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Barnstable Patriot
Barnstable, Massachusetts
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December 1, 2006     Barnstable Patriot
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December 1, 2006
 
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Go Red! Go White! Call them athletes, all right? Varsity cheerleaders earn respect through success By Kathleen Szmit kszmit@barnstablepatnot. com KATHLEEN SZMIT PHOTOS THE GANG'S ALL HERE - The BHS varsity cheerleading team showed spunk, spirit and athleticism at the Big Game on Saturday. After years of struggle, the program and the team are finding success with head coach Heather Crosby, including a second place finish in the State Championships on Nov. 19. ?/ TOP OF THE WORLD - BHS varsity cheerleaders show their stuff during the final halftime show of the season at Saturday's Big Game. :' J There was a time when the word "cheerleader " called to mind a daft , perky blonde with pom-poms. While some like that may still exist, you won't find them at Barnstable High School. Yes, the BHS var- sity cheerleaders wave pom-poms, and many are blonde, but they are anything but daft. They are perky, but they are also talented athletes, as recent accomplishments can at- test. On Nov. 19, the team placed second in the State Championships in Newton. The win marks only the second time the team has been to the championships in more than a decade. Last year they placed fourth. "It was a really good, re- ally close win [this year]," said squad co-captain Maxine Demko, one of six seniors on the team. "We lost by two points." The team also garnered several other victories this season, including the Old Colony League and the Southeast Regional title. Just last year the team decided to prove that they were more than "cheerlead- ers." They wanted folks to know that they are athletes in the truest sense of the word. "I make them work ," said head coach Heather Crosby. "They're very con- ditioned." In fact, conditioning is a large part of their program, with regular practices containing at least a half hour of it. Because of that, many on the team feel that one of their greatest traits is their strength. "They are lifting 130-pound girls over their heads for a minute or more," said Crosby. "They have to be totally in sync to make it work. If they're not in sync it can go really, really badly." Fortunately, being in sync comes naturally to most of the team, though there are a few who have been a little "dance challenged." This season marks Cros- by's second as head coach. She took over the position last season after years of struggle in the program. She feels that her firm but understanding attitude helps the team succeed. "I don't believe in burn- ing them out," she ex- plained. "If they haven't got it two days before the competition , they won't get it. There is no sense CONTINUED ON PAGE Alt Lifetime achievement, labor of love BHS Athletic Hall of Fame salutes Ed Semprini By Kathleen Szmit kszmit@barnstablepatnot.com ALL IN THE FAMILY - Ed Semprini, with sons Ron (left) and Ned, offers thanks for his Lifetime Achievement Award presented at the BHS Athletic Hall of Fame ceremony Friday night. J D PLOURDE PHOTOS LOCAL LEGENDS - Local sports enthusiast and media icon Ed Semprini, left, receives the first W. Leo Shields Memorial Lifetime Achievement Award from BHS Athletic Hall of Fame inductee Jack Aylmer at the Hall of Fame ceremony Friday night. Ed Semprini stood off to the side at Friday night's 2006 BHS Ath- letic Hall of Fame ceremony, shaking his head slightly as past inductee Jack Aylmer rattled off Semprini's creden- tials. Stepping forward to accept the first W.Leo Shields Me- morial Lifetime Achievement Award, Semprini wore a shy smile, visibly humbled by the accolade. That is the true nature of Ed Semprini. In spite of his status as something of an icon within the media world of Cape Cod, he remains humble. Semprini's foray into the sports world began when he was a young man growing up in Allentown, Pa. An avid swimmer, he also enjoyed playing basketball in Allen- town's city league. After coming to Cape Cod by way of Camp Edwards, Semprinisettled here after graduating from Temple Uni- versity in Philadelphia. Ironically, it was at Ay- Imer's grandmother's home on Camp Street that the newcomer bunked when he first arrived in Hyannis more than 65 years ago. "He was looking for a rooming house with a clean room to sleep in," recounted Aylmer."So I sent him [there]." Semprini began his career on Cape Cod as sports editor for the Cape Cod Standard- Times. He became knowl- edgeable of numerous Cape schools and their athletic teams, many of whom he provided with the names they still bear today. It was Sem- prini who dubbed Barnstable High School's athletes The Red Raiders. A true wordsmith, Sem- prini expanded on his writing talents to become news director for WOCB AM/FM in West Yarmouth.He later held the same position at WQRC FM in Hyannis and TV 58, the Cape Cod television channel. Supporting Sempriniin his storied career were his wife of 42 years, Elizabeth, and their two sons, Ned and Ron, BHS graduates who have contin- ued the tradition with then- own children. Naturally, Ned and Ron were both involved in sports, playing football and baseball and football, basketball and gymnastics respectively. Together the Semprini men added to their rosters by tak- ing up the game of golf, which they still play today. "We go to a special place in Rangely, Maine," said Ed. "We've been playingthere for years. It's a beautiful course." Even in his "retirement," Ed Semprini continued his love affair with local sports and the written word, becoming a columnist for The Barnstable Patriot. "I write about things that don't make it into the headlines but are still interesting," he said. In his column he muses about jelly doughnuts, women boxers, post-election fallout, and the names that Barnstable villages have held in the past. Semprini also keeps his pen point sharp by discover- ing and writing about local sports notables such as BHS golf coach Mark Titus and Cummaquid golf pro Allan Stewart. Upon learning of his selec- tion as the first recipient of the Lifetime Achievement award, Semprini was quite surprised. "I don't feel like I did that much," he said quietly. Those in the Barnstable athletic community dis- agreed; Semprini was the unanimous choice. "He is a wonderful addi- tion to the community and is woven into the fiber of Barnstable," said Aylmer. "He put a real face on athlet- ics." Perhaps more meaningful than the award itself was the connection it offered to BHS legend Leo Shields. With his sons at his side, Semprini had the final word. "All I have to say is that to be recognized at a level of such an individual who was a very good friend of mine is a single honor, one I appreci- ate dearly." Weather or not, rivalry continues Barnstable falls to Falmouth in annual game By Kathleen Szmit kszmit@barnstablepatriot.com REACHING FOR IT - BHS tri-captain Donny Campbell reaches for a pass over the arm of a Falmouth player during Saturday 's annual Thanksgiving game, which was postponed from Thursday due to predictions of excessively wet weather. J D PLOURDE II PHOTOS PEPTALK-BHSAssistant Coach Howard Heleenoffers words of wisdom to his players during a timeout in the annual BHS-Falmouth game. Although BHS played with gusto, Falmouth took the win 14-12. It was a game mired in controversy, rife with energy, and smeared with just a little mud from a field still drying out after Thursday 's heavy rains. One thing i£ certain: it was anything but a regular game asFalmouthHigh School beat host Barnstable 14-12 Saturday. Whennastyweatherwasfore- cast, however, a decision was made to reschedule the game untilSaturday,amovethat cre- ated quite a stir at the parade and pep rally last Wednesday. Several key Barnstable School District figures were met with resounding boos and shouts of "stick with tradition!" when they took the microphone at the rally. Thursday did indeed dawn wicked and wet, with winds whipping at more than 30 mph and rain pelting down. Not a great day to draw the standing-room-onlycrowd that Saturday's game saw. Kickoff came just after the official start time of 3p.m. and immediately set into motion one of the more memorable games in the fifth oldest foot- ball rivalry in the state. AfterFalmouth got onto the board after returningthe open- ing kick 65 yards in 12 plays, BHS fans grew uneasy. They began to worrywhen Falmouth scored again within minutes and it became clear that this game seemed to be asummary of theBHSteam'sentire season of playingwell but missingkey opportunities. Although Barnstable man- aged to basically shut down Falmouth' s offense , they weren't entirely prepared for their defense. Nonetheless, the boys played their hearts out, maintaining determination until the last second on the clock ticked away. Just when it seemed that Falmouth might have a shut- out in their grasp, BHS rallied back to bring the score nearly even. Dean Tillman was a formi- dable player,tucking117yards, 22 carries andBarnstable'sonly two touchdowns beneath his belt, while Zach Wilson had 9 carries totaling 66 yards. Barnstable'sfirst touchdown came on a Tillman scamper from the six-yard-line and was followed ashort timelaterwhen Tillman again found the end zone after a 79-yard romp. Wilson also led the BHS defense in tackles garnering 4.5 for the day, while C.J. Ellis and Dave Wiseman each had 4. Ross Hickey and Pat Fulham netted 2.5 tackles each. Although Barnstable was abletoprevent anyrealforward progress by Falmouth , the Raiders weren't able to find successoftheirowndue to fum- bles, incomplete passes and strong defense by Falmouth including prevention of two BHS two-point conversions. While many will speculate what contributed to Barnsta- ble's loss -missed opportuni- ties on the field , changing the game day from the traditional Thanksgiving date, too much tryptophan - their spirit was strong. Those attending the pre-game parade and pep rally saw it first-hand. Of course, there is always nextyear,whenBHSwillreturn to Falmouth's home field to continue the rivalry. Weather permitting?C'mon.Thisisfoot- ball! Just as the Pats enjoyed their Snow Bowl, no doubt these teams would welcome another Mud Bowl. ENERGIZED BUNNY - Ears on the play! Once again thatcheekypink-eared rascalmadehisappearance at the BHS-Falmouth Thanksgiving game.