2018-19 Scarborough Spartans Boys' Basketball Schedule

UPDATE on DECEMBER 31:  The Spartans head into the new year with a 5-9 record .  So far, they are 1-2 in district play. 

Friday, 11/9 vs. Austin, 7:30 pm (Scarborough High School)
Tuesday, 11/13 at Waltrip, 7:30 pm
Friday, 11/16 vs. Wisdom, 6:30 pm (Scarborough High School)
Tuesday, 11/27 vs. St. Pius, 7 pm (Scarborough High School)
Friday, 11/30 vs. Northbrook, 7 pm (Scarborough High School)
Saturday, 12/8 at Kashmere, 11:30 am (TJ Engram Gymnasium)#
Tuesday, 12/11 vs. Washington, 7 pm (TJ Engram Gymnasium)#
Friday, 12/14 at Wheatley, 8 pm (Barnett)#
Friday, 12/21 vs. KIPP, 4 pm (Wheatley High School)
Saturday, 12/22 vs. Westbury, 12:30 pm (Wheatley High School)
Friday/Saturday, 12/28-29- Christmas Classic
Friday, 1/4 Westbury Tournament
Saturday, 1/5 Westbury Tournament
Wednesday, 1/9 at Furr, 7 pm (Butler)#
Friday, 1/11 vs. Worthing, 8 pm (TJ Engram Gymnasium)#
Wednesday, 1/16 at North Forest, 7 pm (The Pavilion)#
Friday, 1/18 vs Yates, 8 pm (The Pavilion)#
Wednesday, 1/23 vs. Kashmere, 7 pm (TJ Engram Gymnasium)#
Friday, 1/25 at Washington, 6:30 pm (TJ Engram Gymnasium)#
Monday, 1/28 vs. Wheatley, 5:30 pm (Delmar)#
Friday, 2/1 vs. Furr, 5 pm (The Pavilion)#
Wednesday, 2/6 at Worthing, 5:30 pm (Barnett)#
Friday, 2/8, vs. North Forest, 5 pm (The Pavilion)#
Wednesday, 2/13, at Yates, 5:30 pm (Barnett)#

#- District 23-4A Games

End of Season- Super Two Class Projection

Now that the regular season has ended, I am ready to project the Super Two class for the upcoming off-season.  According to my records, 129 players ended the season:

1. On a 40-man roster
2. With at least two years of service time
3. Less than three years of service time
4. At least 86 days of service time in 2018

Based on these numbers, 28 players(including ties) should receive Super Two status.  Here are the players that I project to be in that class.

1. Severino, Yankees(2.170)
2. Jankowski, San Digeo(2.169)
3. Plawecki, Mets(2.167)
4. Perez, Texas(2.166)
4. Hedges, San Diego(2.166)
6. Swihart, Boston(2.164)
6. Drury, Toronto(2.164)
8. Marte, Arizona(2.162)-under contract for 2019
9. Wolters, Colorado(2.161)
10. Goody, Cleveland(2.159)
10. Buxton, Minnesota(2.159)
12. Fulmer, Detroit(2.157)
12. Manaea, Oakland(2.157)
14. Guerra, Milwaukee(2.155)
15. Ramirez, Atlanta(2.153)
16. Kepler, Minnesota(2.152)
17. Conley, Miami(2.147)
18. Marte, Angels(2.146)- outrighted after the season
18. Dickerson, San Diego(2.146)- outrighted after the season
20. Rogers, Minnesota(2.145)
20. Davidson, White Sox(2.145)
22. Peraza, Cincinnati(2.141)
22. Butler, Texas(2.141)
24. Dull, Oakland(2.140)
25. Torreyes, Yankees(2.138)
26. Boyd, Detroit(2.136)
27. Turner, Washington(2.135)
28. Lindgren, Atlanta(2.134)- outrighted after the season
28. Edwards, Cubs(2.134)
28. Biagini, Toronto(2.134)

-------------------------------
The first three players projected to miss the cut:
31. Schebler, Cincinnati(2.132)
32. Bush, Texas(2.131)
33. Miller, Washington(2.128)

The Super Two Class is Just About Set

After today, just 10 days are left in the regular season. Something unforeseen could happen in those 10 days and cause a shift in the Super Two picture; however, it appears the Super Two class will end up looking like this.

1. Severino, Yankees(2.170)
2. Jankowski, San Digeo(2.169)
3. Plawecki, Mets(2.167)
4. Perez, Texas(2.166)
4. Hedges, San Diego(2.166)
6. Swihart, Boston(2.164)
6. Drury, Toronto(2.164)
8. Marte, Arizona(2.162)
9. Wolters, Colorado(2.161)
10. Goody, Cleveland(2.159)
10. Buxton, Minnesota(2.159)
12. Fulmer, Detroit(2.157)
12. Manaea, Oakland(2.157)
14. Guerra, Milwaukee(2.155)
15. Ramirez, Atlanta(2.153)
16. Kepler, Minnesota(2.152)
17. Conley, Miami(2.147)
18. Marte, Angels(2.146)
18. Dickerson, San Diego(2.146)
20. Rogers, Minnesota(2.145)
20. Davidson, White Sox(2.145)
22. Peraza, Cincinnati(2.141)
22. Butler, Texas(2.141)
24. Dull, Oakland(2.140)
25. Torreyes, Yankees(2.138)
26. Boyd, Detroit(2.136)
27. Turner, Washington(2.135)
28. Lindgren, Atlanta(2.134)
28. Edwards, Cubs(2.134)
28. Biagini, Toronto(2.134)

-------------------------------
The first three projected to miss the cut:
31. Schebler, Cincinnati(2.132)
32. Bush, Texas(2.131)
33. Miller, Washington(2.128)

Future Super Twos???

As the 2018 season draws to a close, here is a look at 20 players in line to be at the front of the pack when the race for next season's Super Two slots commences.

The number is parenthesis is the player's projected service time at the end of the 2018 season.

Renfroe, SD (1.165)
Suter, Milwaukee (1.161)
Bellinger, Dodgers (1.160)
Glasnow, Tampa Bay (1.158)
Robertson, Tampa Bay (1.156)
Montgomery, Yankees (1.153)
Cole, Yankees (1.152)
Middleton, Angels (1.150)
Riddle, Miami (1.148)
Sewald, Mets (1.148)
Holder, Yankees (1.144)
Happ, Cubs (1.142)
Ramirez, Noe, Angels (1.139)
Camargo, Atlanta (1.137)
Martin, Chris, Texas (1.133)
Lamet, SD (1.130)
Pivetta, Philadelphia (1.129)
Mengden, Oakland (1.127)
Altavilla, Seattle (1.126)
DeJong, St. Louis (1.124)

A Tale of Two Super Two Endings

As far as I can tell, the completion of the Super Two picture hinges on the status of Colin Rea.  Will he be promoted or won't he?  With 20 days left in the season(after Monday), here are two Super Two projections.  NOTE: If Rea is promoted after Tuesday, the first projection will stay the same except for Rea's exact ranking in the list.

UPDATE ON SEPTEMBER 11:  The Padres announced four promotions from AAA on Tuesday.  Colin Rea was not one of them.  My assumption is that Rea will not be promoted at all this month, and the second of the following projections will be the correct one.

If Rea is promoted on Tuesday and stays up the rest of the season.

1. Severino, Yankees(2.170)
2. Jankowski, San Digeo(2.169)
3. Plawecki, Mets(2.167)
4. Perez, Texas(2.166)
4. Hedges, San Diego(2.166)
6. Swihart, Boston(2.164)
6. Drury, Toronto(2.164)
8. Marte, Arizona(2.162)
9. Wolters, Colorado(2.161)
10. Goody, Cleveland(2.159)
10. Rea, San Diego(2.159)
10. Buxton, Minnesota(2.159)
13. Fulmer, Detroit(2.157)
13. Manaea, Oakland(2.157)
15. Guerra, Milwaukee(2.155)
16. Ramirez, Atlanta(2.153)
17. Kepler, Minnesota(2.152)
18. Conley, Miami(2.147)
19. Marte, Angels(2.146)
19. Dickerson, San Diego(2.146)
21. Rogers, Minnesota(2.145)
21. Davidson, White Sox(2.145)
23. Peraza, Cincinnati(2.141)
23. Butler, Texas(2.141)
25. Dull, Oakland(2.140)
26. Torreyes, Yankees(2.138)
27. Boyd, Detroit(2.136)
28. Turner, Washington(2.135)

-------------------------------
The first three projected to miss the cut:
29. Lindgren, Atlanta(2.134)
29. Edwards, Cubs(2.134)
29. Biagini, Toronto(2.134)


If Rea is not promoted at all by San Diego

1. Severino, Yankees(2.170)
2. Jankowski, San Digeo(2.169)
3. Plawecki, Mets(2.167)
4. Perez, Texas(2.166)
4. Hedges, San Diego(2.166)
6. Swihart, Boston(2.164)
6. Drury, Toronto(2.164)
8. Marte, Arizona(2.162)
9. Wolters, Colorado(2.161)
10. Goody, Cleveland(2.159)
10. Buxton, Minnesota(2.159)
12. Fulmer, Detroit(2.157)
12. Manaea, Oakland(2.157)
14. Guerra, Milwaukee(2.155)
15. Ramirez, Atlanta(2.153)
16. Kepler, Minnesota(2.152)
17. Conley, Miami(2.147)
18. Marte, Angels(2.146)
18. Dickerson, San Diego(2.146)
20. Rogers, Minnesota(2.145)
20. Davidson, White Sox(2.145)
22. Peraza, Cincinnati(2.141)
22. Butler, Texas(2.141)
24. Dull, Oakland(2.140)
25. Torreyes, Yankees(2.138)
26. Boyd, Detroit(2.136)
27. Turner, Washington(2.135)
28. Lindgren, Atlanta(2.134)
28. Edwards, Cubs(2.134)
28. Biagini, Toronto(2.134)

-------------------------------
The first three projected to miss the cut:
31. Schebler, Cincinnati(2.132)
32. Bush, Texas(2.131)
33. Miller, Washington(2.128)

Faces of Super Two, Part 22

UPDATE ON SEPTEMBER 9:  El Paso has been eliminated from the PCL play-offs.  Where will Colin Rea go next? Seattle to join the Padres?  Tulsa to join San Antonio?  Home?

UPDATE ON SEPTEMBER 9: San Diego's AA team, San Antonio has advanced in the Texas League play-offs.  If El Paso is eliminated San Antonio could be another place San Diego could send Rea to get some work without promoting him to the big leagues.

UPDATE ON SEPTEMBER 9:  Oakland has promoted Ryan Dull.  As noted, this transaction puts Dull in line to finish the year with 2.140 of service time, enough for a Super Two slot.

UPDATE ON SEPTEMBER 9:  Colin Rea and El Paso knocked off Fresno Saturday night to extend their series to a fifth game.  Game 5 is Sunday in Fresno.  A win extends El Paso's season(and delays Rea's potential call-up) at least another week.

NOTE:  Rea has spent more than half of the season(101 days) on either the Major League or Minor League Disabled List.  He has only appeared in 18 games, logging 75 1/3 innings pitched.

This is a notable weekend for at least five Faces of Super Two and their future earning potential.

Ryan Dull, P, Oakland.  Dull currently has two years and 118 days of MLB service time.  He is eligible to be promoted on Sunday.  If he is promoted and stays in the big leagues through September 30, he will end the year with 2.140 of service time.  That number would assure Dull a Super Two slot.

Colin Rea, P, San Diego.  Rea currently has two years and 139 days of career service time.  However, he only has 84 days of service time this season.  He needs two more days in the majors to qualify for Super Two status.

Rea is pitching for El Paso tonight in an elimination game in the Pacific Coast League play-offs.  If Rea can get to the big leagues, even just for two days after El Paso's play-off run ends, he will be in position to take a Super Two slot and the arbitration eligibility that goes with it.

THREE ON THE BUBBLE- Jacob Lindgren, P, Atlanta; Carl Edwards, P, Cubs; Joe Biagini, P, Blue Jays.

All three of these players are on pace to end the season with two years and 134 days of career service time.  Interestingly, their Super Two status is completely out of their control.

If Dull and Rea both get promoted and earn a Super Two slot, my projections show that Lindgren, Edwards, ang Biagini would end up tied for the first spot out of the Super Two picture.

If Dull or Rea(or both) don't get promoted and fail to take up a Super Two slot,  the trio would move up into the arbitration eligible category.

The Faces of Super Two are Brought to you by the Summer of Box Tops, II

The Faces of Super Two, Part 19

Update on Friday, September 7.  Rea and the El Paso Chihuahuas are in  the play-offs, but they could be eliminated as soon as tonight. Rea is scheduled to start Saturday's game if the play-off series is El Paso wins tonight's contest. Rea's promotion, or lack thereof, should follow soon after the El Paso season ends.

Evan Marshall has been removed from Cleveland's 40-man roster.  This transaction removes him from the Super Two picture.

Update on Thursday, August 30.  Dull is optioned back to AAA.  He now has 2.118 service time.  Unless there is an injury, he can't be promoted again until September 9.  A promotion on that date would put him in line to end the season with a service time tally of 2.140.  That number would put him a Super Two seat.

Update on Tuesday, August 28.  Dull is promoted by Oakland.  Assuming he stays up to the end of the season, a likelihood with September call-ups right around the corner, he is practically a lock for Super Two status.

September call-ups can begin in less than a week.  There are three players who could still jump into a Super Two slot (and bump someone of the bubble) if they are promoted soon enough.  The AAA regular season ends on September 3 this year.

Colin Rea, P, San Diego.  Due to injuries, Rea has not pitched in the majors since 2016.  However, he currently has two years and 139 days of career service time.  He is active with El Paso at the moment.
He needs at least two days of service time to reach the requirement of 86 service days this season.  If he can reach that threshold, he will gain a Super Two spot.

NOTE: El Paso is in line for the post-season, which could delay a promotion for Rea.

Ryan Dull, P, Oakland. Dull is currently at AAA Nashville with two years and 116 days of big league service time.  It looks like the cut-off for Super Two status will be around two years and 134 days of service time.  If Dull gets promoted as soon as the AAA regular season ends, he has a great chance to claim a Super Two spot.

Evan Marshall, P, Cleveland. Marshall, like Rea, has had some injury issues.  He spent some time in the big leagues this season(mostly on the disabled list).  At AAA Columbus, he currently holds two years and 107 days of service time.  He needs to get called up as soon as the minor league regular season ends if he is to have a chance at Super Two status. Even that might not do the trick for Marshall.

NOTE:  Columbus as a good chance at qualifying for the play-offs, which could delay a promotion for Marshall.

The Faces of Super Two are brought to you by Summer of Box Tops II

Non-Promotion of Buxton Could lead to Big Savings for Three Other Teams

Minnesota's decision to not promote Byron Buxton this September will likely lead to big savings for three other teams.  

The Big Picture:

1. The Twins don't promote Buxton. This causes Buxton, with two years and 159 days of service time to fall into a Super Two slot.

2. I was projecting 130 players to fall in the 2 years to 3 years range(without Buxton).  22% of this number(not including remainders) is 28.  With the addition of Buxton, there will be 131 players in the 2 to 3 year range.  However, 22% if 131 is still only 28-no additional Super Two slots.

3. If Colin Rea, Padres and Ryan Dull, Oakland get promoted this month, they will both end the season in line for a Super Two slot.  Importantly, they will each have more than 2.134 in service time.

4. The next result is that the three players with 2.134 of service time at season's end would be tied for 29th place in race for a Super Two slot. This standing would bump them off the bubble and out of an extra year of arbitration eligibility.

These three players are Carl Edwards, Cubs; Jacob Lindgren, Braves, and Joe Biagini, Blue Jays.

The Faces of Super Two, Part 21

Byron Buxton, OF, Minnesota.  According to MLB Trade Rumors, the Twins will not be promoting  Buxton.  Buxton currently has two years and 159 days of service time.

As a result of this non-move Buxton will not reach three years of service time and will fall into the realm of the Super Twos.  With Buxton falling into a Super Two slot, three players could fall off the bottom end of the Super Two bubble: Lindgren, Atlanta(2.134), Edwards, Cubs(2.134) and Biagini, Toronto(2.134)

The Faces of Super Two are Brought to you by the Summer of Box Tops, II

September 1 Super Two Projection

Now that the expanded rosters of September have arrived, it is time for another Super Two projection.

It appears at the moment that 131 players will end the year on a 40-man roster with 1) 86 days of service time this season, 2) at least two years of career service time and 3) less than three years of career service time.  If this number holds true, 28 players(plus ties) will be granted Super Two arbitration status.

My projected Super Two class as September commences:

1. Severino, Yankees(2.170)
2. Jankowski, San Digeo(2.169)
3. Plawecki, Mets(2.167)
4. Perez, Texas(2.166)
4. Hedges, San Diego(2.166)
6. Swihart, Boston(2.164)
6. Drury, Toronto(2.164)
8. Marte, Arizona(2.162)
9. Wolters, Colorado(2.161)
10. Goody, Cleveland(2.159)
11. Fulmer, Detroit(2.157)
11. Manaea, Oakland(2.157)
13. Rea, San Diego(2.156)
14. Guerra, Milwaukee(2.155)
15. Ramirez, Atlanta(2.153)
16. Kepler, Minnesota(2.152)
17. Conley, Miami(2.147)
18. Marte, Angels(2.146)
18. Dickerson, San Diego(2.146)
20. Rogers, Minnesota(2.145)
20. Davidson, White Sox(2.145)
22. Peraza, Cincinnati(2.141)
22. Butler, Texas(2.141)
24. Torreyes, Yankees(2.138)
25. Boyd, Detroit(2.136)
26. Turner, Washington(2.135)
26. Dull, Oakland(2.135)
28. Lindgren, Atlanta(2.134)
28. Edwards, Cubs(2.134)
28. Biagini, Toronto(2.134)

-------------------------------
The first three projected to miss the cut:
31. Schebler, Cincinnati(2.132)
32. Bush, Texas(2.131)
33. Marshall, Cleveland(2.130)


 A few factors to keep an eye on in September:


Will These Guys Actually be Called Up?  
This projection is based on the assumption that a handful of players will be called up and gain three years of service time.  If any of these players don't get promoted, they would likely end the year in a Super Two slot, bumping someone off the bottom of the list.

Altherr, Phillies
Feliz, Pirates
Santana, Brewers
Buxton, Twins


How Soon Will These Guys Be Called Up?
Another factor that creates potential wiggle room in my projection is determining when a few other players will be called up.  A later call up could cause these players to fall out of the Super Two group. If any of these players ARE NOT called up, they would fall off of the Super Two list.

Rea, Padres
Dull, Athletics
Marshall, Indians-I project that Marshall will not be promoted soon enough to make it on the Super Two list, but I will update if that changes. If he is promoted on Tuesday, September 4, he could accrue enough time to join the tie for the last spot.  After that, it looks like he will miss out.

The Ties May Have It
As of this projection, there is a three-way tie for the last spot on the Super Two list.  Ties are included, so in fact, I am projecting 30 players to be included of 28.  In this case, including ties certainly works to the players' benefit.

Super Two and the September Call-Ups

September call-ups can begin on Saturday.  As it becomes clear what players are going to be promoted for a end of season stint, the Super Two picture will come to full crystallization. 

I plan to post a Super Two projection on Saturday before the September call-ups begin.  At some point in mid-September, I will post my final in-season projection. 

The Faces of Super Two, Part 20

Andrew Knapp, C, Philadelphia.  Knapp was demoted by the Phillies on Tuesday.  He currently has one year and 145 days of service time.  Unless their is an injury, Knapp cannot be recalled for 10 days. 

A ten-day stay in the minors will make it impossible for Knapp to reach two years of service time, thus lessening by one the pool from which the 22% is drawn.  Looking at the numbers, it is possible that Knapp's absence could be the difference between 28 and 29 Super Two slots.

The Faces of Super Two are brought to you by Summer of Box Tops II

The Faces of Super Two, Part 18

Carlos Perez, C, Texas. I wrote about Perez on July 19, shortly after he was outrighted to AAA by the Rangers.  At that point, he has two years and 129 days of service time. 

Saturday, the Rangers selected Perez's contract, restarting his service time clock.  This move could greatly affect the Super Two landscape. 

Yesterday, Perez was not on the Super Two list at all, since he was not on a 40-man roster.  Now, he is. More importantly, if he stays on a big league roster for the remainder of the season, he will end the year with two years and 166 days of service time.  That number would easily qualify him for a Super Two slot. 

As a result, someone on the bubble would get bumped. 

The Faces of Super Two are brought to you by Summer of Box Tops II

The Faces of Super Two, Part 17

Michael Feliz, P, Pittsburgh.  Feliz was demoted by the Pirates on Thursday.  According to my records, Feliz has two years and 170 days of service time at this time. 

The likelihood that Feliz is recalled in September and gains the two days of service time that he needs to qualify for arbitration with three years total.  However, in the unlikely event that he can't get those two days, he stands to take one of the Super Two.  Not good news for players on the bubble.


The Faces of Super Two are brought to you by Summer of Box Tops II

The Faces of Super Two, Part 16

Pat Valaika, IF, Colorado.  Valaika was sent back to the minors on Saturday.  It may not look like it, but this move could alter the Super Two picture.

Valaika, who has one year and 130 days of career service time, has no chance to qualify for Super Two status after this season.  However, before his demotion, there was a chance he could end the season with two years of service time.  This total would have added a player to the pool used to determine the number of Super Twos.

When it comes time to crunch the Super Two numbers, removing a player like Valaika from the pool could be the difference between 28 and 29 Super Twos.

The Faces of Super Two are brought to you by Summer of Box Tops II

The Faces of Super Two, Part 15

Odrisamer Despaigne, P, Angels. Despaigne was promoted back to the majors on Friday by the Angels, who recently acquired him from Miami.  He enters Saturday with two years and 145 days of career service time. 

If Despaigne can accrue 27 more days in the big leagues this season, he would achieve arbitration eligibility outright with three years of service time.  However, if he accrues 16-26 days, he will be Super Two eligible and take of the available spots, bouncing someone else off of the bubble.

NOTE: He needs at least 16 days, to reach the threshold of 86 days of service time in the 2018 season necessary to qualify for Super Two status.

The Faces of Super Two are brought to you by Summer of Box Tops II

The Faces of Super Two, Part 14

Ronald Torreyes, IF, Yankees.  Torreyes was promoted to the Yankees on Monday.  Before Monday, I showed Torreyes with two years and 89 days of career service time. 

Given these numbers, if Torreyes stays on the big league roster until the season's end on September 30, he will, at that time, hold 2 years and 138 days of service time.  If Torreyes can reach that number, he will, according to my projections, qualify as a Super Two.

The Faces of Super Two are brought to you by Summer of Box Tops II

Super Two Projection with 50 Days to Go

Heading into Sunday, there are 50 days left in the regular season.  In light of that milestone, here is my latest Super Two projection. 

I project the number of players with less than 3 years, at least 2 years of service time and at least 86 days accrued in 2018 to be 133.  This number would calculate to 29 Super Two qualifiers(plus any ties).

The number in parenthesis indicates a player's projected career service time at the end of 2018.

1. Depaigne, Miami (2.171)
2. Severino, Yankees (2.170)
3. Rea, San Diego (2.169)
3. Jankowski, San Diego (2.169)
5. Plawecki, Mets (2.167)
6. Hedges, San Diego (2.166)
7. Swihart, Boston (2.164)
7. Drury, Toronto (2.164)
9. Marte, Arizona (2.162)
10. Wolters, Colorado (2.161)
11. Goody, Cleveland (2.159)
12. Fulmer, Detroit (2.157)
12. Manaea, Oakland (2.157)
14. Guerra, Milwaukee (2.155)
15. Ramirez, Atlanta (2.153)
16. Kepler, Minnesota (2.152)
17. Conley, Miami (2.147)
18. Marte, Angels (2.146)
18. Dickerson, San Diego (2.146)
20. Rogers, Minnesota (2.145)
20. Davidson, White Sox (2.145)
22. Dull, Oakland (2.142)
23. Peraza, Cincinnati (2.141)
23. Butler, Texas (2.141)
25. Boyd, Detroit (2.136)
26. Marshall, Cleveland (2.135)
26. Turner, Washington (2.135)
28. Biagini, Toronto (2.134)
28. Lindgren, Atlanta (2.134)
28. Edwards, Cubs (2.134)

-----------------------------------
First two players projected to miss the cut:
31. Schebler, Cincinnati (2.132)
32. Bush, Texas (2.131)

Summer of Box Tops II, The Next Chapter

Quite a few of you joined me around this time last year for a Summer of Box Tops. In case you missed it,  you can click this link to get yourself up to speed with what happened.

Now that another summer is upon us, it is time for a sequel.  Therefore, I present The Summer of Box Tops II, The Next Chapter.

This summer, while students go home and the staff at Stevens await their return in August, I have once again decided to see how many Box Tops for Education the neighborhood around the school can collect.  The Stevens Elementary PTO, like many such organizations, collects Box Tops as a way of raising funds to support education. These Box Tops can be found on a variety of products.(Click for a list)

At the moment, I have 72 Box Tops in my personal collection bag.  My theory is that word of mouth and social media can uncover many more individuals who have Box Tops in their home which they don't know how to use.

So, if you or someone you know has any Box Tops headed for a garbage can, there is a use for those Box Tops!

Here's all you have to do:

Cut those Box Tops out and hold onto them.

Contact me at farmstros@yahoo.com, (Please put Summer of Box Tops in the Subject Line) and we will figure out a way to get them to my plastic bag.  If you have 1 Box Top, 100 Box Tops or any other number of Box Tops, I am happy to take them.

All Box Tops that I collect by the first day of next school year (August 27) will be given to the Box Top coordinator at Stevens Elementary.

ONE REQUEST:

1.  If you already have a school where you donate your Box Tops, keep taking them there.  Your contributions are appreciated and relied on by that group already.  I have no intention of interfering with another organization's Box Tops collection success.

Thanks for your support.

The Faces of Super Two, Part 13

Evan Marshall, P, Indians.  Before Cleveland demoted Marshall to AAA on Wednesday, his chances of earning Super Two status were very high.  He has spent most of the season to this point on Cleveland's Disabled List, bringing his career service time total to two years, 107 days. 

Having regained his health, Marshall is now back in the minors.  If he can't make it back to the majors this season, his service time total will not be enough to put him in the Super Two group.  However, if Marshall can earn another 25-30 days of service time this season(perhaps with a September call-up), he will find himself in the running for one of the final Super Two spots.

The Faces of Super Two are brought to you by Summer of Box Tops II

The Faces of Super Two, Part 12

Ryan Dull, P, Athletics. Dull was optioned to AAA by Oakland on Tuesday.  This was the fourth time that he has been sent down to the minors this season.  However, despite his numerous demotions, Dull has been able to accrue 82 days of big league service time in 2018.  Additionally, his career service time stands at two years and 116 days as of this morning.

Although he is currently not in the majors, Dull still has an excellent shot at grabbing a Super Two spot.  Assuming he is called up in September, Dull would end the year in the range of two years and 145 days of service time.  That total would almost certainly land him in the top 22% group.

The Faces of Super Two are brought to you by Summer of Box Tops II

The Faces of Super Two, Part 11

Oliver Drake, P, Angels.  Drake was designated for assignment by the Angels on Monday.  This is the fourth time Drake has been DFAed this season.  He enters Tuesday with two years and 22 days of career service time.  If this DFA ends up with him being outrighted to the minors, the number of players in the pool used to determine the Super Two class will drop by one. 

It is better for players on the Super Two bubble if Drake moves on to another 40-man roster.  He has already been on three of those this season- Milwaukee, Cleveland, and the Angels.

The Faces of Super Two are brought to you by Summer of Box Tops II

Super Two Projection with Ten Weeks to Go

After Sunday, there are exactly ten weeks remaining in the regular season.  There have been a few slight changes since my last projection.

I project 131 players finishing the season on a 40-man roster, with at least 86 days of service time in 2018, at two years of total service time and less than three years of service time.  This projection would dictate that 28 players (and ties) qualify for Super Two status.

Following are the projected Super Twos.  Numbers in parenthesis are projected career service time at the end of this regular season.

1. Severino, Yankees (2.170)
2. Rea, San Diego (2.169)
2. Jankowski, San Diego (2.169)
4. Plawecki, Mets (2.167)
5. Hedges, San Diego (2.166)
6. Swihart, Boston (2.164)
7. Marte, Arizona (2.162)
8. Wolters, Colorado (2.161)
8. Marshall, Cleveland (2.161)
10. Goody, Cleveland (2.159)
11. Fulmer, Detroit (2.157)
11. Manaea, Oakland (2.157)
13. Guerra, Milwaukee (2.155)
14. Ramirez, Atlanta (2.153)
15. Kepler, Minnesota (2.152)
16. Conley, Miami (2.147)
17. Marte, Angels (2.146)
17. Dickerson, San Diego (2.146)
19. Rogers, Minnesota (2.145)
19. Davidson, White Sox (2.145)
21. Bowman, St. Louis (2.141)
21. Peraza, Cincinnati (2.141)
21. Butler, Cubs (2.141)
24. Dull, Oakland (2.138)
25. Boyd, Detroit (2.136)
26. Turner, Washington (2.135)
27. Drury, Toronto (2.134)
27. Lindgren, Atlanta (2.134)
27. Edwards, Cubs (2.134)
27. Biagini, Toronto (2.134)

----------------------------------------
First two players projected to miss out on Super Two:
31. Schebler, Cincinnati (2.132)
32. Bush, Texas (2.131)

The Faces of Super Two, Part 10

Carlos Perez, C, Rangers.  Last September, I wrote a post in which I explored how possible it would be for a team to manipulate the Super Two system on the back end.  As the 2018 season progresses I see that Carlos Perez could be a candidate for such a scenario.

Perez has been outrighted to AAA by Texas.  He currently has 108 days of service time this season and two years, 129 days for his career.  If Perez could at least 15-20 more days on a big league roster this season, he would be a cinch to qualify for Super Two status.  

NOTE:  Perez cannot accrue 43 or more days over the remainder of the season.  Doing so would give him three years of service time and remove him from the Super Two equation.

What Does This Mean?

If Perez is injected into the Super Two picture, one player on the bubble would find himself in danger of being knocked off the bubble.  At this point, here a few players in danger of being on said bubble:

(Service time listed is player's projected time at season's end if they stay on big league roster for remainder of 2018.)

Lindgren, Atlanta(2.134)
Edwards, Cubs(2.134)
Biagini, Toronto(2.134)
Schebler, Cincinnati(2.132)
Mahtook, Detroit(2.132)
Bush, Texas(2.131)

Texas has the best opportunity here since they already have Perez in their system.  If the decide to release him, the other five teams could pick him up and use him for some bubble bouncing depending on how the Super Two picture develops over the next six weeks.



The Faces of Super Two are brought to you by Summer of Box Tops II

Faces of Super Two, Part 9

On the last day of the first half of the season, five Faces of Super Two disappeared.  Let me explain.  A Face of Super Two is, by my definition, any player who has a chance to end the regular season with 86 Major League service time in 2018, at least two years of career service time accrued AND not more than two years, 171 days of career service time.

At the moment, 196 players qualify as Faces of Super Two under this definition.  Please note that this number does not include the five players who fell out of the category for various reasons on Sunday.

Eric Thames, 1B, Milwaukee.  Through Sunday, Thames has exactly three years of service time and thus qualifies for arbitration outside of the Super Two process.  Thames is already under contract for 2019 having sacrificed his first year of arbitration.

Luis Cessa, P, Yankees and Allen Cordoba, IF, San Diego.  Both of these players are currently in their organization's minor league systems.  Additionally, they both have only one year and 94 days of career service time.  Even if they were promoted today and stayed up through the end of the season, they would fall a day short of two full years of service time.

Jake Barrett, P, Arizona. Barrett is currently in the minors with a total of eight service days this season.  He can not accrue the needed 86 days of big league service time this season.

Efren Navarro, 1B/OF, Formerly of the Cubs.  Like Barrett, Navarro only has eight service days this season.  His impossible task of reaching 86 service days this season is further complicated by the fact that he has been playing for the Hanshin Tigers in Japan for about a month.

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Faces of Super Two, Part 8

Chris Bassitt, P, Oakland.  After starting and picking up a win over Houston on Wednesday night, Bassitt has two years and 102 days of service time.  However, Oakland has optioned Bassitt back to AAA this morning.  This is the sixth time this season that Bassitt has been optioned. 

Despite the up and down nature of his season, if Bassitt can accrue at least 54 more days of service time before the end of the season, he will be in prime position to gain Super Two status.  He needs 54 days of service to reach 86 days for this season.

The Faces of Super Two are brought to you by Summer of Box Tops II

2018 Scarborough Football Schedule

Friday, August 31, Milby- 7 pm (Dyer)
Friday, September 7, at KIPP Generation- 7 pm
Friday, September 14, Brookshire Royal- 7 pm (Dyer)
Friday, September 21, Hitchcock- 7 pm (Dyer)
Friday, September 28, KIPP Northeast- 7 pm (Dyer)
Friday, October 12, Kashmere- 7 pm (Dyer)#
Friday, October 19, LaMarque- 7 pm (Dyer)#
Friday, October 26, at Sweeny- 7 pm#
Friday, November 2, Washington- 7 pm (Dyer)#
Friday, November 9, Wharton- 7 pm (Dyer)#

#-District 11-4A, Division 2 Game

Faces of Super Two, Part 7

Dixon Machado, IF, Detroit.  Machado was just outrighted to the minor leagues by Detroit on Sunday.  Machado currently has two years and four days of service time.  This total would have put him in the pool used to determine the number of Super Two qualifiers.  However, if he remains off a 40-man roster for the remainder of the season, Machado is out of that pool.

Mikie Mahtook, OF, Detroit.  Interestingly, Machado's removal from the pool could decrease Mahtook's chances of earning Super Two status.  Mahtook currently stands at two years and 48 days of service time. 

If he stays in the big leagues through the end of the season, Mahtook would have two years and 132 days of service time.  That number projects to put Mahtook right on the bubble of Super Two status.  Having Machado out of the pool could be what pushes Mahtook off of the bubble.

The Faces of Super Two are brought to you by Summer of Box Tops II

The Faces of Super Two, Part 6

Oliver Drake, P, Angels. When Drake had his contract selected by the Angels on Friday, the Super Two bubble bounced. 

Drake had two years and five days of service time at the end of Friday, which means he can't accrue enough days to be a Super Two.  However, if he can stay on the 40-man roster until season's end, Drake can affect the pool of players who are used to calculate the 22%.

Drake is on his third Major League team this season and is likely to be a prime candidate to be Designated for Assignment the next time the need arises for the Angels.  Can this Face make it to the end of the season? Players on the Bubble want to know.


The Faces of Super Two are brought to you by Summer of Box Tops II

The Faces of Super Two, Part 5

NOTE: Tomlinson didn't stay up very long.  The Giants optioned him on Thursday.  He returns to AAA with two years and 69 days of service time.

Kelby Tomlinson, IF, Giants.  If this face looks familiar, that's likely because he appeared in this space about two weeks ago. 

The Giants promoted Tomlinson again on Wednesday.  As of this morning, he has two years and 69 days of service time.  If he can stick on the big league roster until the end of the season, he will be a Super Two with two years and 157 days of service time.  

However, that doesn't seem likely based on recent history. Tomlinson has already been optioned on two separate occasions this season.

The Faces of Super Two are brought to you by Summer of Box Tops II

Super Two- Mid-Season Projection

Last Friday was the mid-point of the MLB season, in terms of days.  Based on service time through Friday, I am making my first projection of who this off-season's Super Two qualifiers will be.

It looks like 130 players will fall between 2 years and 2.171 of service time at season's end.  If that number holds, 28 players will earn Super Two status.

The numbers listed are a player's projected service time at season end.  Of course, promotions, demotions and more will affect this list as the season progresses.

1. Severino, Yankees(2.170)
2. Rea, San Diego(2.169)
2. Jankowski, San Diego(2.169)
4. Plawecki, Mets(2.167)
5. Hedges, San Diego(2.166)
6. Swihart, Boston(2.164)
7. Marte, Arizona(2.162)
8. Wolters, Colorado(2.161)
9. Goody, Cleveland(2.159)
10. Fulmer, Detroit(2.157)
10. Manaea, Oakland(2.157)
12. Guerra, Milwaukee(2.156)
13. Jose Ramirez, Atlanta(2.153)
14.  Kepler, Minnesota(2.152)
15. Conley, Miami(2.147)
16. Marte, Angels(2.146)
16. Dickerson, San Diego(2.146)
18. Rogers, Minnesota(2.145)
18. Davidson, White Sox(2.145)
20. Jose Peraza, Cincinnnati(2.141)
20. Butler, Cubs(2.141)
22. Boyd, Detroit(2.136)
22. Sardinas, Baltimore(2.136)
24. Turner, Washington(2.135)
24. Dull, Oakland(2.135)
26. Lindgren, Atlanta(2.134)
26. Edwards, Cubs(2.134)
26. Biagini, Toronto(2.134)
---------------------------------
1st two players projected to miss the cut

29. Schebler, Cincinnati(2.132)
30. Bush, Texas(2.131)

Skeeters' Weekend Games Have Play-off Implications

The Sugar Land Skeeters and Lancaster Barnstormers play three games this weekend at Constellation Field which will go a long way towards determining the first half champion of the Atlantic League's Freedom Division.  Sugar Land currently leads Lancaster by one-half game with less than a week remaining in the first half.

The two clubs face off in Fort Bend County on Friday(7:05), Saturday(6:05) and Sunday(6:05).  These are the final three games of a seven-game series.  The Skeeters won three of the first four games of the series to retake the lead in the division.

The winner of the first half championship clinches one of four spots in the post-season.

CURRENT STANDINGS:
Sugar Land- 36-21- ------
Lancaster- 35-21-   1/2


The Skeeters stream their home games live on their YouTube channel.

The Faces of Super Two, Part 4

As the 13th week of the season draws to a close, two members of the Milwaukee organization are the faces of Super Two.

Keon Broxton, OF, Milwaukee. Broxton was promoted for the first time this season on Tuesday.  Before the season began, Broxton had a chance to be a Super Two himself.  He began the year with one year and 137 days of service time.

However, after spending almost half the year in AAA, Broxton might not even end the 2018 season with two full years of service time.

Domingo Santana, OF, Milwaukee.  Santana was demoted on Saturday with two years and 165 days of service time.  Barring something really bizarre, he is still almost certain to pass three years of service time before the end of the season.

The Faces of Super Two are brought to you by Summer of Box Tops II

The Faces of Super Two, Part 3

With 99 days remaining in the seasons, here's a look at two more of The Faces of Super Two:

Rob Refsynder, OF, Tampa Bay.  Refsnyder had been on a Major League roster the entire season until he was outrighted by the Rays Friday, removing him from the 40-man roster.

Refsnyder currently has two years and 20 days of service time.  This number would not give a chance to qualify for Super Two status, even if he had stayed on a big league roster.  However, if doesn't find his way back on a 40-man roster before season's end, the result is one less player in the pool to determine the number of Super Two qualifiers.

This is bad news from the last player on the Super Two bubble.

Pat Valaika, 1B, Colorado. Valaika was promoted by Colorado on Saturday.  This was his second promotion of the 2018 season.

Valaika currently has one year and 75 days of service time.  If he can stay in the big leagues for the remainder of the season, he will just barely pass the two year service time threshold.

This will not qualify him for Super Two status; however, it would add a name to the pool used to calculate the number of Super Two qualifiers.

This would be good news for the last player on the Super Two bubble.

The Faces of Super Two are brought to you by Summer of Box Tops II

The Faces of Super Two, Part 2

UPDATE on June 21:  Kelby Tomlinson, mentioned below, only spent two days in the Majors.  He was optioned back to AAA on Thursday.

This update comes through Tuesday, June 19 with 103 service days remaining in the season.  There are three faces for your consideration today.

Oliver Drake, P, Angels organization.  On Tuesday, Drake was outrighted to AAA by the Angels.  This transaction removed Drake from the 40-man roster.

Drake being outrighted is significant as it relates to the Super Two picture because Drake currently  has two years and four days of service time.  As it stands now, with Drake not on a 40-man roster, one less player will be in the pool used to determine the number of Super Two eligibles. If Drake could get back on a 40-man roster and remain until the end of the season, one player who would otherwise be stuck on the Super Two bubble could move up into Super Two status.

Kelby Tomlinson, IF, Giants. Tomlinson was promoted by the Giants on Monday after spending 17 days in the minor leagues.  Tomlinson started the season with two years and one day of service time, so he now has two years and 67 days.

If he can make this call-up stick, Tomlinson will end the season with two years and 170 days.  This would assure him of Super Two status.  If he is optioned again by the Giants, closer observation is mertited.

Evan Marshall, P, Indians. Marshall has two years and 58 service days through Tuesday.  On Tuesday, the Indians placed him on the Disabled List.  Given that Marshall didn't start the year on a big league roster and that he has already been optioned twice, a long stay on the DL could help Marshall in terms of Super Two status.

It is possible that Marshall could have a short stay on the DL, come back pitch well and stay in big leagues.  This would allow him to accrue the needed service time for Super Two status.  However, his performance for Cleveland thus far, indicates more minor league time is in his future when gets healthy.

On the other hand, Marshall does continue to accrue service time while disabled.  If he is disabled for two and one-half months, it is possible he could accrue enough service time to jump onto the Super Two list.  75 days of service time (healthy or on the DL) would give Marshall two years and 133 days heading into the off-season.

The Faces of Super Two are brought to you by Summer of Box Tops II

The Faces of Super Two

With 15 weeks left in the MLB season, here's a look at a few of the players who are factors in the race for Super Two status.

Luis Severino, P, Yankees.  Severino is at the top of a group of players who are locks.  These players started the season with less than two years and at least one year and 140 days of service time. For the most part, they have been on a big league roster continuously since opening day of this season.  Severino is on track to finish 2018 with two years and 170 days of service time.

Adam Conley, P, Marlins. Conley started the season with two years and 11 days of MLB service time. However, he also started the season in the minor leagues.  His chance of earning automatic arbitration by accruing three years of service time by season's end was gone by the time Miami promoted him in mid-May. 

Still, if Conley stays in the big leagues continuously through the end of this season, he would hit the off-season with two years and 147 days of service time.  That number would almost certainly gain Conley the extra year of arbitration eligibility that Super Two status brings.

Tyler Austin, 1B, Yankees. Austin is currently in the minor leagues with one year and 107 days of service time. (through Sunday, June 17).  No matter what happens, he cannot achieve Super Two status.  However, as a member of a 40-man roster, his status can still have a bearing on the process.

If Austin is able to get back to the big leagues and accrue 75 more service days(there are 105 days left in the season), he would have two years of service time.  An increase in the number of players with at least two years and less than three years of service time directly affects the number of Super Two slots.  NOTE: 22% of the players in this category earn said Super Two status.

Players on the Super Two bubble would benefit from more players accruing at least two years of status by season's end.

The Faces of Super Two is brought to you by Summer of Box Tops II.

Super Two Arbitration Worksheet

The Super Two cut-off date in MLB is not set in stone.  The amount of service time needed to qualify for Super Two arbitration status has varied substantially over the last nine years.

2009- 2 years, 139 days
2010- 2 years, 122 days
2011- 2 years, 146 days
2012: 2 years, 140 days
2013: 2 years, 122 days
2014: 2 years, 133 days
2015: 2 years, 130 days
2016: 2 years, 131 days
2017: 2 years, 123 days

This is an average of  2 years, 131.8 days

Data found at MLB Trade Rumors.

Unpaid promotional aside: One of my favorite events of the year, Empty Bowls Houston, is scheduled for May 19.  You can read more about Empty Bowls, which supports the work of the Houston Food Bank, here.

If you are speculating as to when a team wishing to avoid future Super Two status may call up a particular prospect, here is some data you may find useful.

For clarification, SUPER TWO status(i.e., an extra year of arbitration eligibility) is granted to the top 22 percent(in terms of service time accrued) of those players who have more than two years and less than three years of service time at the end of a given season.  In addition, a SUPER TWO candidate must have been on an active Major League roster for at least 86 days in the most recent season.

For example, Brad Peacock ended the 2016 season with 2 years and 165 days of service time, enough to qualify him as a SUPER TWO.  However, he spent fewer thn 86 days in the big leagues in 2016, so he was not a SUPER TWO.

All of the following projections are based on a scenario in which a prospect is promoted on the given day in 2018 and then remains in the Major Leagues continuously through the end of the 2020 season.

Player promoted on- April 29
Service Time accrued by end of 2020- 2 years, 155 days

Player promoted on- May 10
Service Time accrued by end of 2020- 2 years, 144 days

Player Promoted on - May 19(Empty Bowls Houston)
Service Time accrued by end of 2020- 2 years, 135 days

Player Promoted on- May 31
Service Time accrued by end of 2020-  2 years, 123 days

Player Promoted on- June 14
Service Time accrued by end of 2020- 2 years, 109 days

Skeeters Appreciate Teachers Next Thursday

The Sugar Land Skeeters are appreciating local teachers next Thursday (June 14) with free tickets to that night's game.  This is at least the third year the Atlantic League club has hosted this promotion.

Teachers do need to show their current ID at the box office to receive two free tickets to the contest, which is scheduled for 7:05 pm.  In addition, educators can buy additional reserved for a discounted price of $11.

This post brought to you by Summer of Box Tops II, The Next Chapter.

2018 Super Two Watch- The Locks

The Major League baseball season is nine weeks old.  As June arrives, I'll take my first look at the ever-evolving 2018 Super Two class.  With nine weeks of games played, 19 players are projected as locks to earn an extra year of arbitration eligibility.

Luis Severino, P, Yankees
Kevin Plawecki, C, Mets
Austin Hedges, C, Padres
Blake Swihart, OF, Red Sox
Ketel Marte, IF, Arizona
Tony Wolters, C, Colorado
Nick Goody, P, Cleveland
Michael Fulmer, P, Detroit
Sean Manaea, P, Oakland
Jose Ramirez, P, Atlanta
Max Kepler, OF, Minnesota
Jefry Marte, 1B, Angels
Alex Dickerson, OF, Padres
Taylor Rogers, P, Twins
Matt Davidson, DH, White Sox
Junior Guerra, P, Milwaukee
Danny Coulombe, P, Oakland
Jose Peraza, IF, Cincinnati
Eddie Butler, P, Cubs

Will You Join My Summer of Box Tops?

FINAL UPDATE:  The final collections were completed on May 11.  According to Stevens' Box Top Coordinator, the Oak Forest Neighborhood(and Mangum Manor) contributed a total of 782 Box Tops over the course of the year.  That is the equivalent of $78.20.  Thanks to everyone who participated.  If you are willing, please keep holding on to those Box Tops and ask your friends and neighbors to as well. 

UPDATE ON APRIL 27:   The latest total is 754 Box Tops.  The final collection deadline of the school year is Friday, May 11.


UPDATE ON FEBRUARY 21:  The latest total is 682 Box Tops.

The next Box Top Collection Deadline at Stevens is February 16.  Contact me (farmstros@yahoo.com) if you any Box Tops that you would like to donate.  Thanks.

UPDATE ON FEBRUARY 2:  The Oak Forest/Mangum Manor community has contributed about 500 Box Tops to date this school year.

UPDATE ON SEPTEMBER 10:  We are going back to school tomorrow.  I have turned in the Box Tops which were collected over the summer(392- $39.20).  Due to the success over the summer, I plan to keep collecting any Box Tops that you are willing to contribute.  You can continue to contact me at farmstros@yahoo.com.  Also, if you are able to get to the school during they day, you can drop your Box Tops of at the front desk and let them know they are for me.

Thanks

This summer, while my current students go home and I await a new group of fourth graders, I have decided to see how many Box Tops for Education I can collect.  Stevens Elementary, like many schools, collects Box Tops as a way of raising funds.  These Box Tops can be found on a variety of products.(Click for a list)

At the moment, I have 392 Box Tops in my personal collection bag.  My theory is that the power of social media can help me find others who have Box Tops in their home which they don't know how to use.

So, if you have any Box Tops that you are getting ready to throw out, please STOP!

Cut those Box Tops out and hold onto them.

Contact me at farmstros@yahoo.com (Please put Summer of Box Tops in the Subject Line) and we will figure out a way to get them to my plastic bag.  If you have 1 Box Top, 100 Box Tops or any other number of Box Tops, I am happy to take them.

All Box Tops that I collect by the first day of next school year (August 28) will be given to the Box Top coordinator at Stevens Elementary.

ONE REQUEST:

1.  If you already have a school where you donate your Box Tops, keep taking them there.  Your contributions are appreciated and relied on already.  I have no intention of messing that up.

Thanks for your support.

Scarborough Spring Sports Update

A few district-level events happened recently. Here are how Scarborough's athletes fared in those events.


Track and Field:

Girls- 25 points total

1600 meter run
1st place- Alondra Vasquez(Sr.)
6th place- Patricia Miranda(Jr.)

400 meter dash
5th place- Markaisha Hayes(Sr.)

800 meter run
2nd place- Patricia Miranda(Jr.)
4th place- Claudia Loredo Maldonado(Sr.)


Boys- 6 points total

Discus
4th place- Aldo Garcia(Freshman)

800 meter run
6th place- Christopher Santos(Jr.)

1600 meter run
6th place- Christopher Santos(Jr.)



Golf

Scarborough Spartans Girls Golf Team pulls out 2nd place in district. #gospartans #spartansgolf @ScarborHS @trevinoSHS1 @BlanchetteAlva @jcabreraHISD pic.twitter.com/nCFVnnE5vm

— Gary Howard (@Coach_Howard06) April 3, 2018

Scarborough Spartans at it again! The boys golf team undisputed 1st place victory for the district title today! Great work fellas! Heck of a job Coach James! #gospartans #spartansgolf @ScarborHS @trevinoSHS1 @BlanchetteAlva @jcabreraHISD @HoustonISD pic.twitter.com/O8EKLtxJmr

— Gary Howard (@Coach_Howard06) April 4, 2018

Silsbee Ends Spartans' Season

For the second time in four seasons, Scarborough had their season ended by the Silsbee Tigers.  The Spartans fell to Silsbee, 99-76 in Tuesday night's Regional Quarter-final game.  The game took place at Crosby High School.

Spartans' Scoring
Smith-22
Hudson-18
Govea-13
Johnson-9
Holley-9
Jackson-5
Irving- Played but did not score

All my coverage of Scarborough basketball is brought to you by my SUMMER OF BOX TOPS.

If you have any BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION that you aren't using, consider adding them to my collection.  Please read more here.

Scarborough vs. Silsbee, February 27

The details of Scarborough's Regional Quarterfinal play-off game are as follows:

Scarborough will play Silsbee High School, Tuesday, February 27 at 7 pm.

The game will be played at Crosby High School.

Tickets are $5.

You might be able to follow the game in real time at this link.  I will update as I am able.

Silsbee is the defending Class 4A state champion.  They are currently ranked #1 in the state.

The winner of this game advances to the Regional Semifinals in Huntsville on Friday, March 2.  They will face either Waco Connally or Hillsboro.

HISTORY BUFFS:  This game will occur on the third anniversary of the last Scarborough/Silsbee match-up, in the 2015 play-offs.

All my coverage of Scarborough basketball is brought to you by my SUMMER OF BOX TOPS.

If you have any BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION that you aren't using, consider adding them to my collection.  Please read more here.

Spartans Knock off Shepherd, Advance to Regional Quarter-Finals

Scarborough logged an impressive win over Shepherd in the Area round of the play-offs Friday night.  The Spartans led by 18 at halftime(see photo above) and finished the contest with a 50-32 win.
(CORRECTION: Scarborough scored 59 points in the game.)

The team advances to next week's Regional Quarter-finals against Silsbee. Silsbee is ranked #1 in the state.  Scarborough last faced Silsbee three years ago in the play-offs.

All my coverage of Scarborough basketball is brought to you by my SUMMER OF BOX TOPS.

If you have any BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION that you aren't using, consider adding them to my collection.  Please read more here.

Scarborough vs. Shepherd, February 23

Get insight on why @Bucket_team_3 thinks @spartacountry played their best game all season in their playoff opener. (Extended Highlights)https://t.co/OyUvOHSoVN pic.twitter.com/pNBhR4dSVo

— VYPE Inner Loop (@VYPEInnerLoop) February 20, 2018

Highlights from Scarborough's Bi-District Game against Huffman Hargrave (2/19/2018)

The details of Scarborough's Area play-off game are as follows:

Scarborough will play Shepherd High School, Friday, February 23 at 7:30 pm.

The game will be played at Kingwood Park High School.

Tickets are $5

Please note that the Scarborough/Shepherd game is the second game of a doubleheader. The first game features North Forest and Silsbee.  The winners of the two games of this doubleheader will play against each other next week in the Regional Quarter-finals.

All my coverage of Scarborough basketball is brought to you by my SUMMER OF BOX TOPS.

If you have any BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION that you aren't using, consider adding them to my collection.  Please read more here.

Spartans- 67, Falcons- 49

Scarborough won their first round play-off game Monday night over Huffman Hargrave, 67-49.  Scarborough controlled the game, played at Atascocita High School, from its outset and advances to the Area Round of the play-offs.

Quarter by Quarter breakdown
                 
After 1st Quarter- Scarborough-15, Hargrave-5
After 2nd Quarter- Scarborough-30, Hargrave-15
After 3rd Quarter- Scarborough- 48, Hargrave- 31
Final Score- Scarborough- 67, Hargrave-49


Spartans' Scoring
Hudson-18
Smith-18
Johnson-7
Jackson-7
Holley-6
Govea-6
Irving-5
*Point totals based on my personal scorebook.

NOTE:  Hudson increased his school-high career play-off point total to 51 points(in three games).

The Opponent's Top Scorer
Senior Will Johnson made seven three-pointers for the Falcons.  He finished the contest with a game-high 24 points.

WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE SPARTANS!
Later this week, the Spartans will play the winner of the Shepherd/Orangefield game.  That contest is scheduled for Tuesday night in Kountze.

All my coverage of Scarborough basketball is brought to you by my SUMMER OF BOX TOPS.

If you have any BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION that you aren't using, consider adding them to my collection.  Please read more here.

Scarborough vs. Huffman, February 19

If you plan to attend Scarborough's play-off game Monday night, you can find a link to directions to the game site below.  If you are not able to attend the game(Atascocita is a bit of a trek on a Monday night), there is a plan in place to provide updated scores as the contest progresses.  You should be able to find updates from:

Scarborough on Twitter

Scarborough on Facebook

Scarborough on Instagram

The details of Scarborough's Bi-District play-off game are as follows:

Scarborough will play Huffman High School, Monday, February 19 at 7:30.

The game will be played at Atascocita High School.

Scarborough is the visiting team for the game. Tickets are $5.

Please note that the Scarborough/Huffman game is the second game of a doubleheader.  The first game features North Forest and Liberty.


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If you have any BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION that you aren't using, consider adding them to my collection.  Please read more here.

24-4A Standings

Final

y-Yates- 12 - 0
x- Scarborough- 9 - 3
x- North Forest- 9 - 3
4-Wheatley- 6 - 6
Washington- 3 - 8
Kashmere- 1 - 10
Worthing- 1 - 11

y-clinched district title
x-clinched play-off berth
4-clinched 4th seed in play-offs

My understanding is that Scarborough will be the #2 seed in the play-offs.

These standings do not include the Washington/Kashmere game of February 14.

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What Is On the Line for the Spartans?

Entering their final game of the season, Scarborough has already clinched a play-off spot(their second in four seasons).  However, depending on how the final day of the season(Wednesday, February 14) plays out, they could be District 24-4A's second seed OR third seed.  What is the practical difference between these two positions?  Let's take a look.


Current Standings:

Yates- 12-0 (Yates has already clinched the district title. They will face Cleveland)
Scarborough-  8-3  (Game remaining: Wheatley-4:30 at Barnett)
North Forest-  8-3  (Game remaining: Worthing- 7:30 at Butler)
Wheatley- 6-5 (Wheatley has already clinched fourth place. They will face Hardin-Jefferson)


#2-The team that finishes in second place will play the third place finisher in District 23-4A in the first round.  This will be either Huffman or Liberty.

If they can win their first round game, the second place finisher in District 24-4A avoids a second round match-up with #1 ranked Silsbee.  They would be on a path to meet  Silsbee in the third round.

#3-The team that finishes in third place will play the second place finisher in District 23-4A in the first round.  This will also be either Huffman or Liberty.

If the #3 team can win their first round game, their prize would be a second round match-up with Silsbee.

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Spartans' Senior Day

The Scarborough Spartans boys team honored their six seniors Saturday at Delmar Field House.  According to Coach Jackson, all six of the seniors will "further their education at the next level."

The six seniors are pictured above with their parents.

#20, Roberto Govea
#2, Kevin Johnson
#3, Quinton Hudson
#11, Jared Holley
#23, Calvin Iriving
#32, Lydarius Jackson

Spartans Clinch a Play-off Berth

For the second time in four seasons, the Scarborough Spartans are going to the play-offs.  Scarborough clinched a post-season berth with a 49-39 win over Washington High School Saturday afternoon at Delmar Field House.  (NOTE: The scoreboard read "49-37", but I'm confident Washington's final basket didn't get counted.)

The win was the Spartans' fifth in a row and puts them in sole possession of second place in District 24-4A with three games to play.  They  were led (according to my score book, which is not official) in scoring by Jared Holley with 17 points.  Noah Smith had 14 points and Quinton Hudson had 11.

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If you have any BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION that you aren't using, consider adding them to my collection.  Please read more here.

Spartans Knock Off Wheatley

Scarborough's boys basketball team knocked off Wheatley, 62-50 at Delmar Fieldhouse on Saturday.  The win gives the Spartans a 3-2 record in district play.  I have not seen confirmation, but I think Scarborough is third in District 24-4A at the moment.

Here are a few thoughts on the game:

1. Great Free Throw Shooting is Crucial- The Spartans took the lead early and kept building on it.  One of the keys to their success was their free throw shooting.  They only made 1 of 4 free shots in the first quarter.  After that, Scarborough made all 16 of their attempts.

2. Quinton Hudson- The senior guard was scored 18 of his 20 points in the first half, leading the team to a nine-point lead at the intermission.  In the third quarter and early fourth quarter, Hudson helped the Spartans consistently break Wheatley's full court press.  This allowed other players to score baskets after the press was broken.

3. Noah Smith- Smith was the primary beneficiary when Scarborough broke Wheatley's press.  He has 19 points in the second half(27 for the game).  Wheatley struggled to slow down the junior, who made his final seven free throws.

The Spartans have seven regular season games remaining.

Note:  Information about a make up of the January 17 game Kashmere is yet to be announced.

#Tuesday, 1/23- Worthing (Delmar)- 7:30 pm
#Saturday, 1/27- North Forest (Pavilion)- 11:30 am
#Saturday, 2/3- Washington (Delmar)- 1 pm
#Tuesday, 2/6- Yates (Barnett)- 4:30 pm
#Saturday, 2/10- Kashmere (Delmar)- 11:30 am
#Wednesday, 2/14- Wheatley (Barnett)- 6:00 pm

#District Game

Spartans Stand at 2-2 in District Play

Scarborough fell to Yates, 100-85 on Friday.  The loss gives the Spartans a 2-2 record in District 24-4A with eight games remaining.

#Wednesday, 1/17- Kashmere (Pavilion)- 4:30 pm
#Saturday, 1/20- Wheatley (Delmar)- 11:30 am
#Tuesday, 1/23- Worthing (Delmar)- 7:30 pm
#Saturday, 1/27- North Forest (Pavilion)- 11:30 am
#Saturday, 2/3- Washington (Delmar)- 1 pm
#Tuesday, 2/6- Yates (Barnett)- 4:30 pm
#Saturday, 2/10- Kashmere (Delmar)- 11:30 am
#Wednesday, 2/14- Wheatley (Barnett)- 6:00 pm

#District Game