Sunday, February 15, 2009

HAPPY N.B.A. ALL-STAR SUNDAY

Hello Spartan Fans !!

PHYSICAL EDUCATION classes are rolling along with our units on Basketball and Weight Training, plus 6th grade Floor Hockey . The week of February 9th saw our annual "Bench Press" contest in all grades. The coming week will give all grade levels the opportunity to review and understand the seriousness of steroid abuse. ALL students will spend an entire P.E. class in the IMC studying and reviewing areas and information regarding this program that closely relates to athletics. After reviewing the website information, all students will then be computer-quizzed on a variety of steriod problems and issues. Upon completion of the information and quiz of same, students will get immediate feedback on the correctness of their answers. Any questions returned as wrong will necessitate the student taking the test again. In past years, MOST students have gotten 100% on their first try!! I know this years classes will do well!!!!

As we prepare to celebrate President's Day tomorrow (Monady; Feb. 16), let me congratulate my Lakeview Varsity basketball squad on a great week of action. Following wins on Monday and Tuesday vs. Westmont and Gower, the Spartans traveled to Woodridge to battle Jefferson. Even though the final score had the Spartans on the wrong end of 48-35, the effort put forth was just about all a coach could ask for.

Playing without Alex P. (illness), Jeff J. stepped up big-time at both ends of the floor tallying 15 points and 6 rebounds. In his Friday role as 6th man, Joe N. contributed 9 points off the bench to help the Spartan cause. When preparing for the Wolverines, we stressed that there were five things needed to be done to win. First was limit the opponent to one shot each trip down the floor, control the tempo of the game, keep composure if things were not going well, not back-down physically and finally, not let Jefferson run off a string of unanswered points. WELL...................our guys did a great job on the first four, but did allow the opponent to run off 8 points twice without a Lakeview score. The Spartans and Wolverines will meet again Wednesday; February 25 at Lakeview. It is my hope that we have another great fan base, just as we did for the game at Jefferson, and also for the Pack-The-Place victory over Westview Hills.

This Tuesday, the varsity reserves who have not seen as much action as the regulars this season will have a "Reserve Game" AT CASS tipping off at 4 PM. This will give our reserves a chance to demonstrate, in game conditions vs. non-teammates, what they are capable of doing. It is my hope that all family and friends attend if at all possible! A special "Thanks" goes out to Dr. Tiede, Mr. Windsor, and Coach Dvorak for supporting this opportunity for our reserves!!

On a final basketball related note, it has been one of my personal goals this season to emphasize to the members of our squad the importance of conducting themselves in a manner appropriate for someone representing our school. I discussed with the squad the difference between their god-given right to attend school, and the privilege of being a member of an extra-curricular activity such as basketball. As I left the gym as Jefferson, I was approached by a new Jefferson administrator who I had never meet. Mr. John McClenahan, Jefferson asst. principal stated that, TO A PLAYER, the Lakeview basketball team said Thank You to him for unlocking the lockerroom following the game. He stated that he didn't see that very often, especially after a tough loss!!!! Our squad and their parents who have raised them should be acknowledged for these comments they made!!! I am very proud of them for this act!!!

Please find listed below the final regular season schedule. Again..........it is my hope that our positive and enthusiastic fan base will continue their support as 2009 winds down.

Thursday; Feb. 19 -----Butler (home)
Monday; Feb. 23 -------AT Eisenhower
Wednesday; Feb. 25 ---- Jefferson (home)
Thursday; Feb. 26 -----AT Westview Hills
Tuesday; March 3 ------- Old Quarry (home)

SINGLE elimination conference playoffs begin Monday; March 9th, and conclude with the conference championship game AT Old Quarry on Friday; March 13th; 7:30 PM.

And....Finally, finally, the correct answer to last weeks "Lunch-With-The -Coach" question (What former World War II general and President of the United States has his name hanging in one of our gyms?) was Dwight D. Eisenhower. The winner once again was 8th grader Kevin R.. As year goes on, it is my hope that some other individual steps up and tries to win the prize.

This weeks question is (from last week's blog) what baseball team started Spring Training and their drive to the 2009 World Championship last Friday in Florida? Being an "Employee of the Company", Mr. Little is excluded from answering this question. HINT -- They did not over-spend on Milton Bradley this Winter, but have won NINE World Championships!! E-Mail me the answer at tdodd@ccsd66.org



Have a great week!!

GO SPARTANS.............PLAY HARD!!!!!!

Coach Dodd