Category: Sports

Local, Sports

Nick Foles: Will he or won’t he?

by Victoria Lavelle

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Carson Wentz celebrates with Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles after the Eagles’ legendary win over the Patriots. Photo by Tim Tai/TN

The Philadelphia Eagles confirmed publicly that they are committed to starting quarterback Carson Wentz as the future of the franchise, but what about Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles?

Though Wentz has been the man that many Eagles fans want to invest their faith in — the past two consecutive years have been plagued with injuries that have forced Foles into the starter role. It’s a role that Foles has adapted into on a moment’s notice and performed amazingly well at.

To be thorough, Foles has led the Philadelphia Eagles through two back-toback playoff runs, racking up surprising wins and a legendary Super Bowl win over the New England Patriots along the journey.

However, with Wentz cemented in as the Bird’s long-term starter, it seems inevitable that Foles will part ways with the team in 2019.

As a die-hard Eagles fan for 46 years, I have to scratch my head in disbelief as to how the Eagles could part ways with the only quarterback in franchise history to capture the city its only Super Bowl title.

Before anyone dare lash out at me with a montage of Wentz’s numbers and statistics, please hit the pause button and simply hear me out.

Without question, Wentz’s statistics on the field have indeed been impressive. However, what good are a bunch of stats if the Eagles aren’t winning?

There isn’t an Eagles fan in existence who would disagree that at the end of the forth quarter, the only numbers that truly matter are the ones on the score board that account for WINS — not losses.

A quarterback can possess the most talent in the world, but if he can’t stay healthy throughout an entire NFL season, then it’s worth questioning if he’s worth investing the team’s future in?

Moreover, who will the team turn to save the season in 2019 if Wentz can’t live up to all the hype? There comes a point when Eagles fans have to decide if they want to be a dynasty team, or simply remain a construction zone that only builds up impressive stats for Wentz.

I, like most avid Eagles fans, had high hopes for Wentz when he was originally drafted from North Dakota. Yet, to have such a young quarterback plagued with so many mounting injuries, so early in his career, doesn’t seem promising heading into the 2019 season.

Foles’ current deal with the Philadelphia Eagles is set to pay him $20 million in his final year, but a mutual option between him and the team that allows him several paths to enter unrestricted free agency is still very much in play.

Under the contract, Foles would give back $2 million of his $20 million salary for 2019, which is precipitated by his option of being picked up, in order to hit the open market.

As of Feb. 6, Foles has reportedly bought himself out of his contract for the price of $2 million after the team exercised their option on him, according to Ian Rapoport at RapSheet.

He is now set to become a free agent.

More reason for concern, the New York Giants are coming off a disappointing 5-11 season and could very well be shopping around for a new quarterback for the future of its franchise.

38-year-old Eli Manning has spent the last two seasons behind a permeable offensive line and his contract expires at the conclusion of next year. The mere thought of Foles signing with another NFC East team is enough to turn the stomachs of every Eagles fan.

Additionally, 57 percent of Eagles fans prefer Nick Foles to be the starting quarterback in 2019, compared to just 42 percent who support Carson Wentz, according to a poll conducted by The Tylt.

A scathing story by Philly Voice describes Wentz as “egotistical,” “selfish,” and “uncompromising” by more than a half-dozen players and other sources, all of whom were quoted anonymously. He was accused of playing favorites and resisting certain concepts because he viewed them as “Foles stuff.”

So what gives?

The future of the Eagles team is yet to be determined, so we can only hope for now that the right decisions are made and that everything falls into place.

As for Foles, the only thing that really seems a guarantee at this point is that the spirit and magic of St. Nick will more than likely be a fading memory. A memory that we can only pray doesn’t come back to haunt us in the end.

Contact Victoria Lavelle at communitarian@mail.dccc.edu

Eagles Nick Foles holds up the Lombardi trophy after the Philadelphia Eagles win the 41-33 over New England Patriots. Photo by David Maialetti/TNS

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Nick Foles steps into the starter role with Carson Wentz at his side. Photo by Tim Tai/TNS

Local, Sports

Phantoms hoop a win in overtime

by Alex Philippsen

 

Basketball

Shaquell Stokes, center for the DCCC Phantoms, battles for the tip-off at the start of the game against the Montgomery County Community College Mustangs on Jan. 31.          Photo by Alex Philippsen

The DCCC Phantoms ended January with an 8986 overtime victory over the Mustangs at Montgomery County Community College Jan. 31.

Their victory was led by forward guard Ketquan Gatewood with a team-leading 26 points, shooting 10-18 from this field, including 4-9 for three. Gatewood also finished with eight rebounds, three steals, and zero turnovers.

Gatewood credited the team’s defensive efforts and their ability to stop the Mustang’s centers. “We stayed and played hard… executed playing on offense,” Gatewood said.

Gatewood was one of three players that were able to score in double figures, with guards Justin Gans (22 points) and Mike Mallon (21 points) also being key contributors.

All three players were important from beyond the arc by making a combined 11 out of the team’s 12 made three-pointers.

The Phantoms also took advantage of their offensive rebounds, grabbing nine boards and scoring 13 secondchance points, six of which came during the overtime period.

Head Coach Larry Yarbray Sr. enters in his second season at the helm of DCCC men’s basketball program. Prior to Delaware County, Yarbray spent  nine seasons as head coach of the Boys Basketball program at Chester High School.

After the game, Yarbray explained how the team’s mental focus played a key factor in how they were able to make all the key stops they needed to make late in the game.

“We paid attention to the details on defense,” Yarbray said. “We didn’t let their
shooters get open too easily… and when they put the ball on the floor, they made contested twos without fouling. So, the guys stayed to the script and that’s how we came out with a hard-fought victory.”

The DCCC Phantoms finished the 2018-19 season with a record of 11-13, and they managed to win four out of their last five games to complete the season.

That’s how we came out with a hard fought victory Overall, the team improved their record from last season with four more wins than their previous record.

Contact Alex Philippsen at communitarian@mail.dccc.edu

Sports

Phantoms suffer fourth loss in a row

By Caroline Sweeney

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Guard Mike Mallon shoots a free throw shot in the first half of the game against Northampton on Nov. 17. Photo by Caroline Sweeney
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Forward Nazir Gossette catches a pass and resets the DCCC offense for a scoring play. Photo by Caroline Sweeney

By Caroline Sweeney

The men’s basketball team lost their fourth game of the season 74-50 against the Northampton Spartans at home on Nov. 17 at the Community College of Philadelphia (CCP). The Phantoms are now 0-4 on the season.

Starting guard Justin Grans led the Phantoms offensively, scoring 15 points. Following Grans, forward Nazir Gossette scored 11 points and forward Ketquan Gatewood scored eight points.

Three other Phantoms contributed offensively. Guards Mike Mallon and De’Andray Covert scored seven points and forward Jack Yost scored two points.

“I think my team played well today,” said Larry Yarbray, Sr. Phantoms head coach. “We played the best team in the league and the defending champs. We competed at a good level. At times we struggled on offense, but our defense did a really good job.”

Both teams had a slow start to the game, neither team scoring until about halfway through the first half. The Spartans opened with a basket. Northampton had a strong offensive game while the Phantoms struggled to keep up with the scoring power of the Spartans.

Despite being consistently behind in the first half, the Phantoms did not give up. The Phantoms ran a quick offensive and capitalized on the fouling of Northampton by shooting well at the free throw line.

The Phantoms fell behind early in the first half and struggled with their offensive rebounding. Northampton had 16 offensive rebounds as opposed to DCCC’s eight.

At halftime, the Spartans were leading, 19-35 Northampton.

The Phantoms excelled in defense, keeping a team that would normally score 90+ points to 74 points.

At the beginning of the second half, the Phantoms came out faster and with a sense of urgency that they did not seem to have in the first half.

The Phantoms, with their better ball movement, slowed down the game to a steady pace. They scored 31 more points in their second half than in the first. But it was not enough to curve the Spartans offense, who scored 39 points in the second half.

Despite the improvement in the Phantoms game, they still struggled against Northampton.

As the second half progressed, the Phantoms started to rush, only taking jump shots.

“We moved away from the type of game that we normally play,” Yarbray said. “We settled for some jump shots instead of baskets inside that paint or any kind of inside presence.”

After several turnovers by the Phantoms, Northampton continued to extend their lead significantly.

With a final score of 74- 50 Northampton, the Spartans handed the Phantoms their fourth loss of the season.

The lack of offense took a toll on the team’s statistics as well. The Phantoms made about 29 percent of their field goals, only 15 percent of their three-point shots and 52 percent of their free throws.

These stats have dropped since their last game, a 97-79 loss against CCP.

“Total team effort, everyone gave what they had,” Yarbray said. “But hopefully we learned something. [The team is] starting to believe in one another.”

The Phantoms next game will be away on Nov. 29 against Burlington County. The next home game will be at Widener University’s gym on Dec. 1 against Montgomery County.

Contact Caroline Sweeney at communitarian@mail.dccc. edu

Sports

Phantoms men’s basketball falls short in season opener

By Caroline Sweeney

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DCCC forward Ketquan Gatewood jukes Thaddeus Stevens guard Marqel Wansley to line up for a three-point shot. Photo by Caroline Sweeney
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DCCC forward Nazir Gossette misses his only three- point shot of the game before scoring 10 points. Photo by Caroline Sweeney

DCCC Phantoms men’s basketball team lost their season opener 98-90 against the Thaddeus Stevens Tech Bulldogs on Nov 3. The Phantoms have begun their season 0-1 overall.

All five starters scored in the game along with three other players.

Top scorers of the game were starting guard Justin Gans who led the Phantoms with 27 points. Following Gans, guard Mike Mallon scored 18 points and forward Ketquan Gatewood scored 13 points.

Both De’Andray Covert and Nazar Gosssette scored 10 points; Shaquell Stokes scored seven points; Shadiniah Lino scored three points and Shannon Burnett-Pullium scored two points.

“We didn’t do what I expected to do as far as winning, but I do think my guys went out and competed and gave it their all”, said Larry Yarbray, Sr, Phantoms head coach. “We have to execute better and come out with a sense of urgency next time.”

The Phantoms and the Bulldogs were evenly matched in the first half, going back and forth with scoring. But Thaddeus Stevens was consistently ahead by a few points throughout the game.

With the first half coming to an end the momentum shifted in favor of Thaddeus Stevens. The Bulldogs went on a run to outscore the Phantoms, but the Phantoms fought back with several three-pointers to bring them within four points of the Bulldogs.

The halftime score was 46- 42, Thaddeus Stevens.

“We kind of waited till halftime to start playing the right way, but by then they were up 16 points,” Yarbray said. “By then we were stuck in a hole trying to dig ourselves out.”

At the beginning of the second half, the Phantoms came out stronger than the first, but they were slightly behind Thaddeus Stevens.

The Phantoms fought to keep the pace with the Bulldogs and eventually, after a series of mistakes by the Bulldogs, the momentum of the game began to shift in favor of DCCC.

With 6:32 left in the second half, the score was tied for the first time at 79 all. And once again the two teams were running up and down the court, keeping within several points of one another.

Coaches and players were animated about the new tone of the game and the crowd was on edge. Both teams were using up their remaining time-ups to give their players breaks and draw up plays.

After several fouls against DCCC and missing key shots in the last two minutes of the game, Thaddeus Stevens started to pull away. With a final score of 98-90 Thaddeus Stevens.

“Myself and my team played well, but we could have played better,” said Ketquan Gatewood, a sophomore business major. “I want to work on my defense, being less aggressive so I don’t get called for so many fouls, but I know we will be better down the stretch.”

The Phantoms were strong in free throw percentage at 70 percent at the line. They also made 50 percent of their three-point shots and made 43 percent of their field-goals.

“It is a learning experience and we are all looking forward to next week’s game,” Yarbray said.

The Phantoms next game will be on Nov. 10 against Harrisburg Area at Harrisburg.

The next home game will be on Nov. 15 against Del Tech Stanton.

Contact Caroline Sweeney at communitarian@mail.dccc. edu