Pioneers Head To Springfield for Mass. State Semi-Finals

GAME DAY QUICK FACTS:
Event: Massachusetts State Semifinals
The Teams: Saint John's (22-2) vs. East Longmedow (19-3, 5-3 Division)
Date: March 9, 2010
Time: 7:45 p.m.
Place: Mass Mutual Center (8,100), Springfield, Ma.
Television:
Live Video Streaming:
Unofficial Live Statistics:
Last Meeting: Saint John's 58, Longmeadow 50 (March 11, 2008; Amherst, Mass.)

PROBABLE SAINT JOHN'S STARTERS:
Pos., No., Name (Ht., Wt., Cl.)
F, 32, Bennett Knowlton (6-1, Sr.)
F, 34, Richard Rodgers (6-4, Jr.)
C, 33, Chad LaBove (6-6, Sr.)
G, 22, Brian Perron (6-0, Sr.)
G, 21, David White (5-10, Sr.)

PIONEERS ADVANCE TO MASSACHUSETTS STATE SEMIFINALS: Saint John's continues play in the 2010 Massachusetts State Tournament on Tuesday, March 9, when it travels to Springfield for the semifinals at 7:45 p.m. The winner of the Saint John's-Longmeadow game will move on to face the Central Catholic-Madison Park winner in the championship game on Saturday, March 13. For the fourth straight year, all games in the Massachusetts State Tournament will be played on the court of a neutral location.

PIONEERS LOOK FOR SECOND STRAIGHT TOURNAMENT CROWN: Last year ago, the Pioneers captured their third Massachusetts State Tournament championship with their 80-62 victory over Lynn English on March 14, 2009. Saint Johns previous tournament titles came in 2000 and 2009 and are hoping for another in 2010. The Pioneer's three state tournament championships are the most in Central Mass history. Overall, the Pioneers have made a conference-record six appearances in the Massachusetts State championship game.

SAINT JOHN'S A FIXTURE IN CONFERENCE TITLE GAME: "The Pioneers are talented, but it was a healthy dose of heart and hustle that led them to their latest title." Come out Tuesday and show your support

Three Peat

Worcester, MA, Harrington Auditorium- In what shaped up to be a great match-up the Saint Johns Pioneers defeated the North High school Polar Bears by a final score of 58-35 in a very physical and competitive game among some 3,008 people on the campus of the Worcester Poly technical Institute. The Pioneers took a 18-14 lead going into the break at the half. The Polar Bears came out gunning and took their first lead of the game 21-20 with 6:26 left in the third quarter. That was enough for the Pioneers as they came out strong of and offensive spark by a three-ball from Junior Guard Matt Harrington. Saint John's closed out the quarter with a 19-4 run to go up 39-25. Senior Center Chad Labove totaled 14 points, eight of which came in the third quarter. Senior Guard Brian Perron played outstanding defense once again, and for the most part shut down North's Gaetano Iacovone. There was no looking back after that for Saint Johns as they continued to go on and claim their third district title in three years. In the '07-'08 year the Pioneers were led to a state semi-final appearance as well as in the '08-'09 season claimed the Massachusetts state title.Saint John's Senior David White lead all scorers with 15 points. Bennett Knowlton totaled 8 points as well as a tremendous performance by Junior Guard Richard Rodgers who contributed 13 points. Saint John's will play the winner of the Western Mass Championship Game, being played today, between East Longmeadow and Westfield in a state semifinal at the MassMutual Center in Springfield, MA.

Post-Game Interviews

SJ vs. North @WPI 3.5.2010 7:30 PM

SJ Pioneers vs. North Polar Bears @ Worcester Polytechnical Institute in Worcester, MA. Broadcast will begin at the time of game.

Song of the Day

Blueprint 2 - Jay-Z

Pawsy's Speach-3.2.2010

Alright so this is it plain and simple. A group of students from our school to go on a retreat in West Hartford, CT. On Tuesday we had an open floor and all of the other XBS schools went up to the Mic and and pretty much talked about how great they were. Pawsy and I weren't really having so we devised this speech. This isnt word-for-word but close enough....

".....Alright settle down tigers. All you schools are coming up here talking about how you think your the best, thats the difference between us and you....we KNOW we're the best." (A lot of boo's, and cheers from the SJ kids) "Before this retreat I thought this was all about the competitiveness in athletics between schools. I know we don't really hate any schools but some we start to genuinely dis-like some of you. Coming in as a football player, I know how competitive we can start to get. We beat you, you beat us, it goes back and forth. Except basketball, we usually beat you guys; in fact I don't think we've lost since 'nam." (Dubby starts to go nuts; much laughter and applause from everyone) "Now i have begun to realize that its not all about the competitiveness but something more. PEACE I'M OUTTA HERE" -Paws Abraham

I was going absolutely nuts, that was only the first standing ovation we received. Critics are starting to say that "we are the best" speech is better than the "I have a dream speech. Follow your heart.

http://www.moviesoundscentral.com/wavs/billy_madison/billy17.wav

Will Trainor
3.4.2010