Hot Start Carries Spartans to Fourth Straight Victory

The Spartans rode a wave of torrid three-point shooting in the first quarter to a 60-48 victory over Westbury at Scarborough's campus gym.  The Spartans held a 26-8 lead after one quarter of play thanks in large part to six of nine shooting from behind the arc.

After the first quarter, the short-handed Huskies battled to make it a game.  Despite only having five players available the entire second half due to an injury, Westbury cut the lead to four points midway through the fourth period. However, a clutch three-pointer by Scarborough's Jorge Martinez with about 3:30 left in the game pushed the Spartan lead back to 10 and sealed the outcome.

Hunter Janacek led the Spartans with 20 points.  Quinton Hudson contributed 11 and Jorge Martinez hit three three-pointers for nine points.

The Spartans (4-0) are off until next Tuesday, December 2, when they play at Houston Austin. Game time is 6:00 pm.

Get more information on the team's website.

This site's coverage of Spartans basketball is brought to you by ???  If you have an interest in sponsoring the coverage, I will donate all proceeds to the Spartans program.  Please contact me at farmstros@yahoo.com for more information.

Tonight's Spartan Game has been Moved to Scarborough Campus

Tuesday night's Spartan game against Westbury has been moved from Westbury High School to Scarborough at 7 pm.

Spartans Win Third Game in a Row

The Spartans went to Magnolia on Monday night and picked up their third straight win.  According to Coach Martin Wall's Twitter Feed, the Spartans (3-0) knocked off Magnolia West, 68-55. I will update this post once I see more information on the game.

Scarborough travels to Southwest Houston to take on Westbury Tuesday night at 7 pm.
NOTE: Tuesday's game has been moved to Scarborough.  It is still at 7 pm.

Get more information on the team's website.

This site's coverage of Spartans basketball is brought to you by ???  If you have an interest in sponsoring the coverage, I will donate all proceeds to the Spartans program.  Please contact me at farmstros@yahoo.com for more information.

Spartans Basketball Week #2

The Spartans started the season with two home wins in week #1.  They knocked off Northbrook, 53-38 in Tuesday night's season opener.  They followed that up with a 70-39 victory over Kipp Academy on Friday.

This Week's Schedule

Monday, November 24 (7:00) at Magnolia West

Tuesday, November 25 (7:00) at Westbury
Note: The Tuesday game has been moved to Scarborough campus, still at 7 pm.

Full season schedule and results

Get more information on the team's website

This site's coverage of Spartans basketball is brought to you by ???  If you have an interest in sponsoring the coverage, I will donate all proceeds to the Spartans program.  Please contact me at farmstros@yahoo.com for more information.

Spartans Move to 2 and 0

According to a tweet from Coach Martin Wall, Scarborough improved their record to 2 and 0 on the young season Friday night.  The Spartans knocked off Kipp Academy, 70-39 at home.

A few notes from the team's Max Preps page: The Spartans had a total of 20 assists with a total of 30 field goals.  Hunter Janacek had eight assists and Jorge Martinez added six.  Six players finished the game with eight points or more.  Jonathan Garcia-Loza had ten rebounds and two blocked shots to go with his 15 points.  The double double was Garcia-Loza's second of the season.

Next up for Scarborough is a game at Magnolia West on Monday night (November 24).

You can find more information on the Spartans at the team's website.

This site's coverage of Spartans basketball is brought to you by ???  If you have an interest in sponsoring the coverage, I will donate all proceeds to the Spartans program.  Please contact me at farmstros@yahoo.com for more information.

KHOU Chronicles Spartans Unique Football Journey

The Scarborough Spartans football team, despite not winning any games this season, found itself playing an extra game after their regular season.  Daniel Gotera of KHOU Houston filed the above report on the team's growth throughout the season, including its season finale in Beaumont against West Orange Stark on November 13.

A unique series of events led to Scarborough's first post-season appearance in 19 years.

Last spring, the UIL placed Scarborough in one of several five team football districts. These small districts were necessitated by a low number of teams in the classification.

Shortly after the classification, the Houston ISD decided to re-purpose Jones High School.  One result of the re-purposing was that athletics were abandoned at the school.

Since Jones was slated to play in Scarborough's district, the Spartans found themselves in the state's only four team district. Since four teams from each district advance, a post-season berth for the Spartans in November was clinched before pre-season drills even began.   Doing the math, 64 of 87 teams competing in 4A Divsion II qualified for the post-season.

Note: Two other teams in the state (in other classifications) played an extra game this season despite winning only ONE regular season game.  Grullo, who competes in 4A Division I was 1-8.  Freer, a 3A Division II team was 1-9 in the regular season.

Grullo fell 60-20 in their extra game.  Freer dropped their bonus contest, 66-6.

Spartans Open the Season with Win Over Northbrook

Scarborough used a stifling defense to post a double digit victory over Northbrook during Tuesday night's season opener.  The Spartans held Northbrook to only 10 field goals (including four three pointers) and won the contest 53-38.

Offensively, Hunter Janacek led the way with 17 points.  However, the junior was only 2 of 9 from three point range.  Jonathan Garcia-Loza contributed 11 points, including at least three baskets off of put backs of teammates missed shots.  Freshmen Quinton Hudson (10 points) and Tahj Parrish (9) made impressive Scarborough debuts.

Next up for Scarborough is a showdown with Kipp Academy on Friday at 5:30 on the Scarborough campus.

#-Point totals in this post are based on the score book I kept while attending the game.

You can find more information about the Spartans at the team's website.

This site's coverage of Spartans basketball is brought to you by ???  If you have an interest in sponsoring the coverage, I will donate all proceeds to the Spartans program.  Please contact me at farmstros@yahoo.com for more information.

Steve Taylor Releases "Goliath"

Steve Taylor and The Perfect Foil released "Goliath", their new album today.  It is the first new album for Taylor in more than two decades.  I have always been impressed by Taylor's lyrics, both as a soloist and in his collaborations with other artists, such as The Newsboys.  You can hear the album at this link.  

Taylor and the band have been performing live recently in support of the new album.  His cover of Beyonce's "Single Ladies" is one of the funniest things I have seen in a while.

Spartans Basketball Week #1

This week marks the beginning of the 2014-15 season for the Scarborough Spartans basketball team. After being in the play-off race until the final game last season, this year's squad has their sights set on representing District 22-4A in the post-season.  Five players from last year's squad will be on the court when the team begins play on Tuesday night.

This Week's Schedule

Tuesday, November 18 (7 pm) vs. Northbrook (at Scarborough)

Friday, November 21 (5:30 pm) vs. Kipp Academy (at Scarborough)

Full season schedule and results

Get more information on the team's website

This site's coverage of Spartans basketball is brought to you by ???  If you have an interest in sponsoring the coverage, I will donate all proceeds to the Spartans program.  Please contact me at farmstros@yahoo.com for more information.

Spartans Basketball Starts Six Days From Today

If you are looking for a high school basketball team to follow in Houston, please consider the Scarborough Spartans.  The team begins their season six days from today with the first of five on campus games.  I've included below some information about the upcoming season that I am distributing to some of my neighbors.  If you are in the Northwest part of Houston, consider coming out to support the Spartans this season.

If you’re looking for some inexpensive, indoor entertainment this winter, and you’d like to support the activities of some of the young people in our community, please consider going to a Scarborough Spartans basketball game. 

Link to Spartans full schedule 

Link to Spartans roster

Under the leadership of Coach Martin Wall, the team missed the play-offs by just one game last season.  They are aiming to make it this season.  For your convenience, the Spartans are scheduled to play five games this season down the street on campus. Come on out, and see some high school basketball.

Games Scheduled to be played on campus:

Tuesday, November 18, vs. Northbrook (7)

Friday, November 21, vs. Kipp Academy (5:30)

Friday, December 5, vs. Davis (6:30)

Tuesday, December 30, vs. Aldine (3)

Friday, January 2, vs. Milby (3)

For more information on Spartan basketball, please visit the team’s website:

Sincerely Your Neighbor,

Mike Tauser

Spartans Picked to Make Play-offs for First Time in 10 Years

The Texas Association of Basketball Coaches predicts that the Scarborough Spartans will qualify for the play-offs this season as the fourth place team in District 22-4A.  The TABC prediction foreshadows a first round meeting between Navasota and Scarborough in February, 2015. Scarborough has not made the post-season since 2005 when they fell in the first round to Yates.

For more information on the Spartans basketball team, please visit their website.

The Gamble- The Season The Local Brewer Bet Against the Dukes

The whole town sat on edge.  Would the Dukes avoid 100 losses and win their fans free beer? The question remained unanswered until the final day of the "A" League season.  The nation's eyes were on Dukes Stadium as the teams took the field for what would be the most memorable season finale in franchise history.  

Read about The Season The Local Brewer Bet Against the Dukes now.  This original novella inspired by a true story is available through Lulu.

As an online book(PDF)- $2.39  

As a paper back book- $7.50

Thanks for considering this creative effort.  Please tell your friends, family and anyone you know who enjoys a good story about it.

Previous posts about The Gamble

Korean Series Schedule and Results

2014 Korean Series Schedule and Results:

Samsung wins series, 4-2.

Tuesday, November 4- Nexen at Samsung, Nexen wins 4-2. Video Highlights

Wednesday, November 5- Nexen at Samsung, Samsung wins, 7-1. Video Highlights

Friday, November 7- Samsung at Nexen, Samsung wins, 3-1. Video Highlights

Saturday, November 8- Samsung at Nexen, Nexen wins, 9-3. Video Highlights Van Hekken post-game interview Full Game Video

Monday, November 10- Samsung vs. Nexen, Samsung wins, 2-1. Video Highlights

Tuesday, November 11- Samsung vs. Nexen, Samsung wins, 11-1.

If you are looking to follow this series, check out MyKBO.net.  This site is the best one on Korean baseball that I have seen.  According to this site, video of all Korean Series games will be available for free on YouTube.(As best I can tell, the free video is only available during the live webcast. I haven't found a free replay.)

A few tidbits about the series:

You may want to keep an eye on Nexen's shortstop, Kang-jung Ho. The 27-year old shortstop is expected to play in the United States in 2015.  MLBTR predicts he will end up in Baltimore.

The last three games of the series are slated to be played in Jamsil Stadium, which is a neutral site. Nexen and Samsung's home fields seat less than 20,000, so Jamsil, which seats more than 25,000, will be used for Games 5-7.

Coverage of the Korean Series on this site is brought to you by Scarborough basketball.  The Spartans season starts November 18 at home.

It's CanStruction Time Again

If you are in the Houston area this weekend, consider checking out CanStruction Saturday from 3-5 pm.  This unique event gives local businesses and organizations a chance to support the Houston Food Bank by designing and building "CanSculptures".  The canned goods used to make the creations are donated to the food bank and distributed to those in need after the event.

Public viewing of CanStruction takes place at City Centre on Saturday, November 15.  The sculptures are more impressive if you see them live.  However, you can see a photo gallery of this year's creations here. 

Check out the Spartans Roster

With just 10 days until opening night, the Scarborough Spartans 2014-15 basketball roster is taking shape.  You can check out the team at Max Preps.

According to the posted roster, five players are returning from last year's roster.  These five will be joined by five newcomers.  The Spartans start their season on Tuesday, November 18 vs. Northbrook. The game will take place on the Scarborough campus at 7 pm.

For more information about Spartans basketball, please check out their website.

Belly Slide Day

I recently received a poem from an acquaintance of mine from Wisconsin. The poem involved a penguin, Sopu, who was elected mayor of a small town called Grangey du Lac. During his term as mayor, Sopu declared a city-wide holiday called Slide on Your Belly Day. Everyone in town (or at least a majority of people) agreed that Sopu's administration was a success, so sliding on their bellies seemed a natural way to celebrate his leadership.

I was asked if I would try to put the poem to music. You can hear my effort above. I have included the words to the poem below. 

BELLY SLIDE DAY

The penguin said slide 
So that’s what we all did
On a warm summer Wisconsin eve

On our bodies face first, down the hills
Down the dales
It was almost too much to believe

Old and young slid together on 
Belly slide day
Farmers and cowmen did too
In spite of our worries, we slid hand in hand
Just like, I guess, most penguins do

Belly sliding I highly recommend
It sure beats sliding on your own rear end (2x)

Myrtle McDougall brought her cardboard square
And slide time and time with great ease
Officer Johnson slid slightly too fast
And almost ran into a tree

The bankers and businessmen 
Slid for a while
They laughed as their ride reached a great speed
The teachers and doctors, like Artemis Jones
Slid right through a big patch of weeds.

Belly sliding I highly recommend
It sure beats sliding on your own rear end (2x)

The Douglass twins, Sherry and, yes, Shelly, too
Were sliders beyond all compare
They took home the medal and heard Sopu say,
“You are sliders extraordinaire!”

As the sun set, the sliding fun gradually stopped
Except a few folks there and here
Now with our bellies filled up with great warmth
We practice our slides for next year.

Belly sliding I highly recommend
It sure beats sliding on your own rear end (2x)