Read More About the Spartans Soccer Team

The Scarborough soccer team, who plays in the Area Round of the Class 4A play-offs Thursday, is featured in a post on the Houston Chronicle's website.  You can read the post by Jeff Jenkins here. The Spartans take on El Campo at 5:30 on April 2 at Butler Stadium.

Spartans Continue Play-offs on Thursday Evening

The Scarborough Boys' Soccer team continues their play-off run on Thursday, April 2 at 5:30 at Butler Stadium.  The Spartans are slated to take on El Campo in the Area Round of the 4A play-offs. With a win, they advance to the regional quarter-finals (April 6-7) against the winner of the Sweeny/Stafford game.

District Champion Spartan Girls Soccer Ends Season

The Scarborough Girls Soccer team ended their championship season with a loss in the first round of the play-offs Friday. The Spartans, who won the District 22-4A title, fell to Sealy.

Spartans Bring Home District Awards in Basketball

Five members of the Scarborough Spartans basketball team, who won the first play-off game in school history, received awards in District 22-4A.  Junior Hunter Janacek led the list, bringing home the district's Offensive Player of the Year Award.  Quinton Hudson was honored as the Rookie of the Year.

Three seniors were honored as well.  Jonathan Garcia-Loza made first team all district.  Jorge Martinez and Jonathan Crew were named to the district's second team.

Heroes and Van Hekken Kick Off Season Saturday

Andy Van Hekken, who won the rough equivalent of Korean baseball's Cy Young Award in 2014, takes the hill for the Nexen Heroes in Saturday's season opener.  Van Hekken, 20-6 last season, gets the opening day nod at Mokdong Stadium in Seoul against the Hanwha Eagles.

The Heroes advanced to the Korean Series, where they fell to the Samsung Lions in 2014.  The opener is scheduled to begin at 2:00 in Korea (midnight, Friday, Houston time).

Spartans Move on to Next Round of Soccer Play-offs

The Scarborough boys' soccer team knocked off Navasota 4-3 on Thursday evening at Delmar Stadium.  The Spartans advance to play El Campo in the area round next week.

According to the team's Twitter account, the goals were scored by Montoni(2), Zapata, and Carrizales.

Scarborough Soccer Teams Start Play-offs this Week

The Scarborough Spartans Boys' Soccer team, who won District 21-4A this season, opens their play-off run Thursday night at 5 pm at Delmar Stadium. The Spartans will be playing Navasota on Thursday.  With a win, Scarborough will advance to an area round match-up with El Campo.

The Scarborough Spartans Girls' Soccer team will also appear in the play-offs this week.  The Girls team, who also won District 21-4A, will play Friday night at 5 pm at Sealy.  With a win, Scarborough will advance to an area round match-up with Bay City.

Astros Encourage Affiliates to Avoid Guaranteeing Wins

Well, Bryn M'Taggare't, you've done it again!!  As I've mentioned in this space previously, I don't seek out Ms. M'Taggare't's work, as its subject matter is not pertinent to this blog.  However, she has once more sent me some information that begs to be published.

Astros Encourage Affiliates to Avoid Guaranteeing Wins in the Future

by Bryn M'Taggare't

The Astros look to avoid future misunderstandings with their minor league affiliates by discouraging them from including one popular promotion on their calendar.  In an announcement released by the team, all the club's minor league affiliates are encouraged to "avoid carrying out any promotion that promises that the team will win a particular game."

Many minor league teams have special nights where a win is promised to all fans in attendance. Traditionally, if the team loses, everyone in attendance receives a ticket or voucher for a ticket to a future game to compensate for the broken promise.

The Astros release on the matter continued, "We appreciate that our affiliates and fans are confident in our abilities; however, we feel a "Guaranteed Win" promotion puts undue pressure on the young men in our organization."

"We have done extensive statistical analysis of this type of promotion in the minor leagues over the last three years. We could not mathematically prove that such a guarantee serves as a jinx to teams. However, after finding that the guarantee is not upheld in nearly half the games, we decided that such a promotion is not a beneficial activity considering our focus on the development of young talent."

"We cannot force our affiliates to adhere to our wishes.  Yet, we are confident that they will cooperate on this matter."

One local media member had an interesting interchange concerning this announcement:

Local Media Member:  Shouldn't a prospect be able to deal with the pressure of playing in a guaranteed win game?  For example, would striking out to lose such a game be a disastrous impediment to a true prospect's development?

Astros:  We would hope in the face of such adversity, our prospect would be able to Shake It Off. However, we don't feel it is prudent to even take such a risk going forward.

The Bald Truth- Real Grace Reflection #11

A devotion I read recently referenced the verse about the hairs on our head being numbered by God. It struck me, as I reflected on LOMT's 2015 theme REAL GRACE, that if God numbers our every hair, we would consequently benefit from having more hair.  Follow me here, the more hair a person has, by default, the more attention it will require to number all of that hair.  More hair equals more attention...  Rogaine, anyone?

The Bald Truth about Real Grace

I realize I need more hair

From my head to my toe

And everywhere between--

In places where it doesn’t show

I plan to wake the follicles

As often as I can

I will not shy away from those who say,

“You’re such a hairy man”

For hair increase means I’ll be known

By Jesus even more

And that math equals greater love

Than my hair felt before

I feel bad for the bald folks

Whose poor noggins hold no strand

I pray they overcome their lack

May their pates feel His hand

It’s true, I envy Big Foot and Chewbacca makes me green

That hair! It gets attention.  I think you know what I mean

So, I’ll do what I can to keep my hair both full and fat

And, yes, consider Rogaine if it ever comes to that.

Top 25 Showdown at Cougar Field Tuesday Night

Two of the nation's top college baseball team will hit the field in Houston at Cougar Field Tuesday night.  In the first of three games between the two schools, #10 Rice and #22 Houston meet on the University of Houston campus at 6:30.  The Cougars (13-7) enter the contest with a five game winning streak.  Rice (15-7) has won its last seven games.

The Owls and Cougars are scheduled to meet two more times this season after Tuesday.  They will meet on April 14 at Rice and on May 12 at Constellation Field in Sugar Land. Houston swept three games from Rice in 2014.

Sterling Falls in 4A State Final

Sterling, who won District 22-4A this season, fell in the state championship game to Bridgeport.  The Raiders ended the season with a 31-6 record.

Sterling Keeps Playing One More Day

District 22-4A champion Sterling advanced to the state championship game, knocking off LaMarque Friday in the Alamodome.  The Raiders are slated to face Bridgeport at 7 pm on Saturday night for the state title.

Sterling Carries 22-4A Flag to State

The Sterling Raiders will represent District 22-4A in San Antonio next weekend.  The district champions knocked off Silsbee Saturday afternoon to win the Region III title and advance to the state tournament in San Antonio.

Sterling (#2 in state) will face La Marque at 3 pm Friday in the Alamodome.  In the other 4A semi-final at 1:30 pm, Dallas Madison (#3) plays Bridgeport (#5).

Hey, Potty Mouth- Real Grace Reflection #10

Reflection #10 on L.O.M.T.'s 2015 theme, REAL GRACE, is a short one. If my younger self met my current self, my younger self would be taken aback by some of the colorful additions to my vocabulary over the years.  This thought was the spark plug that led to the following lines.

Hey, Potty Mouth

Hey, potty mouth, looks like the gate's still open
Your profanity
Couldn't shut it down.

A far better word
Overrides your verbage
Even if you're from the wrong
Side of town.

Sterling Still Representing District 22-4A (and HISD)

Sterling High School, the District 22-4A champions, advanced to the Class 4A Region III finals with a victory over Tatum in Huntsville Friday night.  Sterling will face Silsbee in Saturday's Regional Final. After Friday, Sterling is the only representative of the Houston ISD still alive in the play-offs.

Wharton, who knocked off Scarborough in December in the Sweeny Tournament, has advanced to the Regional Final in Region IV.  Wharton is slated to face La Marque at Texas A&M-Kingsville Saturday afternoon.

Wall Promoted to Scarborough Athletic Director

According to this week's print edition of The Leader, Martin Wall has been promoted and will be Scarborough High School's Athletic Director starting next school year.

Wall, who led the Spartan boys' basketball team to its first play-off victory in school history this year, will take over the role from Ajani Sanders. Sanders, who is currently Scarborough's football coach and AD, will coach football at Westbury High School next year. Wall will continue to coach the basketball team at Scarborough.

Sterling Advances to Represent District 22-4A

One District 22-4A member has advanced to the Region III boys' basketball semi-finals.  Sterling, who won the district title, knocked off Hardin-Jefferson, 83-79 on Tuesday night.  Sterling advances to face Tatum in Huntsville on Friday night.

Wheatley, the district runner-up, fell Tuesday night to Silsbee, 83-79.  Silsbee, who ended Scarborough's post-season last week, moves on to face Mexia on the campus of Sam Houston State.

Who's That Slacker?- Real Grace Reflection #9

Did somebody say Number 9?  Number 9?  Reflection #9 on L.O.M.T.'s 2015 theme-Real Grace

Who's That Slacker?

Who's that slacker?
Ain't doing a thing
Why do you listen
Every time he rings?

Who's that guy?
He just lies about
I don't see why
You don't send him out

I know, I know, I know, I know
But that's the way the garden grows
The rain it always falls straight down
On any standing on the ground

Man, he's lazy
We all can see
Still you welcome
Like family?

I'm sure that he
Does less than I
Why don't you even
Make him try?

I know, I know, I know, I know
But that's the way the garden grows
The rain it always falls straight down
On any standing on the ground

The rain it always falls straight down
On any one who's on the ground

A Way to Support the Scarborough BASEBALL Team

You can support the Scarborough baseball team and watch the Astros play this season, all in one fell swoop.  As a fundraiser, the Spartan baseball team is selling vouchers that can be redeemed for Astros tickets.

The vouchers cost $27 each and are good for a seat in the Bullpen section in Minute Maid Park for any game in April, May, or June.  PLEASE NOTE: Opening Day and the series against the Yankees are excluded.

This time period covers 38 home dates for the Astros.  For bargain hunters, the average ticket price for the Bullpen section during those 38 dates is $34.24, so if you're planning to go to a game anyway, the vouchers represent a nice savings.

Additionally, the Spartans baseball program receives $7 for each voucher sold.  Vouchers are currently available in the school's front office.  You can get more information from Edgar Villalta, who is the baseball coach.  You can reach his page on Twitter through this link.

To launch this fundraiser, the baseball team had a chance to play a game on the Astros' home turf. The Spartans took the field at Minute Maid Park on Feburary 27.

YOU CAN SUPPORT THE SPARTAN BASEBALL TEAM without buying a voucher.  Donations are always welcome according to Coach Villalta.  The easiest way to donate is to bring your contribution to the school's front office during school hours.  Let them know your donation is for the baseball team.

A Look Back at the Spartans 2014-15 Season

The gym at Scarborough High School is quiet until next November.  The Spartans basketball team has wrapped up a season to remember.  Coach Martin Wall's club won 23 games, including the first play-off game in school history.  Here are a few highlights from the 2014-15 season.

The Season Opener- The Scarborough gym was rocking as a new season began on November 18. A 53-38 win over Northbrook got the schedule off to a great start.

Third Place in the Hempstead Christmas Classic- The Spartans won their first four games in this tournament December 18-20.  After dropping their fifth game, they bounced back to defeat Huntington and claim third place in the 12-team tournament.

A Win Over Wheatley- The Spartans got many people's attention when they knocked off Wheatley, 68-61.  It was in all likelihood, Scarborough's first-ever victory over the basketball powerhouse.

Play-off Bound- It took until the final game of the season for the Spartans to clinch their first play-off berth in a decade, but they did it.  A 60-58 victory over Washington assured Scarborough of a third-place district finish and a trip to the post-season.

On to the Second Round- At the end of a tight contest against La Grange, the Spartans brought out the late-game heroics to win the first play-off game in school history.  When the buzzer sounded, the gym at Morton Ranch High School in Katy looked a lot like Scarborough High School West.

Two of Spartans District Foes Still Going in the Play-offs

The two teams that finished ahead of Scarborough in District 22-4A are still alive after one week of the play-offs.  Sterling, who won the district, is scheduled to face Hardin-Jefferson in the Region III quarter-finals.  District 22-4A runner-up Wheatley next meets Silsbee, who knocked off Scarborough Friday night.

Interestingly, two teams who defeated Scarborough in the Sweeny Tournament in December will clash in the Region IV Quarter-finals.  Columbia and Wharton take the court against each other on Tuesday in Stafford.