Teen Astrology Horoscopes. I was browsing through the web the other day, and came across some awesome horoscope profiles for us teens. I was shocked about how.

Fitchburg High School Hall of Fame – – Home of the Red Raiders“Offense wins games. Defense wins championships.” Head Coach Tony Alario’s mantra reverberated throughout Fitchburg High School’s gymnasium during every practice session of the budding 1.

Coach Alario, Assistant Coach Dan Brasili, Assistant Coach Ed Gastonguay, and their squad entered the season cautiously optimistic, with several players returning from a District Tournament appearance the season prior (which marked only the third appearance in the school’s history). The FHS girls’ basketball program had clearly been improving steadilythroughout the late 1. Title IX and the coming of age of youth sports programs. This year, there was no fear. This veteran group of athletes felt that they could handle any team on the schedule. Yes, previously, they had won games.

But, this season, they wanted to win championships. Why did the coaching staff feel that way about this group of athletes? Well, they had a squad with a nice blend of experience, excellent skills, focus, and balance on the floor. Paula Goodchild was a four.

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Deanna Baxter knew how to get and hold position under the basket for those key stops, rebounds, and put backs . Diana Bellabarba was a scrappy and tenacious defensive player who could sneak in some beautiful outside shots. Megan Normandin was strong on the boards and had a nifty, lethal turn- around jumper.

And, Tara Sweeney was a sharp- shooting, inside passing, and driving to the basket kind of a threat. But one of the major advantages the coaches knew they had in this super season was the incredibly solid play from a deep, deep, very deep bench. Tracey Smith had a highly effective soft jumper, passing eye, and rebounding presence.

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Windy Rosebush , Carey Rosebush, along with Leigh Withington , Jodi Tousignant, Jen Reid, and Devin Grier had been in the program for several seasons and, when called upon, were perfectly capable of extending any lead and making the necessary defensive stand. During their storied season, all of the aforementioned feelings became reality, and, on top of it all, this teamed just gelled. They pressed, ran, shot, rebounded, stole, and most often, simply out fought in ways not previously seen on the floor of the FHS Brickyard. They toppled teams that had long been nemeses, and they grew stronger and stronger as the season rolled on. When the regular season came to a close in late February, the Red Raiders’ record stood at 1.

District Tournament. The regular season proved to the girls that they were capable to playing even with any team in the district, so they were confident they would be a serious contender. To them, it was already clear nobody could push this Red and Gray squad around during what was to be their championship season.

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The interesting part is they, and their loyal fans, seemed to be the only ones thinking that. The media was quick to label the FHS girls as the underdogs , upstarts, and soon, the Cinderella team, in all press accounts. But, back in the Brickyard, Coach Alario, Coach Brasili, and Coach Gastonguay kept telling them it was their time to shine. And shine, they did. First up, in the District Quarterfinals, was St. Peter- Marian High School, the powerhouse and gold standard of Central Mass basketball for nearly fifteen years. And, more importantly, the team that had kept FHS from advancing beyond this round in 2 of its previous 3 attempts.

Hosting its second- ever home tournament game, the girls simply rocked the house. They were firing on all cylinders and ran the Guardians right off the floor with a powerful 6. At the conclusion, Coach Alario and the team were clearly excited, albeit a bit reverent and grateful to have finally achieved FHS’ first- ever District win. Next up, Marlborough High School, for the District Semifinals, and the truth is, the Panthers never really knew what hit them. The Raider defense was on overdrive, and they swarmed all over the Holy Cross Hart Center right from the get- go. In addition, the girls excelled at, well, everything. Jump shots were falling, lay- ups were textbook, and rebounds were commanding.

All told, the 6. 6- 5. We are here and you had better watch out! The girls’ collective confidence had reached an all. On this afternoon, an even more- inspired Raider defense showed up and concentrated its efforts on stopping the Holy Name superstar and shutting down their typical penetration to the middle, and the strategy worked exceptionally well.

While the game was a nail biter and FHS’ faithful fans were going a little crazy in the stands, the girls were as cool as the other side of the pillow, as they say on ESPN. With the clock winding down, the Red and Gray sideline exploded with happiness. The team had reached the mountaintop- they were the champions, with a 4. And, in a moment that will live forever for the members of this team, at center court, the girls were able to scream to Coach Alario, “Offense wins games. Defense wins championships.”As sweet as the championship win was, they were in the State Tournament now, and preparation had to begin. Back to the Brickyard to prepare for the next stop, Springfield Civic Center, to play Agawam High School for the State Semifinal.

The 2. 3- 0 Agawam team was considered to be one of the finest teams ever produced out west. Blood Stripe (2017) Stream. Somehow, that characterization didn’t seem to matter to FHS. When the girls walked onto the floor, the thousands of spectators in the stands exploded with cheers for this group of athletes. The bright lights were turned on, the introductions were over, and just like that, the Red Raiders’ attacked Agawam from the outset.

The fans- save those seated in the FHS cheering section- sat in stunned, despondent silence as Fitchburg built a double- digit lead early in the second period. Paula was all over the court, calming her teammates .

Diana was playing excellent D and Tara was hitting her jumpers. Deanna, Megan and Tracey were battling for every rebound and loose ball. The Red and Gray cheering section was completely out of its mind as the Raiders sparkled on the Civic Center court. But as the second half evolved, Agawam showed why it was undefeated and so highly regarded. Early in the fourth, the Raider lead had shriveled to a few points, and Coach Alario looked to his bench to try and stop the comeback. He called upon Windy Rosebush to get into the game, and there then occurred a magical six minutes in which this kid rose to the challenge and helped secure an amazing 5. When the final horn had sounded, the girls stood at midcourt laughing, crying, hugging, and smiling.

And, just like that, the FHS girls were bound for the State Final game at the Centrum (now the DCU Center) in Worcester against the 2. Bridgewater- Raynham High School. Spoiler alert- The clock finally did strike twelve for this Cinderella team, as the Raiders fell 5. Massachusetts team in the State Final. Itwas an excellent game, and the FHS crew battled the entire game against a bigger and stronger Bridgewater- Rayhnam squad. And, as difficult as it was to see the emotion on the girls’ faces at the end, they proudly accepted the runner- up trophy and represented Fitchburg High School so very well. The coaching staff, and their fans, immediately applauded them for their efforts.

This group of athletes did what no FHS girls’ basketball team had ever done, and, to this day, has yet to repeat. Twenty- three years later, the aura of that season has not yet worn off.

Congratulations to Deanna Baxter Bridgham, Diana Bellabarba, Paula Goodchild Gastonguay, Carey Rosebush Doucette, Windy Rosebush Catino, Leigh Withington Welch, Devin Grier Norris, Megan Normandin, Jennifer Reid Curtis, Tara Sweeney, Jodi Tousignant, Shelley Mundie Sappet, Eva Heckel Sanchez, Margie Pierce, Amy Robichaud Beaulac, Tracey Smith, Lynee Heckel Fife, Tony Alario, Dan Brasili, and Ed Gastonguay as you enter the FHS Athletic Hall of Fame for your team accomplishments. A deserved honor, no doubt, with feats that continue to stand up to the test of time.

How The Warlord Who Controls Chechnya Uses Sports To Rule. When Ramzan Kadyrov stepped into the Akhmat- Arena in Grozny on a brisk December morning in 2. Dressed in black, the longtime head of the Chechen Republic surveyed the scene within the country’s primary soccer stadium, where 2. Instead of the cheers and chants typical during matches, silence pierced the packed stadium.

The Kadyrovtsy—an armed militia fiercely loyal to the man their army is named after—awaited instructions from their leader. Standing alone on a stage erected overnight on the stadium’s well- groomed pitch, the strongman’s booming voice addressed his private army.

A large screen projected images of Grozny from behind Kadyrov, while magnified images of his father and Putin were propped prominently on either side of him. Allahu Akhbar! Allahu Akhbar! Allahu Akhbar!”Kadyrov’s public spectacle was as concerning as it was revelatory. The speech emphasized his willingness to unleash a private militia at the Kremlin’s request, both domestically and abroad. The Kadyrovtsy, who reportedly assassinate journalists and dissidents at Kadyrov’s bidding, are considered a terrifying force. Their alleged crimes also include kidnapping, murder, and rape to enforce Kadyrov’s absolute rule through violence.

As the result of the wide autonomy and hefty budget granted to him by the Kremlin in exchange for the continuous suppression and pacification of the rebellious North Caucasus republic, Kadyrov operates Chechnya like his own personal fiefdom. While Kadyrov has transformed Chechnya’s capital, Grozny, into a miniature Dubai, complete with sparkly buildings and fancy restaurants, Chechens continue to suffer the wrath of his rule. Human rights and basic freedoms are considered unattainable luxuries.

Within this repressive context, sports play an influential role in Kady. Sports are used as a tool to fabricate a sense of normality and distract from the ongoing abuse with the republic - an effective tool to maintain control of Chechnya. Kadyrov’s display of military might within the Akhmat- Arena in late 2. Grozny’s stadium, once dedicated to the beautiful game, had been temporarily transformed into a makeshift playground within which Kadyrov could rally his troops on a whim. Kadyrov’s manipulation of sports stems from a longstanding tradition, typical of authoritarian regimes. Sports, in many forms, have long been used as instruments for diplomacy, as well as for control. The Chechen government has tightened control over the republic’s national sports as part of Kadyrov’s tyrannical rule, and have since used it to achieve political gains, project an image of power, and enhance his legitimacy.

In the months that followed his dramatic speech, Kadyrov began to further institutionalize sports within his republic. Members of his inner circle, all of whom shared a military background and clanship with Kadyrov, were placed in command of Chechnya’s sports. Two men in particular—Magomed “Lord” Daudov and Abuzayed “Patriot” Vismuradov—have been tasked with running Kadyrov’s favourite sports, thus ensuring that soccer and mixed martial arts are firmly under government control. The Lord of Soccer. Since rising to power as the head of the Chechen Republic at age 3. Ramzan Kadyrov has spent the past decade consolidating his rule over the troubled North Caucasus republic. Following a lavish inauguration ceremony in 2.

Kadyrov reshuffled his government and cabinet to promote members of his own clan to positions of authority. Key roles such as prime minister were all given to Kadyrov’s close relatives. However, despite the nepotism at play, one reformed militant was able to work his way up the ranks to run the Chechen parliament, and Chechen soccer as well. Magomed Daudov fought alongside the separatists and insurgents during the two Chechen wars before surrendering and switching sides to Ramzan Kadyrov’s father, Akhmad Haji Kadyrov, in 2. He received amnesty from Kadyrov and was promoted to colonel in an effort to combat the remainder of the armed resistance in Chechnya. Presently, he is the chairman of the Chechen Parliament, and remains Kadyrov’s prime example of a reformed militant resocialized into the Chechen political sphere. Daudov—known by his nom de guerre, Lord—is not only considered to be one of Kadyrov’s most influential watchdogs, but also one of the most dangerous men in the Chechen Republic.

His list of controversies include the alleged blackmail and assault of a chief judge and his advocacy of bigamy. He publicly threatened the editor of an independent Caucasus news website, claiming he would “cut his tongue to standard size,” and was recently implicated for playing a key role in the reported crackdown on LGBTQ people in Chechnya. Naturally, Daudov’s scandalous reputation has made him a useful ally in Kadyrov’s quest for sports domination. This occurred after the club’s former president and head of the republic, Akhmad Kadyrov, was assassinated during a match that same year. Ramzan took over as president of the club and maintained that role until November 2. Daudov to president. Now it is your task.”At the time, Terek FC was a resurgent team with a significant financial reserve.

In 2. 01. 1 alone, Kadyrov built the 3. Akhmat- Arena as the club’s new home, hosted the 2. World Cup- winning Brazil team for an exhibition match against a makeshift team he captained himself, and appointed former Dutch player Ruud Gullit as the team’s head coach, all in an attempt to foster economic development and a sense of legitimacy in Chechnya.

As Kadyrov explained at the time, “This event could give a powerful impetus for developing the sport, not only in the republic but also in the entire North Caucasus.” Soccer became Kadyrov’s field of opportunity for sociopolitical gain, which resulted in the Terek FC team being involved in scandalous claims of attempted blackmail. During a match between Terek FC and FC Rubin Kazan, a team from the Republic of Tatarstan, on October 2. Daudov went into the officials’ changing room during halftime and pressured the officials to show bias towards the Grozny side. During the second half of the match, the referee sent two FC Rubin players off with red cards, which allowed Terek to close out a 3- 1 victory.

While Chechen authorities denied the report, this was the second time that Terek FC had been accused of attempted blackmail. Terek FC was also accused of match- fixing, though none of the alleged cases have been confirmed. Reports suggest that Kadyrov willingly paid off teams and officials to ensure that Terek FC finished in good standing post- season. Reports of brawls and players being injured by masked spectators were also commonplace in Grozny. An incident in 2. Terek FC and Krasnodar FC youth teams eventually resulted in a Krasnodar player, Spartak Gogniev, being sent off the field with a red card. Tension rose and a brawl ensued between the two teams, during which a group of masked men captured Gogniev and battered him with batons.

He was hospitalized with a broken nose, cracked ribs, and a concussion. Perhaps the most infamous incident to take place during a Grozny match was when Kadyrov personally interrupted a game between Terek FC and FC Rubin Kazan in 2.

The refs been bought off! You’re an ass!” In 2. Daudov announced that Terek FC would, at the request of “thousands of fans,” be renamed Akhmat FC in honor of Ramzan Kadyrov’s father, Akhmad Haji Kadyrov. The club’s president noted on social media that “in our veins flows the pure Chechen blood of our fathers! And in our hearts, the name of Ahmad!” While considered a tribute to the republic’s late president, this use of the name of Ramzan’s father also provides another avenue for Kadyrov to to bolster his cult of personality.

Many of Chechnya’s newly- erected buildings, schools, hospitals, and other forms of infrastructure now bear his father’s name, a strategic decision that further entwines Kadyrov’s family with Chechnya’s modern history.