Sam's Sports Blog

How She Wins

2011-09-08T12:10:00.000-07:00

Superstitions, Superstitions, Superstitions! Everybody has them and some of them are very strange.

Jason Terry of the Dallas Mavericks, will wear the game shorts of the opposing team to bed the night before the game.

Bruce Gardiner who was a former Ottawa Senator, would always dunk his hockey stick in the toilet before every game, prior to going on the ice.

Lone Peak athletes have pre-game rituals too. Rituals can come about in many different ways, and help athletes in their own specific game play.

Lone Peak senior soccer star, McKenzie Evans, has some superstitions of her own. Evans says, “Before every game I have to juggle a ball 14 times.” This ritual began when she was a junior and her number was 14 and juggling helps settle her down before games. McKenzie has many other rituals that improve her game such as; she has to wear her shin guard sleeve and put her bracelet in it that she wears everyday, but only on her left foot and then tape her right shin guard with medical tape. Evans says, “After devotional, before the game we pass around skittles. I take only four and if I get matching colors that means I will have a good game, or it determines how many goals I or my team will score depending on how many matching colors I pick.”

The Lone Peak girls soccer team have a tradition together. They drink out of the same water bottle named, “Dale”, to receive good luck in the upcoming game. Not only does the team drink out of the same water bottle, but five players (McKenzie Evans, Kaitlyn Wright, Kim Josse, Sara Burns, and Cara Olsen) have to perform their own handshake prior to walking on the field before the game.

McKenzie Evans comments, “Personal training helps me get in shape for the season and for try outs. It helps a ton!!” When asked how juggling the ball helps her in her game she says, “Juggling the ball, I initially did it to help me settle down and find my touch, it helps me calm down and focus, even if it is just 14 juggles. The skittles, shin guards, and handshakes are all mental superstitious things for me, but they keep me focused, motivated and pumped before games.”

Through athletes careers they acquire their own unique, superstitious pre-game rituals. Lone Peak’s, McKenzie Evans, is one of those athletes, and these specific quirks help her in her own game as other routines help athletes all across the world.

What Happens In Vegas, Travels The World

2011-03-13T17:07:00.000-07:00

On Friday, Jimmer Fredette, made jaws drop around the world, when he dropped 52 points against the New Mexico Lobos, to help his team get to the finals in Vegas. Shooting 59% from the field and 50% from beyond the arch, he could not be stopped. The National Player of the Year, as named by cbssports.com and si.com, and also the nations leading scorer proved himself on the court at the Mountain West Conference Tournament. Averaging 28.5 points per game, he has shown the world that not all of the best players go to the NBA right after the first year of college. Fredette has been a basketball enthusiast ever since a little kid, being in kindergarten when he would go to his older brothers varsity basketball practices and watch all the drills and workouts intensely, and even became the ball boy. Now off to play Wofford in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, the hardest worker on his team, Jimmer, has shown that the best players can come from anywhere. Just remember, What Happens In Vegas [Jimmer], Travels The World.

It's KNIGHT-TIME

2011-03-06T10:07:00.000-08:00

You Can't Beat Us! You Can't Beat Us! These were the words that echoed through the Dee Events Center, during the 2011 5A State Basketball Championship, when the Lone Peak Knights got passed the American Fork Cavemen for the third time this season. The Knights are now ranked #10 in the Nation, #1 in the State, and they have shown that they truly do deserve this sort of recognition. Sophomore, Nick Emery, completed the season with 542 points and 73 3-pointers, to help his team win the 5A Crown. None of this was easy. Lone Peak came across a scare when the Fremont Silverwolves gained a 17 point lead in the first half of the semi-final game, but when a die hard fan, Tyler Johnson, was asked, "Are you scared? Do you think that we will win now?" His response was, "Do you see that man crouched down on the side of the court? Ya! He is the best coach in the state...Don't worry, We Will Win!" And that is exactly what happened, the Knights came back, closed that gap, and beat Fremont by three, to advance to the State Finals and win their 5th State Title, which is also Coach Lewis' 4th, since he started coaching in 2003. Any way you look at it, the Lone Peak Knights are now State Champions and one of the Nations Top Teams.

Homecoming to State

2010-10-13T07:18:00.000-07:00

And for the Lone Peak Knights, Homecoming was a success. The Lone Peak Knights Varsity Football team ran out of the locker room taunting the Beetdiggers of Jordan as they approach the field. Looks like it worked. The Knights went to the end, in this battle and pulled off the amazing win. The final score was 35-30 and it was with the help from Talon Shumway's run that ended in a front flip over the Diggers into the endzone for the touchdown to give Lone Peak the lead late in the game. This week will be a grueling match up between the Lone Peak Knights and the Pleasant Grove Vikings. If Micah Hannemann can work his football magic and getting that most needed interception for Lone Peak to get the lead early in the game and keep that lead to seal the deal. Another key to the game will be the defense. Dax Eisinger, Alec Jensen, Bubba stratton, and Kyle Hannemann. When they walk out of that field they will need to as the dance group, Flawless, would say, " chase the goal not the competition." When they do this it will improve their game play, toughness, and desire to win not just this game, but the state championship title.

The Knights are now Runnin' The Field

2010-09-22T20:37:00.000-07:00

As The Utah High School regular season football starts, it is clear that Bingham and Cottonwood are powerhouses, but anyone can be beat. Lone Peak High School has the talent and teamwork to become the 2010 Cinderella team. With junior, Chase Hansen, as Quarterback and a defense consisting of Keyan Norman, Kyle Hannemann, Tanner Larsen, and Josh Stephan, the Knights have a very powerful team. Under the direction of Tony McGeary, there is a huge opportunity for Lone Peak to go all the way. Currently, Lone Peak is 2-1 in preseason and 2-0 in regular season. The Knights have injuries on the team right now that are affecting the them, but the coaching staff works with every player on the roster to become an excellent replacement. On September 24th, this school of great tradition will compete with Alta High School in their third region game to fight for the number one spot in Region IV. No matter what, it will result in an amazing high school football season for the state of Utah.

Another Hannemann Rises

2010-09-19T10:18:00.001-07:00

Jacob Hannemann is now gone, he has been sent out on a mission, but he was not the end of the Hannemann clan. Now a senior, Kyle, has bee one of the best athletes that have come through Lone Peak. He works as hard or even harder than anyone in the state, to chase his goal of starting at a Division-1 football program. His father, Howard, has helped both him and his brothers conquer many challenges, which they have gone through in, both sports and in life. Being LDS, young adults serve missions for two years, and when Jacob was drafted by The Kansas City Royals, it was with much help from his father to help him decide to serve the Lord instead of serving the MLB. This is one of the many times that Father Hannemann has been there for all of his children. Kyle has overcome many injuries, and nothing can stop him from playing the game that he loves. Watching the great Deion Sanders has helped Kyle become the very talented player that he is. From little league to playing at a school of great tradition, Lone Peak, Coach Tony McGeary is extremely lucky to have a player of this caliber on his team. As the Hannemann family continues to get older they will help Lone Peak athletics in the years to come. GO KNIGHTS!!!

Mountain West Disputes

2010-08-21T19:58:00.000-07:00

ATTENTION….. BYU is headed to Independency. Boise State decides to enter the Mountain West. The University of Utah enters the Pac-10. Fresno State and Nevada accept the invitation to also enter the MWC. All of this has happened in the span of three months. Brigham Young University has been a member of the Mountain West Conference since 1998. But, after going to the Las Vegas Bowl for the past 5 years, they want to show everyone that they are as much of a contender as the teams in the automatic bid conferences. As an Independent, BYU does not have to have a set schedule. For example: Now they have to play all of the teams in the MWC, but not belonging to any conference would give them the chance to play tougher competition. Why was Utah chosen above BYU to enter the Pac-10? Many people feel like BYU is more qualified, is it because of Sunday play? BYU will have to make their final decision by September 1, but this decision alone, it has to be approved by the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Only 3 teams in the NCAA are currently Independent; Navy, Army, and Notre Dame. On August 19^th on ESPN, Lou Holtz said that as BYU chooses to become Independent it just puts them in a good position to enter a better conference such as the Big-10 or the Big-12. As no one knows what the final decision will be, it will make the 2010 College Football season be a great one.

2010 BYU Recruited Phenoms

2010-07-25T21:02:00.000-07:00

Football recruits made their decision and many chose to attend the Brigham Young University. Players such as Joshua Quezada, Jake Heaps, Collin Keoshian, and Tayo Fabuluje, have been looked at by BYU for many years and have chosen to help this program get extremely better. Joshua Quezada from La Habra High School in California, has made jaws drop all across the nation with his speed, agility, and size. 5'11" and 203 lbs. of power. After Harvey Unga was dismissed from BYU earlier this year it was the time to quickly get a running back as good or better than the old star. Quezada is the ONE. Jake Heaps attended Skyline High in Sammamish, WA and threw for 3,191 yards and completed 45 touchdowns his senior year. Ranked the best quarterback in the nation, Heaps will be a needed addition to the Cougar line-up. Collin Keoshian went to Santa Clarita Christian School in California and being 6'2" 225 lbs, running a 4.5 is very unlikely but this superstar did and with that speed and talent he has chosen to come to play for BYU. Now the amazing 6'6" 255-pound OL and DT Tayo Fabuluje is a hidden treasure on the roster. He has proved himself at Oakridge High School in Arlington, Texas and is ready to prove himself here. This pure talent was recruited by Arizona, Arizona State, Arkansas, Purdue, TCU, and Utah, but he chose The BYU Cougars to perform his college career at. As these are just a few of the recruits, they will still help BYU become a school of great skill, and a Top Contender not just in the Mountain West, but in the whole entire NCAA.

The KING Leaves His Throne

2010-07-11T15:55:00.000-07:00

On July 8th, at 9 o' clock, LeBron "King" James chose to leave his residence in cleveland and join Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami. While Derek Fisher has made his decision to stay in L.A. where he has won 5 championships with them previously. King James has made his decision. He has accepted a 6 year $110 million deal, just as Bosh did. The city of Cleveland is not happy with him, from ripping down the "WITNESS" sign right in downtown to Dan Gilbert writing a strongly worded letter to James. LeBron WAS loved in Ohio. The up and coming Miami Heat starting line-up will consist of LeBron James, Chris Bosh, and Dwayne Wade and if these superstars can learn to work together on and off the court, then the NBA Championship will be coming to them.

Hayward's New Residence

2010-06-29T07:19:00.000-07:00

The 2010 NBA Draft was a good one. With Freshman, John Wall, being the obvious #1 pick, nothing was very well predicted after that. The #9 Draft Pick went to the Utah Jazz, they selected the Butler All-Star, Gordon Hayward. From losing his bags on the flight to buying new threads for the Draft...No one can compare. His family is ecstatic and so is the Butler Head Coach, Brad Stevens, who said, "More great Butler moments coming in Salt Lake City... Congrats to Gordon & the Jazz!! So happy for the entire Hayward family." on his Twitter. Hayward has played basketball his whole life, but he is an unusual child. His father is only 5'10", during Gordon's freshman year in high school he was 5'11", but he had a growth spurt which enabled him to be a 6'8" senior. This helped him continue to compete in basketball rather than putting his whole heart into tennis like his sister, Heather, did. Hayward's basketball skills have stunned everyone from Brad Stevens to Jerry Sloan and he just keeps improving. The Utah Jazz are extremely lucky to have a player of this quality. Just like he did at Butler, Gordon Hayward will benefit The Jazz in the years to come.

Cup Unknown

2010-06-27T13:18:00.000-07:00

Every 4 years the world puts aside their differences and plays. Fútbol, Soccer, whatever you want to call it, it is all the same. The World Cup has been played since the year 1930, in Uruguay, now 80 years later it is all the way down in South Africa. Spectators from all across the World travel thousands of miles to cheer on their country. The 2006 World Cup Champion, Italy, has been eliminated by Slovakia, but with Brazil, who is the most winning team in the World with 5 World Cup Titles, is facing Chile in the round of 16 to try and advance to the Quarterfinals. The World Cup is an event that converts Soccer-Haters into Soccer-Lovers. No matter who is playing everyone will pick their favorite to win, but it will still be a fight until the end.

His Mission

2010-06-20T15:49:00.000-07:00

Michael Jordan's Mission was to score 32,292 points in his career being the best basketball player who ever lived. Jerry Rice's Mission was to earn 197 touchdowns throughout his career and being the best wide receiver in the NFL. Jacob Hannemann's Mission is to serve the Lord. Throughout his High School career Jacob has amazed so many people, from the kids who look up to him to the Kansas City Royals. Unknown as what to do in regards to athletics or religion. Hannemann chose religion. He has been Called To Serve in the Arkansas Little Rock Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Jacob has been going through this struggle for some time now and The Royals have offered him much in order to make him an amazing addition to their roster. But no matter how much was offered, nothing was enough to change his mind about Serving The Lord. Even though, Michael Jordan and Jerry Rice are role models, they are not even comparable to someone with so much loyalty and kindness as The Jacob Hannemann.

Still In The Lead

2010-06-04T22:14:00.000-07:00

Even after the tough loss to the LA Dodgers in the 2nd game of the their 4 game series, the Braves have the skill and potential to go far in the fight to be the World Champions. The Jay-Hey Kid has made jaws drop all around the Nation and shows everyone how to really play baseball. During their 9 game winning-streak the braves had 6 total homeruns which sealed the deal for many of the close match-ups. The thing that held the Braves back at the beginning of the season was their pitching line-up and that will need to improve if this team wants to go to the World Series.

Journey To The Peak

2010-05-22T10:33:00.000-07:00

With the Lone Peak Knights in the championship game for the second year in a row it was their time to shine. Robinson had just hit a bomb to right field in the bottom of the sixth and Jed Goeckeritz with a nice hit to center field bringing runners in to tie up the game at 4-4. Then, Mike Draper steps up to the plate and gets a line drive to go to left field and it scores Goeckeritz to take the lead late in the game. Now, Top of the Seventh, No Outs, 5-4, 5A State Championship Game, Who do you pitch? DILLON ROBINSON! Normally shortstop, Robinson comes to the mound to make the final throws of the game. With him the best outfielder in the state, Jacob Hannemann, in center field they cannot be stopped Striking the first two out, it all comes down to this. The ball is grounded to Kennedy Kinkade who makes the throw, and the Lone Peak Knights are State Champions. Through the rain, the snow, the shine, nothing stops the Knights from getting the job done. Working together the whole year, through the ups and the downs, nothing can break apart this quality of a team.

WHY 22?

2010-05-10T19:12:00.000-07:00

Not only is the Jay-Hey Kid a baseball phenom, but he is someone of great character. As a young athlete in high school, Jason Heyward, was on the 2005 Georgia High School State Champion Team. Not just a teammate, but a friend to Andrew Wilmot. Andrew was on the high school team with Heyward and later played baseball at a college in Tennessee. While in college Wilmot was killed in a car accident. Andrew's mother, Tammie Ruston, was Heyward's favorite teacher while attending a Henry County High School in Atlanta. Keeping in touch, he visits her regularly throughout the offseason to help her through this rough time. Unknown as to what jersey number to make his own, Heyward decided to honor his friend and chose number 22, which was Wilmot's number in high school. As he commemorates his teammate, Ruston will be in the right field stands to give thanks and to support The Jay-Hey Kid.

Should I Stay Or Should I Go?

2010-05-08T22:53:00.000-07:00

Saturday, May 8th, was a day of big decisions for the NCAA ballers to stay another year or make the huge leap to the Pros. This is the time that every athlete waits for throughout their whole life. Kentucky's all-stars, John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins, will enter the draft after playing just one year at the college level. Other players entered their names into the draft to test the water, but later pulled their name out in order to work on their game for one more year before going to the NBA. Players such as, Jimmer Fredette from BYU and Duke's star Kyle Singler, are some of the many that are returning for their senior season. The athletes who chose stayed in the Draft will have the experience of a lifetime on June 24th when the picks will start to be made their dream of making it to the pros may become a reality.

The Hawks Hang On Til' #7

2010-05-01T16:15:00.000-07:00

With the help from the NBA's Best 6^th Man, Jamal Crawford, the Hawks will head back to Atlanta for the final game of this remarkable series. With both teams not shooting well, it was Crawford's 24 points that helped the hawks stay alive for another one. Only shooting 32.9% from the field, the Bucks will have to improve that in order to advance to the second round of the NBA Playoffs. Rookie, Brandon Jennings, will be the determining factor for Milwaukee; if he shoots 56% as he did in the first game then it will be a done deal and the Bucks will go on. If this does not happen then it will be Mike Woodson, and the Atlanta Hawks, that will go on to play the Orlando Magic in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. With about the same athleticism the final showdown of these two teams will come down to whoever wants it more.

The Freshman Wonder

2010-04-23T12:03:00.000-07:00

Nick Emery, Fifteen, Six-Foot One, and scoring 407 points as a 9th grade Varsity baller. Not many people can match up to this freshman prodigy. Emery averaged 18.5 ppg as a Lone Peak Knight and he was the leading scorer for his team. Nick has been playing basketball since anyone can remember and has learned much from his dad and brother Jackson, a member of the BYU basketball team, who he looks up to for pointers and inspiration to help him through his high school career. From shooting baskets in his driveway to starting under the spotlight on the Knights court, he has always tried everything to be the best at what he does.

Who is #1?

2010-04-22T14:06:00.000-07:00

Late Thursday night there will be much commotion in The Radio City Music Hall for the NFL franchise owners, to get their most needed players that will benefit their team. Just who will be the #1 pick? Sam Bradford? Ndamukong Suh? Jimmy Clausen? The open spot on the 2010 St. Louis Rams roster is still up in the air. If Oklahoma's Sam Bradford, gets that spot then it will be the big break that the Rams will need to have their first winning season since 2003. Suh, the 2009 AP Player Of The Year, is being scouted by the Detroit Lions to help their 2009 #1 draft pick, Matthew Stafford, to earn that quarterback glory that he most definitely is capable of. With 4 Sooners expected to enter the NFL within the first 22 picks, and, Tim Tebow who most people think is not ready to be an NFL quarterback, not expected to go until pick #48, will make this draft be very unpredictable and crucial for many teams. The 75th NFL Draft will be the one to watch and remember.

BYU's Future Secret Weapon

2010-04-14T17:27:00.000-07:00

For the 2012-13 football season there will be a hidden star for the BYU program, Jacob Hannemann. He is a senior at Lone Peak High School right in the heart of Highland. During the course of the 2009 football season, Hannemann earned seven touchdowns as a receiver and six amazing interceptions while playing cornerback. He has been what people are talking about in the state of Utah, not just for football though. Jacob has also been a baseball prodigy throughout the state, earning himself a spot on the cougar line-up. He is the center fielder for the Knights and in the first 18 at-bats of the 2010 baseball season; he had an unbelievable .667 batting average, the best in the state of Utah. He has been helped through the years by watching the Great Ken Griffey Jr. track down balls and make those plays that many people cannot accomplish, but now Hannemann can. His hero has been his father, for all of the support that he has given him throughout the years. Jacob always knows whenever his dad is in the stands because he never stops cheering for his boy. Brigham Young University is very lucky to get an athlete of such high caliber. This is what the cougars will need to make their sports seasons that much more successful in the years to come.

The Blue Devils Edge Past the Bulldogs in a Showdown

2010-04-05T23:00:00.000-07:00

The 2010 NCAA National Championship was one of the bests ever. With everything coming down to the wire, Duke pulled off the win. Both teams struggled from beyond the arc, Duke shot 29.4% and the Bulldogs were only 33.3%. Butler got into some foul trouble early in the game and foreward, Matt Howard, ended the game with 4 of their 18 team fouls. Duke game was not like it was early in the tournament, they were only 62.5% from the line versus their 74.6% average throughout the rest of the tournament. Near the end of the game , Butler was down by one when Gordon Hayward took a fadeaway jumper and barely missed it. The Senior Blue Devil, Brian Zoubek, earned his 10th rebound of the night and got his team one point from the foul line. Hayward got one of the free-throw rebounds, ran, and threw up a prayer at half court and just missed it off the back of the rim. This would make the Duke Blue Devils the champions of MARCH MADNESS!

THE "S" FACTOR

2010-04-04T18:46:00.000-07:00

Duke has been only true #1 seed at the tournament. Coach K has the secret weapon that many teams wish that they could obtain, which is Kyle Singler, Nolan Smith, and Jon Scheyer. In the Final Four game against West Virginia, the THREE S's had a combined 63 of the teams 78 total points. Singler made up for his mere 5 points last game to an amazing 21 points, while Jon Schreyer had an astonishing 23 points to help his team fly past the Mountaineers. He is going to have to play a huge role vs. BUTLER if they are going to become National Champions. Duke is going to have to get the ball down low to avoid the stunning defense from the Bulldogs. Throughout the tournament, Butler has averaged 10 steals a game and Duke is going to have to protect the ball well and create enough spacing to take the essential shots needed to beat these dominating Bulldogs.

THE BUTLER WAY TO PLAY

2010-04-04T16:45:00.000-07:00

Butler, the INDIANAPOLIS MYSTERY as I like to call them, played like National Champions the first half last night, but the second half they could not drain the shots that they needed to pull even further away from Michigan State. Fortunately, they caused Michigan State to turn the ball over 16 times, 12 of which were steals. This created a great amount of momentum, for Butler, that helped them defeat the Spartans. The Bulldogs did not shoot as well as they should have from the paint, they had a 30.6 FG percentage and they were only 23.8% from the 3-point range. If they want to be the National Champions then they will have to improve this. Gordon Hayward finished with 19 points and 9 rebounds, all defensive. He will need to get more offensive rebounds so that Butler can get many more required put backs. Brad Stevens, the coach, needs to have Shelvin Mack in for more than 25 minutes, because he can make those outside shots that his team will need to beat the 3-point masters of Duke. This is my pick to WIN the NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP!

Duke's Winning Strategy

2010-04-03T13:38:00.000-07:00

Duke is a team that has exceptional outside shooting, but to beat West Virginia they have to get better inside game. This will be hard for them because of the excellent defense of West Virginia. Duke has been 37.9% from beyond the arc and that will need to improve if they want to get to the National Finals. During the tournament, Duke's FG percentage has decreased an average of 5% per game. If this persists then they will hit 31.1% of their FG's and that will not be enough for them to get past West Virginia. They will have to get the ball to either Kyle Singler or Nolan Smith and hope that they will be shooting well so that their outside shooting can make up for their poor inside game.

BUTLER Keys to Success

2010-04-03T10:16:00.000-07:00

The Butler Bulldogs are the Indianapolis Mystery. The name of the team that they are playing does not matter to them. They just go out there and play "THEIR" game of basketball. To beat Michigan State they must keep getting their average 27.25 rebounds per game. The Bulldogs are already a great shooting team and if they can get those most needed put backs then the Spartans will not be able to keep up with this fast paced team. Butler will need to get the ball to Shelvin Mack on the perimeter and Gordon Hayward down low to get ahead and beat Michigan State. The Bulldogs are averaging 8 steals a game and if they can turn those into baskets then they will be able to send Michigan State back to East Lansing where they belong and Butler will appear in the NCAA Tournament finals for the first time in school history. THIS IS MY PICK TO WIN THIS GAME!