The Pepperbox
October BOX BRIEFS
December 12-14: AIBT December 16-20: Finals Week December 20: End of Semester 1 December 23-January 3: Winter Break January 15: Cash 4 College January 16: Parent Night for Incoming Freshman January 17: 8th Grade Orientation January 20: Martin Luther King Jr. Day Want to advertise or buy a mail subscription to the Pepperbox? Email Business Manager Zane Clarke at pepperbox@nohum.k12.ca.us !
EDITORIAL STAFF
REPORTERS
Fiona Murphy Editor-in-Chief Stella Walston Managing Editor ZoĂŤ Reiss News Editor Martina Mapatis Feature Editor Jake Knoeller Sports Editor Kein Mazzotti Deputy Sports Editor Bailey Ives Life Editor Ruby Langdon A&E Editor Jack Taylor Opinion Editor Will Oviatt Photo Editor Isabel Wedll Online Editor Zane Clarke Business Manager Marisa Mendosa Art Director Zelda Geren & Lilli Bowman Social Media Isabella Kellawan, Skaidra Pulley Copy Editors & Kamari Brown
Diego Bazan Caledonia Davey Thalia Godinez River Kiener Marisela Montoya-Tejeda Alexander Rice Levi Robbins Tommy Robinson Gabriel Sanchez Emilio Silveira Tyler Vizenor Natasha Youravish Kelsey Atkinson-Hatch Miles Rodelander
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.
IN THE BOX Archives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 WAIBT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Mascots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Cheer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Garret Hall. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Boys Starters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Baller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Girls Starters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Jocelyn Bliven. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Playlist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Roster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Comics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Bracket. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 BBall Explained . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
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.
Adviser Danielle Witten
Behind the Cover We have a website! Go to thepepperbox.com for breakInterested Follow ing news and in writing us on for Pepperbox? more exciting content! contact the editor. Instagram! fmurphy@no@ahspephum.k12.ca.us
Thought of by Jack Taylor, this cover used a surprising amount of photoshop. Throughout the process, I learned a lot of what I didn’t know how to do and that individually cutting out every person is very tedious. On the left, you can see the original photo we used as shot by Will Oviatt, as you can tell, it is very different than the cover. On the right, you can see the product of me being tired and wanting to make something fun in between choosing fonts. As with any cover, the result is better than I thought it would be, and I am proud of everyone who put it together.
Happy Holidays, Fiona Murphy
perbox
Creative Director’s Box H
ey y'all! With the AIBT underway, it's officially the happiest time of the year. Forget snow, sleigh rides, presents, or any of the other holiday traditions, because we have the finest one of them all. This year's issue went surprisingly smooth, considering that we only had about a week to work on the issue and couldn’t use the classroom over the weekend for layout. Much credit goes to our fearless Editor-in-Chief Fiona who almost single handedly laid this whole thing out on desktop computer from Pepperbox she lugged home every day. . Serving as the creative director of the AIBT issue for the second time, I was happy to be able to finally put some of my crazy ideas into practice. We hope all yall enjoy this issue, and we can't wait to bring home an AIBT championship! Go Tigers, and stay fast!
-Jacky T
Quotable. I wouldn’t think that human heads would bounce very well. -Julie Angles discussing basketball.
Children are like slinkies. -Talula Peterman on young humans.
Arcata High basketball team or organized mob? -Adam Pinkerton to Jocelyn Bliven
It’s going to permeate my Croc holes. -Iris Mahony-Moyer while walking on moist grass
I tried licking the Gettysburg Address to learn it through osmosis. -Megan Lorenc memorizing for U.S. History
Friday, December 13th, 2019
AIBT
The Pepperbox | Page 5
From the Archives This article is not from Pepperbox, however, it is too perfectly timely to pass up. We found this in a yearbook from 1925, two years before Pepperbox was founded. Apparently, that year the boys basketball team made it all the way to United States Championships in Chicago and beat a school from New York.
Unique b Affordable Gifts c Everyone on Your List!
Open Every Day on the Arcata Plaza Follow us on Instagram! @plazabeinspired
The Pepperbox | Page 6
AIBT
Friday, December 13th, 2019
Girls take second in WAIBT Fiona Murphy Editor-in-Chief
A
rcata High basketball took second in the annual Women’s Arcata Invitational Basketball Tournament. Over the course of three games, the team saw some pretty fantastic moments as well as some painful lows. The girls won their first and second games against Mazama and McKinleyville but lost the final against Foothill. The first game was a nail biter for both crowds. The game started with a bang. The tipoff went to Mazama but was immediately followed by a jump ball by Bella Volz-Broughton, who would later win one of the All Tourney slots. The first quarter ended with nine fouls by Arcata and five by Mazama. After a dramatic three-point buzzer shot by team co-captain Zoie Andre, the two teams were tied 14-14. Within a minute of the second quarter, co-captain Jocelyn Bliven had an astonishing four fouls and was benched for a time. Not to be outdone, Mazama started fouling more and both teams ended the half with at least 10 fouls. Bonus shots were a significant amount of points this game, with Grace Talty making three in the second quarter alone. The half ended with Mazama in a tenuous lead of 26-28. The fouling died down a little in the second half, but after threes by Andre and Volz-Broughton Mazama pulled ahead with foul shots. Bliven fouled out less than two minutes into the half. Talty brought Arcata ahead for a moment, but the quarter ended 39-41 with Mazama leading. In the last quarter, Andre brought it to a tie after a three point shot. Arcata pulled ahead when Olivia Railsback made a foul
shot followed both Zoe Leonard and Talty. Mazama made a comeback, bringing the score to 47-49 with less than a minute left. Then, Railsback, the second All Tourney player, hit an incredible three point shot with less than 10 seconds to go. After a foul shot by Zoe Andre, Arcata won 52-49. The second game for Arcata followed the trend of many fouls and a close game. Tatum Carlin, Arcata player, scored the first basket, a three, quickly followed by two shots from McKinleyville. Railsback stood out in the game with three fast breaks in the first quarter and a team high of 13 points. Despite some incredible rebounds by Andre, McKinleyville eked out two point lead in the first quarter. Both teams reached the bonus shot threshold in the second quarter. Railsback continued to stand out and the half ended with a tie of 25-25. McKinleyville pulled ahead at the beginning of the second half but Volz-Broughton brought Arcata back with a three and two foul shots. Railsback hit a three and Bliven, who managed to only have three fouls at this point, made two foul shots, widening the lead. After two fouls by Andre and Lilli
turnovers. Volz-Broughton made the first shot for Arcata, followed by threes from Maia Perry and Andre. Foothill reached 7 fouls within the first quarter, triggering bonus shots for Arcata, but still ended the quarter with an eight point lead. Arcata was struggling on the boards, but Perry stepped in with some big rebounds. As Foothill continued to foul, Sophia Salinas stood out sinking four foul shots in the second quarter. Foothill took advantage of Arcata’s performance, widening the gap to finish the half 31-13. Arcata pulled together in the second half. Volz-Broughton and Andre started the quarter by each making a three, Andre’s after a stellar rebound and break away. After a fantastic intercept and assist by Bliven, who managed to not foul out, Volz-Broughton made another three. Foothill continued to foul consistently and once again triggered bonus shots. However, Foothill kept their lead ending the quarter 44-28. The final half saw over 10 fouls by Foothill. On Arcata, Rust-Kelley stepped up, gaining seven points and Perry continuing with consistent rebounds. Despite making 17 points, including an amazing fast break by Bliven, in the last quarter, Arcata lost the championship Scan this QR code to game 44-28. watch video highlights Oliveiras explained that the and interviews from the team needed to work on “not dribgames against Mazama, bling ourselves in trouble.” Bliven McKinleyville, and said there was a “franticness” that Foothill. the young team could improve on. Turn the back cover to see Overall, the team seemed proud photos from the games of the result. After losing every Mazama is in blue and league game last year, Arcata girls black, McKinleyville in basketball stepped up. They played black and red, and well and stuck together as a team Foothill in white and red. leading to two fantastic wins out of Photos by Fiona Murphy three games. The younger players stood out and it looks like the team and Zoë Reiss. will have an exciting season.
Rust-Kelley, the quarter ended 3836 with Arcata in the lead. After two fouls in rapid succession, Bliven fouled out for the second time in two games. She attributes her high foul rate to adjusting to basketball from soccer. Arcata reached eight fouls, triggering bonus shots for McKinleyville. After a few foul shots by McKinleyville, the game was tied 44-44. Volz-Broughton fouled again, and McKinleyville snatched a one point lead. Volz-Broughton then sunk a three and McKinleyville retaliated, bringing it back to a tie. With less than 10 seconds left, Carlin made a layup, securing the 49-47 win for Arcata. “It feels great,” Carlin said after the game, “I wasn’t sure I was going to make it but I did.” Many on the team said that beating McKinleyville was their proudest moment throughout the tournament. Earlier, during a scrimmage, Arcata lost to McKinleyville. Arcata showed them that “the championship goes through us,” as head coach Douglas Oliveiras said. The final game in WAIBT was less successful for Arcata than the previous two. Foothill quickly took the lead as Arcata had trouble with
Friday, December 13th, 2019
The Pepperbox | Page 7
AIBT
Mascot mania: Stone and Jude Zelda Geren
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Social Media Director sat down with our two incredibly talented mascots to discuss the ins and outs of Tiger Pride.
What qualifies you to be the mascot? Jude Ortega: Energy. I really feel like I can bring the energy out in the crowd. I believe that I have the physical endurance necessary to be the mascot; I can deal with the heat and the lack of mobility in the tiger suit. Also, the lack of sight; it’s quite dark and you can’t see much. Stone Boyer: I believe I’m qualified to be the mascot because I’m an entertainer for everyone. I’m great at gymnastics as seen in my forward rolls done during halftime at basketball games, and my cartwheels, still mastering that technique. Overall, I’m qualified to be the mascot because of my energy, my athletic ability, and my entertainment. Jude: Entertainment for sure,. You’ve gotta be able to bring out the best in the crowd. I would like to add that I don’t think that for Stone and I it’s a competition, I feel like we just really drive each other and our ultimate goal is to add to the school spirit. We’re working together in this goal. Do you ever see a future where there are two tigers at one event? Jude: We do have two heads, possibly a third on the way. So possibly, but when Stone’s busy I’m there to support him, when I’m busy he’s there to support me. Stone: We have had two in the past, though. Do you guys have any big plans for AIBT? Jude: Oh I have some plans, do you have any Stone? Stone: I have some… plans for the whole season, nothing specifically for AIBT yet.
Jude: One thing I’d like to add, is Stone is, --what’re you in the Zoo? Stone: I’m a leader, one of the spirit section leaders. Jude: Right. So I may have to cover for him on some of the basketball games, which I am very excited to do. A couple more things: we may have a new suit on the way, that’s rumored to happen. Another thing is that my goal this year, as the improvements committee, is to bring the stoke levels of Arcata High higher, and through that I want to use the mascot suit to really add to the spirit of our school. Stone: Great goals. Is there anything you have to do
to the new suit before its ready to be worn? Stone: That’s under wraps. Jude: I don’t really want Stone’s sweat in that suit Take me through the mental transformation you go through as you put the suit on. Stone: Well, to get prepared to get in that suit it takes a lot. You gotta warm yourself up, you can catch me in the locker room pregame getting ready, going around, bouncing around with the team. Jude: Here’s the thing, when you’re in that suit, you can’t see yourself, you know? You don’t see what other people see, you just have to be
Will Oviatt/PEPPERBOX
Jude Ortega, as Jude the Tiger, is seen through the mouth of Stone Boyer’s, Stone the Tiger.
like, I AM the tiger. You aren’t Jude in the tiger, you are the tiger. Stone: You’re Jude the Tiger. Jude: You’re Jude the tiger, dude. [...] Once I put on that head, you know, there’s no going back. Does the tiger have a name? Stone: No. Jude: It’s nameless. Can we name it? Stone: We could. Jude: I feel like you’d name the suit and not the tiger, because the tiger is really more of a symbol for Arcata High as a whole. What do you guys think of the cheerleaders? Will you join them, Jude: I feel like we need to create more of a bond between the tiger and the cheerleading squad because our ultimate goal together is to entertain and raise school spirit. We need to be able to collaborate and create more spirit together. Stone: But, the cheer team is a big fan of our tiger suit, the coach loves us. Jude: I feel like we could break through. Did you want to be the mascot in the first place? Stone: I always wanted to be the mascot, ever since like middle school I wanted to be the mascot. Jude: This is a total dream come true for me. I just wanna say I came from frickin’ Mack High dude, I came to this school, and like, I’m joining leadership, that was unexpected, first of all. And when I did, I mean it’s just like, what’s the word, for like everything just happened perfectly. Stone: Destiny. Jude: Destiny, it was destiny. I joined this class on accident. Stone what were you--you were doing something. Oh yeah, you got nominated, “Vote Stone.” And then you were like who wants to be mascot, and I was like I will be mascot. And I became the tiger, I’m so stoked on that, never gonna go back.
The Pepperbox | Page 8
AIBT
Friday, December 13th, 2019
Arcata High Cheer, every season Jake Knoeller Sports Editor
T
hroughout the cold nights of football season, there was one constant. A group of enthusiastic girls clad in orange and black braved the temperature to cheer on the players. Their flips, hand springs, and routines entertained and amazed the crowds. Unlike many seasonal sports, the Arcata High cheer team practices most of the year. They hype up teams during both football season and basketball season. That’s the beginning of fall all the way into spring. “Being on a cheer team is pushing yourself to your max and never giving up on yourself nor on your team,” said junior and third year cheer member Liz Ontiveros.
Teen Clinic be in control
The team aspect of cheer is incredibly important. Not only do cheerleaders spend considerable time together at practices and games, but they are physically relying on each other for safety. When one girl is in the air, she has to know the people below her are
Photo courtesy of Liz Ontiveros
A few of the cheerleaders for football season pose on the lower field. “Teamwork is a make or break situation,” Ontiveros (pictured bottom center) said.
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
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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
there to catch her. “Teamwork is a make or break situation. Either you help make it or the lack of it will break it,” Ontiveros added. The current Arcata High Cheer Team has seen some rough years. Fall of 2017 saw a huge drop in the
number of cheerleaders and they started nearly from scratch. Taley Rinehart, a senior who is on the team for her second year in a row, said that the team has grown in several ways. “A lot of us have improved with stunts and everything cause we’ve been doing it for longer and it’s not like it’s our first year. We have more experience behind us,” Rinehart said. Not only have tricks improved, the team spirit between the girls has evolved. This too, adds to their ability to create stellar routines and amazing tricks. “All the relationships between us [are important]. We’re more comfortable with each other,” Rinehart added. The team is ready to kill it this basketball season. Watch for their tricks and flips at rallies and games.
Wishing You a Season of Peace, Prosperity, Hope and Love from the Familia de Los Bagels.
Friday, December 13th, 2019
The Pepperbox | Page 9
AIBT
Garrett Hall: “Ball really is life.” Jack Taylor
L
Opinion Editor
“
et's start with the pole.” Laughter immediately breaks out amongst the small group that is gathered around the bench in front of the school. It's a Thursday afternoon, and Garrett Hall and I, along with an amused group of close friends, are talking. The pole in question, specifically intended for dancing, is a relic of the previous resident of his room (his sister), who apparently never had it removed. It is rumored that Garrett’s workout routine contains not a small amount of working out with it. To his chagrin, Garrettt admits “I use it for upper body and core strength cross training. It's how I got this big.” This is met with a chorus of laughter from the group, knowing that while the story may not be true, it's still a (quite terrifying) sight to imagine. To know Garrett is probably to know of the pole. Or of the expired milk. Or simply just “Garrettt's house.” Still, the pole question is one that would make nearly anyone feel uncomfortable. Not Garrett though. To know Garrett is to know much about the man, the myth, the legend, a guy who is especially comfortable in the uncomfortable. Be it a big shot in front of a crowded gym, or a small moment amongst friends, there's not much that can throw him off balance. “I don't hold a lot of shit in. If you’re friends with me, you probably know a lot about me,” Garrett explained. It's later that week, and the team is on the road for the first game of the season. Up in Hoopa, the team prepares to play. Garrett sits on the bench, sidelined due to a knee injury picked up in practice a few days before. Being so close to the court,
Will Oviatt/PEPPERBOX
Garrett palms the ball during a photo shoot with Pepperbox but unable to play, is a source of visible discomfort. After spending nearly a month of practice, a summer of near constant working out, and a lifetime of pursuit to the game, having to sit out when stuff gets real is a making him quite per-
turbed. You see, ball really is life for G. He said it's been his “passion since the fourth grade,” and ever since he picked it up back then he has “never really looked back.” While the amount of countless practice hours and time working
I don’t really have any hobbies outside of basketball. - Garret Hall
out he puts into the game (think at least two hours a day, every day) may seem daunting to some, to G, it's nothing compared to what basketball brings him. Even simple questions like “what makes you happy” seem to relate back to the game. For him, it's simply “winning basketball games.” There's not much outside of basketball that’s for him. Not that that's a bad thing in any way, it's just how it is. “I don't really have any hobbies outside of basketball,” he said. Yeah G plays some video games, enjoys his time at the marsh, and “turns up with the homies,” but for the most part, “Ball really is life.” It's a simple life of getting buckets and having fun doing it, and one that G seems to thrive in “I don't really have any regrets” he said. If you've been around for awhile (aka four years), you might know G as the guy who “was on varsity his freshman year.” Yep, that's him. Four years ago, thencoach Ryan Bisio pulled him up to varsity. Since then, A certain hype has surrounded G, a hype that he has definitely lived up too. It's a Thursday night, and Arcata is preparing for the opening round of the Mckinleyville tip off tournament. Facing a very solid Windsor team, the Arcata locker room is a melting pot of hype and nerves, of excitement and fear. It's G’s first game back from his injury, and you can sense the quiet focused and confident radiating from him. Later that night, G will go on to score team high 21 points, including a three pointer in the final minutes that will seal the game. It’s a result that one could come to expect from such a player, but it’s still one that will get the crowd on its feet every time he scores. Later that night, G smiles he’s found his bliss.’
Niko Zambas
Height: 205.74cm Weight: 1104oz Shoe Size: 12 in kid’s sizes Max Bench: 75 Pre-game ritual: Thoroughly moisturizes his chiseled physique with organic Mozambican coconut oil. Nicknames: Baljeet, The Professor, Lebron James Arch Nemesis: Buford Favorite Movie: The Silence of the Lambs
Height 6’ 3” Weight 180 lbs Shoe Size 14.25 Pre-game rituals: Four showers, two the night before and two the morning of, why? We can’t even guess. Drinks a “yerba” and finds his zen by meditating in the team room. Spirit Animal: Squirrels Music: Never listens to music pregame. Favorite Sports account on Instagram: @houseofhighlights
Jacob Stoker
Writing by Tommy Robinson Photos by Will Oviatt
Height 10 Esteban’s burritos stacked vertically Weight .932 slug Shoe Size 56 in Italian Shoes
Brandon
Bento-Jackson
Height An average Danny DeVito Weight 253 Newtons Shoe Size 7
Pre-game ritual: Pray to a shrine with effigy dolls of his older brothers to absorb their energy. Idol: Nathan Florence Hype song: TV Static Noise Secret talent: Making minute rice in 59 seconds
Pre-game Ritual: Listens to some Kidz Bop Pregame meal: Grilled cheese and a juice box which is his favorite food Favorite Player: Stephen Hawking he said “Steph” I think I made the right assumption
JACK TAYLOR
2
To the casual basketball observer, there may be many reasons that separate the “good” basketball players from the “great” ones. It could be a height advantage, good hands, experience, or talent. Anyone who has played the game of basketball enough will tell you: it's all in the accessories. While height, skill, and athleticism are mildly important, they pale in the shadow of the importance of a properly equipped player. Without one's accessories, they will never make the jump into greatness that could potentially be there. While many know the legendary story of the greatest basketball player of all time, Micheal Jordan, getting cut from his high school varsity team his sophomore year, far less know that the reason he made it his junior year was due to him starting to wear a basketball shooting sleeve, and thus being properly equipped for his road to greatness. It has been theorized by many basketball experts that without his famous headband, Lebron James wouldn't have made the NBA.
5
1) Shoes
A famous Jordan commercial once proclaimed: “is it the shoes?” With an abundance of other great accessories, we may never know, but one thing's for certain: these things are sick. The Nike Kyrie 5 (fun fact, Mason is Kyrie Irving's favorite player, and yes that is in the right order) features Nike Air Zoom Turbo, a new basketball shoe technology which “rotates with each, multi-directional cut and delivers an explosive return of energy.” People who have worn the shoe compare the technology to T’challa vibranium suit from “Black Panther.” The shoe also features a rainbow colored bottom, which helps to distract other players with its pretty colors when they try to guard Mason. Accessory score +16.9
5) Goggles
2) Headband
The “ninja style” headband was the source of some controversy this summer, due to an NBA ban. The NBA feared that it would create an unfair advantage, due to the high, +25 points accessory boost it gives. The headbands are provide the perfect mix of keeping sweat out of Mason’s eyes, while also holding up his luscious blonde curls. With Nike Dri-Fit technology, these headbands are sure to keep you and your hair in the game.
4) Tapatio socks:
These socks were specially modeled by the well-muscled calves of Zoie Andre. Much like this signature sauce, Zoie’s game shares a similar spice and flair to it. By Rocking the socks, Zoie can flex on her opponents, whose socks are often lackluster block colors. Socks are the gloves of the feet and add a necessary boundary between sweat and the shoe. These specific spicy socks clock in +7.6 accessory points due to their literal fire.
3) Mcdavid Knee sleeve
Due to the constant stepping and palting motion of basketball, players knees are one of the most at risk parts of the body. Ask any player and they will probably say their knee hurts. A proper knee sleeve will remedy this problem, while adding a +15 accessory score to a players overall. Mcdavid knee sleeves are also padded, saving a player when they dive on the floor. Using patented 9 mm hexagonal technology, McDavid’s offer Mason ultimate protection while on his knees.
With the game of basketball becoming more and more physical, players have taken it into their own hands to keep themselves safe. After a proliferation of eye injuries, Mason started wearing goggles to protect his precious court vision. Not only do they keep him safe, but the Speedo vanquisher 2.0 also offers “25% more peripheral vision, two-tone silicone double head strap, and an adjustable ergonomic clip.” All this adds up to a solid accessory score of +8.5.
Components of a
Baller By Jack Taylor, Baller Extraordinaire Photos by Will Oviatt, Not a Baller
1
Photos featuring
Mason Railsback Height 6’ 9” Weight 96 Shoe Size 17 Pregame ritual: Watch a candle melt for 30 minutes without losing focus. Meal: Mac and cheese with a glass of warm cow’s milk Idol: Alejandro Aranda from American Idol Quote: “I’m a fine guy, I can’t just give you the whole schpeel I don’t even know where you sitting at (awkward laugh).” -Kawahi Leonard
4
3
Talent: Making no facial expression at all while playing basketball. Nickname: Tater Tot Pregame Ritual: Just getting her head in the game. Tatum Carlin gets ready for the games by “jamming out to any song by Nickelback.” Her spirit animal is a centipede because they have so many feet to rep fire sneaks. After a big win, she chows down on “egg rolls” at Chan’s in Arcata.
Tatum “Tater Tot” Carlin
Bella VolzBroughton
Spirit Animal: a monkey yelling like crazy on the court Nickname: Hype Man Bella’s pre-game ritual includes “getting jacked up on Yerba Mates so [she] can tweak all game.” Volz-Broughton favors the jump ball when they get tackled by everyone and someone gets a bloody nose. The inner hype beast never stops, even after a win she stays up all night riding the good vibes. Writing by Sky Pulley and Martina Mapatis Photos by Fiona Murphy
Spirit Animal: That one indecisive squirrel that waits until you’re there to run in front of your car. Before a big game, Zoie likes to liberate teammate Grace’s snacks from her possession purely for consuming purposes. She enjoys playing in fire Tapatio socks that aren’t hers (see page 13). The PassPass-Turnover, her favorite play, hits different when they lose the ball and get epically dunked on by the opposing team. After a big W, she takes on the mindset of my favorite Shrek character. “Waffles, just waffles.”
Zoie Andre
Grace Talty Height 4’10” Grace keeps her blonde hair french braided when she’s on the court. This keeps her looking like her spirit animal, a labrador. “They’re intense animals, but also pretty chill,”Grace says. Grace embodies this animal with her focus on getting the ball. Grace’s pre-game rituals include dancing on pennies, and slurping down a milkshake. Her favorite play? “When you pass, you do your screens and that stuff.”
The Pepperbox | Page 16
AIBT
Friday, December 13th, 2019
Gluten can’t keep her down: Meet Jo Bliven Zoë Reiss
I
News Editor
have known Jocelyn since we were in preschool and yes, she’s always been just that cool. One of my earliest memories of Jo, she repeated a joke she had heard from her dad, what some would call a “dad joke” even. I feel lucky to have witnessed this iconic moment because after this, she has become well known for these terrible jokes. Some of you may have seen Jocelyn around. She is a dynamic force who excels academically, socially, and athletically. Mothers love Jocelyn, students love Jocelyn, dogs love Jocelyn. Unfortunately, Canadian water and gluten do not love Jocelyn, but no one can get everyone. Many people are familiar with her energy on and around campus. Jocelyn puts much of this energy toward her academics, excelling in maths and sciences, but thoroughly enjoying arts and history as well. She balances out this aspect of herself by throwing herself into athletics and giving herself another side. “I am the freaky math girl. It's cool coming here and being... whoever I wanna be,” she said. After dominating during the soccer season as “the best goalkeeper the school, and possibly the country has ever seen,” as MVP goal keeper Skaidra Pulley said, she moved on to being one of the two captains of the basketball team. This is Jocelyn’s seventh year playing this daring game. She is a self-proclaimed “hoops dude.” Although Jocelyn refers to herself as a “hoops dude” she is more frequently nicknamed “15 footer” because of her astonishing number of feet. Her favorite part of the ball-yeeting sport is the bonding that occurs:
“We’re win together, lose together teammates,” Jocelyn explained. She feels fairly confident in her team this year, when asked if they will go far, Jocelyn responded “Bet on it.” She believes this ability
This ritual includes yo-yoing for hours and singing “Wonderwall” by Oasis until she can no longer speak. “It’s just the only song I really relate to, you know?” she expressed.
That’s when I knew that I would never achieve my dream of being the next - Jocelyn Bliven Bill Nye.
Fiona Murphy/PEPPERBOX
Jocelyn demonstrates her stellar basketball ability. comes from the differing strengths of the team. “Everyone is special in their own way, we make each other strong, we're not the same,” she said. Jocelyn’s pre-game ritual revolves around getting into the right mindset to focus only on the game. “I just can’t play well unless I get my head in the game,” she explained.
I asked about her singing talent and was dismissed, “Yeah, my shower head is very impressed with me,” Jocelyn laughed. If you know Jocelyn like I do, you would know that one of her most endearing features is her humility, “for how much time I’ve put into it, no I’m not good [at basketball],” she laughed. “I guess I would say that I’m bet-
ter than the average human who has never played, or you,” she added. Her favorite aspect of basketball is the way she can feel “every muscle in my body focused on one specific task.” Her leadership skills help her to excel as a captain. “I genuinely care about every member of my team. I try my hardest at everything and I think it carries over into other people’s attitudes and other people's work ethics,” Jocelyn said. Although this may be Jocelyn’s last year playing for a school’s team, she plans to at least play club basketball in college. “Thinking about this being my last year playing high school basketball is melancholy,” Jocelyn explained. She reflected upon her years of basketball games and one particular came to mind, “In eighth grade we won the JCs B-division tournament, the championship game was really fun.” Jocelyn’s second favorite basketball memory has special meaning. “One time, I was like seven, I got hit in the head with a basketball. That’s when I knew,” she reflected. After I asked her more about it she clarified, “Oh, that’s when I knew that I would never achieve my dream of being the next Bill Nye, I’m just not cool enough.” In addition to her basketball capabilities, Jocelyn is a fantastic baker; she has created around 30 creme brulees throughout her life. Her parents even gave her her very own blow torch to use. She describes her products as “a creamy custard-like filling with a caramelized surface.” “It's really satisfying,” Jocelyn stated proudly. Between basketball, class, and occasionally threatening people with her Crocs, Jocelyn is a truly rad human being.
AIBT
Friday, December 13th, 2019
The Pepperbox | Page 17
Jams and hype, the AIBT playlist Zane Clarke
N
Business Manager
o one can deny the importance of a good playlist. No matter what your music taste, favorite sports, job, or literally anything, a playlist can make or break the day. The same goes for the Arcata Invitational Basketball Tournament. Each year, the team agonizes over the music to be played at the tournament. Will it hype the team up? Will it hype the crowd up? Will it be approved by admin or is it just too explicit (the best songs are)? This year, I took it upon myself to deliver the carefully made playlist to the people.
“Digits” - Young Thug
“Lord Pretty Flacko Jodye 2 (LPFJ2) ” A$AP Rocky
You may not know what he’s saying, but Young Thugs mumble flow is an absolute timeless sound, perfect for warmups of any kind are guaranteed to get you hyped up. Jacob Stoker expresses his love for Young Thug, “I like the way he raps,” said Stoker, “I like his old stuff a lot.” Stoker is just one of many on the varsity basketball team who is a big fan of Young Thug. This song blew up in 2016 and yet every time it plays everybody in the room goes crazy.
A$AP Rocky is a generational talent with an amazing discography, he has been able to make so many different types of music over the years from singing to rapping over hard beats like LPFJ. This is one of Jack Taylor's favorite songs to warm up to, whenever he is getting hype for any game you can see him jumping around bumping LPFJ2 in his earbuds, especially when the second verse of the song comes on. Many a team have become mildly scared when Taylor shouts this verse in the locker room. This song can be intriguing in many ways, this is a type of beat you don't really hear anywhere but Rocky, this song is truly a masterpiece off At Long Last A$AP Rocky's 3rd project, not many can make classics quite like A$AP Rocky.
“Rebels Kick It” - NBA Youngboy Multi Platinum record artist NBA Youngboy has been around for some years now making the hardest tracks since day 1, and his newest album released has not disappointed. On “Rebels Kick It” Youngboy has a unique beat and his unbeaten flow works perfect with the beat. This makes for an amazing song where you just can’t stop head boppin’, perfect for turning up anywhere, in the car, at your house, and it works for a great warmup song when you're getting hype for any game or event. Youngboy continues to make slapper after slapper off music you never get bored of.
“X” - Lil Uzi Vert Lil Uzi Vert has always had a unique flow, perfect for vibing out to with your friends, you can count on people everywhere knowing every word to all of his songs giving Uzi one of the dopest fanbases out there. This fanbase definitely includes the Arcata basketball team, whenever this song comes on in the locker room the whole team turns up. Lil Uzi’s amazing artistry makes for a good song no matter what you’re listening to.
“Hot Now” - NBA Youngboy NBA Youngboy makes his 2nd appearance on the AIBT playlist, mostly because Youngboy is one of the greatest artists out right now, listening to him when warming up for a sports game never fails to get the team hype.
“March Madness” - Future
Album art courtesy of the respective artists.
Scan this code to listen to the AIBT playlist yourself.
I'm not quite sure what the sample on this song is, but it sounds like someone driving a super fast car, very quickly. When the little vrooooom hits, it makes you feel super fast. There’s some quality about this song that make you feel like trapping. Be it the incoherent mumbles, the slapping beat, or the intoxicating sonics, this song gets you hype.
“6 Foot 7 Foot” - Lil Wayne I don’t think this song needs explaining. The team needs the height.
“El Sonidito” - Hechizeros Band This track might be last, but it is certainly not least. This upbeat tune, although initially appearing to be simple, is a complex labyrinth of a musical masterpiece. This breakout hit of 2008 quickly rose to the top of the Billboard Hot Latin Tracks of 2009, and I honestly can’t comprehend why it’s not #1 on our billboard now. When I listen to it before school (as I do everyday) I can’t help but close my eyes and absorb the sweet
The Pepperbox | Page 18
AIBT
Arcata Tigers
Coach: Dusty Scofield 1 2 3 10 11 12 15 21 23 24 25 30
Isaiah Levy Niko Zambas Dylan Kile Brandon Bento-Jackson Kai Purcell Jacob Stoker Mason Railsback Aidan Atkins Garett Hall Jack Taylor Zane Clark Marcus Bensen
City: Arcata
McKinleyville Panthers
Coach: Sonny Tripp
Year
# Name
So. Sr. Jr. Fr. So. Sr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Jr.
10 11 12 14 22 23 24 31 32 33 34 41 42
6'3" 5'10" 6'4" 6'0" 6'3" 6'3" 6'0" 6'2"
Colors: Orange, Black
Jackson Giacone Bryson Glavich Josiah Graham Trevor Bell CJ Chaidez Cahliel Garner Gary Jimenez Keenan Morris Jaeden Thayer Grant Barrera Ethan Pesch Miles Meynell Ian Bennet
City: Eureka
3 5 10 12 14 15 20 22 23 25 31 33 34 42
6'0" 5'9" 5'11"
Coach: Robbie Thompson
Name
#
Height
Eureka Loggers
#
Friday, December 13th, 2019
Year So. Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Jr.
Colors: Red, Kelly Green
Name
Year
Jack George Earl Moon Freddie Sundburg Jake Reeser Max Combs Orien Aguilar Mason Hooven Michael Boatright Cameron Saso T-Ryan Stumpf Calob Mann Jack Clancy WIlliam Hamm Thomas Locatelli
City: McKinleyville
Jr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Fr. Sr. Sr.
Colors: Red, Black
Fortuna Huskies Coach: Tony Miles # Name 2 3 5 11 12 15 10 21 23 24 30 32 23
Year Height
Ryan Gonzalez Matt Berti Jaden Kelly Fernando Atilano Go Miyagi Brandyn Martinez Branson Gans Angel Ornelas Calvin Lawrence Bo Cox Jose Cruz Chaz Schlesiger Joey Quen
City: Fortuna
Sr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr.
6'2" 5'8" 5'9" 5'7" 5'8" 5'9" 6'4" 5'10" 6'1" 6'0" 5'10" 6'4" 6'0"
Colors: Royal Blue, White
AIBT
Friday, December 13th, 2019
Red Bluff Spartans Coach: Kenneth Armstong
Antioch Panthers
Coach: Andrew Riva
# Name 0 1 2 3 4 5 11 12 21 23 24 30 33
Year Height
Jacob Smith D'montay Warner Marke Hampton James Crawford Dominic Andrews Mark Ronas Lemarion Fountain Nicholas Riva Nashan Hawkins Derrance Boles Deshanon Smith Isaiah Pino Jailen Weaver
City: Antioch
Jr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Fr. Jr. So. So. So. Sr. So. Fr. Jr.
5'6" 5'9" 5'6" 5'8" 5'9" 5'7" 6'1" 6'1" 6'4" 5'10" 6'1" 6'0" 6'9"
Colors: Black, Gold
Piner Prospectors 11 12 13 14 15 20 21 23 24 25 30 31 32 33
Year Height
Gabe Coester Cameron Chanta Jett Walker Mason Cole-Schweizer Adonis Gutierrez Ricky Freitas Sumail Berhe Isaac Torres Jared Saddler Yontan Isack Cameron Carpenter Adrian Torres Jordin Lovelace Jake Herman
City: Santa Rosa
Sr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Sr.
# Name
10 22 24 4 5 12 3 33 14 20 32 23 44 21
Year Height
Justin Hinkton Jayden Magana Robert Lott Eli Wehby Hunter Miller Clyde Shaver Cam Ruiz Garrett Freeman Chris Huhn Shane Barrow Kaiden Hassay Ethan Bianchi Evan Miller Braden Robinson
City: Red Bluff
Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr.
6'1" 5'11" 5'11" 6'0"
6'1" 6'1" 5'10" 6'6" 6'0" 5'11" 6'2" 6'2" 6'3" 5'11"
Colors: Green, Vegas Gold
Montgomery Vikings Coach: Zac Tiedman
Coach: Mike Erickson
# Name
The Pepperbox | Page 19
5'10" 5'11" 6'1" 5'10" 6'1" 5'11" 6'0" 6'3" 6'0" 6'2" 6'1" 5'11" 6'3" 6'1"
Colors: Maroon, Gold
# Name
3 5 10 11 12 13 15 20 21 22 23 24 30 42
Alfonso Godinez Vincent Ausiello Cole Hallin Devin Rameriz Jake LaFrance Khalil Bhangoo Nicholas Bounkhoun Jordan Fetcko Ian Zalunardo Nolan Bessire Joey Ryan Brandon Lucas Jack Svoma Blake Pead Eli Wilmarth
City: Santa Rosa
Year Height Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Jr. So. Jr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Jr.
5'9" 6'1" 5'11" 6'0" 5'9" 5'8" 5'11" 5'10" 6'5" 6'7" 6'3" 6'3" 6'3" 6'3" 6'2"
Colors: Red, Grey, White
The Pepperbox | Page 20
Comic Corner
AIBT
Friday, December 13th, 2019
Lilli Bowman/PEPPERBOX
Kai Hansen
“Thurman, I need active hands on defense. Don’t go all vestigial on me now.”
“KOBE”
Friday, December 13th, 2019
AIBT
The Pepperbox | Page 23
An outside glance at basketball Bailey Ives Life Editor
I
was told to write this article because I know nothing about basketball. In fact, from what I’ve seen, I very much despise basketball. It begins with a fighting stance where the players circle around each other while jerking their heads and grunting in an animalistic way. Then the ring leader (the ref) throws the ball up similar to a bride throwing her bouquet. This is what decides who gets the ball first (usually the tall gangly one). The side that won the exchange
This gives basketball the same kind of intensity as those timed multiplication sheets from the third grade. then has the life changing decision on whether to pass the ball or selfishly keep it and try, but inevitably fail, to score a goal. That then leads to the other players to chase after them with their lanky limbs flailing. An intense game of hot potato proceeds with the players frantically scrambling over the rust colored ball to score in the elusive netted basket. Now there’s different lines that determine how many points you earn when you make a basket. The only line I know is the freethrow
line, and as I have only recently learned you earn one point from the freethrow line, not three. Little did I know that there is a three point line. But get this, there’s a time limit! This gives basketball the same kind of intensity as those timed multiplication sheets from the third grade. If you have more points when the obnoxious buzzer sounds you win. Good for you. Sometimes this thing called “overtime” occurs. It’s the worst thing in the world. It extends and already long game (48 mins) to eternity. It happens when the teams are evenly matched in their skill levels and are equally bad. I looked up the longest NBA overtime game, it was in 1951 between the Indianapolis Olympians and the Rochester Royals and was 78 minutes long; that means that it was a six overtime game. In that amount of time I can clean my room, do my homework and take my dog for a walk. And that’s it, that’s the entire game. One wins, one loses. I actu-
ally think that basketball is a loselose situation, because in the end everybody is sweaty and unless you’re getting paid to play there’s nothing left to do but maybe get some celebratory pizza and ice cream. Some people believe basketball to be a sophisticated team sport but when you actually see them playing that's not what it looks like. They look like they just came out of a sauna ready to wrestle a bear, not just chuck basketballs towards their designated fishing net. After the game is a customary departure ceremony, I know this because I played soccer for nine years, where you walk past the opposite team and say good game, but don’t really mean it. Now this doesn’t mean that I hate basketball. It seems like there could be some fun aspects, like the snacks and 15 minute intermission in between the second and third quarters. The whole running to throw a ball that makes your hands smell weird into a basket in order to prove who’s a more skillful team just seems so tiring. How about just playing rock, paper, scissors or the greatest sport of all, tetherball, or you know ANY OTHER SPORT, but that’s just me. You do you.
Fiona Murphy/PEPPERBOX
The team scores a goal in the elusive netted hoop.