Will The Lakers Make It To The Conference Finals by Wednesday Night?
By Ariela Tehrani
The answer to this question is yes. The Lakers have now had two straight great wins and one before those two, and all they need to end the series is one more win.
The Lakers face the Golden State Warriors Wednesday, May 10, for game 5. There is a big chance the Lakers can win on Wednesday. The reason is that the Lakers pull through a lot when needed. For example, there have been more than one game where the Lakers were down by at least ten, but in the end, they ended up winning. The Lakers were also very low on the leaderboard throughout the season but worked harder and improved to make it to the playoffs. This shows that the Lakers have tremendous defense and offense precisely when needed.
Next, the Lakers have an outstanding team altogether. They have their star players, Lebron James and Anthony Davis, but they also have other players who are a considerable addition to the team. There are two other fantastic players on the team, Austin Reaves and D'angelo Russel, who play a massive part in the team. They are both excellent players, and they greatly help the team. The team's bench players also know how to step up to the plate when the team needs it.
The Lakers can pull through a win and advance to the Conference finals by May 10, but they must be rested and ready.
NOTE: This article was written before the Lakers beat Golden State.
Manchester City Striker Erling Haaland Attains Curious Injuries
By Emma Saeedian
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland is widely known for his aggressive play of the sport. During a Premier League match against Everton, Haaland became the center of “manhandling” from Toffees defender Yerry Mina. Ben Mee shared Haaland’s ‘technique’ for getting one over his adversary. Mee said, “‘There were little pinches here and there between him and me’”(Montaño 2023).
This 3-0 win against Everton came with a part of a scenario Toffees defender, Yerry Mina. This match’s referee, Anthony Taylor, had to have multiple conversations with them. “And at the end, the Sky Blues attacker went some way to explaining why, revealing several scratches and pinch marks all over his upper body that had, presumably, been the Colombian defender is doing.” (Montaño 2023). Sky Sports said the Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, was far less than pleased about the ordeal. Guardiola said, “‘That has nothing to do with soccer. It is not necessary to do what he does in every game. And I told him, ‘You are a good enough player not to have to resort to this kind of thing’’”. After the end of the game, Guardiola had a discussion with Mina regarding his behavior during the game and the aftermath of his choices, all still on the field.
However, these physical tactics did not limit Haaland’s ability to help win the match. Despite the pinches and injuries he became subject to, Haaland still scored his 36th Premier League goal. His goal helped give Manchester City a 2-0 lead with a few minutes until halftime. İlkay Gündoğan scored two goals throughout the game, including Haaland’s goal, winning 3-0.
Source: en.as.com
Will Messi Join Ronaldo?
By Emma Saeedian
Paris Saint Germain suspended Lionel Messi for two weeks because of a prohibited trip to Saudi Arabia away from the team to take care of personal business. According to ESPN, Messi will not be paid or allowed to train or play with the team during his suspension.
According to CNN, Messi took updated pictures of himself and his family to social media. The Minister of Tourism for Saudi Arabia, Ahmed Khateeb, tweeted, “I am happy to welcome #Messi, and his family went to Saudi to enjoy the magical tourist destinations and authentic experiences. “We welcome visitors worldwide to experience a unique trip to Saudi Arabia and its hospitality.”
According to ESPN, Messi asked if he could travel to the Arab Gulf to honor his sponsorship agreement to be a Saudi ambassador. Galtier and the sporting director Luis Campos permitted Messi to go on his trip if the team wins or ties in their next game. However, the game resulted in a character-building 3-1 defeat to Lorient. Messi flew to Saudi Arabia without asking permission a second time after the loss, meaning he could not attend practice on the day of his flight.
Many clubs are looking into the possibility of signing Messi, including Barcelona. However, Messi will look in the direction of success no matter where he decides to play.
Sources: espn.com , cnn.com and theathletic.com
2023 NBA Finals Prediction
By Ariela Tehrani
This year's NBA finals are going to be interesting for the most part. It will feature the Denver Nuggets and the Miami Heat or Boston Celtics.
The Nuggets are an extraordinary team making it to the NBA finals for the first time ever. The Nuggets have two good quality players, Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. Each is a big help to the team, especially defensive-wise. The Nuggets have trailed through the playoffs facing the Minnesota Timberwolves, Phoenix Suns, and Los Angeles Lakers. They have beaten all teams without going into any game sevens, which is really impressive. I mean, they are the 1st seed after all.
If the Nuggets were to play the Heat, I think the games will be very close. Then again, it’s possible for the Nuggets to be up by twenty in some games. I think the Nuggets would definitely have the better chance of winning the series, but the Heat have been unexpected their whole playoff run, so we would have to see.
On the other hand, the Nuggets could play the Boston Celtics, but it is doubtful because they are currently 1-3. If the two teams were to play each other, it would be a simulating playoff run, Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray versus’s Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Marcus Smart. The two teams would be a very accurate matchup since it would be Nuggets seed one versus Celtics seed 2 (one win away from seed 1).
This year's NBA finals will be very compelling, but we will have to wait until June 1st to see what will go down.
Where is Messi Going Now?
By Emma Saeedian
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) has revealed their potential replacement for Messi, Bernardo Silva. According to Inside Sports, "The 28-year-old has been impressive for Man City, and he is on the verge of winning his third consecutive Premier League title. Meanwhile, Silva was also linked with Barcelona last summer."
Messi's contract with PSG was reported to be a three-year contract, but specifically, it was a two-year contract with the option for a third year. Messi could sign with PSG for another year, but more than likely, Messi will sign a new deal for this season, despite the club he will play for. Messi has multiple options for clubs to play with, including Inter Miami, Barcelona, AL Hilal, and even Paris Saint- Germain.
Many fans have predicted Messi going with Barcelona after his contract with PSG expires this June. "With all due respect to Saudi Arabia -- where a lot of good work and investment is taking place around the league there -- Barca is Barca," Laporta told TV3 on Monday after the Catalan club clinched their 27th LaLiga title on Sunday. "Barca is his home. Barca can compete with anyone. This club's history and the feeling of our 400 million supporters is so strong." Barca's economic situation limits them from matching what Messi could earn in the Middle East. However, they are hopeful LaLiga, who have strict financial fair play regulations, will allow them to make signings this summer" (Marsden 2023).
However, FC Barcelona president Juan Laporta said in 2022, "Messi's time with Barcelona was `not over.'"
Sources: insidesport.in, forbes.com and sportingnews.com
Highschool Cheerleading
by Erin Han
High school cheerleading is a popular extracurricular activity involving dance, gymnastics, and stunts. Cheerleading teams are typically made up of girls, but some co-ed teams exist. Cheerleading teams are often responsible for cheering on their school’s sports teams at games and competitions. They perform routines that include tumbling, jumps, stunts, and often pom-poms and other props.
In addition to performing at games, cheerleading teams compete in competitions with other schools or teams. These competitions are often held at the state or national level and involve teams from all over the country. Teams are judged on their routines, including the difficulty of their stunts and complex movements.
Cheerleading can be physically demanding, requiring flexibility, strength, and endurance. Cheerleaders must be able to efficiently perform stunts and tumbling passes, often requiring hours of practice and conditioning. Being a part of a cheerleading team can also be a great way to build friendships and develop leadership skills. Cheerleaders often work closely together, relying on each other to do stunts and routines. They also learn to work under pressure, support each other through wins and losses, and be a good team.
High school cheerleading can be rewarding and challenging for those interested in dance, gymnastics, and performing. It requires dedication, hard work, confidence, and a passion for the sport, but the rewards can be worth all the effort.