Posts published in “Sports”

(Archive April 2017) Boston Celtics Predicted to Reach Eastern Conference Finals

By editorialteam on September 10, 2024

By Zachary Connell | Observer Contributor

The Boston Celtics opened the NBA season with 20-1 odds to win the NBA Championship according to espn.com. They finished in 5th place with a 48-34 record last year and lost in the first round of the playoffs against the Atlanta Hawks. With the signing of center Al Horford and drafting small forward Jaylen Brown, the expectations are higher for the Celtics to make a stronger push in the playoffs this year.

Although I would love for the Celtics to come out on top at the end of the playoffs, I believe they will reach the Eastern Conference finals. I think they will face the Cleveland Cavaliers but lose the series four games to one. Cleveland has proven they can beat anyone in the East Conference. read more

(Archive February 2017) Preview of the 2017 Boston Red Sox

By editorialteam on September 5, 2024

By Nick Cherico | Observer Contributor

After having a couple of down years, in 2016 the Boston Red Sox finished 93-69 and first in the American League East for the first time since 2013. However it did not end too well for them because the Cleveland Indians swept them in the first round of the playoffs. Going into the offseason, Boston was looking to build on their success from the prior season.

At the the beginning of the season, the Red Sox already knew that they would be dealing with the departure of one of the greatest players in team history, David Ortiz. According to espn.com, in 2016 Ortiz hit 38 home runs, 48 doubles, and hit with a .315 average, which was good enough for 6^th overall in the American League. read more

(Archive February 2017) Super Bowl LI: Who Will Reign Victorious

By editorialteam on September 5, 2024

By Stevie LaBelle | Editor-in-Chief

Reliant Stadium
Photo by eschipul on Flickr

After two very heated and epic conference championship games, we are left with not one, but two teams looking to dominate Superbowl LI.

The NFC Championship game ended with a score of 44-21 with the Atlanta Falcons crushing the dreams of Green Bay Packers fans everywhere. There was an apparent lead throughout majority of the championship game. After the first half, the Packers were not even on the board. Despite the best efforts of both their offense and defense, they could not catch up and the Falcons are the ones proceeding onto the Superbowl. read more

(Archive December 2016) Patriots Review

By editorialteam on September 4, 2024

By Scott Mellecker | Observer Contributor

We are officially eleven games into the NFL season and the Pats are holding a nice 9-2 record. Although there are plenty of more games in the win column than the loss column, there is still plenty that needs to be worked on with this team.

The first four games of the season were a nice test for the Patriots without the greatest quarterback of all time, and the team passed with an A+ score. First it was Jimmy Garoppolo who was handed the keys to the offense. With everyone in the world doubting them, Jimmy G pulled off a miraculous victory against the Arizona Cardinals to win the first game of the season. Next up, the Miami Dolphins, who Garoppolo absolutely tore up for the first half of the game. read more

(Archive December 2016) Preview of the Boston Celtics 2016-17 Season

By editorialteam on September 4, 2024

By Nicholas Cherico | Observer Contributor

In the 2015-16 season, the Boston Celtics finished 48-34, their best record since the 2011-12 season. After a first round exit in the playoffs for the second straight season, the Celtics went into the offseason looking for more pieces to build off their success from last year.

After failing to sign top free agent Kevin Durant, the Celtics made arguably their biggest free agent signing in team history. They signed All-Star power forward/center Al Horford to a max deal through the 2020 season. Next to Durant, Horford was the best free agent available. He provides the Celtics with a deadly mid range shot. He also is going to create a lot of scoring opportunities for the guys around him with his versatility. The Celtics have lacked a skillset like this from the big man position in quite some time. read more

(Archive May 2016) Boston Bruins Miss Playoffs for Second Straight Year, Now Look to the Future

By editorialteam on August 30, 2024

By Andrew Hoenig | Assistant Editor

Boston, Mass. – The 2015-2016 Boston Bruins season ended rather abruptly Saturday, April 9th. For the second straight year the Bruins just missed out on competing even further for the Stanley Cup, failing to make the playoffs after finishing the season with 42 wins, 31 losses, and 9 overtime/shootout losses. The Bruins finished with 93 points tying the Detroit Red Wings. The Red Wings were the final team in the Eastern Conference to clinch a playoff berth after squeaking by Boston with a record of 41 wins, 30 losses, and 11 overtime/shootout losses. The teams that clinched playoff spots in the Eastern Conference were the Washington Capitals, Pittsburgh Penguins, Florida Panthers, NY Rangers, NY Islanders, Tampa Bay Lightning, Philadelphia Flyers, and Detroit. read more

(Archive April 2016) NFL Free Agency: Patriots Progress and Winners/Losers at the Start of the New League Year

By editorialteam on August 28, 2024

By Andrew Hoenig | Assistant Editor

New England, U.S. – The start of the new National Football League year was officially Wednesday, March 9 at 4 P.M.

Teams wasted no time changing their rosters as this is also the time of year in the league when teams can sign free agents. NFL free agents are players that are eligible to sign with any team/franchise because they are currently not under contract with any team.

This year the free agent frenzy once again hit hard! Teams that missed out on the playoffs in 2015 took advantage of the opportunity to sign a number of highly coveted players. Some teams that did make the playoffs last year only got better on paper. read more

(Archive April 2016) Boston Red Sox: A 2016 Season Preview

By editorialteam on August 28, 2024

By Andrew Hoenig | Assistant Editor

Boston, Mass. – Spring is upon us! And that means it is time for America’s favorite past time to start up again.

Spring training is over and done and now it is time to start another Major League Baseball season. At Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts, the Red Sox get set for what should be a memorable 2016 season.

This year is the last season for fan favorite David Ortiz, or Big Papi, in the MLB. Big Papi has decided to call it a career after the 2016 campaign, sparking this farewell tour of sorts for the season. No doubt however the season plays out, the last regular season game in Fenway will be sold out just to see Big Papi play ball one more time. read more

(Archive March 2016) Boston Sports Mid-Season Review: Celtics – Boston Getting Offensive

By editorialteam on August 23, 2024

By Andrew Hoenig | Assistant Editor

Boston, Mass – TD Garden has been hopping lately. And with good reason, as the Boston Celtics are molding into a true contender for the NBA playoffs this year. 55 games into their 82-game season, the team has 32 wins and 23 losses (32-23).

The Celtics last win before the NBA’s All-Star break in February was a thrilling offensive showdown with the Los Angeles Clippers. The Celtics came out on top in overtime 139-134. Point guard Isaiah Thomas was the team’s leading scorer in the game with 36. Thomas is leading the way for the Celtics this season having scored a team leading 1,185 points with a field goal percentage of 42.3%. After Thomas, the next closest points scored by a single player on the team is 773 by forward Jae Crowder. Not far behind him is guard Avery Bradley with 756 who’s been “money” from behind the three point line as of late, highlighted most recently in a game against the number one team in the Eastern Conference, the Cleveland Cavaliers, led by LeBron James. Bradley aired out the game winning three-pointer with seconds to spare on Friday, February 5 to lift the Celtics to a 104-103 victory. read more

(Archive March 2016) Boston Sports Mid-Season Review: Bruins – Defense Must Improve

By editorialteam on August 23, 2024

By Andrew Hoenig | Assistant Editor

Boston, Mass. – Bruins fans bleed black and gold and pride themselves on the ol’ saying “Don’t poke the bear”. This usually refers to the team’s defense which has been its staple, especially since clinching their last Stanley Cup Championship in 2011 against the Canucks.

But halfway through this season, the team’s defense is just not getting it done consistently. They’ve had some inconsistency on the back end due to trouble finding solid defensive pairs. Long time players like Zdeno Chara, Adam McQuaid, and Dennis Seidenberg have been defensive staples since their 2011 Stanley Cup win and with last year’s up-and-comer Torey Krug, these veterans and this group of defensemen had high expectations coming into the season but just haven’t been as good as they might have hoped; injuries have played a part in some of the inconsistency, as well. Other key defenseman this season such as Kevan Miller, Joe Morrow, and Zach Trotman have all seen leads be blown or games start off all too quickly with goals by the opposing team. read more