Freshman @ WVHS Basketball

[doctorwho]

Just one more reason not having varsity sports offered @mv and not offering kids a chance to stay at a school where they have opportunity not going to be afforded them if they have to move. Don't know if these girls are affected - but just like the Warriors 2 soccer stars who won a state title as freshman - image giving all that up the following year -not because you're not good enough,but because it's not offered. Same experience -um-no!
-------------------------

Freshman in Name Only

January 22, 2009

By PAUL LATOUR [e-mail]
Often at this point in the season, the belief is freshmen players should no longer be considered freshmen. They have learned the ins and outs of varsity basketball, and are using their experience to improve each week.

That's certainly the case at Waubonsie Valley for Keiera Ray and Tami Morice. Except for one small difference.


"I don't think they ever were freshmen," senior center Rachel Bostick said. "They talk about being nervous before games, but it doesn't show on the court, ever. Even if they aren't playing great, they're still giving great effort. They both work really hard and that's all you can really ask of two freshmen."

The Warriors are getting more than that out of Ray and Morice, even if nobody explicitly asked them. For starters, they are the team's top two scorers. Ray averages 12.3 points per game and Morice 11.2.

Ray also leads in rebounding (8.9) and steals (3.6), while racking up a team-high eight double-doubles (Bostick is next with four). She has scored in double figures in 11 of the past 12 games, falling two points short in the other.

Morice, the younger sister of senior, Jessica, leads with 18 3-pointers and is second in overall field goal percentage (.451) and third in rebounding (5.4).

All in all, it's a pretty remarkable contribution from two players new to a program that continues to build success. The Warriors (15-4, 5-1 Upstate Eight Conference) are on pace for a fourth consecutive 20-win season for the first time in school history. This despite losing eight players from last year's 26-3 squad.

"Both of them have been very key players for us," Waubonsie coach Kris Kalivas said of Morice and Ray. "Tami started off right away exploding for us on the offensive end, and was a huge offensive force for us. Keiera was a little quieter. And now they've reversed roles a little bit."

Of the two, Morice has been a little streakier on the offensive end. She began the season with four consecutive double-digit efforts, capping it with 23 points against Naperville North on Nov. 25.

After two low outputs (two points vs. Huntley, four vs. West Aurora), she ran off another four double-digit games in a row, ending that with a season-high 27 points at South Elgin. In the nine games since, she's been limited to single digit scoring in four times.

Meanwhile, Ray has found her offensive rhythm. She's averaging 15.2 points over the past five games, which includes a 23-point effort in a 53-40 loss to unbeaten Hinsdale Central on Jan. 6.

"I had to adjust to everybody on the team and find my role," Ray said. "That was playing defense mostly and rebounding."

What about all the offense?

"I didn't think I'd be able to do that," Ray said.

The transition to varsity for Morice was smooth because of the team's familiarity with her, through sister Jessica. The upperclassmen already knew Tami for several years before the season began.

"It's been pretty good because the team has been pretty helpful," Morice said. "I felt like I knew more because I've known them. They are like my friends, too."

The Warriors stumbled against South Elgin earlier this season, but can still earn at least a share of the UEC title for a third consecutive year. They'll likely have to win out, which won't be easy.

Waubonsie still has games left against the two remaining unbeaten teams in the UEC - Lake Park and St. Charles North - and against St. Charles East, which has only one loss. The Warriors begin that run Friday when the Lancers visit.

Playing at home should be an advantage for the Warriors, who are 8-1 in their gym. But Kalivas isn't so sure.

"The last couple years I remember, we have not played well against them on our home floor," Kalivas said. "So actually I was thinking about moving the game to their place."

While Kalivas may be a little uncertain about where she'd rather play the Lancers, she is confident her freshmen are ready for the heightened importance of the stretch drive.

"Sometimes with freshmen it's great because they don't have any of those previous fears, or realization really of who they are playing," Kalivas said, pointing to Ray's 23 points vs. Hinsdale Central. "Some of that newness is nice to have because the kids bring different elements than our returners do."

Just remember, though. Ray and Morice are no longer considered freshmen. At least not on the court.

[Arch]

I read elsewhere that if they would just acknowledge ADK exists now in the district it would make all these discrepancies and inequities at the HS level not be such a big deal.

[doctorwho]

Jan 22, 2009 8:53:07 GMT -6 Arch said:

I read elsewhere that if they would just acknowledge ADK exists now in the district it would make all these discrepancies and inequities at the HS level not be such a big deal.

yeah it's amazing - yes there are some good things going on- ADK is very good for most....and I will post on some of the much needed academic focus items from the last meeting that may come--- but ADK has crap to do with the inequities the class of 2012 will get @ MV.
Masking problems is not a solution- at least not an acceptable one. Putting a band aid on a fractured leg - still leaves a fractured leg.

but then what the heck do I know- we're only bitter since the boundaries - had no original thoughts before then I guess - read that too

[Arch]

I can't believe that people would blame the SB for these scheduled inequities either @ MV... Don't they realize the public voted to do it specifically this way and the SB is powerless to do anything differently? Bunch of selfish ingrates.. how dare they even have the HOPE of having an equitable HS experience with the other people in the class of 2012 in the district. Further, how dare they even MENTION the discrepancies exist in hope that they can be corrected...

[southsidesignmaker]

And to think I was going to read about basketball!

Gentleman it is all about different perspectives.

Some have gotten past the boundaries issue, some have not, some never will, and some never cared in the first place.

I do think many feel that there are indeed some issues with regard to Mvhs. Some of these concerns could be addressed, some concerns will be addressed, and some concerns should never be addressed.

Many also feel that there are dozens if not hundreds or even thousands of details and concerns in district. Again some will be addressed and some will not.

There are also concerns that come up on a day by day, week by week, year by year basis. These concerns also have to be addressed.

The concern I have is how the district is functioning as a whole in a ever changing environment. an environment that is facing very tough, some might say crisis type times. I am pleased with the experience and level headed actions being taken by the board and administration at this time. This does not mean that a few situations in the past or some that lay ahead of us in the future, will not be fraught with some minor disappointments.

But please realize I am one of the non-affected ones... A statement I truly find disappointing !!!

Thanks Arch I did find the article and it's content enjoyable to read.

[doctorwho]

Jan 22, 2009 9:36:13 GMT -6 southsidesignmaker said:

And to think I was going to read about basketball!

Gentleman it is all about different perspectives.

Some have gotten past the boundaries issue, some have not, some never will, and some never cared in the first place.

I do think many feel that there are indeed some issues with regard to Mvhs. Some of these concerns could be addressed, some concerns will be addressed, and some concerns should never be addressed.

Many also feel that there are dozens if not hundreds or even thousands of details and concerns in district. Again some will be addressed and some will not.

There are also concerns that come up on a day by day, week by week, year by year basis. These concerns also have to be addressed.

The concern I have is how the district is functioning as a whole in a ever changing environment. an environment that is facing very tough, some might say crisis type times. I am pleased with the experience and level headed actions being taken by the board and administration at this time. This does not mean that a few situations in the past or some that lay ahead of us in the future, will not be fraught with some minor disappointments.

But please realize I am one of the non-affected ones... A statement I truly find disappointing !!!

Thanks Arch I did find the article and it's content enjoyable to read.

actually I posted the article as I have been trumpeting the effect on athletes since when the school was going to be @ BB. This time the boundaries are not the issue - it's 1/ do we open a complete school with the same opportunities at all 3 2/ varsity sports athletes affected by a move to a school without that activity.


I have posted on this for over 3 years - so please be careful not to lump all concerns together

And I don't like the term either but consider this -- if you have a freshman varsity athlete - would they be affected next year ? NO
If you had a freshman varsity athlete @ Waubonsie ( as more than a few parents I know do) - and they had to move to MV next year- is their scenario vastly different ? yes.

Do you believe those are equitable opportunities for the children ?

Do you believe we should just write the class of 2012 that faces this off ? 2/3 of the freshman class is unaffected no matter what when it comes to varsity sports being affected. Of course there is also those like the girls who play Lacorsse @ NV who lose their sport entirely next year also.

This is not a boundary issue per se- it is an opportunity issue and one that has ALWAYS been very close to my heart. I have discussed this with Kathy Birkett and most SB members for well over 3 years...


so yes - this is about basket ball -- and scoccer- and volleyball and lacrosse and swimming et al....

In this case it is not about perspective- it is a cold hard fact that some kids will get short changed on equal opportunity next year -- if there are no exceptions. You may see it as perspective but put yourself in the parents shoes that have to explain to their kids - sorry - you get a shiny new school, and your friends will continue playing state level varsity sports - but because someone drew a line here or there - and want to open a school before it's ready - you don't.

and if you think they are all resilient as I read in some places- I have a few that would love to talk to you about how they feel.

[southsidesignmaker]

Dw,

Sorry for not giving you the credit on the story.

I do feel that varsity sports along with other nagging issues regarding MVHS need to be addressed. My concern is that folks realize that this is one area among many that the board and staff need to look at.

Thanks again for posting the story.

[doctorwho]

Jan 22, 2009 10:15:44 GMT -6 southsidesignmaker said:

Dw,

Sorry for not giving you the credit on the story.

I do feel that varsity sports along with other nagging issues regarding MVHS need to be addressed. My concern is that folks realize that this is one area among many that the board and staff need to look at.

Thanks again for posting the story.

I purposely did not post one a few weeks ago when it involved a freshman athlete I have known since Kindergarten ( who will be affected) because I figured I'd be more emotional. The stance today is not fair and equitable- and let's face it -- it doesn't affect me directly either - but does affect many I know and would have affected me -- so to some extent I am in the same boat as you if someone wanted to tell me that - unaffected. But I still care very much about this issue as having athletes I know how much of their life sports makes up.


And I still do follow WVHS sports for 2 reasons - once a Warrior parent always a Warrior parent ( will always be my oldest's alma mater) & 2/ many of the kids there are younger siblings of kids we knew before.

I also follow some NV sports as they are club mates of my daughter, and I want them to do well also.

[Arch]

SSSM,

I know is sounds silly the way I put it, but that is how silly the dismissal arguments are whenever someone brings up the factual inequities that fall upon the class of 2012 and even the class of 2013 where some will have an opportunity at varsity and some will not.

That opportunity is controlled by a boundary line but the entire point of this is that A BOUNDARY LINE SHOULD NOT DETERMINE whether a child gets the opportunities or not.

There should be EQUAL OPPORTUNITY regardless of what HS a student gets assigned to.

EVERY HS student DESERVES an EQUAL OPPORTUNITY in their HS experience.

It's a stance and perspective I can not see any other way because NO ONE DESERVES a lesser opportunity and NO ONE should have to have one either. That *IS* within the power of the SB and Administration to correct. They need to.

One has to wonder why someone would even want to actively work against providing EQUAL OPPORTUNITY or even settle for believing it's unobtainable and stopping short is somehow OK and perfectly acceptable.

[rew]

What if the district allowed MV students to participate in varsity sports until MV had them?They could have an after school bus go from MV to WV to take those kids to practice. I would think they could limit it to varsity, since MV would have JV sports and they could still attend classes at MV.

Would/Could that work?

[Arch]

Jan 22, 2009 11:16:45 GMT -6 rew said:

What if the district allowed MV students to participate in varsity sports until MV had them?They could have an after school bus go from MV to WV to take those kids to practice. I would think they could limit it to varsity, since MV would have JV sports and they could still attend classes at MV.

Would/Could that work?

I don't know if students can play on a team for a school they do not attend. My suspicions tell me no.

The district's prior petition process to attend another school would cover it. Why that existing process has been abandoned now does not make any sense.

[researching]

Jan 22, 2009 11:28:30 GMT -6 Arch said:

Jan 22, 2009 11:16:45 GMT -6 rew said:

What if the district allowed MV students to participate in varsity sports until MV had them?They could have an after school bus go from MV to WV to take those kids to practice. I would think they could limit it to varsity, since MV would have JV sports and they could still attend classes at MV.

Would/Could that work?

I don't know if students can play on a team for a school they do not attend. My suspicions tell me no.

The district's prior petition process to attend another school would cover it. Why that existing process has been abandoned now does not make any sense.

NOTHING this SB / Admin has been doing in relation to this situation makes sense. This article just reminds us of that.

The reality is , as Arch said, it is VERY much within the SB's power to EASILY correct these inequities. They just choose not to. They choose to completely disregard the affected students from the Class of 2012. When questioned and given FACTS, the SB members fail to respond. They know what they are doing is wrong. It is simply inconvenient to acknowledge it because that would force them to do what is right by these kids.

Seriously, why is it impossible to keep WVHS's Gold Campus open for ONE MORE YEAR? Especially when doing so would allow for a more equitable experience for all. Also, NVHS's main campus will only be adding 47 more students overall to its building if the affected students are allowed to stay. 47! Ridiculous to ask for such a sacrifice when the number is so small.

The ENTIRE MV debacle makes me VERY suspicious about the motivation for such a large amount of poor decisions. When given the opportunity to rectify such poor decisions in a reasonably simple manner, the SB fails to do so. Why is that? I believe the answer will reveal itself eventually and I also believe that the answer will reflect Illinois politics as usual.

[doctorwho]

Jan 22, 2009 11:16:45 GMT -6 rew said:

What if the district allowed MV students to participate in varsity sports until MV had them?They could have an after school bus go from MV to WV to take those kids to practice. I would think they could limit it to varsity, since MV would have JV sports and they could still attend classes at MV.

Would/Could that work?

My understanding is the top team s will be Soph teams from all the quotes I've seen- not JV.

I saw it for girls volleyball ( where they are still looking for a coach) - they are looking for someone to coach sophomore girls.

Also that would be a nightmare on game days - logistics - practices etc. Leave the player at the school where they are on the team.
Also cost to others in the district - they should not have to pay for those buses IMHO..

[doctorwho]

Jan 22, 2009 12:31:19 GMT -6 researching said:

Jan 22, 2009 11:28:30 GMT -6 Arch said:

I don't know if students can play on a team for a school they do not attend. My suspicions tell me no.

The district's prior petition process to attend another school would cover it. Why that existing process has been abandoned now does not make any sense.

NOTHING this SB / Admin has been doing in relation to this situation makes sense. This article just reminds us of that.

The reality is , as Arch said, it is VERY much within the SB's power to EASILY correct these inequities. They just choose not to. They choose to completely disregard the affected students from the Class of 2012. When questioned and given FACTS, the SB members fail to respond. They know what they are doing is wrong. It is simply inconvenient to acknowledge it because that would force them to do what is right by these kids.

Seriously, why is it impossible to keep WVHS's Gold Campus open for ONE MORE YEAR? Especially when doing so would allow for a more equitable experience for all. Also, NVHS's main campus will only be adding 47 more students overall to its building if the affected students are allowed to stay. 47! Ridiculous to ask for such a sacrifice when the number is so small.

The ENTIRE MV debacle makes me VERY suspicious about the motivation for such a large amount of poor decisions. When given the opportunity to rectify such poor decisions in a reasonably simple manner, the SB fails to do so. Why is that? I believe the answer will reveal itself eventually and I also believe that the answer will reflect Illinois politics as usual.

to be fair - there are some SB members who question why this can't be handled...but they are not the majority

[researching]

Jan 22, 2009 13:31:22 GMT -6 doctorwho said:

Jan 22, 2009 12:31:19 GMT -6 researching said:

NOTHING this SB / Admin has been doing in relation to this situation makes sense. This article just reminds us of that.

The reality is , as Arch said, it is VERY much within the SB's power to EASILY correct these inequities. They just choose not to. They choose to completely disregard the affected students from the Class of 2012. When questioned and given FACTS, the SB members fail to respond. They know what they are doing is wrong. It is simply inconvenient to acknowledge it because that would force them to do what is right by these kids.

Seriously, why is it impossible to keep WVHS's Gold Campus open for ONE MORE YEAR? Especially when doing so would allow for a more equitable experience for all. Also, NVHS's main campus will only be adding 47 more students overall to its building if the affected students are allowed to stay. 47! Ridiculous to ask for such a sacrifice when the number is so small.

The ENTIRE MV debacle makes me VERY suspicious about the motivation for such a large amount of poor decisions. When given the opportunity to rectify such poor decisions in a reasonably simple manner, the SB fails to do so. Why is that? I believe the answer will reveal itself eventually and I also believe that the answer will reflect Illinois politics as usual.

to be fair - there are some SB members who question why this can't be handled...but they are not the majority

Do they question this out loud, on public record or do they question it privately, only when speaking to those affected?

I really don't mean to be overly harsh. I have high expectations from elected officials. They are the chosen voice of the people. If they don't loudly stand up for what is right then who will?

I have seen glimpses of decency from a few of the SB members but they tend to buckle under M2's tyranny. If they truly want to help then they should speak up, loud and proud. CB tried a little but then quieted down quickly. AT says she "sympathizes" with the Class of 2012 and wouldn't want that for her own child but "kids are resilient". Other than that, I have heard nothing. We have BEGGED for someone on the SB to stand up for our children. We have produced facts and documentation to support our position and have been met with silence.

In reference to the MV site, didn't they ALL originally vote for that location? CV later retracted that vote but the damage was done.

I guess it all comes down to character. IMO that is what is severely lacking. At one point CB and CV showed great character. I don't know when or why that changed.

Here are some great quotes illustrating what I mean:

"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power."

— Abraham Lincoln

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."

— Martin Luther King, Jr.


"If you lose your wealth, you have lost nothing,
If you lose your health, you have lost something,
But if you lose your character, you have lost everything."

— Woodrow Wilson


"Character is always lost when a high ideal is sacrificed on the altar of conformity and popularity."

— Anonymous