KFDM COOP

Texas high school steroid tests might not find many offenders Lofty Texas program aimed as a deterrent for high school athletes 12:54 AM CST on Saturday, January 26, 2008 By LAURIE FOX / The Dallas Morning News [email protected] Texas is launching the nation's most ambitious high school testing program for steroids in the coming months, but few expect the effort to catch many offenders. Local school districts that test for drugs The $6 million, two-year experiment will reach less than 3 percent of the state's 750,000 high school athletes each year – all in a search for the estimated 2 percent of Texas students believed to use steroids. The short history of steroid testing in public schools has yielded little, if anything. In the handful of local school districts that already test for steroids, no positive test has been reported. The same is true for limited state programs in Florida and New Jersey. "It's like looking for a needle in a haystack," said Lloyd Johnston, a noted researcher at the University of Michigan. "My guess is that the payoff relative to the cost won't be high." Some critics also question the state's policy decision to go after steroids when the use of other illegal drugs, including marijuana, heroin and prescription drugs, is far more common among teenagers. The state's steroid tests will cost up to $140 each, compared with $15 for most other drug tests. But state lawmakers who championed the drive to test up to 50,000 athletes over the next two years say catching users wasn't their main goal. They hope the state's investment pays off as a powerful deterrent. "The momentum is there," said state Sen. Kyle Janek, R-Houston, Senate sponsor of the steroids bill that passed last year. "With all the attention to the professional athletes and steroids use, it's out there for everyone to see. It won't be tolerated." FILE 2005 / DMN Texas steroid tests for high school athletes will cost up to $140 each, nearly 10 times as much as other drug tests. Perhaps more important, Mr. Janek said, is that the testing program opens conversations about drug use. "If a coach or an athletic director has some concerns, they can start asking those tough questions. ... That's something." Taking it seriously In 2002, the U.S. Supreme Court broadened the authority of public schools, allowing drug testing for students who participate in competitive extracurricular activities. Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst said he took a personal interest in a statewide steroid testing program when he decided to make protecting children a priority of his re-election campaign in 2006. By then, Don Hooton, a Plano father whose son committed suicide in 2003 after using steroids, had begun traveling the country to urge lawmakers to mandate steroid testing. In 2005, The Dallas Morning News published a special report describing steroid use among North Texas teens and the easy availability of the drug. Mr. Dewhurst, the leader of the Senate, called on legislators to create a statewide drug testing program. "In Texas, we take high school athletic programs seriously. We need to protect them," he said last week. State lawmakers approved the plan last summer and called for the University Interscholastic League to run the sweeping program. The organization, which regulates sports and other activities in high schools, developed the sanctions and penalties for athletes and schools found to violate the rules. The National Center for Drug Free Sport was hired to handle the testing. The program aims to reach one-third of the state's school districts. High schools will be chosen at random and notified 48 hours before testing begins. The company will then randomly select students for testing and screening and report the results back to the schools. Statistically, when only 3 percent of the state's athletes are tested each year, there's a small probability of getting selected. There's an even smaller chance of getting caught while using an illegal substance during the time the test is administered. But officials in some school districts that already test for steroids say the chance of getting caught is not worth the risk for most students. Frisco ISD officials spent $23,000 last year randomly testing 928 athletes for illegal drugs. Far fewer vials were screened for steroids, but students don't know which or how many samples will be chosen for screening. "Everyone knows the retribution if you are caught with steroids. When you know there's a chance you can get called in for steroids testing, you probably won't do it," said Gavin Gray, a junior who was Frisco High School's starting quarterback last year. Few studies Most North Texas school districts don't test students for drugs. An informal survey revealed that about 20 districts among dozens in North Texas do any sort of drug testing. Only seven screen some students for steroids. The Lewisville school district most recently approved a new random student drug-testing program but chose to target other drugs over steroids. There have only been a handful of nationwide research studies about whether student drug testing of any kind works. Linn Goldberg, a national drug-testing expert and the head of the division of health promotion and sports medicine at Oregon Health & Science University, said "drug testing, as yet, is not a deterrent to use. There's no evidence that it is." He called the Texas steroids program "a knee-jerk reflex so they can say they're doing something." Dr. Goldberg's study and another done in 2003 at the University of Michigan showed that drug testing did not have a significant effect on whether students continued to use drugs. The National Institute on Drug Abuse suggests that a larger study would be necessary before any conclusions can be drawn. The institute advocates drug testing as part of a larger initiative that also includes education, prevention, intervention and treatment programs. Dr. Goldberg said he's concerned about the push among states focusing only on testing. Florida began testing 1 percent of high school athletes last fall in football, baseball and weightlifting under a one-year, $100,000 pilot program. New Jersey started a statewide testing policy for high school athletes last year. Neither of these programs has resulted in a positive test. The Illinois High School Association voted this month to begin random testing of athletes next school year. Dr. Goldberg maintains that drug education, not testing, is the best use of state tax dollars. Cliff Odenwald, a former Plano ISD athletics director who will run the UIL's testing program, said the ideal formula is a combination of education and drug testing. "You're fighting the same crusade," he said. He said the UIL works to educate athletes, parents and coaches about the dangers of steroids. Many players are required to watch a UIL anti-steroids video. J. Allen Stigler, a football player at North Garland High School, said the video works. "Me and a couple of friends got a little worried about it after we watched it," he said. "One thing that really scared me is your muscles get too strong for your tendons and then your muscles rip out your tendons. "That can take you out of football for life, and football is my life." Staff writers David Hinojosa and Keith Whitmire contributed to this report. UIL TESTING THE LAW Senate Bill 8, signed into law by Gov. Rick Perry in June, mandates steroid testing of high school athletes in grades 9-12. About 400 high schools will be selected randomly for testing. The UIL expects to test 40,000 to 50,000 athletes over two years. PUNISHMENT Athletes who test positive will be suspended from competition for 30 school days for the first offense. A negative result on an exit test is required for their eligibility to be restored. A second positive test will result in a one-year suspension, and a third will bar the student

That's where Sponsers come in. I believe that's up to the sponsers. Maybe Friedman can answer it.

Coldspring 71 Liberty 59 Splendora 30 Tarkington 29

Predictions?

Predictions?

Second half surges OF past BC Gabriel Pruett The Orange Leader ORANGEFIELD — One down and three more to go for the Orangefield Lady Bobcats. No. 13 Orangefield took control against Bridge City in the second half Friday night and never looked back en route to a 67-25 victory. The Lady Bobcats (20-9, 11-0) are now three wins away from a perfect District 21-3A schedule. Orangefield plays at Hamshire-Fannett Tuesday before playing host to West Orange-Stark next Friday. The Lady Bobcats finish the district slate off at Hardin-Jefferson on Feb. 5. Bridge City fell to 6-16 on the year and 2-9 in the district standings. The Lady Cardinals, led by Jenna Angelle’s 11 points and 12 rebounds, found ways to keep things close in the first half. Orangefield was up 10-5 after the first period and then held a 30-17 advantage heading into half-time. The third period is when the Lady Bobcats exploded. Orangefield took off after the break, scoring the period’s first 22 points as Kaylin Little scored 13 of her 22 points in the frame. Bridge City’s Lauren Angelle broke the run up with a free throw with just 21.3 remaining in the third to make it 52-18 Orangefield. Lauren Angelle added five points and a game-high 13 rebounds. Little and the Lady Bobcats were not done just yet. With the time expiring, the Lady Bobcats seemed content just passing the ball around. Little received the ball with just seconds remaining and calmly drained a three-pointer to give Orangefield a 55-18 advantage heading into the fourth. Allie Beach continued her strong play for Orangefield Coach Chris Jost as the junior post notched 14 points and seven rebounds. Senior Laura Riddick put in eight points, six rebounds and four assists while freshman Marissa Wyatt had seven points and four boards. Jessica Weldon finished with seven points and four boards as every Lady Bobcats player scored in the game. Olivia Wagner finished with five points and 10 rebounds. Whitney Knippers had a nice game for the Lady Cardinals with six points and three rebounds and junior guard Mallory Guidry showed nice hustle by grabbing five rebounds to go with three steals. “We played well once again, especially in that second half,†Jost said. “We had some pretty good ball movement. We also have grown to love to chunk it up there, let Allie go up for a rebound and let her put it back in the basket. All of a sudden though we are having a free throw problem. We have to get back on track with them.†After finishing just 9-for-23 in a 73-31 victory over Kirbyville on Tuesday, the Lady Bobcats finished 3-for-17 from the line Friday night. Orangefield opened the game on a 8-0 run behind three-pointers from Wagner and Weldon and a bucket from Riddick. Jenna Angelle then cut the lead in half with a shot and a pair of free throws making it 8-4 Orangefield. Wyatt put the Lady Bobcats up 10-4 with her first bucket of the night and Knippers finished the first period scoring off with a free throw making it 10-5 heading into the second. In an almost identical start to the second, Orangefield started on a 8-0 run to take a 18-5 advantage. Beach, who was held scoreless in the first, came up with eight points in the second to lead the Orangefield charge. Both Jenna Angelle and Knippers each had five points in the second period for the Lady Cardinals who trailed 30-17 at the break. The third period was a nightmare for the Lady Cardinals who were playing in the absence of head coach Allen Ashworth who was out with sickness. Orangefield outscored Bridge City 25-1 after the break. Lauren Angelle, who did not score in the first half, score four of her five points in the fourth as the Lady Bobcats outscored the Lady Cardinals 12-7 to finish off the game. Jost was pleased with the entire Lady Bobcats roster Friday night and is also proud to see Beach grow with confidence after each contest. “She is so confident right now,†Jost said. “She is posting up, calling for the ball, holding people off and then making moves to score. She gets stronger and more confident with each night out. She is also causing teams to collapse on her and then she can kick it out to our shooters. Allie is really starting to open things up for our offense.†The Lady Bobcats out-rebounded the Lady Cardinals 48-43. Orangefield returns to action Tuesday with a road trip to Hamshire-Fannett while Bridge City will play host to Kirbyville.

Congrats!

Man every game you have broadcasted here on the site have been great ones!!

Congrats Raiders!

I would guess a week or so probably. Are you saying it will be a week or more before we find out if and who will be suspended or you saying that players will be suspended for a week or more. I think 24 was asking when will we find out. I would guess a week before If or any suspensions were handed down.

I would guess a week or so probably.

...

A win for Silsbee.

Yes.

Going to try!! Some of our staff will be there though!!

Lady Titans get sloppy win over Channelview By Cody Pastorella The Port Arthur News The Lady Memorial Titans played as if they expected the Lady Channelview Falcons to just roll over and die. Channelview expected to win, however, and it gave Memorial more than it wanted in Friday night’s overtime game in Port Arthur. The Lady Titans rolled to a 9-4 overtime period, giving them a 45-40 victory over the Lady Falcons; but it was a win that head coach Joe Fonteneaux wasn’t necessarily pleased with. “I told the girls I was happy that we won, but I told them we can’t play like this anymore,†Fonteneaux said. “We knew they were going to slow the pace down and try to take us out of our game. That’s what they did the first time we played them and it almost worked for them in Channelview. We knew this and we still came out here and went to sleep.†Memorial was sloppy and completely slept through the first half, where the Titans scored just 13 points. Port Arthur trailed 18-13 going into the third frame when it finally found some rythym. Fonteneaux said he told his team to wake up because Channelview was playing for their playoff lives. “They probably had more to play for tonight but we tried to get our girls fired up,†Fonteneaux said, whose team improved to 8-3 in District 21-5A with the win. Memorial’s Kat Henderson led the way in the second half. Henderson scored 17 for the game but sparked the Lady Titans with a 14-3 run in the third quarter. Memorial took advantage of Henderson’s seven, third quarter points, as the Lady Titans went up 27-21 to start the third quarter. Port Arthur stretched the lead to 31-21 when Henderson scored another basket in the fourth quarter with 5:59 to play. That was the game’s biggest lead. Unfortunately, Memorial fell asleep again and allowed Channelview to march back in the final five minutes of regulation. In that span, the Lady Falcons went on a 15-4 run to close out the game with the score tied at 36-36. Henderson had an opportunity for a last second shot for the Titans but didn’t realize the game was tied, as she dribbled out the clock. The Falcons were led by Taryn Gregory, who led all scorers with 22 points. Gregory scored 10 in the final three minutes of the fourth quarter, and she scored all four of Channelview’s points in the overtime period. Also in double digits for Memorial, Kandice Smith scored 11 points and grabbed eight rebounds. The Lady Titans out rebounded Channelview 24-23. Memorial also only turned the ball over 21 times to the Falcons 22; but in the final two minutes, the Lady Titans turned the ball over four times.

[Hidden Content]

[Hidden Content]

Let the predictions begin!!

Let's keep the speculations down!!

Great game!!!!!

71-57 Anahuac Wins.

Fight ends game; ’Stangs fall Van Wade The Orange Leader WEST ORANGE — It was a rough start for the West Orange-Stark Mustangs and a horrific finish for the boys in blue and silver as the Silsbee Tigers walked into Mustang Gym and roughed up the Mustangs 67-37 in District 21-3A basketball action. The Tigers (19-5, 8-1) forced the Mustangs (8-18, 3-6) into 27 turnovers and grabbed a 32-18 lead at the half. Silsbee went on to blow the game open in the third quarter with a 25-9 spurt. The game came to a terrible conclusion with 1:03 left as a couple players got into a skirmish after a foul was called. A shoving match ensued and then it was fisticuffs. Several players erupted off their respective benches along with fans from both teams. Local law enforcement and WO-S school officials cleared the gym, making all the fans not only leave the gym but had them clear the parking lot as well. Guard Douglas Howard paced the Silsbee attack with 15 points. Fellow guard Shannon Robinson popped for 12 points and forward Michael Willis added 11. Junior Marquest Watson led WO-S with 13 points. Senior Ronnie Dennis had nine points and Dante Green contributed eight. The game was ugly from the get-go for the Mustangs. The Tigers darted out to a quick 15-4 lead and never really looked back. The Mustangs were able to get within 17-10 at the end of the first period. Howard tallied a quick six points to get the Tigers going in the second period and built their lead up to 30-12 before WO-S’ Green erupted for six points of his own to get WO-S within 14 points at the half. The Mustangs certainly hit a rough patch in the third. Silsbee forced the Mustangs into 10 turnovers in the quarter. Howard popped for seven points for the Tigers in the period. Pheal Hill came off the bench to score all six of his points in the period while Nick Walters and Robinson had four points apiece. Watson and Dennis were able to hit a couple three-point missiles before all of the unfortunate hoopla ended the contest. The Mustangs finished a woeful 3-of-16 from the free-throw line while the Tigers went 11-of-18. The Tigers committed 14 turnovers. Silsbee finished with a 33-31 rebounding edge. D.C. Stallworth paced Silsbee with six rebounds while Hill added five. Jim McDonald led the Mustangs with a game-high eight rebounds. The Mustangs will visit Jasper in 21-3A play Tuesday.

That is a seperate League, not UIL!

Silsbee 67 WO-S 37. Game was suspended with a little over a minute left.