Thursday, December 9, 2010

Boys Basketball Sixth Game of the Season

by Blade Hall

The Paris Tigers boys’ varsity basketball team had their sixth away game Friday night against Charleston, losing 42-48, although still putting up a fight until the very end of the 4th quarter. The Tigers were led by Dalten Temples who had a tremendous 19 points by the end of 4th quarter.

The score for all four quarters are as followed;

1st quarter - Paris: 8 Charleston: 6

2nd quarter - Paris: 20 Charleston: 17

3rd quarter - Paris: 30 Charleston: 30

4th quarter - Paris: 42 Charleston: 48

The Tigers did a great job and even stayed on top until the 4th quarter, where Charleston took control and ended with a six point lead.

This wasn’t the Tigers’ best game-point wise, but the boys still did put forth a marvelous effort. The Tigers with the top three points are as follows: Dalten Temples - 19 points; Corey Cunningham – 5 points; and Ethan Mason – 4 points, even though he fouled out of the game along with Jordan Ball.

These boys have a humongous amount of potential and work well as a team. With the way they’ve started this season, I wouldn’t put it against them to say that they have a shot to go very far this year. They train hard and play even harder, and this strategy is a baseline for a great team, even with a loss few and far between.

Even with this loss, the Tigers have had a wonderful season with a record of 5-2. With the effort of this team, it wouldn’t be surprising if they keep on with this fantastic record and an even better season.

Lady Tigers Basketball

by Valerie Lau

Wednesday, December 1, our Lady Tiger Fresh/Soph basketball team played the rivaling match against the Charleston Lady Trojans at Charleston.

The game started off well with starters: Lacey Millis, Alicia Robertson, Kahrissa Higginbotham, Kassidy Merrit, and Brook Keller. Right off the bat, Paris would score 6 points to 0 with Brook Keller leading in points. Unfortunately, Charleston would take over the lead 17-14 at the end of the half.

“After the beginning of the second half we just started losing it,” says PCHS Fresh/Soph coach Jacque Cunningham. This was true. Charleston managed to take over in the middle of the half, and pulled through to win the game.

“I hate losing; we should have won that game,” said Janessa Watson after the game. This game makes the ladies 1-4. Join them Saturday, December 11, as they face the Teutopolis Lady Wooden Shoes at Teutopolis.

Friday, November 5, 2010

IHSA Girls' Varsity Volleyball Regionals

by Madison Gates

This year our very own Paris Cooperative High School hosted the IHSA girls’ varsity volleyball regionals. The regional games were held on Thursday, October 28, 2010.

The first game was played between the Tolono (Unity High School) Rockets and the Fithian (Oakwood High School) Comets. The game started at 5:30 pm in the Ernie Eveland gymnasium. The Unity Rockets won both matches.

“Both of the teams played very well and tried their hardest, but Tolono ended up on top,” said Francesca Rios, a sophomore who played on the junior varsity and varsity team.

The next game started at 6:30 pm. This game was between the Paris Lady Tigers, and the Westville Lady Tigers. The winner of this game determined who would play the winner of the first game for the championship. The Paris Tigers ended up winning the game!

The last and final game for the first round of regionals was between the Tolono Rockets and the St. Joe Spartans. This game started at 7:30 pm.

“The Rockets put up a tough fight, but they couldn’t handle the Spartans,” said Briana Pearcy, a freshman who played on the junior varsity team.

To determine the regional champion, there had to be one more game. It was played between the winners of the games on Thursday: Paris and St. Joe. The final game was played on Saturday, October 30, 2010, at 2:00 pm in the Ernie Eveland gymnasium. Both of the teams tried really hard, but the Tigers just couldn’t beat the Spartans. The St. Joe Spartans won the IHSA regional championship. Congratulations to the Paris Tiger’s volleyball team and their accomplishments this season.

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Tony Gonzalez: Big, Old, and Unstoppable

by Cole Board

Tony Gonzalez is 34 years old, 243 lbs, and 6’5’’. Yet he still is arguably the best Tight-End in the NFL. A 10 time Pro-Bowl selection and holder of many all-time receiving records, is still catching balls and racking up yards, after 14 years in the NFL. Many said his last few years in Kansas City were his last great ones. April 23, 2009 is a day many believe rejuvenated his career.

Gonzalez had been trade to the Atlanta Falcons for a 2nd Round Draft Pick. Atlanta had just drafted a young star at Quarterback in Matt Ryan, and already had a great receiving corps. This is the kind of offense that Tony dreamed for. He would now be used as a primary target, and not a check down receiver. Many thought this trade was out of desperation, with a 32 year old Tight-End on the downside of his career, Kansas City looked like the big winner. They were wrong.

In his first year with the Falcons, Gonzalez had 83 receptions, with 867 yards and 6 touchdowns. His 5th, 9th, and 7th career bests respectively. That may not seem like much when put up against his previous numbers, but his 2009 statistics are rivaled by few Tight-Ends, if not Wide-Receivers in the NFL. The addition of Tony and Matt had made a struggling Atlanta offense into a juggernaut. Opposing defenses feared Ryan’s precision arm and fellow Wide-Receiver Roddy White’s deep play ability. This deep combination left foe Line-Backers in the dust as Gonzalez would out reach, out power, and out run them in the short passing game. Tony Gonzalez was once again feared by defenses.

Gonzalez holds all time receiving records for TEs in the receptions, yards, and touchdown categories with 1,026 receptions, 12,072 yards, and 85 TDs. He is also regarded by many as the greatest Tight-End to ever play the game of football. It seems that with age comes brilliance as Tony Gonzalez still dominates opposing defenses with his speed, strength, and football awareness. He’s big, old, and unstoppable.

Friday, October 22, 2010

Volleyball Girls Honor Teachers

by Madison Gates

On the night of Thursday October 14, 2010, the Paris Cooperative High School girls Varsity and Junior Varsity Girls Volleyball teams did something that they haven’t done before. Prior to playing their Varsity game against Newton, they had a Teacher Appreciation night.

The volleyball girls were to choose one teacher that has influenced them in a positive way in school from any age or grade from kindergarten all the way up until high school. Most of the seniors picked a teacher from the high school, but some of the underclassmen picked teachers anywhere from fourth grade to junior high. Some seniors even bought their chosen teachers presents, such as candy or other types of snacks!

The volleyball players and their chosen teachers were recognized directly after the end of the junior varsity game and right before the start of the varsity game. They were announced to the crowd as their names were called, and they walked onto the court. "I think the teachers really felt honored," said Mrs. Stallings the Junior Varsity volleyball coach.

The seniors were very happy to have a Teachers Appreciation night. The seniors took this opportunity as one of their last chances before graduating to thank a teacher for making an impact on their life: Zirajet Idrizoski, the Varisty captain, picked Mr. Cox; Paige Elledge picked Mrs. Propst; Kendall Smith and Desiree Edwards chose Mr. Boyers; Morgan Gibbons picked Mrs. Block. All of the teachers enjoyed going, and the girls were definitely glad that they all came.

"It was a success, and the teachers really appreciated being chosen by their students." said Briana Pearcy, a freshman on the junior varsity team. Over all it was a good turn out, and they hope this is the beginning of a volleyball tradition.

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Apollo Conference Held at Crestwood

by Valerie Lau

Cross country hosted the Apollo Conference, Tuesday, October 12 at Crestwood Junior High School. Crestwood hosts their course, and it is 2.85 miles of woods and hills.

“There are a lot of challenging courses and ours is one of the hardest,” says Courtney Heath. Several schools compete in our conference including Charleston, Newton, and Salem. “Those schools were tough but I thought we did awesome anyway!” says Kahrissa Higginbotham.

Mt. Zion ended up winning both the girls and boys races and our teams ended up seventh out of fourteen. Darian Rodgers came in first in the girls’ race for our team and Robert Hodgeson came in first for the boys. Cross country’s next upcoming race is Regional’s on October 23.

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Playoffs, Here We Come!!!

By: Cole Board

The Paris Tigers are coming into this week looking at a 4-4 record. We play Rantoul Friday night for what seems to be a playoff berth. The sense of urgency is obvious as the Tigers must win this game for any chance at playoffs. Even if our Tigers win, a 5-4 record isn’t a definite playoff berth. Either way, the Tigers have progressed so much in one year that the future looks bright for the upcoming classes in Tiger football. Scott Lawrence, Josh Griffin, and Clay Bess, have performed at their best all year long to help out the Tigers. Lawrence, a Junior RB/S, has created miss-matches on both offense and defense with his speed and big play capability. Griffin, a Senior T/DE, has used his strength and football smarts to out power and out think his opponents. Bess, the Senior starting QB, has used both his legs and strong left arm to be a dual threat for most defenses, and to lead the Tigers to victory.

Strong performances by some underclassmen have helped out the Varsity team on many levels also. Sophomores Stewart Arp, Cole Board, Hayden Keyes, Abe Norman, Bobby Staley, Tyler Bouslog, Thomas Blumthal, and Freshman Blake Webster, Audie Temples, Kevin Nguyen, Shane Mason, Riley Spencer, Logan McDaniel, Cameron Malone, and Austin Stewart look to make the 2011 Tiger team dangerous. Not to mention a strong Junior class lead by Matt Wells, Devin Stephens, and Clay Mason. With a strong defense and well balanced offense the Tigers look to be a team to be reckon with next fall.

So show your Tigers support and come to the Rantoul game this Friday. We’re undefeated at home and would like to keep it this way. Help your Tigers roar to victory!!

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Boys & Girls Basketball Is Just Around the Corner

by Valerie Lau

Friday, Oct. 1 and 4 marked the official starting of the boys’ and girls’ basketball season. All boys or girls not in any fall sports were required to come to the first of many conditioning sessions. I asked first time PCHS player Ryan Bradford if the workout was a tough as everyone said it was and he responded “YES!” The boys were pushed to run 3 miles around town without stopping. The girls were required to run several stair laps and “suicides.” The next session will require the girls to run the 3 miles. “I’m not looking forward to running the 3 miles!” says Natalie McMullen.

Hopefully all this hard work will pay off and our players will have a successful season! Join the boys December 3 as they play their first home meet against Charleston High School. Join the girls December 6 as they face the Mount Zion Lady Braves on their first home meet.

Thursday, September 30, 2010

Fall Sports: Volleyball Vs. Football


by Madison Gates

Volleyball or football? That is the question between boys and girls this fall. Who works harder? If you ask the volleyball girls, vollleyball would be the answer. Asking the boys would result in the same thing, they would say that they do. But I think it's about the same.

Yes, the football players may sustain more injuries by tackling and running for the ball, getting tripped and hit, but, hey, that’s football. They do work very hard, and played a wonderful homecoming game against Charelston on September 17, 2010, who they beat 36-33.
“You always have to try your hardest and not quit,” says Shane Mason a freshman football player.

But the volleyball team also works very hard. “We have to be quick and know where the ball is at all times,” says Briana Pearcy, one of the JV players. “Even if the ball isn’t coming to you, you need to know what to do with it, if it does,” Says Brie Tyler, a JV and V player. But volleyball or football? Only you can answer that!

Thursday, September 23, 2010

PowderPuff 2010


by Alexis Peterson

Green, Blue, Pink, and Orange decorated the football field Wednesday evening as the PowderPuff game commenced. This year PowderPuff took place on Wednesday, September 15.

The first game of PowderPuff was the freshmen against the juniors. The juniors won the game 18-0. The ladies played a great game. Katie Harris says, "I think the freshman got out there and tried their best. That's all that matters."

The next game of the night was the sophomores against the seniors. In this game, sophomores won against the seniors 14-6.

There was one more game. The two winning teams had to play against each other for the championship. The juniors won this game 7-6. Good job ladies! All of the girls that played PowderPuff did a excellent job!

Picture: The Sophomores face off against the Seniors! (picture taken by Blade Hall)

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Two Losses for Volleyball Against Effingham

by Valerie Lau

“I think we’re improving each game!” says Leslie Cates at the end of her JV game. JV and Varsity hosted Effingham on Tuesday, September 14th at Ernie Eveland Gym. The games were close and very competitive. JV put up a good game with Leslie Cates and Nique Tyler leading the game with kills, and Aubrie Lamb and Kendall Smith each serving one ace apiece. When asked her opinion of the way the game turned out Leslie also said, “Effingham’s good, hopefully we’ll get on the right track and start to win!” The final score ended up at 25-15 Effingham.

The Varsity team put up a good fight, but in the end Effingham won 25-16. Leslie Cates and Sammy Gher lead the game in kills. Sammy, Katy Spesard, Frankie Rios, and Zirajet Idrizoski all had many digs. The Lady Tigers did well; join them Thursday, September 23, when they face the Robinson Lady Maroons.

Friday, September 10, 2010

Volleyball Tournament

by Allison Pardi

Paris Tigers volleyball team started out slow as they played in their tournament on Thursday, September 2. They lost both games, however they played hard as the game went on. During the Salt Fork game, they had 7 kills, 4 blocks, and 2 digs. While they played St. Thomas they played better than they did during their first game. With 9 kills, 1 ace, and 7 digs, they lost 15 to 25 and 17 to 25. “ I think we are improving and if we execute well, we’ll get some wins,” said Ms. Hill. Ms. Hill is the new volleyball coach for Paris High School, and so far she is doing a great job at coaching. “I think they did very well. They played their best and gave it their all and that’s all that matters,” said Madison Gates, a J.V player.

Cross Country Travels and Places at the Charleston Invitational


by Valerie Lau

The PCHS cross country team traveled to Charleston for the Charleston Invitational meet Saturday, September 4th. Several other teams including Mattoon, Champaign, Danville, and Charleston were there competing for the trophies along with the team.

It started with the Girl’s Varsity run. Many competed in this 3 mile course and senior Darian Rodgers scored in the top 30, closely followed by Jennifer Woodyard. Jessica Rose and Kahrissa Higginbotham also competed in this event.

Next came Boy’s Varsity. The boys placed tenth. The competition was strong and our top runners were Robert Hodgson, Jacob Whitacre, Nic Chittick and Will Orminston. Other runners were Austin Gahimer and Ike Joesph. When asked his opinion of his race Jacob said, “I thought the race was one of the biggest ones we'll see this year and that it was good for us to see the good competition.” Hopefully the boys will do as well or better than their performance Saturday!

The girls and boys open run ended the day with freshman runners Jayce Cunningham, Courtney Heath, and Valerie Lau all competing at the same time. When asked her opinion of her first cross country meet Courtney said, “It was a great meet, and there were a lot of good teams there. All in all Paris did well. I feel good about the rest of the season.”

Picture: Jessica Rose runs hard to finish the course. Picture taken by Valerie Lau.

Friday, August 27, 2010

Pigskin Preview: Kick Off to a Great Year of PCHS Sports!

by Valerie Lau

Paris Cooperative High School kicked off its annual fall sports preview the “Pigskin Previews” at John P. Allen Memorial field, Friday night, at 6:00.

It started off with the band hosting its annual BBQ then preceded to the sports teams pictures. At around the starting time the band played our National Anthem and God Bless America. The fall teams were arranged and walked out. The J.V. and Varsity Cheerleaders announced first, then the Boy’s and Girl’s Golf. The band played their first halftime songs, then the Tiger Cub Cheerleaders and the Tiger Power Cheerleaders performed and were introduced, followed by the Tiger Cub Football team. The band played their second halftime performance and the Girl’s Tennis, Volleyball, and Boys and Girls Cross Country team were introduced.

Afterwards came the performances. The JV and Varsity Cheerleaders did a routine, and the band played 2 of the songs from their show. The night ended with the Marching Tigers playing the Paris Loyalty for the football intros and the football team scrimmaging.