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When Putting The Team
Recently, a wrestler from New Jersey was asked to cut his dreadlocks off by the referee, during the middle of match or forfeit it. He followed the instructions of the referee, allowed his dreadlocks to be snipped away right on the spot, and went on to win the match.
The 16-year-old New Jersey high school wrestler named Andrew Johnson was black. The referee was white. The majority of coaches and players for the Buena High School team are white, as well as the surrounding community are.
There are a lot of things that can be taken away from this situation. I commend the school district for stripping the referee from his duties and not allowing him to make such an absurd call again. But I also want to celebrate Andrew Johnson for standing tall even in the face of adversity and keeping his focus on bringing the victory home for his team and teammates. This ordeal proves that there is still a lot of work to be done to improve racial equality even in the sports sector. It also proves that there are individuals who are capable of fighting some of lifes’ most ridiculous battles all for one purpose. The victory.
Stanfield
L. Watson
L. Watson
Cauthen Thornton
Demarion Workman
Basketball and Life
“My parents have definitely impacted my life the most. I wouldn’t be were I am today if it wasn’t for them. They invested a lot of time and money in me, especially my dad. My mom also always made sure I was always on task at school.”
Nestled away at the Triad Basketball Academy in Greensboro is someone who others may already know about, while many have not. Anyhow, Demarion Workman, or “DJ” as he likes to be called has been putting in the work and honing his craft while becoming one of the premier basketball talents in the area. Spunq Sports Magazine was fortunate to ask him a few questions and shed light into his world.
Who is DJ Workman?
I am a very unique person. I’m very confident, but at the same time I’m real humble. I’m also a great leader and never a follower.
I play basketball. I play the guard spot mostly but I also play the small forward spot. I consider my self an “Point Forward”. I play AAU and I also play school ball for Swann Middle School (formerly Aycock Middle).
How has basketball impacted your life?
It has impacted my life a lot. It gave me opportunities to meet new people and see new places. It has also helped to get my body in shape.
I love the lessons that come with it and being able to compete and share the same platform with other athletes.
What are some of your accomplishments on the basketball court?
One of my accomplishments is getting into better shape then I was. What I learned from that was to perform well I have to be healthy inside out so I changed my diet started drinking more water and working out more. I wouldn’t necessarily consider it a failure id rather say its a lesson but its when I went down to the CP3 middle school combine camp to compete with the best in the world and I didn’t make the all star game, after that I knew I had to work harder because there is people from all over working hard also.
Who or what has impacted your life the most?
My parents have definitely impacted my life the most. I wouldn’t be were I am today if it wasn’t for them. They invested a lot of time and money in me, especially my dad. My mom also always made sure I was always on task at school.
What are some of the challenges that you face in sports?
Being an athlete you have to sacrifice a lot of time and fun things to be great. You can’t really do what all the other kids do, you have to lead by example and stay out of trouble. Also multi-tasking your school work and your life as an athlete can be very challenging because that comes with a lot of responsibility. At the end of the day it makes your a better person and it helps you mature also.
What are your goals for the future?
Some of my plans is too not only be great at what I do but to use my platform and the popularity I will have to help make the world a better place and try to create an change.
My plans for my future is to do what I love and be able to earn money and live of that. Definitely to make it the NBA and put my self in a great situation to where I can help my family out and have fun with life. I hope to make life for the people around me a little be less stressful.
“My plans for my future is to do what I love and be able to earn money and live of that. Definitely to make it the NBA and put my self in a great situation to where I can help my family out and have fun with life. I hope to make life for the people around me a little less stressful.”
Claudia and Jadence
CA Cheer and Dance
Claudia
I love to do dance and cheer. I’m a very fun person. I love to draw, and I also love cats.
I am a Cheerleader for CA Cheer and Dance. What I really love most about cheering is that I get to try new things. I am always motivated to do something I have never done before.
Jadence
I would describe myself as someone who is sassy, independent, pretty, goofy, and intelligent.
CA Cheer and Dance has allowed me an opportunity to be a part of something that great. Being a cheerleader helps to keep me calm. It is also very peaceful and very fun. I really get involved with the routines.
Photos by JLG Photograpjy - Information provided by CA Cheer and Dance
I have experienced a few high points and low points as a cheerleader. Fortunately, I have learned from them. One time I was doing a round-off, back handspring and I stuttered and fell. I learned that I needed to squeeze more.
I have also learned that it’s okay to make mistakes and don’t be afraid to do something. Just go for it!
My mom, my friends, and my coaches really push me and encourage me to do my very best.
I know that if I am going to be my best, I must challenge myself and push through even the hardest moments.
Misty Copeland inspired me to do ballet. She is determined and doesn’t let people get to her.
As I get older, I want to become one of the black principal ballet dancers and a world champion cheerleader.
In the future I would like to be a principal or a doctor. I love animals and being a veterinarian would also be great.
I am inspired by Angel Rice, Victoria Lawson, Marci Lawson, and Mary Lawson.
Before I graduate from college, I hope to be performing at a very high level as an athlete and cheerleader.
After college, I plan to work professionally as a Neonatal Nurse and live a great life.
Luke Holman ONEonONE
Who is Luke Homol
I am a very passionate and competitive young man who is trying to get better. I also have a deep love for football.
What
do you love
most about being an athlete
I love being an athlete because it gives me the chance to show others the talents God has blessed me with.
What are some
of your andaccomplishments failures
as an athlete
One of my accomplishments was placing third in a QB competition, competing against QBs all over the nation. One of my failures was losing in the semifinals this year to cannon. I learned that i have a lot of potential and I don’t want to see the gifts that God have blessed me with go to waste.
“I love being an athlete because it gives me the chance to show others the talents God has blessed me with.”
Who or what has impacted your life the most
I am inspired mostly by the ones who doubt me. It gives me that drive to prove people wrong.
What are your inspirations
Baker Mayfield is on of my inspirations because he plays way bigger than he actually is. He was doubted most of his life and is an underdog and I feel like I am also an underdog.
What are some of the challenges you face as an athlete
Gaining weight, managing my time correctly, and maintaining good grades as a student athlete.
What are your plans as an athlete in the future
To get bigger faster and stronger so that my talents cannot go unrecognized. I want to play college ball.
My plans are also to proceed my athletic career at the collegiate level and use football to get the highest level of education I can get.
JYSEN SEYMORE
“I am a hard working kid with goals. I also hit hard.”
Jysen Seymore is 11 years old. He attends McNair Elementary School. He is a 5th Grader.
He plays football for the Northern Knighthawks and is a Running Back and Linebacker. This is his first year playing. He has scored a couple of touchdowns, on offense and defense, and had a few key tackles.
What do you love most about playing football?
“I
love the hitting and tackling. I am a hard working kid with goals. I hit hard also.
Who is your favorite player?
Odell Beckham Jr. of the New York Giants.
What challenges have you faced?
Learning how to run the ball my very hardest.
What are your goals as a football player?
I plan to play for the Knighthawks next season and the Greensboro Gators in AUU. I will try to play harder.
What other sports do you play?
I play basketball for Proelific Park. The position I play is point guard and shooting guard. I get most excited when I score.
What your goals as a basketball player?
When I get older, I plan to play in the NBA.
Who is your favorite player?
Lebron James.
What is your favorite food?
My favorite food is pizza.
Other than sports, what else do you like?
When I am not playing football or basketball, I can be found reading. I am a A/B Honor Roll student.
Who is your biggest inspiration?
My dad has been my biggest inspiration in life. He encourages me everyday to do my best. He points out the good and bad things I do. He takes me to drill all of the time and that has helped me a lot. He has taught me how to shoot floaters and dribble.
“When I am not playing sports, I can be found reading.”
The Triad Celebrates Hometown Probowlers
ERIC
EBRON
KEENAN
ALLEN TARIK COHEN
Mo’ne Davis Picks Hampton
Mo’ne Davis, the first girl to pitch a victory in the Little League World Series, will attend Hampton University and play softball. At 13, Davis delivered her 70-mph fastballs for Philadelphia’s Taney Youth Baseball Association during the 2014 LLWS and became a national celebrity. She appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated and was named AP Female Athlete of the Year .
In this Aug. 15, 2014, file photo, Pennsylvania’s Mo’ne Davis delivers in the fifth inning against Tennessee during a baseball game in United States pool play at the Little League World Series tournament in South Williamsport, Pa. Davis, who became an instant celebrity in August when she became the first girl to win a Little League World Series game, is The Associated Press 2014 Female Athlete of the Year. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)
Davis played softball, basketball and soccer at Springside Chestnut Hill Academy in Philadelphia. Hampton coach Angela Nicholson told the Daily Press of Newport News, Virginia, that Davis will play middle infielder and major in journalism and communications. Her parents told the Philadelphia Tribune that she chose Hampton over five other schools because of its communications program.
NC A&T State University Wins 2018 Celebration Bowl and HBCU National Championship.....Again
North Carolina A&T State quarterback Lamar Raynard passed for 292 yards and two scores to lift the Aggies to a 24-22 Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl win over Alcorn State of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Saturday before a crowd of 31,672 at Mercedes Benz Stadium and a national ABC television audience.
The Aggie win gave the MEAC a 3-1 advantage in the bowl season-opener which annually pits the MEAC champion against the winner of the SWAC. The victory also gave NC A&T back-to-back wins in the event and its third triumph in three appearances in the four-year-old bowl.
The 11th ranked Aggies and first-year head coach Sam Washington finished the campaign at 10-2 and will claim their second straight National Black College Championship and their third title in four seasons.
