of a subway Super
Bowl is incredibly exciting. As
a Jets fan I have had to endure tireless
bragging and flouncing by Giants
fans. Recently, even I was introduced
by a Giant fan to the idea
that the Big Blue was like the cute
little Jets’ big brother. This analogy
is simply unfair. Whether Giants
fans choose to admit it or not,
the Jets are a very capable football
team. We’d give them a run for their
money; it wouldn’t be easy but it
could happen. We’d be fighting for
respect.”
If this subway Super Bowl
happens, will the gang green or big
blue parade the Heschel hallways?
That’s for the Giants and Jets to determine.
An Interview With the Heschel Varsity
Basketball Coach, Kevin Flynn
By Ari Kramer
Helios recently interviewed
Kevin Flynn, the new coach of Heschel’s
varsity boy’s basketball team.
Last year, Flynn coached at Ramaz,
Heschel’s rival, and now has his
Heat rolling in what has been a quality
start to the 2008-2009 season.
Helios: How has the transition from
cross-town rival Ramaz to Heschel
been so far?
KF: I told Larry that Heschel/Ramaz
is a lot like Yankees/Red Sox.
We have a pretty fierce rivalry. I
really like this team and if we play
like we played against TABC, we
are tough to beat.
Helios: Was coaching this Heschel
team made easier after seeing the
Heat play multiple times against
you?
KF: Yes, definitely, plus the fact I
put together the scouting reports at
Ramaz, so I was very familiar with
the players skill-wise. The biggest
task was getting the guys to buy
into the system I use. We kept some
plays and defenses from the prior
coaching staff but 95% is new to
them. We have a huge advantage
with our home court. It’s small and
the crowd is always loud. I always
appreciated how the Heschel team
was supported no matter who the
opponent was.
Helios: Do you think you will feel
any tension between yourself and
Ramaz’s players when your Heschel
team plays them later in the
season?
KF: No.
Helios: Is that game at the top of
your “must win” list?
KF: Every game to me is a mustwin
game; you have to keep getting
better every week and play your best
basketball in February and March.
Helios: If I remember correctly, Heschel
was moved into the New Jersey
division. Has that affected your
players? Is it an easier division than
the New York division?
KF: I had coaches tell me the NJ
Division is not as strong as other
divisions. That could not be more
false. We play Frisch, Hillel, and
Kushner in our division. They are
strong teams. No game is automatic
at the varsity level.
Helios: The season is still young,
but what, so far, has been the best
aspect of Heschel’s game? The
worst?
KF: Best is when we come out with
a lot of energy and heart. When
we play our game with intensity,
our talent can back it up. The MTA
game was us at our best and us at
our worst. We need to play smart
and consistent, and hustle. I told
them you have to want to win like
you want to breathe.
Helios: The website JV Elite predicted
Heschel would make it to
the Yeshiva League Semifinals. Is
that a reasonable prediction, or do
you have higher expectations of this
team?
KF: JV Elite is a lot like the National
Enquirer, not a reliable source.
We have solid players at every position.
I would like to see our seniors
go out on top. They deserve it. I
told the team nothing feels better
than winning a championship. Once
you’re a champion, you’re a champion
forever.
January Heschel
Sports Calendar
Boys Varsity Basketball
1/7: Away – Kushner 7:30 PM
1/12: Home – Ramaz 7:00 PM
1/14: Home – MAYHS 7:30 PM
1/26: Away – SAR 6:30 PM
1/29: Home – Kushner 7:30 PM
Boys Junior Varsity Basketball
1/10: Away – Frisch 8:00 PM
1/27: Away – SAR 8:00 PM
Girls Varsity Volleyball
1/8: Home – Frisch 7:00 PM
1/15: Away – SAR 6:30 PM
Girls Varsity Basketball
1/8: Home – Zviroth 5:30 PM
1/12: Away – Westchester 6:30 PM
Girls Junior Varsity Basketball
1/7: Away – Solomon 6:15 PM
1/15: Home – Ramaz 6:30 PM
1/29: Home – Solomon 6:15 PM