The Pepperbox
December BOX BRIEFS
Fall Performance: “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead”: December 6th and 7th @ 7pm and December 8 @ 2pm AIBT: December 6, 7, and 8 (see the bracket on page 19 for details) Finals: December 19, 20, and 21
IN THE BOX Archives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4. What’s Good . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5. Sophia Belton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 .
Winter break: December 21 (Back to school January 7) Want to advertise or buy a mail subscription to the Pepperbox? Email Business Manager Hannah Pereira at pepperbox@nohum.k12.ca.us !
Cameron Dart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 AIBT hosting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Sportsmanship/The Zoo . . . . . .9
EDITORIAL STAFF Jacquelyn Opalach Editor-in-Chief Caledonia Davey Managing Editor Jazmine Fiedler Feature Editor Lindsay Rimmer Sports Editor Mira O’Barr A&E Editor Jack Taylor Opinion Editor Alef Mitchell Photo Editor Haley Hill Online Editor Mercy Arnold Online Editor Fiona Murphy Editor Abroad Hannah Pereira Business Manager Kaylien Ownby Art Director
REPORTERS Jj Anaya Emily Cook Odin Huff Bailey Ives Tri Jensen-Dougherty Dakota Kalvaitis-Heffernan Grace Mitchell Aidan Nickelson Mark Salamunovich Trinity Smith Eva Villamor Stella Walston Isabella Welch
CLUB REPORTERS Grace Talty Haven Fricke-Smyth Kai Hansen Andrew Mettier Alyssa Pedicino
The Pepperbox would like to thank Western Web, based in Samoa, for printing at-cost. Western Web supports student journalism throughout Humboldt County and has made publications like the Pepperbox possible for decades. We appreciate their dedication to Western Web keeping print media alive.
Player profiles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 . Rosters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 . WAIBT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 WAIBT Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 . Saltbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 . Bracket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 .
Questions regarding editorial content of the Pepperbox should be directed toward its editors. Opinions expressed in this paper are not necessarily those of Arcata High School.
Advisor Danielle Witten
Quotable. “Why? Cuz’ life needs a little magic, that’s why.” - Teacher Adam Pinkerton, in reference to the creative language on an AP Gov worksheet.
“WAIBT? What is that? I thought it was like, an art thing.” - Tri Jensen learning that there is a Women’s AIBT.
“Kale is the gateway drug to nutritional yeast.” - Pepperbox adviser Danielle Witten after exposing Pepperbox reporters to the miracle of kale + yeast.
“Kids are a delicate ecosystem, and if someone disrupts them, they’ll go crazy.” - Senior Annika Mauro on her job teaching middle schoolers.
Editors’ Box W inter is here, and with it comes wintertime traditions. Along with hot cocoa and making snow angels comes the greatest tradition of all: The Arcata Invitational Basketball Tournament (AIBT). At the Pepperbox, we have had quite the week, seeing as we printed an entire issue barely a week before this one. Being a monthly publication, we normally have a decent amount of time to work on our next issue. However, a one week turnaround time ensured that we would be working harder then we have ever before. Many a long night of editing went into this, along with SO many snacks (mini marshmallows). Finally, after all the arguing, making up, and arguing again, this issue was completed. We hope we have produced the paper that this wonderful tournament deserves. LINDSAY AND JACK NOW PRESENT THE AIBT ISSUE. - Jack Taylor, Opinion Editor, and Lindsay Rimmer, Sports Editor P.S. We almost lost the entire player profile page due to a technical difficulty. (We didn't!) It’s an AIBT Miracle!!!
From the Archives
Shorts were far shorter back in 1969, as depicted in this photo from the second annual AIBT.
Teen Clinic be in control
Free, confidental, non-judgemental
Walk in: Mondays
3-5 pm
(or call any time for an appoinment)
Humboldt Open Door Clinic 770 10th Street Arcata, CA 95521 (707) 826-8610
Do you blur gender lines? Trans? Non • Education & Sexual Health Support • Birth Control Pregnancy Testing & Counseling • STI Testing & Treatment
All teens are welcome
binary? Questioning gender labels? Supporting someone who is? Come join our Trans and Gender Expansive Youth Support Group co-led by a trans community member and a counselor. The group meets at 3:45 pm on the third Monday of every month at Humboldt Open Door Clinic, 770 10th Street, Arcata. Free, drop in, confidential.
(707) 826-8610 • opendoorteenclinic.com
Fifteen years later, the shorts hadn’t gotten any longer, evident in this snapshot from 1986. Addiction Studies Administration of Justice Agriculture Automotive Business Computer Information Systems Construction Dental Assisting Digital Media Drafting Early Childhood Education Forestry and Natural Resources Manufacturing Nursing Restaurant & Hospitality Management Welding Addiction Studies Administration of Justice Agriculture Automotive Business Computer Information Systems Construction Dental Assisting Digital Media Drafting Early Childhood Education Forestry and Natural Resources Manufacturing Nursing Restaurant & Hospitality Management Welding Addiction Studies Administration of Justice Agriculture Automotive Business Computer Information Systems Construction Dental Assisting Digital Media Drafting Early Childhood Education Forestry and Natural Resources Manufacturing Nursing Restaurant & Hospitality Management Welding Addiction Studies Administration of Justice Agriculture Automotive Business Computer Information Systems Construction Dental Assisting Digital Media Drafting Early Childhood Education Forestry and Natural Resources Manufacturing Nursing Restaurant & Hospitality Management Welding Addiction Studies Administration of Justice Agriculture Automotive Business Computer Information Systems Construction Dental Assisting Digital Media Drafting Early Childhood Education Forestry and Natural Resources Manufacturing Nursing Restaurant & Hospitality Management Welding Addiction Studies Administration of Justice Agriculture Automotive Business Computer Information Systems Construction Dental Assisting Digital Media Drafting Early Childhood Education Forestry and Natural Resources Manufacturing Nursing Restaurant & Hospitality Management Welding Addiction Studies Administration of Justice Agriculture Automotive Business Computer Information Systems Construction Dental Assisting Digital Media Drafting Early Childhood Education Forestry and Natural Resources Manufacturing Nursing Restaurant & Hospitality Management Welding Addiction Studies Administration of Justice LEARN ABOUT CAREER PATHS AT: Agriculture Automotive Business Computer Information Systems Construction Dental Assisting Digital Media Drafting Early Childhood Education Forestry and Natural Resources Manufacturing Nursing Restaurant & Hospitality Management Welding Addiction Studies Administration of Justice Agriculture Automotive Business Computer Information Systems Construction Dental Assisting
From Classroom to Career.
www.redwoods.edu/cte
Thursday, December 6, 2018
The Pepperbox’s
The Pepperbox | Page 5
News
WHAT’S GOOD
Good news column
“Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead” to hit the stage December 6th
T
Dean Wellik/PEPPERBOX
his year’s winter play is an absurdist comedy based on Shakespeare’s Hamlet. It takes place during the happenThe cast of ings of the plot of Hamlet, but instead of following the plot “Rosencrantz of the members of Denmark’s court, it follows Hamlet’s and two best friends from college: Rosencrantz and GuildenGuildenstern stern. Lydia Gomes, who plays Ophelia in the show, thinks are Dead” on it’s a play well worth seeing. “It is confusing, but the actors stage during a bring it to life,” she said. If you want to be taken on a jourdress rehersal. ney full of blood, philosophy, and dramatic pauses, come to see “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead.” Dates and information can be found in the Box Briefs.
Free figure drawing classes Artisan Faire with friends E
Isabel Terra/PEPPERBOX
One of the many products of Joyce Jonte’s super rad art classes, created by the talented Isabel Terra.
very Monday afternoon from 3 pm to 5 pm, admired local artist Joyce Jonte hosts a safe space for high school students to practice drawing with live models. Students can borrow drawing pencils, colored pencils, erasers, and paper is provided. The sketches begin as 30-second poses, and the time increases as the session moves along. “I’ve been going for four years and in the beginning the figures I was drawing looked like beans, but now I feel much more confident about the way I draw people,”Senior Hannah Powell said.
Danielle Witten/PEPPERBOX
Aidan Hasselquist, Zachary Poyen and a masked bandit livin’ it up at the Artisn Faire on Friday, November 30.
L
ast Friday, AAI and Arcata High’s Makers class put on a collaboration Artisan Fair. Music students played lovely tunes at the door to Joanna Mauro’s classroom, creating a simple yet sweet transition into a cozy, artistic space that seemed to give the customers a hypothetical hug. “It’s a really good way to help support student artists and entrepreneurs and get their work open to the community,” AAI Ambassadors President, as well as Makers club Vice President, Nigella Baur, said.
The Pepperbox | Page 6
WAIBT
Thursday, December 6, 2018
More than Basketball: Sophia Belton Dakota Kalvaitis-Heffernan Reporter
I
s it the shoes? Maybe. Statistically speaking, the larger the amount of shoes someone owns, the higher the chance that that person has a pair that is really outstanding at playing basketball in. Supposing someone has 45 pairs of shoes, there is a good chance that this person has a pair that is exceptionally fast, or bouncy, or sticky, allowing them to zoom around, or leap great leaps, or stick to the floor well enough to put on some real moves. Assuming this, it can probably also be assumed that Sophia Belton, five foot seven and a half, number 11, varsity basketball player, owns a pair of special basketball shoes, seeing as she does have 45 pairs of shoes. “I probably have like 45 pairs of shoes,” Belton said, confirming her shoe count. Yeah. “I got shoe game.” Maybe a really special pair of shoes doesn’t come from out of a large number of shoes, it comes from buying really expensive shoes. The most Belton has paid for shoes is $300, a solid hunk of cash, which can fetch some pretty nice shoes. Special shoes? Maybe. Her favorite pair is her $300 Jordan 11s, but that isn’t the pair she plays in. She plays in a white pair of LeBron's, complete with tiny air bubbles in the sole, which “give you some extra air.” Out of 45 different pairs of shoes, ranging up to $300 in price, she chooses to play games in those white LeBron’s, which hints that that specific pair must be better, in some way, than all of those other pairs. So, does Belton run faster, jump higher, and stick more stickily because of her shoes? She would deny it. Maybe her exceptional playing can be attributed to her pre-game ritual. “I take a nap, a big ‘ol nap, then I wake up from my nap and
I eat my pre-game meal, which is a piece of wheat toast with peanut butter and bananas. Then I listen to Kevin Gates and NBA Youngboy, and I brush my teeth and then I come here. That’s my pre-game ritual,” Belton said. The women’s varsity team sings “Ain't No Mountain High Enough”, a cappella, before each game as well. “It gets us hype,” Belton said. Her post-game activities are much simpler. “I drink a nice cup
of chocolate milk, then I go to bed,” Belton said. Maybe her specific diet contributes to her energy on the court. Maybe the fact that she brushes her teeth before each game gives her that extra edge. A clean mind and a clean mouth are major factors in game time headspace. Headspace is also undoubtedly influenced by music. The team’s anthem, “Ain't No Mountain High Enough” resonates with a theme of
Dakota Kalvaitis-Heffernan/PEPPERBOX
Sophia Belton shoots a ball during the back cover photo shoot.
I am very good at memorizing lyrics to rap songs. Like all of them. Any rap song you give me, I can memorize the lyrics to it. Any Chance the Rapper song, ever, I know the words to. - Sophia Belton
overcoming obstacles, and Sophia must have chosen her personal tracks to put her in an ideal mindset. Sophia is no stranger to music. “I am very good at memorizing lyrics to rap songs. Like all of them. Any rap song you give me, I can memorize the lyrics to it. Any Chance the Rapper song, ever, I know the words to,” she said. How many songs does she know? “Millions - no, definitely hundreds though. It’s my only talent,” Belton boasted. Whether it is her only talent is questionable, but what is not questionable is the fact that she knows her way around the music scene. And, in knowing a vast array of songs, she must undoubtedly know the best songs to put her in the right headspace for a basketball game. Headspace, however, is sometimes heavily influenced by the physical state, as Belton can attest to. She has had two concussions, one being last year during basketball season. “[I was hit] by my own teammate. Shooting a layup, she elbowed me in the head. It was during warmups of a game, then I played the game with a concussion,” Belton said. “Freshman year, I got a herniated disk in my back and had back surgery. I was on crutches for six months,” she nonchalantly added. “I’ve broken five bones. I broke my left arm, my right wrist, two of my right knuckles, my left pointer finger. I’ve had two concussions, and I had a herniated disk in my back. And here I am,” she recounted for the full list. So is it the shoes? The songs? The injuries? Probably not. Realistically, she is probably just a good basketball player. Go find out for yourself, go watch a women’s basketball game, the boy's games are all worn out anyway, and they deserve more of an audience. Sophia Belton will be there, running around in her white LeBron’s, making you wonder, “Is it the shoes?”
The Pepperbox | Page 7
AIBT
Thursday, December 6, 2018
Cameron Dart: More than basketball Jacquelyn Opalach Editor-in-Chief
“C
ameron Dart, are you a minimalist?” He is sitting at a desk in room 104. Four reporters are standing/lounging/mingling around the classroom, asking him questions, jotting notes on the board, and watching him closely. Dart keeps his hands busy with his keys, which have a rasta-colored keychain, and he rarely makes eye contact with the interviewers. It’s not awkward though, not really - especially considering the rushed and unprepared nature of the interview. “Am I a minimalist? How do you mean?” he asked. “Do you avoid keeping more things than you need?” “Yeah, I guess so. I guess I’d say I’m a minimalist.” Senior Cameron Dart is a minimalist. “Except for certain things,” he clarified. “Like video games - I have a lot of those.” Video games are Dart’s primary source of entertainment. He spends an estimated 5 to 20 hours playing them a week, if his rough calculations are correct. “[Video games are] competitive too. I’m a competitive person, so I like that side of it,” he said. According to Dart, his video-game affliction is one of the things that separates him from being basic. This hobby, paired with a newfound appreciation for education that he recently acquired, creates an unexpected side of Dart that he classifies as “nerdy.” Apparently only nerds like school. Dart only become a self-identifying member of the nerd community last year, when he realized he liked school for the first time in 11 years. “Finding that school is actually applicable to real life has helped me enjoy it and be successful,” he said. His favorite class is AP Econ with Mr. Pinkerton, but so is everyone else’s,
so maybe Dart isn’t so different after all. All unusual qualities aside, one thing that Dart undoubtedly has in common with almost every teenager is his sweet tooth. “I’m kind of a sugar addict,” he said. Dart tries to manage his sugar intake, but his mom doesn’t help with this dependency for sweets, as she crams his
lunch full of nutritious confections like brownies and pie. Oh well. “It’s bad,” he said. Dart also plays basketball, which is why he’s on the cover of the Pepperbox. But he is MORE than his basketball, which is why we included those details about video games, school, and sugar. Dart started playing basketball
Alef Mitchell/PEPPERBOX
Cameron Dart spins his ball and brandishes his controller.
Honestly, I just like the satisfaction of a shot going in, or the satisfaction of winning a close game, and the noises are all just really satisfying as well. - Cameron Dart
when he was six, after seeing the movie “High School Musical.” “I saw that they all played basketball, and I thought it was cool, so I learned,” Dart said. He didn’t get into singing though (unfortunately). But why does he like it? For one, Dart confessed to having a competitive personality, but beyond that, he seems to simply have fun with the sport. He repeatedly described it as “satisfying.” “Honestly, I just like the satisfaction of a shot going in, or the satisfaction of winning a close game, and the noises are all just really satisfying as well,” he said. Unlike his teammates (see page 12), Dart doesn’t have a “pre-game ritual,” except maybe eating candy (probably Mike & Ikes). He does, however, have a special pair of colorful socks, which depict charming cats eating Chinese food and the words “Take-out” on them. “They’re the perfect design for a game sock,” he said. He wears these decorative slices of apparel to every game. Dart confirmed that his favorite sport is basketball, but he also partakes in an array other sports, mostly outdoor. Snowboarding, surfing, mountain biking, and golf are a few on the top of his list, he said. Troy Bolton might have been Dart’s childhood idol, but today he looks up to Travis Rice, an accomplished snowboarder. It’s not just the sport that he finds inspirational about Rice, but rather the athlete’s overall outlook on life. “He’s very free and very brave,” Dart said about Rice. “It takes a lotta guts to do that kinda stuff, and if you apply that to all areas of your life . . . I think it’s a good motto.” Dart seems to apply this unbothered yet determined mantra to himself. “Don’t take life too seriously,” he said. Dart’s relaxed, easy-going, and competitive - but it appears as though his competitive zeal only adds to the fun - he wouldn’t want to take a game (or life for that matter) too seriously.
The Pepperbox | Page 8
AIBT
Thursday, December 6, 2018
AIBT housing: A task to be recognized Mercy Arnold Online Editor
GraceMitchell Reporter
I
n years past and in years to come, a small team of teachers and students alike head the daunting task of AIBT housing. The task of finding people willing to house players, coordinating
how many players will be staying with students, and organizing the players is a behind-the-scenes job. This job involves advertising and finding people to house players, and then organizing who houses which players and such, according to this year’s AIBT Housing Coordinator’s teacher aide, Senior Nikkia Leiker. Leiker is the aide to Mitch Kane, who is in charge of housing this year. Leiker expressed the difficulty behind finding those who are willing to house the players. “This year we have to house 4 teams of about 13 players each,”
Leiker said. Prior to AIBT, Leiker and Kane needed to find out how many people could sign up to host, but due to the lack of people signing up, they had to extend the deadline. A potential solution to this issue could be beginning the host-finding process even earlier by scheduling and finding hosts a month or two in advance. Leiker has taken time out of her own life and schedule to take on the task of AIBT housing. Leiker said, “The best part is probably when it’s all over because it gets really hectic.”
Leiker shared that she enjoys AIBT and feels honored to be able to participate in the organization of housing players, though she will welcome the relief when it’s all over. For her first time helping with this task, Leiker has been openly persistent and determined to get the job done. Leiker left a note of advice for those who take her place in the future. “Good luck and start advertising early! Try and clear your schedule,” she said. Shout out to the AIBT coordinators and all that they do!
Thursday, December 6, 2018
The Pepperbox | Page 9
AIBT
Sportsmanship? The sixth man advantage they can to win, but also preserve the integrity of Jack Taylor the game and the ideals of good Opinion Editor sportsmanship. “It's part of the game. Basketball is as much OU GOT SWAT- a mental game as a physical TED” echoes the game,” sophomore Zane Clark, fervent student said. Many players have a simisection. The buzz- lar mindset, that talking trash is er sounds. The refs’ whistles are as much a part of the game as blown, fans of the away team shooting or dribbling. ‘’It makes boo, and the whole gym comes people more competitive, and alive with noise. Yet under- the games more fun” Junior Janeath all of this noise lies a hid- cob Stoker, said. Despite these beliefs, many den cacophony: Trash talk. In basketball, as in many people draw a line on what sports, good sportsmanship is too far when it comes to is a central part of the game. talking trash. Clark stops it at “Mama talk, if Sportsmanship, you know what being defined I'm saying.” A as “fair and gencommon theme erous behavior among players or treatment of is that bringing others, especialsomeone's family in a sports ly (and especialcontest,” means ly mother ) into respecting your things is often opponents and seen as too far. always playing “When they fair. bring up your The line - Zane Clark mom [that’s between reover the line]” specting your opponent and playing to win sophomore Adrian York, said. frequently becomes a very thin Additionally, players agree that line. Many players engage in when verbal trash talking turns trash talk, which is seen as a into physical violence, things way to gain a mental advantage have been taken too far. Through all this, trash talk over your opponent. “A lot of people who play basketball are remains an often hidden part of weak minded individuals, so it’s the game. It’s against the rules, easier to get under their skin” and referees are not afraid to isHayden Santsche, a Junior on sue technical fouls for it. Many the varsity team, said. Santsche fans are unaware that it even clarifies, “I don’t start sh*t, but I happens, but for those on the court, it could be the razor thin will finish it.” This creates a moral dilem- line between victory or defeat. ma for players who seek every
“Y
Basketball is as much a mental game as a physical game.
Jack Taylor Opinion Editor
A
-TOWN, A-TOWN, A -TOWN chants the crowd. Decked out in all orange, screaming their lungs out, the Zoo, Arcata High’s infamous student fan section, creates an unrivaled home field advantage. The Zoo, or as it used to be called, the Sixth Man, is an Arcata High tradition dating back to the ’90s. Since its humble beginning, the student section has reached a whole other level. The Sixth Man is led by a select group of 12 seniors, who sit in the front row and lead the crowd. They attend all home games and many away games and show their dedication through their consistent attendance and loud volume. “Sixth man is cool because I like yelling,” Audrey Shelton stated, leader of the group. In 2016, Shelton organized this informal
Sixth Man into an official club, “the Zoo.” “We made the club so that we could make the crowds better by being able to plan events and spread the word to get more people involved,” Shelton explained. Despite it now being official, the Zoo is as wild as ever. The section fills the gym with its heckles, chants, and general chaos. “If the team shows up to play, you can expect the crowd to do the same,” senior Cory Soll, explained. This rowdiness helps distract other teams, throwing off their focus, as well as gives the Tigers the energy they need to finish close games. “When it's the fourth quarter with the game on the line, and everyone is exhausted, the crowd gives us that last bit of energy we need to finish the game,” explained Jaden Gorge. The fun of this club is that anyone can join! All you have to do is put on some orange and black, get up on your feet and start cheering “Arcata!”
Jenna Mayo/PEPPERBOX
Members of the zoo stand out, decked out in orange and black.
ELEMEN CATCHING UP ON SPORTS NEWS
A GRRRRREAT BREAKFAST
THE PROPER ATTIRE If you’re not decked out in school spirit, are you really a fan?
SEASON PA
Since you’ll be going to game, it’s worth the splur a season pass.
STAYING UP-TO-DATE ON FUN FACTS ABOUT THE PLAYERS
WEAK KNEES
You’re expected to stand the whole time. So expect to stand the whole game.
THR
NTS OF A FAN SORE THROAT (FROM CHEERING)
ASS
every rge to get
Every second of the game is so exciting that tomorrow you won’t be able to speak. That’s okay though. Ensuring that your team knows they have support is totally worth it.
BLIND LOYALTY If conflict arises, your team is ALWAYS right, even if they’re not.
ROBBING HEART Being in love with the players is just a part of the game.
HARD OF HEARING The buzzer + the cheers + competitive coaches + overbearing parents = no more hearing for you.
GET THE WORD OUT Your Snapchat story should ensure that your friends know where and when every game is. Photos by Caledonia Davey and Kaylien Ownby
The Pepperbox | Page 12 Profiles by Jack Taylor, Lindsay Rimmer, Caledonia Davey, Isabella Welch
FEET
8 7
Kai Pajares
Spirit animal: Sloth Shoe Size: 26
6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Kai Pajamas readies for the game by attempting to put his size 26 “troll feet” into his specialty shoes. The selfdescribed “big friendly giant” then listens to The Campfire Song, a Spongebob classic, to get in the mood. Before his intense basketball game, Kai devours a hefty plate of mac n’ cheese. Finally, he lathers himself in Tiger Balm to achieve maximum stinkiness.
AIBT
Thursday, December 6, 2018
AI BT PLAYER PROFILES
20 18
Hayden Santsche
Spirit animal: Emperor Penguin Hayden begins his pre-game by meditating “in the corner of the locker room where it's really dark and i light 3 candles for my ancestors, also incense. Lemon Haze.” Before the game, Hayden likes to “eat, eat, eat apples and bananas.” His warm up song is Apples and Bananas, after meditations of course. Hayden works very hard in the off season, sitting on benches all around Arcata and Eureka to practice for when gametime comes.
Shoe Size: 11.5 sometimes 12 sometimes 12.5 ya never know
Thursday, December 6, 2018
Garrett Hall
The Pepperbox | Page 13
AIBT Spirit animal: Pug. The pug. Like the one and only. Shoe Size: 14 with the light-up Sketchers
Spirit animal: Ferb from Phineas and Ferb Shoe Size: 4.5
Garrett “Big Nose Pale” Hall gets ready for gameday by yelling at himself in the mirror. He then listens to Marvin’s Room by Drake to “get in my zone and feelings.” Garrett downs a carton of years old frozen milk to finish off his game day ritual.
Hunter Santsche
Mason Railsback Spirit animal: Koala, though Garrett thinks it’s a praying mantis
Mason Railsback, with a staggering weight of 95 pounds, enjoys the pregame snack of a pile of scooby snacks. His pregame pumpup song is “Firework” by Katy Perry. Before a big game, he enjoys meditating, but Garrett has hinted that he actually takes a trip down to “the marsh with the ladies.” He describes himself as “socially awkward” and Garrett describes Mason as “mentally weak.” Mason frequently asks the rhetorical question of: “Do you ever feel like a plastic bag?”
Hunter Santsche starts his day of basketball by getting picked up from daycare after a long hard day of coloring. “I like my box of crayons” he stated. His pregame snack is gogurt and gold fish, and his warm up song is the Little Einsteins’ Theme Song. When questioned about his success he responded with “My mommy reminds me to brush my teeth before school.”
Shoe Size: 4
Red Bluff Spartans
Coach: Kenneth Armstrong # 3 4 5 10 12 15 20 21 22 23 24 32 33 44
Name Logan Robertson Nick Bey Valentin Ramirez Tanner Gantenbein Hunter Miller Tyler Schorovsky PJ Sarmanto James Harris Jayden Magana Micheal Yingling Justin Hinkston Eli Wehbey Robert Lott Brendon Weik John Lousiale
Year Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Sr.
Height 6’3” 6’0” 6’3” 6’0” 6’1” 5’10” 6’3” 6’2” 5’11” 6’0” 6’1” 6’0” 5’11” 5’10” 6’3”
City: Red Bluff Colors: Green, Vegas Gold
Montgomery Vikings
Coach: Zac Tiedeman # 3 5 10 11 12 13 20 22 23 24 30 32 33
Name Nicholas Bounkhoun Eli Camarillo Cole Hallin Harvey Rouleau Dano Lopez Vincent Ausiello Jordan Fetcko Emosi Tuinabewa Devon Ramirez Brandon Lucas Jack Svoma Logan McKinney Joe Martinez Kameron Perkins
Year Jr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Jr. So. Jr. Jr. Sr.
Height 5’9” 6’4” 5’10” 6’1” 6’0” 6’0” 5’10” 6’2” 6’0” 6’3” 6’3” 6’6” 6’0” 5’10”
City: Santa Rosa Colors: Red, Grey, White
Antioch Panthers Coach: Andrew Riva #
Name
0 1 2 3 4 5 11 13 20 25 35
Dante Sawyer D’Montay Warner Vericio Wheeler Eric Donaldson William Park David Smith Kenan Thompson Felipe Sanchez Marty Guzman Malik Shackelford Gerrico Long
Year So. Jr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr.
Height 6’2” 5’8” 6’1” 6’5” 6’2” 5’7” 6’0” 5’10” 5’8” 5’9” 6’4”
City: Antioch Colors: Red, White, Navy
Piner Prospectors Coach: Mike Erickson # 11 12 13 15 20 21 22 23 24 30 31 32 33
Name Jacob Monday Gabe Coester Jett Walker Adonis Gutierrez Naod Yohannes Scott Erickson Jake Herman Sumail T. Berhe Jared Saddler Trent Shirlock Chris Gutierrez Jorge San Roman Jose Rojas
Year Sr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr.
Height 5’11” 5’10” 6’0” 6’0” 5’11” 5’11” 6’0” 6’0” 6’0” 6’0” 6’1” 6’3” 6’2”
City: Santa Rosa Colors: Maroon, Gold
Fortuna Huskies
Arcata Tigers
Coach: Dusty Scofield # 5 10 12 14 15 20 21 22 23 24 32 34 55
Name Cameron Dart Niko Zambas Jocab Stoker Jaden Gorge Jonah Gardner Kelsey Hatch Mason Railsback Jack Taylor Jason Tuermer-Lee Hunter Santsche Garrett Hall Hayden Santche Kai Pajares
Year Sr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Jr. So. Jr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Sr.
Height 5’9” 5’9” 5’10” 5’8” 5’9” 5’7” 6’4” 6’3” 5’10” 6’4” 6’3” 5’10” 6’3”
City: Arcata Colors: Orange, Black
Eureka Loggers Coach: Robbie Thompson # 10 11 12 14 22 23 24 32 33 34
Name Bryson Glavich Braeden Glavich Sid Rivers Jackson Giacone CJ Chaidez Cahliel Garner Kai Gallegos Jayden Thayer Grant Barrera Alyxs Chanthabury
Year Jr. Sr. Sr. Fr. So. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Sr.
City: Eureka Colors: Red, Kelly Green
Coach: Alex Rump # 3 5 10 11 12 15 20
Name Donald Willis Drew Gillette Bradley Willis Brandyn Martinez Kevin Noel Zac Claus Joeseph Mcginnis
Year Jr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Jr. So.
Height 5’8” 6’2” 6’3” 6’1” 5’10” 5’10” 5’7”
City: Fortuna Colors: Royal Blue, White
McKinleyville Panthers
Coach: Sonny Tripp
# 10
33 20
32 22
41
Name Issac Puzz Craig Peterson Jake Reeser Max Combs Jake White Mason Hooven William Hamm AJ Stubbs Freddie Sundberg Sage Watrous de Salinas Theo Wade Kameron Conlin Thomas Locatelli Michael Boatright Regan Wolfe
Year Sr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Sr.
City: McKinleyville Colors: Red, Black
The Pepperbox | Page 16
WAIBT
Thursday, December 6, 2018
The lowdown on WAIBT Caledonia Davey Managing Editor
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n Thursday November 29th, AHS Basketball tigresses began to battle through the tournament of WAIBT. Over the course of three days, they played three games against Mazama, McKinleyville, and Foothill. The girls won their first game against Mazama on Thursday night, but lost their last two games against Mack and Foothill. “We put in a great effort, and we improved a lot,” Junior Jocelyn Bliven said. Bliven believes that the one thing that the team really needs to work on is their new defense play, which takes a lot of “mental cognition and practice.” Another issue at the tournament was a lack of school support. “It’s frustrating because you go in and expect your classmates to support you and they just aren’t there,” player Tia Franklin said. Bliven agreed with her fellow teammate, mentioning that there were a few supporters but not near enough to “hype the team up.” Though this first tournament did not go as well as hoped, the Lady Tigers are expected to have a great season due to their great effort and hard work.
Senior Kali Zanotti takes a free-throw as Sophomore Tatum Carlin watches from the court.
Junior Maddie Goley dribbles the ball down the court with intent.
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Senior Sophia Belton and Senior Kali Zanotti block an opposing player.
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The Women’s Varsity Basketball team exchanges high-fives and support.
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All photographs courtesy of Aliyah Hinckley
Thursday, December 6, 2018
WAIBT Opinion
The Pepperbox | Page 17
WAIBT: Women are in Basketball too Jazmine Fiedler Feature Editor
D
ecember has rolled around again. A month for cozy, rainy days, hot cocoa, and a warm fireplace. At Arcata High, it’s also a time for… you called it! AIBT! Last year, the campus was raged for the 50th annual Mens Arcata Invitational Basketball Tournament. That’s all fine and dandy. I love a good boy’s basketball game as much as the next school-spirited high schooler. My concern lies in the utter lack of attention given to WAIBT, a.k.a. the Women’s Arcata Invitational Basketball Tournament, when the women work just as hard. “It’s such a big time commitment. During the season it’s a big time commitment but then it’s a big time commitment the rest of the year too,” said Senior Raja Cohen in reference to her sport. But the girls on the team love it. ““I really like how competitive it is, and I like the whole team aspect,” she said. Junior Tia Franklin stated, “I love my team and the support and love we give each other. I like to win too.” Unfortunately, the women’s team is not given the same level of recognition as the men’s. Why is it that this year is the Men’s 51st AIBT whereas WAIBT was not founded until 2012, only six years ago? The answer is quite clear my friends: sexism. “WAIBT is definitely underrepresented, and it’s been going on for a lot less [time]. For AIBT there’s a whole assembly and everyone gets so hyped about it and for WAIBT it just kinda, like… happens,” Cohen said.
And it doesn’t stop there… every year men’s AIBT is granted a rally to get the crowds ready for the big games but even though Senior Cory McCracken has been working with leadership for the past two years, but a WAIBT rally has not yet happened. Leadership adviser, Jennifer Coriell, explained that the problem this year was that the idea for the second rally wasn’t brought up until too late in the school year. The assemblies are always planned in August. Leadership member Serenna Aubrey said, “I think it’d be really cool to do a women’s AIBT rally and make it as important as the guys AIBT tournament . . . I think if there were two back-to-back tournaments . . . that it’d be super fun for the school and . . . the girls should have just as much support as the guys.” Franklin felt strongly to a absence of the WAIBT rally. “I believe that the absence of a WAIBT rally is just sexist and there is no excuse for not having one,” she said. “I am actually working on making an AIBT pep rally starting next year.” Women’s basketball player and Senior Liberty Seda said, “Yes, it does bother me that the WAIBT girls get no rally when the boys do, and I think it says alot about the way AHS is run.” Even if the WAIBT rally is too much this year, what I can’t comprehend is why we can’t simply combine the non-existent honoring of WAIBT with the very much existent honoring of Men’s AIBT into one basketball-themed rally. Cohen thought so too. “It would be kinda cool if we did a tip-off rally for both the teams, like, that would be really cool,” she said.
I am not removing myself from the blame either, however. How can I, as a member of the Pepperbox, consider myself a feminist if every December we print another AIBT issue? The articles found in it are always predominantly about the boys team with one article near the back mentioning something about our “lady tigers.” “It’s always just a little blurb on the side. I mean, all around I would say that it kinda bothers me a little bit that AIBT is such a big deal and WAIBT is just like ‘eh,’” Cohen said in reference to the Pepperbox. AHS Senior Kali Zanotti said, “It sucks that the boys always get the AIBT issue for Pepperbox and the WAIBT doesn’t.” This year, myself and another member of the paper proposed a WAIBT issue. We wanted to swing the pendulum in the opposite direction, so to speak, but we were immediately shot down by every other editorial voice on staff. Looking back, I can now see how that could be seen as a brash move. Ideally, everyone is considered equal. But how is it equal when the majority of this very issue is focused on the boy’s basketball team? In fact, this year’s paper, although mostly focused on AIBT, is more centered toward equality than any other AIBT issue published in the past six years since WAIBT began. This is a step in the right direction, and it stemmed from Danielle Witten, the adviser for the Pepperbox, editing this article. After a discussion, we realized we were on too tight a deadline to make this paper half and half, with two front covers, as we commonly do for the Pepperfaux but Opinion Editor
Jack Taylor gave me his word that next year the Pepperbox would publish an issue based on equality. The average counter-argument as to why AIBT has such a higher attendance than WAIBT is that “they are more fun to watch” according to Franklin, but she believes that is “complete sexist BS.” Cohen believes it stems from preconceived notions. “‘It can be more exciting to watch. It goes at a faster pace or it’s more intense’ . . . even if that’s not always the case it’s just kinda like, perceived to be the case that boys basketball is exciting and girls basketball’s boring so everyone goes to the guys games and not the girls games.” Another reason WAIBT is skipped is that the boys tip-off games take place the same weekend. “The boys have their tip-off tournament the same weekend at Mckinleyville so everyone just kinda goes to that instead” Cohen explained.I can only imagine how frustrating that must be. You’re working year round to do your best at a sport and then the wouldbe best time of year to show your talents to the world, your peers and their parents are paying attention to the boys team. Sadly, this imbalence and sexism appears not only in high school basketball. Women continue to experience it throughout their life, and it takes people like the WAIBT players to take it upon themselves to organize their own kick-off rally, or people like me to write this one article in the back about the “lady tigers” so that maybe next year or the year after that, the issue will be half women and Arcata High School will truly promote equality.
I believe that the absence of a WAIBT rally is just sexist and there is no excuse for not having one. - Tia Franklin, Women’s Varsity Basketball Player
The Pepperbox | Page 16
Opinion
The Saltbox
Can’t we just talk about Maybe Peter Parker literally anything else? can stop a car with his bare hands, but Stella Walston Non-Sporty you sure can’t
I
t’s on every quiz, it’s on every “get to know you” handout, it’s in every introductory conversation, and what seems like on everyone’s mind during 90% of the year: “What sport do you play/like?” No. Thank. You. Today’s culture is riddled with metaphors, allusions, references, and conversations about sports. Everyone from your grandma to your best friend to your teacher has an opinion- “[Blank] should have won! [so-and-so] sucks! That stupid ref called a biased foul on [random player no. 5] and got away with it! [Whoever] should be fired!” I, for one, am sick of it. Why should I - someone who, by all means, is a person with legitimate interests and dislikes that are exciting to me- have to resign to assimilating with the majority of the population? I don't play a sport (currently). I’m not interested in sports (never have been). To me personally, they’re boring and lack any kind of excitement. Plus, the over-competitiveness seems like it’s a tad dramatic. But: this doesn’t mean that I hate sports! I’m fine with people enjoying sports! I think that they can be fun for a lot of people and that anyone and everyone should embrace their own interests! What I don’t like is the constant idea that everyone should be into sports! There are literally hundreds of other things you can talk about that aren’t sports. Hobbies! School! Whether pineapple belongs on pizza! Anything that someone can take two opposing sides on! There is no set of guidelines that declares that sports have to be talked about. Just please, for the love of whoever your favorite player is, don’t talk to me about them.
Kaylien Ownby
Concerned Pedestrian
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ne of the first things you learn about traffic safety as a kid is to look both ways before crossing the road. It’s a quick, easy way to make sure you don’t get killed by oncoming traffic. Some of you seem to have forgotten this simple lesson, and frankly, I have no idea how some of you have survived this long. Time and time again, I see people just walk into traffic with no regard for the fact that there’s a car eight feet from them that has barely begun to slow down. Many times, I have yanked a friend back by a sleeve as a car screeches to a stop and waves us on with an air of impatience and annoyance. Every single time that I berate them for not looking before crossing the road, I am met with the same smug response: pedestrians have the right of way. While that may be true in some cases, the faded white lines of a crosswalk are not barriers that will shield you from oncoming traffic. Crosswalks are not magical sparkling protection domes. If it’s you versus a car, you’re not going to win; you will meet a messy, bone-snapping end and the surprised, most likely horrified driver who hit you will be charged with vehicular manslaughter and will feel the weight of your death on their shoulders forever. Distracted driving can be lethal, but so can distracted walking. Look before you cross the road. Three seconds spent being self-aware could save your life.
Thursday, December 6, 2018
Things we’re salty about
When fun is dead Mira O’Barr
R
Friendly Reminder: Queen has been here this whole time Nigella Baur
Sport skeptic
emember foursquare? And tetherball? And state tag? All these recess activities were the things that made the public school system enjoyable. I remember the long lines we would wait in every day to get a chance to get into the exclusive games of tetherball. Once you finally got in, the pressure was on. The only thing that could ruin this shining moment was the overly competitive kid who had been playing the entire recess. Usually, this was not due to skill though. It was due to the pressure they would set on their opponents. Eventually, over the years, everyone became infected with this overdose of competitivity, somewhere around fourth grade. From that moment on everything became more about winning than having fun. We need to end this epidemic of competitiveness. It takes all the fun away; it makes the game negative instead of positive. About not losing, not about having fun. It makes people like me classify themselves as people who “don’t like sports” even though I love a good game of whatever sport is being played. I encourage you all to play a game of four square without making it personal. It’ll be hard, I know, but I believe in you.
I
Fellow Fan
f your friends or parents came to you recently and said, “Hey we’re going to go see this new movie called Bohemian Rhapsody, come along!” and you watched the whole thing enthralled and came out with an enlightened sense of self, ready to turn yourself into a Freddie Mercury super-fan, then I have one thing to say to you: Queen has been around for a really long time. Not how Britney Spears has been kickin’ it for the better part of this century, not even how U2 has been pumping out hits since the ’80s, Queen had been rocking radio stations for 30 years before most of us were even born, with decades of dedicated fans. When I walked through the parking lot recently, I was pleasantly surprised to hear one car blasting “We are the Champions,” and the next belting “Bohemian Rhapsody,” but come on guys, you had to wait till mass-media pop culture introduced you to a good band that's been around for years to finally get the message about it? Yes, I know, Queen’s great, I’ve known it since the 5th grade after discovering them somewhere between Just Dance 1 and Just Dance 3, (although I'm not a hardcore fan). Don’t get me wrong, I am entirely thrilled at the new awareness surrounding Mr. Mercury's wild life, (not to mention tons of new Queen fans to jam out with), but I’m just slightly irked that it took this long and that it took a multi-billion dollar movie industry to make us recognize and appreciate them.