Buccaneer Basketball

Another year at Beech High, another round of sports seasons, and with the Buccaneers dominating the football league, it is time for the Buccaneers to rise up for basketball season to claim their rightful place as champions of this league, too. Although the first match—against Brentwood—was a defeat with a score of 70-38, there is still more than enough time to turn this around into another conquerous rampage. The defeat came from the lack of experience the players had, four members filling in as substitutes for those who were actually scheduled to play, but couldn’t due to being occupied with the football team. This lack of experience comes from a sudden drop in varsity members (most of whom graduated) and an influx of fresh, new jr. varsity players to work with. The plus side is that these new players are able to gain a bounty of experience they otherwise wouldn’t receive, and with basketball try-outs still on-going for those on the football team, it’s hopeful that additional players will make the team. Coach Joines, head coach of the men’s Buccaneers basketball team, also denied feeling any pressure coming from the success of the football team, but rather looks at it as a beneficial factor, claiming that the boost in school spirits will boost the team’s spirits. With the experience issue likely to br quickly smoothed out as the games are played and the experience is gained, and while keeping a watchful eye on Wilson Central, the team to beat, Joines is certainly optimistic about the games to come. Stayed tune and support the Buccaneers!

- Matteen Mansoori

Future State Champs?!

The Beech football team has had a great season; perfect so far.  That winning streak will be tested this Friday as the Bucs will play a challenging game.  The Bucs beat Jackson North Side this past week which has moved them up to the State Championship game, the 5A BlueCross Bowl which will be held at Tennessee Tech on Friday.  The game with North Side was a close one in the first half of the game, but our Bucs knew what had to be done and knew how they would feel after the win.  So the Bucs came back and won the game by 33 points; the final score was 64-31, Beech.  Now that the game was over, the team had to focus on a new enemy to beat to become the State Champions of Tennessee, Columbia High School.

            Columbia is the same team we played in the State Championship in 2009.  Although we beat them 47-33, that doesn’t mean that the team can just go into the game thinking they will win.  The boys are going to have to put everything they have into this game in order to beat Columbia, who will be doing the same as them.  Coach Crabtree has a tough game coming up and he better prepare himself and his team for what lies ahead.  Yesterday, on Monday 26^th, Jalen Hurd received the award for Mr. Football, which boosted the team’s confidence and pride up a notch.  Players like Ivan Adame had this to say, “Jalen wining that award has given the team so much confidence that I think we are all ready for Friday.”  Columbia definitely noticed this and hopefully got a little downed and nervous about it, knowing that they play Jalen and the unstoppable Bucs this Friday night.  Whether or not you are a big football fan, support your Bucs as they are going to be playing the toughest game of the season.  And if the boys prevail, Beech will be State Champions for the second time in four years.  Let’s go Buccaneers!

- Connor Starks

Will Columbia Have Revenge?

After a long, grueling season full of hard work and determination, the Buccaneers have done it: they made it to the 2012 State Championships. This Friday they will be up against Columbia Central, which for that team must feel something like a rematch. The Bucs defeated the Lions back in 2009, the last time Beech went to State. The Lions are eager for vengeance, but the Bucs are confident they will win again.

While Beech is ranked 141 in the nation and 7 in the state, and running back Jalen Hurd has just won the title of “Mr. Football,” Columbia Central has some impressive statistics of their own. They are undefeated this season, and ranked 24 in the state. They were the district champions from the years 2000 to 2004, and again in 2011. In 1997 they won the state playoffs.

The head coach for the Lions says that he “Really stresses team work and commitment.” This game is sure to be a tough one. Hopefully the Buccaneer’s winning streak won’t end this Friday.

- Savannah Bent & Megan Samples

Beech Participates in the 2012 Election

 

Students at Beech High School raised their voices and voted for who they wanted as President of the United States in a mock election on Monday.   Bret Meets said, “The mock election will give people an open eye on how people vote and it will make them aware that their vote counts.” The Election was a success as far as running smoothly and Governor Romney came out on top. 

            InterAct organized the mock election and during second block students voted using their cell phones. Each class represented a state and at the end Mr. Whitfield’s class calculated the percentages to see if states would go Republican or Democrat. “Based on the results so far I think Romney will win and since we are in Tennessee we are more Republican”, predicted Miquela Williams.

            Beech High School’s election did not reflect the way the authentic election played out. While the election was very close, Romney took a slight lead until the results from Florida and Ohio shot Obama’s electoral votes up. Obama won the electoral votes and was re-elected as President.

- Megan Samples
If you are interesting in viewing the map, click on the link below.

http://ElectoralMap.net/2012/myPrediction.php?d=enrxnnnneknwnzwko

 

What is the 99?

Halloween is right around the corner, and haunted houses are something that many people enjoy this time of year. This Halloween season, there is a different kind of attraction open here in Nashville called the 99 – a simulation of the bad choices that teenagers make and how they can affect their lives.

            The 99 travels all around the country and is open year-round, but it is especially popular near Halloween. It includes terrifying scenes from crack houses, car accidents, suicides, and domestic violence. Its name is based on the statistic that, on average, 99 teens die each day from poor life choices. The realism factor of this haunted house is more frightening than any fictional horror story ever could be.

            The 99 has a reputation for being considerably more disturbing than a run-of-the-mill haunted house. There are warnings on the coupons and tickets that strongly discourage those who are pregnant, have heart conditions, or weak stomachs from entering. No one under the age of 11 will be admitted at all.

            For those that do not fall into those categories, however, the 99 might be something interesting to check out this Halloween. It is located on 594 Collins Park Drive in Nashville.

- Savannah Bent

ACT or SAT?

                High school, for students, is a place of learning, friends, and teenage experiences. It is also one of the major foundations of a student’s future life. However, preparing for that future life can be stressful, with worrying about GPA, applying to the college of your dreams and doing well on the ACT or SAT. Here are some tips and advice to stop the worry, and let you take that test with confidence in yourself and your future life.

            The first thing you need to do is decide which test suits you best. How do you decide that? Well, it all depends on what subjects you personally excel in, and what your talents are. The SAT tests your knowledge on reasoning and vocabulary. It is an aptitude test, while the ACT is an achievement test, testing your skills in not just english, but science and math as well. There are more questions on the ACT than the SAT, but while the ACT’s questions are quick and straight to the point, the SAT requires you to think about what exactly the question is asking. The SAT also is designed to make guessing hurt your score. If you can eliminate at least one of your choices, go ahead and guess. If not, leave it blank. The ACT does not do this.

            Both tests have an essay, which is optional on the ACT and required on the SAT. The subjects differ between the two. The ACT usually asks you to comment on a current controversial issue and give your counter argument, while the SAT gives a broad issue that you need to discuss using supportive details from your personal life experiences, history, or literature. The scores of these tests also differ. It is possible to get a total of 36points on the ACT and 2400 on the SAT.

            If you still can’t decide which test suits you best, take both! By taking both, you will have the option of choosing which one to send to colleges by choosing whichever one you did better on. When you finally do decide, make sure you are prepared! Take practice tests online or in books. They will give you an idea on your strengths and weaknesses and what areas you need to improve on. The night before the test, gather everything you will need such as, the admission ticket (if given one), a photo identification, a high energy snack, a watch, and if needed, a calculator. Once all that is finished, get your beauty sleep! Cramming and staying up late is one of the worst things you could do. When you wake up, eat a big breakfast! It can make all the difference during the day. On your way, look over your notes to review, and make sure you arrive early and confident! Know that no matter what score you make, your future will be a bright one.

-Brittney Mace

Beech Takes the Title of "Big Brother" Over Hendersonville

Watching Friday night high school football is a part of the fabric of America, but something about  last Friday night’s game between Beech High School and Hendersonville High School sparked the interest of thousands. The intense game between the long time rivals was packed full of students, alumni and supportive residents from Sumner County and the surrounding areas. Even students from other schools came wearing either a BHS or a HHS shirt. Out of everyone, all would agree that emotions were running high.

            The game started off great as Jalen Hurd scored the first touchdown for Beech. The field goal was good and The Beech Patrol (BHS student section) went wild with streamers, baby powder and confetti as seven points popped up on the scoreboard. Not long after, the Hendersonville Commandos scored once and a little later again bringing the score to 7-14. The determined Beech Buccaneers bit back and left the score at 14-14 at halftime. During the second half Beech scored twice and Hendersonville scored once bringing the score to 28-21. BHS won.

            Seconds before the clock ran out Beech students erupted and sprinted toward the field. The clock hit 0:00 and the ecstatic students victoriously ran down the field, met in the middle and in unity started chanting “Big Brother”. It was the most amazing feeling for the students and players to beat their trash-talking rivals.  “I am so happy we beat HHS because I really don’t like them”, says Conner Starks, a student who painted up for the game. The whole town watched as Beech High School won the title “Big Brother” to their “Little Brother”, Hendersonville High School.

- Megan Samples