Graduation in a Week from NESCom.

4 years ago, I showed up to NESCom not wondering what to expect wanting to get a degree in Sports Journalism and hoping to get to the highest level of Sports Radio.

I realize that goal is unlikely, most because I'm not good enough nor do I want to be involved with what the business model of Sports Radio is now.

I'm moving home to Presque Isle, Maine to work for his company at Northern Business Products.  He is going to pay me more starting out and the odds of moving up to own it one day are high and I can pay myself what I want.

I will miss the people of NESCom, they're so friendly, laid back, and forgiving.  But I need to grow up and start living a life of adulthood, and I'm looking forward to it.

ESPN

I'm pretty much done with ESPN, I can't stand the business plan of constantly pot stirring and just people yelling at each other.

What's the point?  It's now 10% highlights and analysis, 90% bullshit.

What happened to simply just telling me what happened in the game and giving me a little bit of analysis to go along with it?

I just want to know what happened and then if I want an opinion I will formulate my own or read a blog, I don't need your input that we aren't even sure if you truly believe.  They look for a polarizing athlete and stirs up emotion and then they beat it to death (i.e. Tim Tebow)

The Scoring Champion

This year, the two best scorers in the NBA put up one of the best races in NBA history.  Carmelo Anthony and Kevin Durant competed against each other to see who would be named the NBA scoring champion.

Melo trailed Durant by over a point per game but a 50, 40, and 41 point binge in three games allowed him to take the top spot.  Then after both sat out the regular season finale for both teams, Carmelo Anthony was awarded the title.

Durant had won it the previous 3 years, so I'm not sure he was even really worried about it but this was a first for Carmelo.  He's a player that doesn't one attribute of basketball very well and it was about time he received some recognition for it.  He won the award while averaging 28.7 points a game.  Congrats, Melo.

PHOTO CREDIT - CONRAD KACZMAREK

Talladega

On Sunday, my favorite race is back and I'm really looking forward to it.

I'm going to pick a winner, although I don't usually do this but I'm not going to be going out on any limb.

Now while I am a Dale Earnhardt Jr fan, I fully expect the best driver in the world, Jimmie Johnson to be out front taking the checkered flag.  He has the best crew chief in Chad Knaus, and the best pit crew to go with it.  He's a machine and you can expect to see him in victory lane on Sunday afternoon.

Journalism a Lost Art

MPBN, which is a fixture in Maine and employs numerous people to attempt and bring unique television programs and the Eastern Maine Basketball Tournament to its viewers is starting to feel the pressure of fiscal struggles.

With the article in the Bangor Daily today it seems as if people are going to have to be laid off and the station will have to find a new business plan in the days to come.

As I receive my degree in journalism, I'm not going into the field because it's entirely too saturated and the lack of pay doesn't justify the effort to me.

It's sad really, 4 years ago I was so excited to hopefully find a path for myself but instead I'm going to go work for my Dad because he asked me too, but I will have a degree to fall back on.

I used to watch this station when I was a kid, and I remember tuning into watch basketball every February/March but now no one is really sure how much longer they will be around if the Governor has anything to do with it.

Stuff on Rabbit

BEST SITE EVERRRRR

http://stuffonmyrabbit.net/

Just enjoy it, don't even think.

Crosby Returns

After missing the final 13 games of the regular season, Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby will be returning to the lineup for tonight's game 2 against the New York Islanders.

Sid still finished tied for 3rd in the league with 56 points, only losing to Steven Stamkos and Martin St. Louis.

Here is the play he got hurt -

Yeah... Ouch.

Suffered a broken jaw and had three oral surgeries performed.

Welcome back 87.

Knicks Losing Grip of Series

After leading the Celtics 3-0 in the best of 7 series in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.  The New York Knicks have lost their grip on the stranglehold they once had.

The Celtics have made it a 3-2 series, and are looking to tie it up tonight at the TD Garden in Boston.

Ever since the elbow JR Smith threw on Celtics' guard Jason Terry, the momentum has shifted to the men who bleed green.

The Knicks need more consistency from Carmelo Anthony, their star forward who won the NBA's scoring title.  The pick and rolls have been effective since Kevin Garnett can no longer hedge and stay in front of agile and speedy guards.

I still expect the Knicks to win the series.  However, the Celtics are attempting to accomplish what no team has before, come back from an 0-3 deficit, and it's quite possible they will.

PHOTO CREDIT - JONAH KANER

Harlem Shake Videos

This craze got so big that it seemed as if on every news television, I was seeing a new Harlem Shake video with a group of kids bring their own unique style.

If you haven't seen the videos yet, it is one person starting the dance out for about 12 seconds or so wearing some sort of disguise and at the moment the music changes, the scene changes to everybody dancing and some of their wardrobes change.  Here is my favorite one :

People need to keep doing this, it's too funny.

Penguins/Habs March 26

Took a spontaneous trip to Pittsburgh to meet my buddy Matt Talbot down at Consol Energy Center for last night's game vs. the Montreal Canadiens.

This was my first ever NHL hockey game attending and it did not disappoint.  It was worth the trip and the little sleep I got.

Only one goal was scored, but damn was it loud in the building!  Sidney Crosby potted one in, and it was a beauty.

I hope to make it down soon again, the tickets were not bad for the seats that we got.  Luckily, I have a friend who's Uncle is the Vice President at CVS and scored us sick tickets for a low price.

Miami Heat Video Bombing

It's an art, and the Miami Heat have perfected the craft with impeccable timing and trolling.

LeBron James was the most recent Heat to make his muppet-esque face into the lens while Ray Allen was in the midst of a post-game interview.

Chris Bosh though has been the KING of these moments so far this season.

The Miami Heat have won 27 games in a row, the second longest streak in NBA history.  They are having a great time doing it as well.  They go for 28 tonight vs. the Chicago Bulls on ESPN at 8 PM.  

 

Bess To Hampden?

BANGOR - According to Marc Calnan of the Eastern Maine Sports Blog in Dexter, Isaiah Bess could be transferring to Hampden Academy next season to play basketball for the Broncos.

Bess was the Class C MVP of this year's tournament and led the Penquis Patriots to the State Championship in the final game played at the Bangor Auditorium.

The Hampden Academy Broncos won the State Championship as well after pulling off an undefeated season with a victory over the South Portland Red Riots in Augusta.

"I think the move will help me in terms of education and will help me prepare for college in a few years," said Bess to Eastern Maine Sports Blog.

Bess went over the 1,000 career point mark as a Junior (this past season) and would be an added bonus to an already loaded Hampden Academy basketball team with brothers Nick and Zach Gilpin leading the way.

There are still numerous details that have to be worked out before the move can be made official but Bess plans on finishing out his school year at Penquis High School in Milo.  

This will benefit Bess as he will have numerous Division I schools recruiting him and seeing the 6'3 star compete against top level competition will only help him as he moves on to the next level.  He has already received a scholarship offer from the University of New Hampshire but I'm sure Bess plans on keeping his options open before making a decision after the 2013-2014 basketball season.  

PHOTO CREDIT - Terry Robichaud

Tournament Begins Tomorrow

BANGOR - Three months of waiting, three months of constant practice, and three months of preparation will finally be presented upon the Bangor Auditorium floor.

The final Eastern Maine basketball tournament will commence at 5:00 PM tomorrow night with Nokomis and Belfast girls matching up in the first quarterfinal matchup.

This is considered the greatest time of the year to many natives of Bangor. The excitement and atmosphere the auditorium provides will be heard and experienced for one last time, and patrons will cherish it to the fullest.

I'll be there all day tomorrow, and all next week doing 32 out of the 43 games that will be played.  It's a big commitment that will more than likely leave me sick of basketball and not wanting to watch a single game for about two months after this.

I'm looking forward to it though, it should be a great experience.  I was first a fan, then a player, and now I will experience the tournament as a member of the media.

All tournament games will be streamed on WZON Radio (AM 620) or online at www.wzonthepulse.com

Eastern Maine Boys Preliminary Predictions

BANGOR - The regular season is officially over for high school basketball, and now teams will begin preparing for the final tournament at the Bangor Auditorium.

However, with certain teams receiving byes to the tournament, certain teams will have to get ready for the preliminary round.  If you're not familiar with the MPA system, this is similar to the NCAA play-in game where two teams matchup to see who gets into the tournament.  It varies from class to class between how many teams receive a bye and how many teams needs to play a preliminary game.  I'm now going to go through and give my predictions on who will win these preliminary matchups.

Class B
Byes - #1 Medomak Valley, #2 Presque Isle, #3 Mount Desert Island

#4 Oceanside vs. #13 Foxcroft Academy - KVAC vs. Big East in this one and you have to give the advantage to Oceanside.  However, Foxcroft is a talented team with some offensive talent and Oceanside can be sloppy at times.  But, Meklin will be too much.  Oceanside by 12.

#5 Caribou vs. #12 Hermon - Savage vs. Thayer should be a doozy.  Both were close games during the season but I expect Caribou to come out on top by 8.

#6 Winslow vs. #11 Washington Academy - Winslow has some impressive wins this season, and some ugly losses to lesser teams.  WA has talent with Feeney, Varney, and others and are scrappy defensively.  I'm predicting an upset in this one, WA by 5.

#7 Waterville vs. #10 Old Town - Old Town relies so heavily on Garrett Libby that it can become detrimental to their team as a whole.  Waterville can compete with anyone when their shooters are locked in from long range, and I expect that to be the case for them in this one, Waterville by 11.

#8 Camden Hills vs. #9 Nokomis - Camden Hills is always in the thick of things, they went 4 OT's with #1 Medomak.  Although they ended up losing, they have the best coach in Class B and will come out on top in this one, Windjammers by 9.

Class C
Byes - #1 Houlton, #2 Penquis Valley, #3 Lee Academy, #4 Sumner Memorial, #5 Calais

#6 Dexter vs. #11 PCHS - Dexter has more talent, shouldn't be much of a contest.  Dexter by 21.

#7 Stearns vs. #10 George Stevens Academy - Should be an incredibly close game, basically a toss up so I'll go Stearns by 4.

#8 Bucksport vs. #9 Fort Kent - FK by 7.

Class D
Byes - #1 Jonesport-Beals

#2 Washburn vs. #15 Ashland/Van Buren - So much talent on Washburn with Worcester, the Bragg brothers, Olson, and Caron.  Should be a steamroll, Washburn by 32.

#3 Central Aroostook vs. #14 Schenck - CA has struggled as of late but Coach Brewer is always at his best this time of year and I expect the Panthers to claw their way to victory by 7.

#4 Deer Isle-Stonington vs. #13 Woodland - The return of Grindle has done wonders for the Mariners.  He is so valuable to that team offensively and defensively, he's the leader.  Mariners by 20.

#5 Hodgdon vs. #12 LCS/MSSM - Hodgdon defeated Limestone by 31 during the regular season, just a couple weeks ago actually, and I expect a similar outcome.  Hodgdon also had two close games with Houlton, who go into the tournament at the Class C rankings 17-1  Hawks by 27.

#6 Machias vs. #11 Katahdin - Machias has lots of size, they will utilize that.  Machias by 12.

#7 Bangor Christian vs. #10 Fort Fairfield - The Tigers landed Washburn's its only loss of the season.  BC struggles against size and Lewis will be a handful.  FF by 9.

#8 Easton vs. Southern Aroostook - 20-year-old Dillon Kingsbury has done a tremendous job in only his 2nd year of coaching building a solid program in Aroostook County.  Look for Turner to have a big outing, Easton by 8.

I'll update Thursday to update the outcomes of the games, and how right or wrong I was.

Nemo Impacting Regular Season Finale

BANGOR - With the impending death storm, Nemo slowly approaching Southern and Central Maine, the final day of the high school basketball regular season could be put on hold.

Numerous games were pushed up to Thursday night in hopes of avoiding the storm and ending their season early to hold up safety measures.  Many teams ended up playing back-to-back games without any preparation.

Hermon/John Bapst was the only matchup to not be pushed up to Thursday due to the Auditorium being used by the Bangor/Brewer contingency.  It was the final Class A matchup at the Mecca of Maine Basketball.  This was poor decision making on the part of these two schools.

The potential safety hazards that come with a giant storm like Nemo are immaculate and need to be taken very seriously.  If need be, they shouldn't be opposed to moving the game back to Sunday, since the storm should last through most of Saturday after dumping 12-20 inches on our heads.

Hopefully everyone attending the game, including myself since I am being called upon to broadcast it, will drive safely and take the roads slow.

Final Class A Game at The Mecca

BANGOR - With only two days remaining the 2012-2013 High School basketball regular season.  The final meeting between two Class A schools will go down Thursday night at the historic Bangor Auditorium.

The Twin Cities Basketball Classic is what they are calling it, between the Bangor Rams and the Brewer Witches.  This game is important for both teams in their hopes to make it to the Augusta Civic Center.

Bangor currently sits 5th and seems to be locked into a quarterfinal matchup with Lewiston who are scorching at the moment.  They are hoping to enter the tournament with some momentum after dropping their last game to their rival, the Lawrence Bulldogs.  I expect Alex Campbell and Conner Adams to play a huge role in this matchup, with their inside/outside prowess, it could be too much for Brewer to handle.

The Brewer Witches sit at 8-9 and one spot outside the playoff picture in Class A.  They finish the regular season on Thursday Night and will look to pick up a big victory in terms of heal points to earn themselves a spot in the play-in game against Mt. Ararat or Cony.  Coach Ben Goodwin's club has had difficulty stringing together an entire 32 minutes of intelligent basketball.  Look for them to come out fired up in hopes of pulling off the upset.

I will be broadcasting the game tonight for WZON Radio (AM620) or at www.wzonthepulse.com.  I'm looking forward to a highly competitive, feisty, and close basketball game with big plays made by both teams playing for one common goal - a gold ball.

My Furry Girlfriend

ORONO - I know this is supposed to be a basketball concentrated blog, but I couldn't resist discussing my lovable dog.  They always refer to dogs as a "man's best friend" and that couldn't be more true in this situation.

She is an 11-month old German Shepherd named Ruby.  As a single man, I need someone so I'm not lonely, and although she can be a pain in the ass, she is still adorable.  She's protective of the household but can be a cuddle bug to me and strangers.

It's upsetting she is unable to be with me while I am at school in Orono, but it excites me every opportunity that I have to travel up to the crown of Maine and see her in Presque Isle.

Competitive Eastern Maine Class B (Big East)

BANGOR - With the 2012-2013 High School basketball season coming to a close in two-and-a-half weeks, fans and players of their respective communities will commence preparation for the annual tournament at the Bangor Auditorium.  The Class B boys' tournament appear to be wide open, with no particular team showing proof that they are the definitive favorite like Jonesport-Beals has at the Class D level.

Presque Isle currently sits atop the standings with losses to Houlton twice and MDI, albeit without arguably their best player, Tyler Books against the Trojans.  They have ideal balance on offense and the ability to pressure the basketball with Nickerson and Williams.  Stephenson can shoot from outside and Shields's 6'8 frame down low provides an interior presence.  As well as having a stud like Brooks in your lineup will always give you a chance to win.

MDI was heavily favored in the Big East but have not met expectations although they still sit near the top of the Eastern Maine Class B standings.  Walls is the guy who makes everything run with his outside shooting and getting his big men where they need to be.  Phelps is a talented point guard and Head Coach Justin Norwood will find a way to get his team going at the Auditorium.

Caribou was largely unknown heading into the season but are sitting 6th in the current Heal Points at a sparkling 10-4.  Led by Sophomore guard Dayne Savage and big man Derek Richardson, Caribou exemplifies similar balance to that of the cross-town rival Presque Isle.

Old Town has the best player in Class B, which is Garrett Libby and his 24 points per game.  He gives them a chance to win every single night with his scoring ability and opening up opportunities for his teammates Garvey Melmed, Eddie Gonnella, and Zach Bartlett.  Melmed is a terrific combo guard who can get his own shot when he seeks it, but looks to set up his teammates first.  Old Town is versatile defensively as well, playing zone and then man, making sure to keep the opposing team off balance.  Look for them to give one of the higher seeds a tough pre-lim.

Hermon has a backcourt loaded with talent in Jake Rioux, Tyler Thayer, and Eric Hoogterp.  All of them are snipers from long range.  The only criticism of them is the lack of an interior presence.  Defensively, Joey Martin is excellent since he knows how to use his body but he has to be able to grab more offensive rebounds and open up the perimeter for his shooters.  If he can do that, expect Hermon to grab a spot at the Auditorium.

It's shaping up to be a great tournament, and the Big East and KVAC (Winslow, Medomak, Oceanside, Camden Hills, Waterville, etc.) will provide a fun and exciting time for the spectators and media.