Raiders stand tall and ready despite the recent loss to Bruins
by Jackie Prins
Special to the Collegiate

Their home court was a refreshing change for GRCC’s women’s basketball team. Out of the last 12 games, 10 were on the road. Unfortunately for Coach Kelly McEwen and his Lady Raiders, the familiarity of the Ford Fieldhouse just wasn’t enough.

Besides the home court advantage, the Raiders had another asset: Kellogg Community College, ranked 18th in the nation, was playing without their starting point guard. However, at the end of the night it comes down to, as Coach McEwen stresses, playing hard and smart every time.

Both teams battled through the fi rst half, which came to a close with the KCC Bruins in the lead, 32-26. The Raiders did not back down though, and early in the second half a layup and a 3-pointer gave GRCC the lead, 47-45. With five minutes and 20 sec- onds left in the game, KCC’s Areathia McClenney hit a 3-pointer, making it 56- 54, KCC on top. From then on, Kellogg Community College didn’t look back.

With only 39 seconds left, and chances ticking away, freshman Brittany Bueche hit a 3-pointer to put the Raiders within 4 of Kellogg. After a nail-biting timeout, KCC inbounded the ball, only to be fouled once and then fouled again on the next possession. They wrapped up the game making 3 out of their last 4 free-throws, and defeating the Raiders 67-60. It was an ending that seemed to parallel their fi rst meeting on Dec. 5. Kellogg walked away with their first victory over Grand Rapids Community College this season, 81-70.

On paper both teams are similar, but one statistic stands out. The Bruins outrebounded the Raiders, 60- 39. GRCC’s starting guard Aunjuli Stewart had 20 points and 7 rebounds. Kaylie Meyering, also a starting guard, had 11 points and 6 rebounds. For Kellogg, starting guard Areathia McClenney had 21 points and 4 rebounds, and starting forward Christina Edwards had 18 points and 18 rebounds.

The Raiders have 7 games left until the MCCAA tournament begins on Feb. 25. They play Ancilla College at the Ford Fieldhouse Feb. 1, and Kalamazoo Valley Community College Feb. 8, which is also at home.

Football player enjoys scholarship
By Dana Finkler
Collegiate Staff Writer

Former GRCC football player Jarell Herring is now enjoying the warm climate of North Carolina.

Herring was able to accomplish the academic requirements in order to transfer after three years from GRCC. He played defensive end for the Raiders.

“I took 21 credit hours this past semester as well as 14 in the summer for this opportunity,” Herring said.

He was granted a full-ride athletic scholarship to North Carolina A&T University. The last GRCC player to accomplish this was Mike Holton in 2000, who wound up playing for the University of Hawaii.

“I wanted to get out now so I could participate in the off-season workouts so I could play,” Herring said.

Herring was recruited out of Detroit PSL, an elite high school team in the Detroit area. The team won the high school state championship his senior year. He has gone up against some great competition: he even played against Vernon Gholsten, a defensive end from Ohio State who is projected to go in the top 10 in this year’s NFL draft.

Herring had an exquisite career at GRCC. His freshman year, he racked up a total of 64 tackles, 9.5 tackles for a loss, and 6 sacks. The next year, he showed improvement as he ended with 73 tackles, 15 tackles for a loss, and 8.5 sacks. He also added 3 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries, 1 defensive touchdown, 1 blocked kick, and 1 safety. Herring is also fi rst team All Midwest Football Conference and a Preseason second Team All-American. In 2007, he was an Honorable Mention All- American.

“I never went to any parties or anything like that. It showed me that hard work on the field and the classroom paid off,” Herring said.

“The great thing about Jarell is he had the support of his family, which most kids who come from the inner city teams in Detroit don’t have,” GRCC assistant coach Curt Andrews said.

Herring said his passions exceed past the football field. Though he admits it would be great to play as a professional someday, he said his concentration is on school and getting a degree in criminal justice.

Growing up in inner-city Detroit, Herring lost many friends to the correctional system. It has inspired him to one day become a probation officer and make a difference with kids in their lives.

The Raiders work hard to keep the record strong
By Derek Lamb
Collegiate Staff Writer

The GRCC Men’s basketball team continues their winning ways, improving their record to 12-4.

This season, with 13 of their 15 players being freshman, many young players have stepped up and contributed to the team’s success. Assistant coach John Maciak highlighted some of the players in particular.

“Keithan Jackson, at 6’5, has been an inside presence, Brad Schnyders on the perimeter, and Jance Payne at point guard. Santonio Martin as a forward, Tylor Trobaugh has done a nice job as an outside shooter, Bradley Whitby and Jamel Pittman have added to the team as well,” Maciak said.

Jackson is averaging 11 points per game and 10 rebounds per game, while Martin and Schnyders are both averaging 8 points per game. Payne has also played well with 12.5 points per game, just over 7 assists, and 2 steals a game.

Coach Maciak is happy with what the team has done so far but
thinks they can be even better. Of the Raiders 4 losses, two were by 3 points or less.

“When you look at our 4 losses, we probably could have won them all,” Maciak said.

Even though they’ve played well, there are still some things the team can do to make sure they can keep on racking up victories.

“We need to keep working hard, be mentally and physically tough, be positive, and work on eliminating turnovers. There’s no substitute for hard work,” Maciak said.

Basketball is her one love
By Sandra Sabin
Collegiate Staff Writer

The women’s basketball coach of five years is impressed with freshmen, Brittany “Boosh” Bueche.

She is team-oriented, a good student, and has great leadership skills. “She is becoming a basketball player,”

Coach Kelly Mecwen said. Bueche is a 3.8 student who attends GRCC because of an athletic scholarship.

She accepted due the insecurities of her major.

After getting adjusted to the college life, Bueche has decided to possibly follow in her family’s footsteps and go to school for business. Her grandfather owns a marketing business where she already helps out when she isn’t on the court or in class. Bueche picked up a basketball at age eight for a small youth team in Lowell. She was hooked.

“Basketball is my one love,” Bueche said.

She played basketball and softball at Lowell High School and made varsity as a freshman on the softball team. “I had a natural talent, but I don’t like the slow sport. I like the adrenaline in basketball,” Bueche said.

At 5’8 Bueche plays guard, but Coach Mecwen has been moving her around a lot. She likes the fact the she is versatile. She learns more and it “keeps the challenge alive,” Bueche said.

The women’s basketball team holds a 7-10 record and is getting better as time goes on. “Winning is important, but is not the end-all,” Mecwen
said.

Patriots or the Giants
Opinion by Dana Finkler
Collegiate Staff Writer

The New England Patriots may go down as the greatest time in NFL history if they can topple the New York Giants.

18 teams have laced up their sneakers, thrown on their pads and helmet, and gave it their all, but still have failed to put a blemish on the Patriots’ historic run.

The Patriots escaped the Meadowlands in the regular season fi nale with a 38-35 victory over the Giants. Now both teams will meet again in Super Bowl XXLII on Sunday in Phoniex, AZ.

The Patriots cruised through the playoffs, led by quarterback Tom Brady and Kevin Faulk. The Pats beat the Chargers, 21-12 in the AFC Championship game to advance to the Super Bowl. Many analysts and fans believe the game would have been much closer or a different outcome if the Chargers had their three star players at full health.

Quarterback Phillip Rivers played the game wearing a knee brace to help support a partially torn ACL; running back LaDanian Tomlinson re-aggravated his sprained MCL after the fi rst play of the game, and tight end Antonito Gates barley saw the fi eld with his dislocated toe. Regardless the Patriots are in the Super Bowl and still undefeated.

The Giants, or the “road warriors,” went into the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field and won their NFL record 10th road win to advance to the Super Bowl. Coach Tom Coughlin has always stressed to his team to not make turnovers and it seems that message was clear to Eli Manning who has yet to throw a pick this postseason. Manning has be criticized by the media for his inconsistent play, but has silenced his critics for the time being as he has yet to throw an interception this postseason.

This years Super Bowl will be played in Glendale, AZ at the Cardinals new facility. Will Tom Brady and the dynasty of the Patriots reign supreme or will a waking giant in Eli Manning and the New York Giants ride the “road warrior” streak?

Kickoff for the Super Bowl XXLII is scheduled at 6:18 p.m. on Feb. 3, 2008

Sports Briefs for Jan. 30, 2008
Compiled by Collegiate Staff

GRCC Student Congress basketball night
The Student Congress will sponsor a night out with Raiders basketball.

On Feb. 8 at the Ford Fieldhouse The women play at 5:30 p.m. and the men play at 7:30 p.m.

Student Congress will give away free cowbells, T-shirts, and have face paintings along with free pop and popcorn. Student organizations that have the most members attending will get a free pizza party.

This attempt by Student Congress to show their presence on campus as a viable working club hopes to increase the attendence of Raider sporting events.

Spring is in the air at the Ford Fieldhouse as Raiders begin spring training
Raider baseball, softball, and tenis are already beginning to prepare for their season.

The Ford Fieldhouse is full of activity for spring training. The softball and baseball teams are practicing throughout the week.

It seems that spring is not to far off. The men’s tennis team has already begun its season with another game on Feb 2, at Alma college.

SuperBowl XLII predictions
Opinions by Dana Finkler, Derek Lamb & Lonnie Allen

Dana Finkler: Giants will win. "Tom Brady is all I have to say."

Derek Lamb: Patriots will win. "Eli Manning will lead a game winning drive."

Lonnie Allen: Patriots will win. "They are the lesser of two evils."

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