KFDM COOP

Wednesday Scrimmage thread!

LC-M is still in the hunt!

Tell us what you really think, bobcat4life.

No Bashing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dravannti Johnson LB 6-2 230 4.59 5.8 Nederland, TX.....Texas Kheeston Randall DT 6-5 267 4.97 5.8 Beaumont, TX......Texas

Let's hear it!!

Sources: Suns a 'yes' away from acquiring Shaq for Marion The seemingly improbable pairing of an aging Shaquille O'Neal and the run-and-gun Phoenix Suns is just a final "yes" from the Suns away from happening, according to NBA front-office sources. Sources told ESPN.com on Tuesday night thaat the Miami Heat have already agreed to send O'Neal to the Suns in exchange for All-Star forward Shawn Marion and out-of-favor guard Marcus Banks. Miami is simply waiting for Phoenix management to complete a medical examination of O'Neal and formally accept what would rank as one of most unexpected trades in league history. "It looks like it's going to happen," said one source close to the situation. "We should know for sure by tomorrow." ESPN The Magazine's Ric Bucher reported Tuesday night on SportsCenter that O'Neal is scheduled to arrive in Phoenix on Wednesday to undergo a physical. A source close to Marion told ESPN.com early Wednesday that the Suns have informed the 29-year-old that the deal will go through, with the forward eager now to move on after playing with the Suns for his whole career. The Arizona Republic, also reported that a deal could be imminent and that O'Neal had contacted some Suns players Tuesday night. The Miami Herald first reported on its Web site Tuesday night that the Heat have informed O'Neal that they are shopping him and that talks with the Suns were serious. That apparently surprised O'Neal ... but also pleased him. Sources told ESPN.com that the 35-year-old -- in the midst of his least productive season and with the Heat cratering from a championship in 2006 to a 9-37 record less than two years later -- is eager to leave Miami and his deteriorating relationship with Heat coach Pat Riley. Hollinger: Why Shaq? The Suns have the best record in the West with their current roster. So why do they want to blow up the team, John Hollinger writes. Story Making a move for O'Neal appears on the surface to make little basketball or financial sense for the Suns. O'Neal's arrival in Phoenix would undoubtedly prompt widespread skepticism about his ability to keep up in the Suns' high-octane system. The two years and $40 million remaining on O'Neal's contract after this season also clashes with the Suns' recent pattern of trading away players (such as Kurt Thomas) and draft picks in attempt to reduce payroll and eventually drag themselves away from the NBA luxury-tax line of $67.875 million. The Suns, though, have been plagued by well-chronicled concerns about their chemistry for nearly two years, generally focusing on the occasional dissatisfaction voiced behind the scenes by either Marion or Amare Stoudemire. In the locker room as well as the front office, sources say, there are factions that have believed for some time that one of them would eventually have to be traded for the Suns to reach their full potential. Those in-house doubts about this group's ability to break through and win the first championship in team history have only grown this season, sources say, even though Phoenix currently holds the best record in the West at 34-14. But owner Robert Sarver and team president Steve Kerr, according to sources with knowledge of the Suns' thinking, have ruled out trading Stoudemire, despite season-long speculation suggesting that his defensive deficiencies would ultimately lead to his exit before Marion's. Sarver and Kerr have deemed Stoudemire too valuable to part with, given that he's only 25 and continues to play at an All-Star level after three surgeries, ranking as perhaps the NBA's most successful comeback patient from the dreaded microfracture knee procedure. Marion asked to be traded before the season but has rarely mentioned that declaration since, with many Suns insiders believing that he went public with that request mostly as a protest response to being mentioned in trade rumors for years. If he leaves now, it's likely more because Phoenix believes a) that Boris Diaw can assume some of Marion's old duties, that Stoudemire will relish playing alongside Shaq as a power forward as opposed to masquerading as a center and c) that team chemistry will improve immediately with this change. Acquiring O'Neal would also address the size issues Phoenix has faced since two-time MVP Steve Nash was reacquired as a free agent in the summer of 2004 to orchestrate coach Mike D'Antoni's free-wheeling system. The Suns are said to be confident that Nash can find a way to get Shaq involved offensively. And it's undeniably true that the West is still filled with plenty of big men for Shaq to match up with. Just to name five: San Antonio's Tim Duncan, Houston's Yao Ming, New Orleans' Tyson Chandler, Portland's Greg Oden (next season) and Andrew Bynum of the Los Angeles Lakers. Of course, O'Neal turns 36 in March and has been plagued by a persistent hip problem that has cost him 14 games this season. He refused to speak with Miami reporters after Tuesday's practice, while Riley insisted that O'Neal would soon undergo an MRI after missing the Heat's past six games. And when he has been healthy, O'Neal is averaging a career-worst 14.2 points and 7.8 rebounds, while the Heat's demise has deepened after they followed their historic comeback from 2-0 down against Dallas in the 2006 NBA Finals by absorbing a first-round sweep by Chicago last season. So if the deal does go through as widely expected now, Phoenix would be banking on the idea that O'Neal will be rejuvenated health-wise and reinvigorated mentally by the prospect of fresh start, after a half-season in which his remaining effectiveness and durability have been doubted louder than ever. Miami's motivation, meanwhile, is clear. The Heat's need to revamp their entire roster around Dwyane Wade grows more apparent by the day in what ranks as an unprecedented collapse for a championship team that didn't lose its star players. Marion has the ability to opt out of his contract at season's end if he's willing to forfeit next season's $17.2 million salary, potentially giving the Heat substantial salary-cap space as early as this summer. It remains to be seen if the Heat want Marion more for the financial flexibility or because they see him as a long-term complement to Wade. It also remains to be seen how much Phoenix will miss Marion's athleticism and versatility, since his ability to guard all five positions and tireless running made him a one-of-a-kind fit alongside Nash in D'Antoni's system. Sarver said earlier this month that Marion was one of the Suns' cornerstone players who "flat-out was not getting traded," but that changed once Miami started shopping O'Neal. Although Riley later denied it, Bucher reported on ESPN2's "NBA Coast to Coast" last week that Miami had been begun to gauge trade interest in the hulking center with four championship rings from his time with the Lakers and Heat. Although attempts to reach officials from both teams proved unsuccessful, D'Antoni did acknowledge the possibility of O'Neal's arrival on his weekly radio show Tuesday night, saying: "It would mean a lot. [but] that's a big question that's got to be thought over and pondered."

It's signing day!! Please post all Signings here!! Post Players name, School and School he is signing with. Congrats to all!

Congrats to the locals!!!!

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Lee girls fall to P.A. Memorial By Dave Rogers Published February 6, 2008 The Lee Lady Ganders are already set on getting ‘em next year, but that didn’t mean coach Terry Gray’s basketball team couldn’t get after Port Arthur Memorial to finish this year. The playoff-bound Lady Titans had trouble shaking loose from the Lee girls until midway through the second half and even then they never got to take an easy breath before winning 47-39. The Lady Ganders wrapped up their season 1-13 and last place in District 21-5A. They were 9-20 overall. Memorial is headed to the playoffs, either as the league’s second or third playoff seed. “Their athleticism and depth kind of got us,†said Gray, whose team was led by a 12-point, 18-rebound effort from Damequia Montgomery. “They got some runs off turnovers from their pressure.†Post player Kandice Smith led Port Arthur with 19 points and Kat Henderson, who used to be Lee’s point guard, scored seven for the Lady Titans. The Lady Ganders came out strong and matched the Memorial girls basket for basket in the opening period, but Memorial managed a one-point 14-13 edge. The Lady Titans led by five, 22-17, at half, and pulled out to an 11-point, 39-28 lead after three periods. But there was no quit in the Lady Ganders, just as there were no seniors. Most teams close their season with Senior Night and Parents Night, but the Lee girls just had to honor their parents Tuesday. “We usually do both, but we decided to skip Senior Night this year,†said Gray, who had no seniors. So he has reason for optimism with juniors Montgomery, Shareta Godfrey and Shauniece Lewis leading a list of returners that includes freshman point guard Iemah Wallace-Perry. “We’ve got to be upbeat,†Gray said. “Coming into this season we had a maximum of two girls with varsity experience, and I think they learned a lot in 30 games. The spring and summer league ball should make a big difference.†With Henderson, who came from Port Arthur to play for the Lady Ganders a year ago, returning to Port Arthur, “it gave a freshman (Wallace-Perry) an opportunity to learn and get better,†Gray said. “With a new school (Goose Creek Memorial) coming on line, we’re fixing to all be shuffled again, but nobody (on the Lady Ganders) is really zoned for the new school, and the three juniors will be back, for sure. “This year we were a lot like the new school will be next year, a few juniors and everybody else was sophomores and freshmen.†The fourth-year Lee coach is looking forward to the 2008-2009 season. “We’ve got a foundation set,†he said. “The new district will make it interesting. But the big thing is this will be our first senior class next year that we saw play in the eighth grade and brought to camp with us. “I don’t have any disappointment in this season. The kids have put a lot into it and learned a lot.â€

LC-M topples PN-G with 2-1 shootout victory HIGH SCHOOL SOCCER The Port Arthur News LITTLE CYPRESS -- Seth Arteaga converted the final attempt to untie a 35-yard shootout and lift Little Cypress-Mauriceville over Port Neches-Groves 2-1 on Tuesday night at Bear Stadium. A terrific airborne save by LC-M keeper Ethan McKay robbed Indians' junior midfielder Justice Lloyd of scoring the game-winning goal with 50 seconds left in the second 10-minute overtime. That save allowed the teams to remain in a 1-1 deadlock followed 80 regulation minutes and 20 overtime minutes. It also led to a 35-yard shootout. LC-M opened the scoring in the shootout when its second shooter Scott Karasik scored. PN-G's Tanner Worley immediately answered with a shootout-tying goal. PN-G owned a 1-0 halftime lead with 18 minutes gone in the game as freshman Nick Guidry scored after taking an assist from Worley. The Bears answered with 13 minutes left in regulation as LC-M's Jon Lopez knocked in a rebound goal after a shot deflected off the hands of Indians keeper Steven Baque. LC-M held an 11-9 edge in shots on goal. "It was a defensive struggle for both teams," Indians coach Don Sandell said. "It was two heavyweights going at it. I thought both teams played equally well." The Indians (6-2-2 and 4-1-1) are knotted in a three-way tie for third place in 20-4A with LC-M and Nederland at 13 points each. PN-G will entertain Beaumont Central on Friday night in Nederland's Prather Field at 7 p.m.

Nederland boys 4, Beaumont Ozen 0 NEDERLAND -- Two red cards forced Nederland to get through the last 25 minutes with only nine players but the Bulldogs received a shutout from goalkeeper Tyler Vidrine and claimed a 4-0 victory over Beaumont Ozen at Bulldog Stadium. Nederland improved to 6-3-1 and 4-1-1 but the red cards forced coach Rob Bledsoe to prepare for a most difficult Friday trip to Vidor where NHS has failed to win a game since 2005. Senior defender Jordan Macha scored twice in the first 15 minutes. Macha took an assist from Bey Calloway before he made the night's first goal with nine minutes gone in the game. Macha added an unassisted goal four minutes later. Logan Butler made it 3-0 on an unassisted goal with 10 minutes left in the first half. Leading 3-0 at half, Nederland scored once more with 15 minutes gone in the second half. Jordan O'Neill scored after an assist by Logan Soares. Ozen (1-5 and 1-5) trailed in shots on goal, 34-3.

Nederland survives Lumberton in hoops action By Cody Pastorella The Port Arthur News NEDERLAND — It seemed like an uninspiring day at the office for the Bulldogs, who survived the Lumberton Raiders on Tuesday night in the Dog Dome. With basically the playoffs on the line, Nederland absolutely needed to beat Lumberton and did just enough to claim a 54-46 victory. While the Dogs were never really in jeopardy of losing, they never did enough to put the Raiders away. Lumberton’s Jonathan Ward cut the game to 45-43 after he converted an old-fashion 3-point play with 3:23 to play in the contest. But Nederland answered, scoring nine of the next 12 points. In that span, the Dogs hit seven free throws. The Raiders did cut the score to 52-46 with 18 seconds to play when Andrew Hall hit his third trey of the evening. Hall scored just nine points for the night but gave his team some hope at the end. However, Nederland’s Jordan Pitts hit two more free throws to end the game at 54-46 and improve the Dogs to 6-6 in District 22-4A. “We didn’t play like a team who is in a playoff hunt,†said Nederland head coach Brian English. “That was very unispiring basketball and if we play like that on Friday, we’re going to be in a lot of trouble. “At least we got the win but we’re going to have to have more intensity on Friday.†With the win, Nederland finds itself in a two-way tie for fourth place with Little Cypress-Mauriceville. The Dogs and Bears trail Dayton by one game. The Broncos squeezed out a 62-59 victory over Port Neches-Groves to improve to 7-5 and keep sole possession of the third and final playoff spot. Nederland plays Vidor on Friday in the Dog Dome. Vidor lost to LC-M on Tuesday night to fall fifth place at 5-7 in league play. With just two games remaining, Nederland must keep winning and hope Dayton loses to either Lumberton on Friday or No. 4 ranked Ozen on Tuesday. If Nederland, LC-M or Dayton end in a tie, a play-in playoff game would be necessary to decide which team moves on to the postseason. Against Lumberton, as half-hearted as the win was, the Dogs shot well from behind the arc. Nederland got hot from 3-point land for a two minute stretch in the third period to gain some momentum.

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Bears rock Vidor to stay in chase Van Wade The Orange Leader LITTLE CYPRESS — The intensity level was high for the Little Cypress-Mauriceville Bears Tuesday night.After all, the Bears are fighting for their playoff lives and so were the Vidor Pirates in a District 22-4A encounter at the Bear Cave. The Bears put together one of their best outings of the season and paced by the slashing drives of senior Kevin Cooper, they went on to rough up the Pirates 60-29. LC-M (20-10, 6-6) nabbed its 20th victory of the season and stays in the thick of what is a hectic fight for the third-place playoff spot. The Bears dominated the Pirates (9-15, 5-7) in every quarter and put an exclamation on the win with a 19-3 run in the fourth period. “I’M so proud of our kids,†said LC-M coach Darin Harley. “That’s the most complete game they’ve put together this year. They made crisp passes and played excellent defense. To just have four turnovers in the game, that’s amazing.†LC-M remains one game back Dayton (10-12, 7-5) for the third-place playoff spot and are tied with Nederland (16-14, 6-6) for fourth. Dayton nipped Port Neches-Groves (10-16, 2-10) 62-59 and Nederland defeated last-place Lumberton (4-26, 0-12) 54-46. The Bears will play host to second-place Beaumont Central (18-11, 9-3), which fell to first-place Beaumont Ozen (24-2, 12-0) 74-50 Tuesday, and will head to Port Neches-Groves Tuesday. Dayton visits Lumberton Friday and will go to Ozen Tuesday. Nederland will host Vidor Friday and will visit Central Tuesday. Vidor, still in the hunt but needing help, will host Lumberton Tuesday. “It’s like the playoffs every game we play now, it’s been that way for the last couple weeks,†Harley said. “We feel like we have to win out. We’ve got a tough Central team coming in here Friday and a tough one on the road at PN-G Tuesday but I think our kids will be ready to go.†Cooper exploited the Pirates in the lane throughout the contest as he finished up with 20 points and he also led the Bears with eight rebounds. Senior Dallas Bean contributed 14 points and six rebounds while senior C.J. Champine added nine points and five boards. The Bears just committed four turnovers while the Pirates finished up with 13. “We could tell early on that we could do some things with Kevin (Cooper) as far as driving through the lane,†said Harley. “We isolated him and he went out and got it done.†Sharp-shooting Jared Williamson led the Vidor arsenal with 16 points and also had five rebounds. Williamson tried keeping the Pirates in it by tallying eight points in both the second and third periods. Chad Sims had six points and a game-high 13 rebounds for the Pirates. Both teams got off to a slow start with the Bears holding a 7-4 cushion at the end of the first period. Cooper had four points for the Bears in the quarter while Sims had four points and five boards for the Pirates. The Bears rattled nine straight points to start the second period. Bear guard Matthew Mott, who has suffered from a tough ankle injury, lifted the Bears by draining two long three-point shots, enabling the Bears to jump out 16-6. The Bears led 25-12 but Williamson was able to convert right before the buzzer to pull the Pirates to within 11 at the half. Cooper and Bean roamed inside for easy buckets in the third period, receiving nice passes from teammates in the process. Cooper zipped his way through the lane for eight points in the period and Bean poured in six as LC-M held a 41-26 lead heading to the fourth. Williamson had eight of the Pirates’ points in the quarter and hit two three-pointers in the process. The Bears poured on the afterburners in the final eight minutes. Bean muscled his way inside for seven points while Cooper and Champine poured in four apiece. The Bears finished with a 25-22 rebounding edge. LC-M finished a solid 12-of-15 from the free-throw line while the Pirates went 3-of-4.

22-4A Ozen (12-0) Central (9-3) Dayton (7-5) Nederland (6-6) Vidor (5-7) LC-M (6-6) PN-G (2-10) Lumberton (1-11)

Predictions?

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