By Jillian Holness
Siren Staff

Sneakers, gym shorts and Mickey Mouse ears? Check

Last month our Leopards ventured down to Florida for the Disney Classic Quad A Division Tournament.
According to Lincoln Park Athletic Director Mike Bariski, the whole point of going out of town to compete is to gain more experience.

“You want to play the best team to get you prepared for the playoffs and hopefully the championship. Florida gave us a great challenge. We played a team from Alaska and a Christian school from Florida. Both teams are part of the Quad A Division, which is the biggest division in high school basketball,” he says.

Playing out of state is not that much different from playing the local games, Mr. Bariksi says.
“It’s the same quality of teams,” he says, “but you get a different look and feel being in a different region.”

By Jillian Holness

Siren Staff

The Lady Leopards have been having a great volleyball season this year. This fall, the Leopards competed in a tournament for the first time in Lincoln Park history.

Leading the pack are Emily Taylor, Shawnikia Smith, Sam Split, Aubrey Brooks, Daaja Jeter, Marissa Rayes and newcomers Kady Becker and Kady Wethli. Becker and Wethli are both new students from Hopewell who offer the team a competitive edge with their experiences playing basketball.

New coaches Jackie Fryer and Jillian Babish have a great chemistry with the girls, according to Lincoln Park Athletic Director Mike Bariski, and could be described as very player friendly.

“Senior leadership is the team’s greatest strength,” Mr. Bariski says. “Our six seniors are an athletic group that has a desire to succeed and win.”

“This is the best team I have ever played on,” says senior Marissa Rayes. Rayes, a health sciences major from Ambridge, has been playing since eighth grade.

She is unsure, however, on whether her volleyball career will continue in college. “I’m on edge. I love volleyball, but I don’t want it to get in the way with my academics. Robert Morris is offering me an academic scholarship and is coming to see me play.”

Currently with a winning record, and having more players than before, The Lady Leopards might have a bright future ahead.

By Taylor Cook
Siren Sports Reporter

Friday’s game between Lincoln Park and West Middlesex was the game you didn’t want to miss.

Slippery Rock’s Morrow Fieldhouse was full of excitement and nerves as Lincoln Park and West Middlesex played neck and neck for the entirety of the game. It wasn’t until the final seconds when Lincoln Park’s Antonio Kellem scored the winning shot for a 47-45 victory in the PIAA Class A quarterfinals.

The tension during Friday’s game actually started minutes before the first quarter began. It started when West Middlesex resident and current Lincoln Park student Kenzie Palmer sang the National Anthem before the game. She received boos from the out of control West Middlesex fans, but lively cheers from the Lincoln Park fans. Instantly, the two schools became rivals during a game they wouldn’t forget.

By the end of the first quarter, the score showed that the game would be a close one with Lincoln Park ahead by two at 17-15. It became even closer when the second quarter ended with West Middlesex in the lead by one point, at 27-26. You can only imagine how close the game was after the third quarter, when Lincoln Park had a one point lead on West Middlesex at 35-34.

But it wasn’t until the fourth quarter when the most exciting part of the night happened. Lincoln Park was down by two at 45-43 with only 25 seconds remaining in the game. Lincoln Park’s Jaylyn Cottrill scored and tied the game at 45-45 with 11.5 seconds on the clock.

West Middesex had the ball, but freshman Antonio Kellem didn’t even have time to think before he got control of a high dribble ball. Kellem raced down the court for the winning shot and scored in the final second.

Senior Trey Hosack led the Leopards with 13 points, and sophomore Ryan Skovranko chipped in 11.

Friday’s game against West Middlesex will be talked about for years to come. It was thrilling to attend such a nerve-racking game and it only makes me wonder what’s in store for Lincoln Park at Tuesday’s game against Ridgeway.

If I were a betting person, my money would be on Lincoln Park.

By Taylor Cook
Siren Sports Reporter

To say that Lincoln Park played well in the 2012 WPIAL Boy’s Basketball Championship games is an understatement.

Lincoln Park crushed Jefferson Morgan by 51, Sewickley Academy by 26, Vincentian by 26, and Cornell by 17, earning the title of WPIAL champions.

The stars of the season, let alone the championship game at Palumbo Center, were seniors Trey Hosack and Devontae Watson. Trey scored 27 points during the victory game and Devontae scored 17 points as well as17 rebounds and nine blocked shots against Cornell.

The final score of the night was 74-57, a sweet victory for Lincoln Park. The Leopards succeeded with a record of 22-4, and they have not lost to any Class A team this season.

The Leopards are a phenomenal team this year. They have height and heart. They have will and strategy. They have powerhouse seniors and promising underclassmen.

What’s to come? Lincoln Park will now advance to the PIAA Championship playoffs. Their first game is Friday, March 9th at Ambridge Area High School against Clarion Limestone.

What’s even more exciting? Lincoln Park is in it to win it. This is one season that you’ll be sorry you missed.

By Taylor Cook
Siren Sports Editor

You’ve seen her in the halls at school, and you’ve seen her around Midland. But you’ve never seen her like this.

Brittney Badgett is the newest addition to Lincoln Park’s Junior Varsity basketball team—a boy’s basketball team.

Brittney, a junior from Midland, has been playing basketball since the third grade. When I asked her what her favorite thing about basketball was, her face lit up as she smiled and said, “Everything.”

This is Brittney’s first year playing as a point guard with the Leopards, and she’s even gotten the honor to play on the regular varsity team. “I can’t stop smiling when I get in on varsity,” Brittney says.

But how does Brittney feel playing with all boys? “It’s fun but it’s awkward!” She laughs. “It’s a lot different than playing with girls. It’s a lot more intense.”

Chris Enochs, the JV Leopards’ coach, has nothing but positive things to say about the only girl on the team. “Brittney’s a good kid and she works really hard everyday. I really enjoy having her on the basketball team. I appreciate all of the effort that she puts in.”

Coach Enochs also made it clear that he treats Brittney the same as the boys. “She runs as much as the boys and she does everything the boys do and she’s treated exactly the same,” he says.

Brittney even offers things to the team that others cannot. “She’s a very hard worker,” Coach Enochs says. “I wish some of the other team members worked as hard as she does. She has a great attitude; she’s a good player. I think she’s a good role model.”

Hard worker, role model, basketball player—Brittney Badgett is in the zone.

By Taylor Cook
Siren Sports Reporter

Lincoln Park's top-scorer of the night, Antonio Kellam with the ball.

Friday’s match up between Lincoln Park and Western Beaver drew in a large crowd for the two rival schools.

The night started off, and later ended, unsuccessful for Lincoln Park’s junior varsity team. The JV Leopards’ trailed behind Western Beaver throughout the entire game, with a final score of 52-65. Better luck next time, JV!

It would be a much different outcome for the second game of the night—the varsity game.

Lincoln Park and Western Beaver went back and forth for much of the first and second periods, and alternated being in the lead.

Assistant Coach Mike Bariski said, “We played very, very, very lazy in the first half. But in the second half we came out to play.”

The Leopards did come out to play in the second half. Our top scorers of the night were Antonio Kellam with 18 points, Trey Hosack with 16 points, Ryan Skovranko with 12 points, Devontae Watson with 12 points, and Jaylyn Cottrill with 11 points. The final score of the night was 83-52.

Head Coach Mark Javens said, “We’re only 9 games into the season. We are 7-2 and No. 1 in the WPIAL Class A. We got a target on our back, so everybody wants to beat us.”

Will the Leopards be able to hold their No. 1 position? We’ll have to wait and see.

Senior Devontae Watson hopes to lead the Leopards to their first state title

By Taylor Cook

Siren Sports Reporter

It looks like another promising season for the Lincoln Park Leopards.

Last year, the Leopards finished with a 21-8 record, made it to the WPIAL finals and state championships, and ranked second in the state, behind MCS Charter School from Philadelphia, PA.

The Leopards started this year by hosting the Midland Tipoff Classic. They had a blowout win over New Brighton before falling in overtime to Samuel Fels of the Philadelphia Public League in the championship game.

The returning starters this year include seniors Trey Hosack, BJ Lipke, and Devontae Watson, as well as junior Jaylyn Cottrill.

Other team members include senior Tyal Prince, junior Aaron Summers, sophomores Marque Allen, Donovan Cobb, Kevin Kirkland, Dannison Lacey, Nathaniel Loedding, Ryan Skovranko, and Prince Tyler, and freshmen Antonio Kellam and Luke Ropon.

The Leopards head coach, Mark Javens, is returning for his third season this year.

Joining him on the bench will be Lincoln Park Athletic Director Mike Bariski, along with the other two assistant coaches, Bob Rizzo and Chris Enochs.

Mr. Bariski said that this season’s outlook is “very promising” and that the returning players “know what it takes to get to the championship game.”

The under-the-radar contenders to look out for this season, Mr. Bariski added, include OLSH, Cornell, North Catholic, Serra Catholic, Vincentian Catholic, and Clariton.

Trey Hosack, whom Coach Bariski describes as the “sneaky impact player,” is expected to have the biggest effect on the team, along with 6 foot 11 inch Devontae Watson, who is the school’s first Division I recruit. Watson has already signed a letter of intent to play at Temple University next year.

“We’re a big team,” Mr. Bariski says of the Leopards, who boast a front line where no one is shorter than 6 feet 6 inches. “We’re probably one of the bigger teams in Class A.”

He added, “You can teach a lot of intangibles, but you can’t teach size.”

It looks like the Leopards’ biggest advantage is size, and with Trey Hosack and Devontae Watson on the team, the Leopards might just be unstoppable.

By Taylor Cook

Siren Sports Columnist

Hey there, Lincoln Park! Welcome to the debut of the Leopards’ Lounge, your exclusive first-stop spot to hear all of the latest news about Lincoln Park sports.

Volleyball – The Lady Leopards have been having a great season! Their current standing is 7-5, and they may be heading for the playoffs. This is the best season we’ve had! Our leading ladies this year are seniors Julianna Sacco, Hannah Stepanian, Ali Kiers, and Jasmine Brown. Speaking of seniors, Senior Night is coming up on Oct. 20! The Lady Leopards could always use support, and they would appreciate it if you’d come and cheer them on!

Golf – The Lincoln Park golf team hasn’t had its best season. In fact, the team has been short of players! If you are interested in joining the Lincoln Park golf team for next season, please see Mr. Bariski in the health office.

Basketball – A well-anticipated basketball season is still a few months away! The first official practice starts November 17th and the first game is scheduled for Dec. 5. The Leopards hope to have a successful season like they did last year!

And that’s what’s happening at the Leopards Lounge! Stay tuned for future updates!