Sports

🏀 The Start of Basketball

By Jaden

In 1891, a Canadian physical education instructor named James Naismith invented the game of basketball—a sport that would go on to become one of the most popular games in the world.

Naismith’s goal? To create a safe, indoor game that kept athletes fit during the winter months without the risk of serious injuries from rougher sports like football.

The Original 13 Rules of Basketball

Naismith had his secretary type out the very first official rules of the game. Here are a few highlights from those 13 original rules:

1. The ball may be thrown in any direction with one or both hands.
   
   

2. The ball may be batted with one or both hands (but never with a fist).
   
   

3. A player cannot run with the ball—they must stop and pass.
   
   

4. The ball must be held with hands only, not against the body.
   
   

5. No physical contact like pushing, tripping, or striking is allowed.
   
   

6. Fouls include striking the ball with a fist or violating other rules.
   
   

7. Three consecutive fouls by a team equals one point for the other team.
   
   

8. A goal is made when the ball stays in the basket (no touching!).
   
   

9. When the ball goes out of bounds, the first person to touch it throws it back in.
   
   

10. The umpire judged player behavior and fouls.
    
    

11. The referee judged the ball, time, and goals.
    
    

12. Games had two 15-minute halves with a 5-minute break.
    
    

13. The team with the most goals wins. If tied, play continues until one more goal is scored.
    
    

Naismith posted these rules on a bulletin board, and his gym class was divided into teams made up of three forwards, three centers, and three guards.

The First-Ever Game

The first game of basketball took place on December 21, 1891, at the International YMCA Training School in Springfield, Massachusetts.
The equipment? Just a soccer ball and two peach baskets nailed up on opposite ends of the gym.

As the game began, two centers met at mid-court. Naismith tossed the ball into the air—and just like that, the game of basketball was born.

Fun Fact

• Originally, every time a basket was scored, someone had to climb a ladder to retrieve the ball from the peach basket! Nets with holes came later.
  
  

Basketball has come a long way since that chilly December day in 1891—but it all started with a soccer ball, a few wooden baskets, and one man's brilliant idea to keep his students moving.

The NFL finals aka the super bowl by Ethan

It is the eagles vs the chiefs if the chiefs won the game they would have won three times in a row!

Super Bowl LVIII (58), held on February 9, 2025, was an exciting and high-stakes game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs. Here’s what went down:

Final Score:

• Philadelphia Eagles 40

• Kansas City Chiefs 22

The Eagles emerged victorious in this matchup, securing their second Super Bowl title in franchise history, with their first win coming in Super Bowl LII in 2018.

Key Moments & Highlights:

1. Jalen Hurts' Historic Performance:

   • Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts had a remarkable game and was named the Super Bowl MVP. He not only threw for 257 yards and 3 touchdowns, but also rushed for 95 yards and 2 additional touchdowns. Hurts became the first quarterback in Super Bowl history to record multiple rushing touchdowns in a single game, showing off his dual-threat ability.

2. Defense Steals the Show:

   • The Eagles' defense was crucial in limiting Kansas City. They sacked Patrick Mahomes 6 times and forced him into difficult situations throughout the game. Mahomes, the Chiefs’ star QB, had to fight through adversity, ultimately finishing with 257 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions.

3. Kansas City's Struggles:

   • Despite Mahomes' effort, the Chiefs couldn’t get enough going against the Eagles’ defense. Philadelphia's defensive line dominated, and Mahomes was pressured constantly. The Chiefs struggled to find rhythm, especially in the second half, when the Eagles took control.

4. Eagles Offensive Explosion:

   • The Eagles capitalized on every opportunity. In addition to Hurts’ impressive rushing and passing stats, running back Miles Sanders contributed with a solid rushing performance. The Eagles scored 40 points, including some key touchdowns in the second half, while their defense continued to stifle Mahomes.

5. Halftime Show Drama:

   • The Super Bowl halftime show featured a performance by rapper Kendrick Lamar, but it wasn’t without incident. During the performance, a protester ran onto the field with a Palestinian flag but was quickly tackled by security, adding a controversial moment to the halftime festivities.

6. The Trophy Presentation:

   • After the Eagles secured the win, Jalen Hurts was awarded the Super Bowl MVP for his all-around play. He helped guide the Eagles to victory, and the team celebrated as they were presented with the Vince Lombardi Trophy.

Eagles’ Second Super Bowl Victory:

This win gave the Eagles their second Super Bowl title, preventing the Chiefs from completing a historic three-peat after their wins in the previous two seasons. The victory was a sweet moment for Eagles fans, especially after the 2018 win and with a new wave of young stars like Hurts leading the charge.

Super Bowl LVIII was a memorable contest with excellent performances on both sides of the ball. The Eagles' ability to execute both offensively and defensively ensured their victory.