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Archives
01-31-2007
Fans don't let fans drive drunk Super Sunday
Fans don't let fans drive drunk Super Sunday By DR. VERONICA GUNN, Vanderbilt University The game consistently draws record numbers of viewers. Last year, more than 140 million people watched the pre-game show, the game, the halftime show, and the commercials. One of the perennial favorites for Super Bowl commercials is Anheuser-Busch.Ê Last year, for Super Bowl XL, the world's largest brewer spent approximately $25 million to buy 10 ads for Budweiser, Bud Light, and Michelob.Ê These ads featured animals and humor to encourage viewers to purchase and consume Anheuser-Busch products. The light-hearted nature of these ads belied the most dangerous aspect of Super Bowl Sunday -drunk driving. Over-indulging in beer or any alcoholic beverage before getting behind the wheel can turn a day devoted to fun and sports into a day that will remembered for the tragedy that could have been prevented. In 2004, according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), nearly 64% of all fatal crashes on Super Bowl Sunday were alcohol-related.Ê Whether attending a Super Bowl party or simply going out with friends, the following tips can help keep the roads safe: Designate a sober driver before the party begins and give that person the car keys If you find yourself without a driver, call a friend, family member or taxi to pick you up. Remember to pace yourself.ÊEat plenty of food and snacks and alternate alcoholic drinks and non-alcoholic choices.Ê Never let a friend leave your sight if you think they are about to drive while impaired. If hosting a party, taking the following precautions can help guests have a good time and remain safe: Keep the numbers for local cab companies within close reach, so you can call if one of your guests needs a ride home, or arrange ride-sharing with sober drivers at your party. Provide plenty of food and snacks for your guests and a variety of non-alcoholic drink options. Stop serving alcohol during the third quarter to give guests time to sober up before they drive.
Wildcats defeat Dragons and Tigers
Kassie Hunley/OCN Sports By MAC McLEOD, OCN Sports "I'm so pumped up right now," Melton said, "I have to be careful not to burn everything up. We have been waiting for this game since back in early December, and this entire team can't wait to get to Smithville to show we aren't the same team we were back when we played the first time." That 'first time' Melton was referring to was a 56-53 loss to DeKalb County back on December 12. It was Livingston's first district loss in two years, and it was probably the low point of the entire season. Now it was payback time. "We were supposed to play Friday night but the game got put back to Saturday, making it that much harder to wait," he said. 'This team knows it is better than the one that played that first time, and they can't wait to prove it. "When we get off the bus I promise you we'll be ready to play." True to his word, Melton and the LA Wildcats hit the hardwood in Smithville Saturday afternoon ready to roll, and went to work from the opening tip off. When it was over, the point was plainly made: Livingston is the better team. A solid 52-39 crushing of DeKalb County, coupled with a convincing 64-51 win over York Institute earlier in the week, reestablished the Wildcats as one of the top two teams in District 7-AA. The Wildcats now lead the district by a half a game over Upperman with a 7-2 league mark, compared to a 6-2 record by the Bees. The next three district games will be critical as to which team will claim the regular season championship. And to add to the drama, Livingston did it with its star player, Chase Dunn, nursing an injured ankle. "Chase is still a little sore," Coach Melton pointed out before Saturday's game," but he'll start. We will use him when we have to, but we'll rest him as much as possible. "Somebody else is going to have to step up and fill in some of the scoring." Livingston eased ahead of York 12-11 in Tuesday's game in the early going, and led by 5, at 27-22, at intermission. Thirteen points by Dunn in the third period, including a 3-point shot at the buzzer, put the Wildcats in complete control by the start of the final frame, then Tyson Stover and Clint West nailed down the victory with a combined scoring effort of 11 points in the final frame for the 13-point win. "Stover needed a good night, and he got it against York," Coach Melton added. "Clint (West) has come around, and Deven (Ramsey) had a good game against Macon County last week. "I think as a team, we are realizing that all the hard work is finally paying off." But 'payday' really came Saturday. It was the game the Wildcats have set their sights on since December, and when it finally arrived, Livingston Academy was ready to get its 'check'. DeKalb started things off slowly, knowing their best chance was not to get into a running contest with the talented Wildcats squad. A victory over Upperman early in the week had the Tigers loaded with confidence, but they had no idea just how badly the Wildcats wanted the rematch. Things started slowly for both teams, and with three minutes remaining in the first period, DeKalb led by 2 at 5-3. Then the bombs started to fall. Dunn nailed a 3-point shot to put LA on top, and Stover did him one better with two 3-pointers, and at the buzzer LA was on top by 5 at 12-7. From that point on, it was all Livingston. Jordan Everley came off the bench to open the second period scoring, then Jeremy McLearran stepped in to kick-start his best game of the season. At intermission, the Wildcats led by 13 at 28-15. "Jeremy played the way we have looked for him to play all season," Coach Melton went on. "Everybody on the team knew he could play better than he had been playing, they just all wondered when he would. Saturday he did." With McLearran playing strong inside and almost perfect from the foul line, the Wildcats continued to pour on the pressure in the third period. Ramsey started things off with a bucket inside, and Everley ended the period with a big 3-pointer at the buzzer. In the period, Livingston outscored DeKalb 15-3. And while the offense was getting things done on the scoreboard, it was Livingston's defense that controlled the game. "That was some of the best defense we have played all season," Coach Melton said. "We held them to 3 points in the third period, and we had 14 rebounds in the first half. That's what we wanted to do and we did it. The hard work is paying off." In the final period, the Cats backed up somewhat, but the outcome of the contest was already decided. At one point, Livingston led by as many as 26 points, and the final margin of 13 was not a good indication of just how well the Wildcats had played. "We got a little sloppy there at the end," Coach Melton pointed out, "but with so many good things happening, we just got a little lax. "Our bench gave us 22 points, and that was outstanding. And Jeremy just had a super game. I was so happy for him and for this team. They knew what they wanted to do and they did it. That says a lot about us. "Now we have three more district games, and especially a big rematch with Upperman. The next two weeks will say a lot." McLearran's 14 points paced the Wildcats, while Dunn added 12. Stover and Everely each added 8, and West had 6. After a trip to Gainesboro on Tuesday, Jan. 30 to take on the Jackson County Blue Devils, the Wildcats will travel to Carthage on Friday, Feb. 2 to take on Smith County's Owls in a district game. Livingston Academy will host Cannon County on Tuesday, Feb. 6.
Lady Cats back on track with pair of wins
Kassie Hunley/OCN Sports By MAC McLEOD, OCN Sports LA head coach Lesley Smith said, "Ashley had a college visit scheduled for Saturday, and when the game was moved from Friday to Saturday, I told her to go ahead and make the visit. I think we should be able to handle this." Smith was more correct than she could have imagined. This time around, although the game was played in Smithville, the Lady Wildcats got a super effort from the team defensively, and perhaps one of the most balanced scoring attacks of the year. When it was over, the Lady Wildcats were again the winners by 39 points -this time 60-21. "It was a good week for us," Coach Smith continued. "Last week this time, we were nursing two straight district losses, and to say the least, a little down on ourselves. But these kids are tough, and they bounced back in fine form Tuesday against York. Then tonight, I just told them to go out and have fun, take a few chances, and enjoy it all." In the first game of the week, the Lady Cats, still licking a few wounds, hosted York, and despite the memory of an 18-point win earlier in Jamestown, knew it would be a tough game. "York always plays us tough, and I think after the two losses last week, we needed a challenge and a win," Coach Smith went on. "We started a little slow against them (York), but once we hit our rhythm, we got going. "Ashley had her usual good game, but we got some outstanding play from Alison (West) and Brittany (McCoin), especially on offense, and (Kendria) Kilgore and Britany Smith both played well." York took an early 10-8 lead, but in the second period, Matthews hit a 3-point bucket to put the home team on top 11-10, and from that point on, the Lady Cats were never headed. Livingston ran off the next 7 points and added a 12-2 run midway through the second frame to lead 32-16 at intermission. York made a good run in the third period and closed the gap to 35-26 going into the final period, but again, the trio of Matthews, West, and McCoin kept the visitors from getting close. "Our third period wasn't all that good," Coach Smith said, "but I thought we played well in the final period. We need a good game against a good opponent, and the way it turned out was much better than last week." Matthews led the scoring attack for Livingston with 21 points, while West added 18, McCoin 9, and Kilgore added 4. The win moved LA to 18-6 on the season and 6-2 in District 7-AA. Back on the winning track, LA moved over to Smithville on Saturday afternoon to play a game that had been scheduled for Friday night. "I watched the film of our earlier game," Coach Smith pointed out, "not looking for anything we might need to change, but just to make sure we didn't overlook anything. "Before we went on the floor, I told the team that they needed to go out and have fun. I wanted them to try some new things and just enjoy the game. They did." West opened with a big 3-point bucket, McCoin added a 3-point play with a basket and a foul shot, West made a steal and a basket, Mallie Stephens nailed a 3-point shot, and the race was on. Stephens ended the period with a second 3-point shot and LA was up 17-3 at the end of the frame. In the second period, the Livingston defense held the Lady Tigers to a mere 7 points, and despite the very pressing defense, committed only six personal fouls. While the defense was controlling the tempo of the game, Kilgore went on a streak, scoring 12 of Livingston's 14 points of the period, and at intermission, the Lady Cats were in complete control, 31-10. With a 49-14 lead going into the final period, Coach Smith emptied her bench, and Adrian West and Alissa Sells continued to rip the nets for the final 11 points of the night. For Stephens, it was one of her best scoring performances of the year, nailing down 14 points. Kilgore also had 14 on the night, and West ended with 11. With the win, Livingston moved to 19-6 on the season, and more importantly, 7-2 in the district. After a trip to Jackson County for a non-district game on Tuesday, Jan. 30, the Lady Cats will move over to Smith County on Friday, Feb. 2 for a big league matchup. "By now, everybody in the league is worn out," Coach Smith said, "but it is our job to make sure we are still ready to play. Jackson County and Cookeville are two of our remaining five opponents, but in between we have Smith, Cannon, and Upperman to play. "Even though the non-district games don't count, you want to keep up the momentum. If we play like we played this week with everyone on this team doing the things we did, we should be okay." Livingston Academy will host Cannon County on Tuesday, Feb. 6 in another district contest. Thompson hits four 3-pointers in FHU win Former Livingston Academy basketball player Megan Thompson was instrumental in two Freed-Hardeman University wins last week. The Lady Lions decimated Mid-Continent University 104-36 on Thursday, Jan. 25. Thompson hit four 3-pointers for 12 points in the game, along with pulling down 3 rebounds, dishing out 2 assists, and stealing the ball. On Saturday, Jan. 27, Freed-Hardeman narrowly defeated Lambuth 92-89 in overtime. FHU trailed 31-41 at halftime, but outscored Lambuth 48-38 in the second half to tie the game at 79 each. Thompson scored 9 points in the game, including two 3-pointers. She had 2 assists, a rebound, and a steal in the win. Freed-Hardeman is locked in a 4-way tie at the top of the TranSouth Conference with a 7-2 conference record, 15-6 overall. The Lady Lions' next game will be at home against Bethel College on Thursday, Feb. 1.
"Remember the Titans" coach to speak at TTU
Herman Boone "Remember the Titans" coach to speak at TTU The high school football coach portrayed by Academy Award-winning actor Denzel Washington in the film "Remember the Titans" will share his story at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 6 in Tennessee Tech University's Derryberry Hall auditorium. Herman Boone, the former coach of T.C. Williams High School in Alexandria, VA, who helped his newly integrated team overcome racial tensions to win the 1971 state football championship, will speak about his lessons in diversity as part of TTU's Black History Month activities. The team, like the community, was anything but united in 1971 because the recent consolidation of three schools and integration had resulted in racial strain and the persistence of old rivalries. In a move many members of the white community viewed simply as a gesture of goodwill to the black community, Boone was selected as the new head coach instead of local favorite Bill Yoast, who'd successfully coached the white Hammond High football team.Boone and Yoast worked to put aside their own prejudices to reach a solidarity that set an example for their players and the community. With a unified team whose common vision was to respect each other as well as to win football games, the Titans compiled a 13-0 season record, became one of the best high school football teams in Virginia and won the state championship that year. Co-sponsored by TTU's Minority Affairs, Athletics and University Programming Council, Boone's presentation is a Center Stage event that is free and open to the public.
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