Issue Date 2•21•17
Volume 13 No. 10 Cover Photo By Alex Serrano
E h t m o r F s E t o N
E S P Y L A C O P Z BLIZ
As we get back into the regular humdrum of classes after a week of almost nonstop precipitation, cancelled events and numerous hot beverages, let’s pause and take stock of what just hit us. Some called it a Polar Vortex; others coined names like “Snowmageddon,” “Blizzpocalypse,” and “Blizzkrieg Bop.” Whatever it was, it certainly threw a spanner in the works of this community college — and gave us all something to grumble about. By Ben Riggleman and Alex Serrano
Snowbound Surfsite
At the South Portland Campus’ Surfsite Hall, some true New Englanders made the most of the weather. As the snow was falling, thick as ever, on Sunday night, Feb. 12, four students went sledding off “Surfsite Hill.” And as is traditional when the roads get slick, a couple brave daredevils did doughnuts in the main parking lot (though
only for a few minutes at a stretch, to stay under Security’s radar). Others spent the evening like a normal Saturday night: by watching women’s pro wrestling, South Park, or TV movies on the couches in the ground-floor lounge. Some bundled up to smoke a butt in the lee of the building. Others, of course, did homework. Most of the students The Beacon spoke to were grateful for the reprieve from college’s daily grind. Others, though, said the change in routine threw them off their
game. One remarked, a little wistfully, “I just can’t get into homework now, you know?” Things felt a little different for the South Portland Facilities crew. That same evening, a Beacon correspondent interviewed custodian Pete Therrien. Warm and dry in Surfsite, Mr. Therrien would soon try to catch some Z’s — in his office, off the firstfloor lounge. And it wasn’t the first time this winter he’d had to camp out. “This is my second one. I had to sleep over on Thursday night,” he said. “And
there’s supposed to be another big storm coming in Wednesday into Thursday. So it gets tedious after a while.” The week before, Mr. Therrien had 17 overtime hours. He expected to put in eight the following day. The snow was falling at a rate of 4 inches an hour. As Mr. Therrien talked, plows and a front-end loader could be seen at work in the parking lot below Surfsite, scrambling to keep up with the accelerating Nor’easter. (Continued on page 2)
Wolves Headed to USCAA Nationals
Dramatic Wins Against CMCC and NHTI Secure Invite On Sunday, the Seawolves won their first YSCC Championship since 2008. The Wolves will be traveling to Uniontown, PA to play in the Division II Nationals. The last time the Wolves went to the nationals was in 2015. The Beacon wishes the Seawolves squad the best of luck in Pennsylvania.
(Tournament coverage on pages 10-13)
C ampus N ews (Continued from page 1)
They were the night shift — “It’s gonna be a long night for them,” said Mr. Therrien. The whole phalanx would assemble early the next morning, and he ran down the lineup: “Right now you’ve got four snowplows, you’ve got one bobcat working, and you got the big tractor that does the parking lots. And add to that, if you got the three crews together, we have about eight shovelers.” (The shovel crew’s foreman, Tim Slane, would later clarify that the shovel crew is down from 14–16 men.) Mr. Therrien outlined the next day’s chores: “We have to go to each building, shovel out the entrances, make sure every emergency exit is cleaned off. And we have, there’s also three, four pits that we have to clean, where we have to go down and throw the snow up.” Such, he said, are the
THE
“travails” of SMCC’s snow-removal team. (The “pits” are below-ground stairwells on the sides of buildings; there’s one on the Pickett-street side of Spring Point. And they are more than a hassle. A couple of them are treacherous, with sagging excrescences of snow and lance-like icicles hanging 30 feet above the cornered shoveler.) But, he went on, “We got a good crew, and everyone knows what they’re supposed to be doing.” “It’s pretty much rote,” he said. “They know the circuit. They all just work together.” Still, it’s a good thing Pete Therrien enjoys being out in the snow.
A Reinforcement Arrives
Dean of Students Tiffanie Bentley sent out a message on the SMCC app that day: “Anyone interested in earning some extra money tomorrow helping to shovel out the campuses?” A tantalizing reward was
BEACON Executive Staff
Managing Editor Creative Director Art Directors Illustrators Copy Editor
Alex Serrano Troy Hudson Oguzhan Ozkan Max Lorber Paul Moosmann Justin Taylor Vanessa Poirier Ben Riggleman
Section Editors Other World Alex Serrano Arts & Features Jessica Spoto Sports Gio DiFazio Contributing Writers
Michelle Anne, Gio DiFazio, Lydia Libby, Max Lorber, Ryan Marshall, Paul Moosmann, Parastoo Seddiqi, Ben Riggleman, Jessica Spoto Advisors Chuck Ott & Rachel Guthrie
offered: $10 an hour. But due, perhaps, to the app’s low profile — and the sheer hostility of the weather — only one student volunteered: Surfsite resident assistant Isaac McIntire. Mr. McIntire worked with the crew from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Monday. In an email, he explained what motivated him to do battle with the elements: “As an R.A. I thought it would be good to go and help. I really felt bad for the maintenance crew, which was working long hours (and they were short staffed). I didn’t expect to get paid. I mean, snow is snow, and it has to be moved. I grew up in New England, and snow is just a part of life.” Mr. McIntire described the conditions as harsh but manageable “with proper equipment.” However, he wrote, getting around campus on foot was difficult: “The snow was 2–3 feet deep in places and up to my waist in the drifts.” He had a metaphysical take on the experience: “I love the snow. It reminds us of how little is really in our control in our lives.”
No Rest for the Weary
Dean Bentley did not repeat her help-wanted offer for Tuesday. Nonetheless, when a Beacon correspondent showed up that morning at Facilities Management headquarters looking to pitch in (and get the scoop on shoveling), he found that help was still, indeed, wanted. He ended up hefting snow alongside the crew for almost eight hours. Facilities Management had been severely short-handed during the blizzard blitz, missing about five employees due to injury and personal leave. During a pause between spells of shoveling, our correspondent interviewed custodian Patrick Kenny and learned about the “travails” Pete Therrien had referred to. Sunday night into Monday, Mr. Kenny was behind the wheel of a plow truck for 15 hours straight. After sleeping for two hours, he returned to shovel “for some hours after.” As he recounted matter-of-factly, “The total hours I worked — total — was 21. And the total shift was 23 for me.” Patrick Kenny wasn’t the only one working literally around the clock. He said that another custodian, Andrew Napoli, had driven a Bobcat utility vehicle for nearly 24 hours — “He stopped for a couple breaks, and that was it.” Fellow crew-member Frank Moreau had manned the other Bobcat for 22 hours.
Missing Days and Missing Work By Paul Moosmann
For those of us who’ve lived in or around Maine our whole lives, a snow day here and a cancellation there during the winter is nothing new. This year, however, Mother Nature did not hold back in the least, causing one snow day after another. I, for one, lost eight individual classes over the past few weeks. That is quite an insane number of consecutive cancellations, especially when you consider we’re only in mid-February. As a kid, I would always hope for the maximum number of snow days possible every winter. I’ll be honest: there is still a part of me that holds that childish desire for a day off where I can play in the snow. Of course, now, instead of school being something free that I have no choice but to attend, I’m paying for an education I want. Missing so many days has also messed with my daily routine, since there were so many days when I could sleep in. There isn’t much that can be done to catch up on schoolwork at times like this. All of my professors are having to compress lesson plans or even omit certain assignments to save a bit of time. One saving grace is Blackboard. Most of my professors use and update Blackboard regularly, and when the lesson plan changes, I can always refer to it to know exactly what work needs to done.
Illustration by Vanessa Poirier
Husson makes transferring easy! Our transfer agreements provide a seamless transition for anyone looking to finish their degree. Up to 90 credits accepted | Personalized transfer credit evaluations upon request Finish your bachelor's degree at our convenient Westbrook campus, in Bangor, or online!
Visit husson.edu to learn more about our Transfer scholarship, financial aid, more!
husson.edu | 207.941.7100 | transfer@husson.edu Bangor | Westbrook | Online Business | Communications - NESCom | Counseling | Criminal Justice | Education | Health | Pharmacy | Science & Humanities
2 The Beacon ■ February 21 ■ 2017
C ampus N ews
Scholarship Coffee
Photos by Breanna Penney
On Friday, Feb. 10, 2017, the McKernan Center hosted a “Scholarship Coffee” event where student recipients of SMCC scholarships got to meet and mingle with community scholarship donors. The Beacon’s Breanna Penney was present, snapping photos of scholarship recipients Whitney Cole, Katherine Wood, and SMCC Foundation Executive Director Joan Cohen.
Visiting Colleges
SMCC
BookStorE
White Seawolves T-Shirt Pink SMCC Ladies T-Shirt SMCC Baseball cap SMCC Champion Lightweight hoodie, gray SMCC Ladies hoodie, pink Hours: Monday-Thursday: Friday: Saturday & Sunday:
South Portland Campus Center Lobby
Feb. 23–March 6
$10.00 $12.00 $22.00 $30.00 $39.99
University of Maine (Orono) Here’s your chance to talk to an admissions representative from the University of Maine at Orono! There are tons of educational options. Individual appointments are also available during the day. Call 207-741-5626 to inquire about setting up an appointment. Thursday, Feb. 23, 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
8 a.m.-5 p.m. 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Closed
Plymouth State University Plymouth State University (N.H.) will staff an information table in the Campus Center lobby from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Stop by to learn more about their academic programs! Monday, Feb. 27, 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. University of Massachusetts–Lowell The University of Massachusetts–Lowell has a great list of majors in many different fields! Stop by the information table to learn more about their transfer opportunities! Monday, Feb. 27, 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. Vermont Technical College Here is your chance to learn about transfer opportunities to Vermont Technical College! Stop by the Campus Center Lobby between 3:00–5:00 p.m. to have a conversation! Tuesday, Feb. 28, 3:00–5:00 p.m.
- See more at: https://www.smccme.edu/academics/resources/bookstore/#sthash.UzuknfFs.dpuf
University of New England An admissions representative from the University of New England will staff an information table from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the Campus Center lobby. Stop by to learn about UNE’s many transfer opportunities! Monday, March 6, 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
The Beacon ■ February 21 ■ 2017 3
O ther W orld Productivity on a Snow Day By Lydia Libby
helps put a stop to boredom. Everyone needs to eat, so why not try cooking on The week of February 5 through these snow-globe-looking days? Learning February 10, 2017, was to be one SMCC how to cook can be fun, and it’s a funstudents would remember. February 7, 8 damental life skill people should learn. and 9 all had delays or full snow days due Maybe you try cooking Italian cuisine, or to the inclement weather! maybe Thai cuisine. Cookbooks are sold Now, everyone loves a day off, but everywhere, and recipes are always availwhen many students have three days off, able online. Some people prefer holding a they wonder what to do with themselves. paper copy, so cookbooks are great when Sure, they could stay in bed and watch learning how to cook. Netflix all day and night, but why not When living in the dorms, it can be mix the routine up a bit? Below is a list of difficult to learn how to cook, but hey, suggestions for those who enjoy the arts, learning how to properly microwave food cooking, and exercising to spruce up your is important, too. Or if you do live in chilly days off the dorms, from school. maybe you You’ll never know how much snow we have a friend If you enjoy the arts, maybe will get in Maine, so it is always good to who lives you decide to off campus have plans when you are snowed in. color. Coloring is who would known to relieve be willing to stress, and you can bring color into your brave the elements of our New England life by filling in blank spaces on a coloring winter to pick you up so you could cook page. Or maybe you enjoy painting, and together. Cooking with another person decide to get a paint-by-numbers kit — or can also be fun, and you can make a meal set up an easel, if you’re an avid painter. faster, because you have more than one Painting and drawing can be done in siperson preparing the food. lence, or with the television on or a music Another fun and productive thing you playlist going in the background. can do alone or with others on a snow day If you are the outgoing type and you is exercise. Some may put a Zumba tape in love to dance, why not create your own their DVD player and dance the day away. choreography, dancing to your heart’s Others may do reps of sit-ups, crunches, content? The best part is, you’re in the and pushups. Maybe you have a treadmill comfort of your own home! or an elliptical rider at home and you On the opposite side of the spectrum, work in some cardio on your snow day. you could be the more reserved and Exercising is a great way to ward off quiet type that enjoys reading or writing. lassitude, because you need to focus and Reading is relaxing and improves brain move your body, which helps you forget function. When reading, you are continuyou are trapped at home during an ice age ously retaining words and information, or like the one we just experienced. Stretchlearning new words you have not heard of ing is also a great form of exercising, before. And writing can often give people because you are relaxing your muscles but the sense of release that coloring can, improving your range of flexibility. No because it can be mindless, and an exhala- matter what form of exercise you choose, tion of the mind’s inner thoughts. it will still knock out snow-day blues. Maybe you are someone who enjoys However you spend your snow day, just precision and attention to detail, so you remember these helpful tips when trying learn to make jewelry. Taking your mind to diminish boredom. You’ll never know off boredom may seem difficult at first, but how much snow we will get in Maine, so the arts can certainly alleviate boredom. it is always good to have plans when you If trying arts and crafts does not stop are snowed in. Productivity makes people your woes of being inside, cooking probafeel positive, and you can even learn new bly will. Even if it is just coming up with skills. your own version of a sandwich, cooking
Veteran’s Club Bake Sale Proceeds go to Veterans Club Scholarship Fund
4 The Beacon ■ February 21 ■ 2017
March 13th 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Campus Center
O ther W orld
Who is Neil Gorsuch, and Why Care? By Ben Riggleman
At the end of January, President Trump nominated Neil Gorsuch to the U.S. Supreme Court. Amid the fireworks of the travel ban and the Commander-in-Chief ’s Twitter beefs, it’s easy to overlook the choice; Gorsuch appears mainstream by this administration’s standards. But Supreme Court nominations are always big news, and this one comes with heavy baggage. The Supreme Court is a small group of unelected officials with extraordinary power. Justices serve from their appointment until they die or choose to retire. Since their job security does not depend on political approval, they are supposed to remain independent and, like secular monks, devote themselves to the pure principles of the law. Yet the Supreme Court is never isolated, and never apolitical. Its rulings have real-life consequences for Americans at all levels of society. The Court has — to give just three examples — determined the outcome of a presidential election (Bush v. Gore, 2000), dismantled school segregation (Brown v. Board of Education, 1954), and opened the floodgates to corporate money in politics (Citizens United v. FEC, 2010). Today the Court is as bitterly divided as the rest of America on most contentious
issues. The justices often split neatly along liberal-conservative lines. Until 2016, the Roberts Court was divided into conservative and liberal blocs of four justices each. One unpredictable, decisive “swing vote,” Anthony Kennedy, commanded the catbird seat. But then, on the night of Feb. 12, 2016, Associate Justice Antonin Scalia passed away. Scalia had been an unwavering conservative during his 30 years on the Court. His death might have heralded a major shift to the left, had things gone differently. President Obama’s replacement pick was Merrick Garland, a liberal D.C. Circuit judge whom Politico magazine characterized as having “a penchant for judicial restraint.” Garland was totally qualified and, as even Breitbart was quick to admit, had “earned respect from both sides of the aisle.” So where’s Garland gone? Here’s what happened: Senate Republicans, led by Mitch McConnell, simply refused to hold hearings for him while Obama held office. They argued that presidential appointments made during an election year were illegitimate. And the bridge-burning tactic worked. (The Constitution does not require the Senate to vote on nominees. Also, the Washington Post noted several historical precedents for the Republicans’ behavior —
almost all from the 1800s. Still, the out-ofhand rejection of a moderate, credentialed Court nominee was unheard of in modern U.S. politics.) So back to Neil Gorsuch: first, is he qualified? The general consensus is yes. He holds degrees from several of the world’s best schools; he’s clerked for Supreme Court justices Byron White and Anthony Kennedy, worked at the Department of Justice, and held a judgeship on the 10th Circuit for over a decade. (Sources: Politico, New York Times.) An Atlantic editorial called him “one of the most respected conservative legal intellectuals on the federal bench.” His judicial philosophy is said to resemble Antonin Scalia’s. He supports the freer exercise of religion and questions the regulatory powers of the federal government. He showed both stances when he ruled that the ACA couldn’t make businesses cover birth control in their employee health-insurance plans. (This ruling was later upheld by the Supreme Court in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby, a 5–4 decision.) He strongly opposes assisted suicide. Otherwise, his views on many timely issues are unknown. On LGBT rights, the president’s conflicts of interest, Muslim bans, Citizens United, and much else, Gorsuch has kept his cards close. The Washington Post described Gor-
such as “a less bombastic version of Scalia” — and more politic: more likely to bring other justices around to his views. He might, due to shared history, exert a strong influence on Anthony Kennedy (who, you’ll remember, is the Court’s great decider). But can Gorsuch win Democrats’ support to see himself confirmed? Well, as the Times put it, his nomination ignited “a brutal, partisan showdown.” So, in other words, it’ll be tough. Many Democrats consider Garland’s seat stolen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Senate minority leader, has vowed to hold up Gorsuch’s nomination by filibuster — not just on stolen-seat grounds, but out of fears Gorsuch won’t stand up to Trump. (Source: New York Times.) Republicans have a procedural trick up their sleeve, though. They may use the so-called “nuclear option,” changing Senate rules to allow Gorsuch’s confirmation by a simple majority of 51. The president has already called for this strategy. Citizens need not be powerless spectators to the Gorsuch battle. We can call our Senators and pressure them either way. Mainers have unique leverage; our senior Senator, Susan Collins, is a Republican who has shown herself responsive to liberal concerns. (Recall the skirmish over Betsy DeVos.) So, if the Supreme Court is something you care about, get involved!
Three Foods to Improve Energy By Lydia Libby
It is now the second semester, and I am sure many of us are feeling sluggish. With winter creating a dull atmosphere, it is hard to feel motivated to do much of anything. But what if I told you one of mankind’s most beloved things could improve our energy? That’s right. Food. Food can improve energy in the human body. Food is a simple yet effective way to enhance our performance in daily life — even foods that we may love but have forgotten in the typical college diet. So, what are some foods that improve energy? Well, all foods containing carbohydrates help with energy, because that is the job of a carbohydrate. However, the top three foods to improve energy are whole grains, yogurt, and fruit. You may wonder what whole grains have to do with energy. Well, because whole grains are rich in fiber, they help speed up the metabolism. When your metabolism is functioning well, it takes the energy from food to allow you to feel more energetic during your day. Some whole grains you may enjoy are oatmeal, brown rice, wild rice, and quinoa. Oatmeal is a great way to start your morning because it is enriched with nutrients. You can even add fruit to your oatmeal for added nutrients and taste. Brown rice, wild rice, and quinoa are all part of the rice family, and can be used in salads, stir fry, or paired with almost any lunch or dinner dish. Another favorite food of many is yogurt. (Especially Greek yogurt, because it contains vitamin B, which improves energy in
the body.) Yogurt is also compact, and can be an accessible snack while on the go or at work. Yogurt comes in a variety of flavors, so there is a flavor that most anyone will enjoy. For those on the go, yogurt is a great way to obtain nutrients, because it is quick and easy to eat, allowing you to continue with your day. Many students feel crunched for time when packing to come to school. Yogurt is a great, fast option that will also improve your body’s energy performance. When crunching for time, fruit is the best snack you can have to improve energy. It is fresh. Enriched with vitamins. And can fit into the smallest handbags or pockets. Fruit gives the body a boost and is sweet, so it is like you are having a dessert to improve your energy. Food is always better when it tastes good; as there are so many kinds of fruit available, everyone should find something they enjoy. Fruits can range from blueberries to starfruit — and they all improve the body’s energy. Of course, canned fruit with added sugar is not a boost to the body’s energy, because the sugar is refined and does not contain as many nutrients as fresh fruit. Fresh fruit is the way to go when looking for a snack to improve energy in the body. As a student, improving your energy is especially important, because it will enhance academic performance. If you have enough energy, you will be ready to handle tasks and homework assignments. A lot is asked of students from their course studies, and if eating can be a solution to improve energy, students should spend the time finding snacks to increase energy. Healthy eating leads to a happy and productive life. Just think, carbs can be the reason you are well enough to pass a test.
The Beacon ■ February 21 ■ 2017 5
O pinion & E ditorial From an Immigrant’s Eyes By Parastoo Seddiqi
Where do we belong? Afghanistan? Where my sisters and I were born, though war and sexism made my family leave? Iran? Where my family moved when I was just 5 years old, where we had to pay to go to school, even for the elementary level? Where Afghan girls would get attacked by Iranian boys, and the local authorities turned a blind, indifferent eye and did nothing? Where everyone was looking down on us because we were Afghan, where we had to hide where we were from so we did not get teased or beaten up by Iranian kids? After 14 years of living in Iran and suffering from racism, we moved. To America, where my family finally had the opportunity to settle down; where we felt safe and peaceful, and could enjoy freedom. We started our lives from zero. It wasn’t easy at all — especially learning the language. We knew we would reach our goals if we tried hard enough. We knew that opportunities here are open to everyone. We heard, “America is the land of opportunity.” We learned English well enough to start school, find jobs, make friends, and get to know the new culture. After three years, we finally felt like we fit in. We started feeling more comfortable, more like America was our home. Now, after President Obama, we feel lost; we are worried about our future. Will we still have the same opportunities as everyone else? It’s very hard to try our best but feel like we will never reach our goals just because we weren’t born in United States of America, just because we were born into a Muslim family, or just because we are women. Probably we could be in a better situation if we were Trump’s beloved. This is not fair. I am sure that this is not only my story. I am going to be the ears and voice for immigrants and refugees, sharing their voices with our community.
Three years ago I came to America. I tion would be safe and respectful. have never felt unsafe — until a month Most of them came here hoping they ago. I was sure that the way I was feeling would be able to raise their children in a was not just about me. The events of the peaceful environment, but now they don’t last few weeks, and since the election in feel safe. Under President Obama, most November, helped me to decide to seek out of them said they were comfortable, that students like myself, to be a set of ears to they felt welcomed and felt that Americans listen and to share their concerns with the were happy they were here. They moved SMCC community. freely in the city, on the bus, at work, at On February 1, school, as well as in I sat with Rose“I’m afraid to tell people where making friends and marie DeAngelis’ meeting new people. I’m from when they ask,” said a Since November, English as a Second young student from Iraq. Language class on many said, things the South Portland were different. Campus to listen to the students’ concerns “I’m afraid to tell people where I’m from and struggles. The class was full of people when they ask,” said a young student from who had come to America to find freedom, Iraq. peace, and education. I was a student in the A young Muslim woman, who wore a class a year ago, so it brought back many beautiful cover on her head, said, “I don’t memories. feel safe when I go out of my house.” As the class got settled, Professor DeAngelis helped to get everyone comfortable and ready to speak. She explained that no one needed to use their name, and said that this was a chance to say how they felt now that there was a new president and government in office. The students seemed relaxed, and trusted that the atmosphere and situa-
Immature Vandalism at Spring Point By Michelle Anne
Vandalism? What is that? If you are not sure what it is, well, just go into the Spring Point dorm’s elevator. A nice fresh coat of paint was put up at the start of the semester. It’s so easy to scratch into the paint and create great immature pictures of ‘dicks’ and crude slang. The vandals are all so mature here at Spring Point. They destroy the maintenance department’s hard work and effort they make for the dorms to be clean and nice for the residents. Yay them for ruining something that is given to us out of respect! The vandals are so disrespectful, go them. It’s so much fun for the vandals to laugh with all their friends while vandalising, since it’s so funny. Oh, and they also tore down the warning in the elevator about the consequences of vandalising. The vandals are literally the nicest people.
6 The Beacon ■ February 21 ■ 2017
Oh and let’s not forget about the trash they leave every night in the lobby of Spring Point. It’s just so great how they leave pizza boxes, bottles, candy wrappers and even socks on the chairs, floor, and anywhere they can find. WOW! Now they can really say they are such wonderful people! Trashing and being disrespectful is their middle name! They are so good at vandalizing, it’s ridiculous! It’s so funny to ruin what they are paying for. Woohooo! Their parents would be so proud! They should get a medal or a prize for doing their part in ruining their living space for other students and staff. They are the best at making other students feel uncomfortable. Wow, got to say, the vandals are the most wonderful people at the whole entire school!
A young man from Iraq likened living in America to being over at a friend’s house when “their mother doesn’t want me there.” Another young male student, who takes care of older people, said, “I work for a man who voted for Trump, and he told me, ‘I am so sorry for all this, I had no idea he will be like this.’” I felt their feelings. I felt how unsure they were about tomorrow. I saw fear on their faces. And if they felt the same way I was feeling, I couldn’t help but wonder — what is happening to our community?
Illustration by Vanessa Poirier
Weekly Student Senate Meetings Wednesdays from 4:30–6:00 p.m. Jewett Hall Auditorium, South Portland Campus Senate is the student government of SMCC. All students are invited to attend our meetings! Interested in becoming a Student Senator? Contact Justin Cochran, Student Senate president, at justinrcochran@smccme.edu
O pinion & E ditorial
Illustration by Justin Taylor
Study at Vassar College This Summer — for Free!
Are you a first-generation college student? Vassar’s Exploring Transfer program offers an incredible opportunity: spend five weeks at a prestigious liberal-arts college, all expenses paid. • Take courses and experience life at Vassar • Textbooks, room and board included • Program lasts from June 21–July 28
• Campus located in beautiful Hudson Valley, N.Y. • $250 travel stipend available through MCCS
From the Desk of the Managing Editor: Opinionated By Alex Serrano
This a highly opinionated campus. Attendees of the contentious “Real Talk” discussions can attest to that. The Student Senate has also occasionally devolved into heated discourse. The Opinions and Editorials section here at The Beacon is consistently the easiest section to fill, and with subjects ranging from politics to dorm life, it’s not hard to step up on your soapbox and write a 400-word article about something you believe in. Enter the Community Conversation, SMCC’s three-years-running event aimed at involving students, faculty and community partners in a healthy discussion. This year’s topic, “Living our values: Challenging each other to do the right thing,” turns the focus on our future. As evidenced by the Campus Master Plan, SMCC may have some deep and infrastructural change coming down the pipeline. This event, like so many of the clubs and student activities here at SMCC, is largely a call for involvement. As students, we have an enormous opportunity to take advantage of the resources available to us. Want to make a club? Student Senate funds are there for the taking. Got a great big idea about the college? President Cantor is often seen at community events, and always welcomes a friendly discussion. Classes during the Community Conversation on Friday have been suspended to give students a chance to attend and participate.
Application deadline: Monday, March 6. Don’t wait to apply!
To apply, go to http://eter.vassar.edu/
Philosophy Forum The second Thursday of the month, 6:30–8:00 p.m. Howe Hall Seminar Room, 3rd floor, South Portland Campus
Very much in the spirit of a “Socrates Cafe,” our gatherings are collaborative discussions based around a question that’s openended enough to invite the insights of all present! Questions like: • How do you discover and define meaning in your life? • What determines our convictions? • What are our responsibilities as private citizens? • Why philosophize? Why ask “why”? The Forum is open to SMCC students, faculty and staff, and members of the community. No reading assignments are required. For more information, please contact Abraham A. Schechter at aschechter18@hotmail.com. On a related note, at 3 o’clock on Wednesday, Feb. 22 in Jewett Auditorium, there will be an “Immigration Information Session,” a talk led by the Immigration Legal Advocacy Project (ILAP) legal director, Phil Mantis. The talk will cover concerning issues brought forth by President Trump’s recent executive actions, such as the sanctuary status of our campus. We at The Beacon hope to see you there, as this is a step in the right direction.
There is also an official SMCC Philosophy Club forming, tentatively named “The Symposium”. Meetings convene at 6:00–8:00 in room 224 of the Hildreth Media building. For more information on the Philosophy club, contact Ivan Pickett at ivanpickett@smccme.edu
The Beacon ■ February 21 ■ 2017 7
A rts & F eatures A BLAST FROM THE PAST:
The DeLorean By Jessica Spoto “Wait a minute, Doc. Ah … Are you telling me that you built a time machine … out of a DeLorean?” What is this from, “Back to the Future?” Oh yeah! We are flying back into the past and rewinding time. Let’s first go back to the ‘80s to cherish and remember the precious DeLorean. Oh man, its sleek silver body gives everyone goosebumps! Let’s not forget to mention the doors (oh those doors, though). Those gull-wing doors are super futuristic even to this day! The DeLorean was featured in this movie, but it was actually possible to get the car! Not the decked-out “Back to the Future”-style one, but a just-as-interesting one at the dealership. This car was meant to have a 20-year, rust-free lifespan because of its stainless-steel exterior. With its sleek, hot body, you would think that it would fly off the lots, but in about three years, only 9,000 DeLoreans were sold. This car gets 18 miles per gallon; you wouldn’t want to take it on long road trips, that’s for sure! Even though this car didn’t make many sales when it came out, it’s such a nostalgic car now that it remains desirable. Today it sells for about $30,000 on average. This car’s legacy still lives on! Marty McFly would be proud to know that. Oh, and Doc would as well! Now, not everyone has access to this time-machine car, so unfortunately, we can’t all predict who’s going to win future baseball games. Dang it! Don’t we all want to be rich like Biff Tannen?! Oh, Biff, that silly dictator! On a side note, that hoverboard: oh yes, that hoverboard! We could hover all over town, just living it up, futuristic-style! Having a DeLorean and a hoverboard, our lives would be set! We would be decked out in futuristic fantastic coolness! We would be the epitome of Marty McFly — but let’s hope we didn’t meet our mother and potentially ruin things in our life! Let’s go “back to the future”! And in Biff ’s words, “Why don’t you make like a tree … and get out of here!”
8 The Beacon ■ February 21 ■ 2017
THE DIRECTOR’S PROFILE
Peter Stickland
Born in 1973 to a Greek mother and an English father, Peter Strickland may appear to be just one in a seemingly never-ending list of film fetishists turned film makers — in other words, a craftsman with a penchant for homage that often gets the better of him — but a closer inspection would reveal the work of a man more than capable of expanding on his influences in ways that even the original authors may not have envisioned at the time. (Strickland tends to pool, for the most part, from the cinema of the 1960s and ‘70s.) Following an upbringing in Berkshire, England, Strickland made a series of successful short films in his 20s before moving onto his first feature, the ethereal rape-revenge thriller “Katalin Varga”; shot
FILM REVIEW
Split
The cinema of M. Night Shyamalan has always been marked through thick and thin by the embrace of warmth where exploitation and cynicism would simply be an easier alternative. With one foot planted firmly in reality and the other in the prospect of paranormal phenomena (and even more specifically its application in our daily lives), the Philadelphia native’s latest endeavor is simultaneously a sign of purest artistic reinvigoration and a most welcome return to form — magnificently erratic form at that. And most remarkable of all is how the man who was once dubbed “The Next Spielberg” balances his own conflicting muses amidst the deliberate chaos. James McAvoy is absolutely intoxicating as Kevin Wendell Crumb, a man suffering from dissociative identity disorder who kidnaps a trio of teenage girls, Claire (Haley Lu Richardson), Marcia ( Jessica Sula) and Casey (Anya Taylor-Joy), after a particularly awkward birthday party and keeps them confined to a single locked cell underground for some undisclosed higher purpose, revealing more and more about his intentions through his various alter egos — including but not limited to a nine-year-old boy, an obsessive-compulsive psychopath, and a woman with protective instincts not unlike a mother — which are constantly competing against one another for dominance. Due in no small part to the exquisite
in Romania over 17 days in 2006 and not released until three years down the road, this is one of those debuts that just ooze naturalistic swagger and drip dreamy atmosphere. Fast forward another three years, and Strickland had relocated his surreal brand of human drama to 1970s Italy
for “Berberian Sound Studio,” a delectably bonkers slow-burn about a meek sound designer (Toby Jones) who finds work on an occult-themed art-horror film to be particularly maddening. This brings us to the director’s latest outing, a Jess Franco-inspired slice of
Euro-tinged eroticism by the name of “The Duke of Burgundy.” Featuring standout performances from Sidse Babett Knudsen and Chiara D’Anna as romantic partners engaged in an S&M-based relationship who encounter many obstacles in the wake of one of them challenging her role within its constructs, the film is a scrumptious feast for the eyes and ears alike, and certainly doesn’t skimp on the poignant social commentary. In terms of Strickland finding genuine emotional resonance to match his exquisite form, “Duke” is the furthest extension of himself and his cinema, a triumph of utterly engrossing phantasmagoria from a singular vision that we will hopefully be seeing much more o f in the near future. And for the Bjork fans out there, Strickland also co-directed the Icelandic singer/ songwriter’s concert film “Biophilia Live” in 2014 — surely a more appropriately cinematic affair than as per usual.
Ryan Marshall is a Communications & New Media major focusing on cinematic journalism. You can also see his writing at podcastingthemsoftly.com
precision of “It Follows” cinematographer Mike Gioulakis, the walls, floors, closed and opened doors of Kevin’s seedy lair never breathe easy; in fact, they retain an intensely suffocating, sleazy ambience throughout that fits Shyamalan’s intentionally alienated (and perhaps alienating) direction like a glove. The director has always displayed a knack for manipulating the frame in unorthodox ways, and it
serves him well for the purpose of immersive claustrophobia. Even the open air of the outside world feels tainted by palpable pulsating paranoia, as if escapism is utterly inexcusable in this disturbed domain. A few of the more gleefully over-the top indulgences in the film’s delightfully
demented third act might prove to be slightly problematic, especially in regards to how seriously the connection between mental illness and childhood abuse is treated on a whole, but it all makes for an unusually compelling spectacle. Only the final moments, which clumsily attempt to meld the preceding events with the enduring legacy of an earlier Shyamalan joint similarly about harnessing supernatural abilities, feel out of place in an otherwise exceptional example of exercising restraint and boundless, off-kilter ingenuity in equal measures. As much as he goes for the jugular when he wants to get weird, it’s Shyamalan’s intuitive empathy that makes his best work utterly unforgettable. “Split” doesn’t claim to have all the answers to some of its bigger problems, and one suspects at times that its tongue may be planted firmly in its cheek, but it nevertheless stands as a satisfying exploration of inhuman actions and their potentially horrific repercussions: a mostly successful attempt to envision “monsters” inherent in our society as something more than that. It’s true that we’ve been here before, and so has M. Night, but what can you say? He’s damn good at what he does, and it’s rather exhilarating to see him get in touch with the same unique gifts — as a storyteller, a preserver of perversion and perception alike — that he exhibited at a more tender age and elaborate on them in such a thoroughly satisfying way.
A rts & F eatures
Valentine’s Day Massacre By Max Lorber
I would like to begin this piece by thanking the divine energy field, the astrology charts, the universal chi, and the almighty power that Jesus used to turn a fountain of water into a wine bar and moonwalk across a lake. Thank you, God, if you do exist and decide such things, for allowing me to be single during this past Valentine’s Day. What a privilege. What a relief. I saw those suckers opening their wallets up for dying flowers and suspiciously low-quality chocolates, scrambling for a piece of jewelry and a card and a dinner reservation. I spent that night sipping tea and watching the snow, laughing to myself as I reflected on my past Valentine’s Day debacles. There was that one — let’s refer to her as Girl A — who seemed to be a walking ball of flames ready to explode on anything that crossed her. Her biological makeup consisted of fire and ice and a few organs that kept functions consistent with a normal human form. This is not the kind of heat a normal person might be attracted to; this is the kind of heat that will leave you in the burn ward begging for morphine. Valentine’s Day, 2012 — a somewhat traumatic experience I don’t think I will ever forget. I tried to make it a special day for Girl A. I can pretend to be romantic when the situation warrants such things. We went to a cocktail lounge in New York
City. The evening was unfolding fairly well, no fights or blow-ups yet. That was until she ordered her fourth Jameson. The cocktail waitress brought our drinks over, and Girl A observed there was too much ice diluting the whiskey in her glass. I couldn’t hear what she was saying to the bartender after she marched over there, but from experience I knew to brace myself. (At a beer garden a month earlier, a large man had accidentally bumped into her, and she’d had no problem throwing a full pint of beer into his chest. He complained a bit about his checkered flannel being an expensive shirt. She informed him his shirt had looked like a cheap curtain, and that now it looks like a wet dishrag.) The bartender rolled his eyes in customary New York fashion as he took the drink back. He then slapped a glass of whiskey on the counter, with no ice whatsoever. She picked the drink up and splashed it into the man’s eyes. We were asked to leave. She informed the staff they were lucky she was in a good mood, or
they would have gotten “the business.” We stayed together another two years. I ended up getting that same “business” she was referencing. In retrospect, I should have seen it coming. Then there was Girl B. She was a bit calmer than Girl A, but not by much. Valentine’s Day, 2015 — flowers, a handmade card, and a candlelit dinner cooked by yours truly. Three courses, none of them burned. I was in the zone. But after only a few bites of the chicken, she went silent, her face beginning to contort slightly. Not good. Did I screw up the recipe? I began going over the steps again. The marinade did seem a bit citrusy. What about the spices? Too much cumin? Her face began to turn red. Maybe too much cayenne? She shook her head and pointed at her throat. “You know what, I tried, okay! I’m not Gordon Ramsey over here.” In response to my comment she began flailing her arms violently. And then it hit me. She wasn’t breathing. I did the “are you okay” routine, getting up and standing over her. She was turning the color of an eggplant, with thick veins popping out of her neck and temple.
Okay. Okay okay okay okay. She was, without a doubt, choking right in front of me. I tried to remember those posters. It’s called the Heimlich maneuver. You have to lift the victim up, hold them from behind, and collect your fists over their sternum. Then you pull in with a quick motion. I went into action. The first pull didn’t work. She began to shake. I did it again. Now, contrary to popular belief, the food does not necessarily fly out of the victim’s mouth. Life is not a scene from “Mrs. Doubtfire.” The chicken simply dislodged. She swallowed and collapsed on her seat, heaving desperately between slugs of water. She was unhappy with my act of heroism. Once she gathered her strength, she began to scream. According to her, my performance was not timely enough. I received a slap across the face, and finished my plate of chicken alone. For me, spending Valentine’s Day alone this year was like dodging a bullet. Do you blame me? Because of the limited space on this page, I can’t even include the other episodes with Girl C, Girl D, and Girl E — the storm-outs, the hang-ups, the disappointments and tears. There is some statistic showing that fights and break-ups seem to orbit around February. I know I’m not the only one that feels safe and secure alone in his pajama pants with his tea. You may interpret my tone as somewhat cynical. Well, well, well, what a literary genius you have become. Yeah, I’m cynical. And I know it’s not just me. ILLUSTRATION BY VANESSA POIRIER
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The Beacon ■ February 21 ■ 2017 9
SMCC Sports Quarterfinals Tip Off the YSCC Elite 8 Tournament SMCC squads move on, as do all higher seeds By Beacon Sports Staff The YSCC Elite 8 postseason tournament tipped off in the Hutchinson Union Building last Thursday afternoon, with a full day of basketball scheduled as the top eight women’s teams looked to advance to Saturday’s semifinal round. The men’s top eight would play Friday with the same intent in mind: to advance to the semifinals on Saturday. The women’s action tipped off at 2 p.m., with the Lady Moose of the University of Maine–Augusta taking to the court against the College of Saint Joseph’s of Vermont. After 40 minutes of play, the Moose would walk off the court with an 84–59 win. The Moose produced lead YSCC Player of the Year recipient Jamie Plummer, who finished with a game-high 27 points. Central Maine Community College took on Hampshire College, and would advance like expected as the No. 1 seed, 99– 39. The Mustangs would be led by Brooke Reynolds, who scored 19 points. Game 3 saw the University of Maine– Machias tip off against the our own Seawolves. The Seawolves would advance to the semis with balanced scoring, as Kaylah Abdul, Alicia Ruth and Hannah Heald would hit double figures: 15, 13 and 11, respectively. The day’s final game pitted Vermont Tech against New Hampshire Technical Institute, and saw the Lynx surviving continual offensive pushes by Vermont that cut into the Lynx’s established lead. The Lynx would be led by Melissa Martel, who found the bottom of the net for 31. Paige Wells and Kiana Royers would lead the Knights of Vt. Tech, with 19 and 15, respectively. The quarterfinal play for the men’s side of the court would take place Friday; the first game of the day tipped off at 2:30. Earlier Friday all participating teams gathered at the DoubleTree Hotel for the YSCC Awards Banquet. The highlight of the awards ceremony was the unexpected yet well-earned awarding of Men’s Player of the Year to SMCC’s John Morgan. UMA’s Jamie Plummer received the Women’s Player of the Year award.
Left: Dante Ramos and the Lynx of NHTI outlast a stuborn Great Bay Herons squad, 109–94. Right: Olivia Reynolds of Vermont Tech weighs her options as NHTI handles Vermont Tech, 62–54.
The first game of the day had Great Bay Community College take to the court against the No. 1-seeded NHTI. While Great Bay was outmanned and outsized, they gave the Lynx quite the battle before falling 109–94. Great Bay’s Tyler White would take home high-scoring honors; he drained 38 points. The Lynx were led by Dante Ramos, who finished the day with a double-double, scoring 28 and grabbing 10 boards. Javan Parkinson would also finish with a double-double, scoring 17 points and ripping 10 boards. The fifth-seeded College of Saint Joseph’s of Vermont would pull off the upset of the quarterfinals: they stymied Vermont Tech and cruised to a 20-point win. The Saints would outscore the Knights in the second half by 16, as game high-scorer Kareem Brown hit for 14 of his 22. Teammates Antonio Gordon, Darren White and Jonathan Brioso would also hit double figures, rounding out the Saints’ balanced scoring, 16, 14, 13 and 12, respectively. The Seawolves took to the court against the Moose of UMA in the 6:30 game and set the tone from the tip, doubling
the Moose’s offensive output and building a 53–26 lead by halftime. Dustin Simpson-Bragg would grab top-scoring honors, as he hit for 43. The Wolves would end the game with balanced scoring, Ryan Cloutier and John Morgan each netting 18. Keanyon Lambert would hit double figures with 14, while Anderson Kavutse contributed 11. As the final buzzer sounded, the Wolves had secured a place in the semis with a 101–67 win. The final game of the day featured third-seeded CMCC tipping off against the Clippers of UMaine Machias. The Mustangs would grab a 42–31 halftime lead over the Clippers, building on it to a 17-point win. The Mustangs would be led by Rob Skinner’s 22, as Nicolas would lead the Clippers with 15. The Mustang victory set up a third game with the Seawolves in Saturday’s semifinal play. The game would be the third time the teams would face each other this season, and prove to be one of the most exciting games of the tournament.
Above: Top: Caitlin Lafountain rises up in a sea of Saints defenders in the Moose’s 84–59 win. Lafountain went 5–7 from the field with 16 points. Middle: Jenny Schlim finishes with the right hand inside the lane while the Mustangs gallop past the Hampshire College Black Sheep, 99–39. Bottom: SMCC’s Emily Hogan traps Alicen Brooks of UMaine Machias, en route to a 76–59 triumph. Above: Left: Jonathan Moore of CMCC elevates over the UMM defender during the Mustangs’ dominant performance. CMCC took the wind out of the Clippers’ sails en route to a 76–59 victory. Middle: Kenyon Lambert pulls up in the middle of the lane in an easy win vs. UMaine Augusta, 101–67, in the quarterfinal matchup. Lambert finished with 14 points and four rebounds. Right: Raikwon Rodrigues slips an entry pass into the paint to teammate Dante Ramos in NHTI’s 109–94 dismantling of Great Bay Community College.
10 The Beacon ■ February 21 ■ 2017
SMCC S ports
Semifinals Action Energizes the H.U.B.
Men Wolves win thriller over CMCC; Lady Wolves succumb to NHTI
Jamiu Oladimeji takes advantage of a fast-break opportunity in a tough loss to top seed NHTI 83–74.
Top-Seeded NHTI Dazzles By Beacon Sports Staff
The top-seeded Lynx of New Hampshire Technical Institute would be the first men’s team to advance to the championship game after an explosive performance Saturday afternoon in the Yankee Small College Conference semifinal round versus Saint Joseph’s. The first half ended with the Lynx holding a 10-point lead behind the physical play of Dante Ramos and Raikwon Rodrigues, who each scored 8 points. On the Saints side of the court, Kyle Houston lead the scoring effort, hitting for 8, while Darrien White came off the bench to contribute 7. NHTI’s physical defense
held the Saints center, Kareem Brown, scoreless in the first half. Darrien White would take home game high-scoring honors, with 18 points off the bench in a losing cause. NHTI captured momentum in key moments of the contest, largely due to J’Quavious Thurmond’s ability to leap out of the gym. Thurmond finished the game with a team-high 15 points and a monumental slam at a pivotal moment of the ball game. The fifth-seeded Saints finished the season with a 14–15 record, while managing to go 10–5 within the YSCC. NHTI would move on to the final round matchup versus our own SMCC Seawolves.
Jennifer Conrad and Kayla Abdul fight for a rebound in a tough loss to NHTI, 64–47. The Lynx lost two regular-season contests to the Seawolves, but ultimately came out on top in the YSCC Elite 8 Tourney.
SMCC Falls to NHTI By Beacon Sports Staff
The Lady Seawolves’ hopes of playing in Sunday’s championship were dashed Saturday afternoon in the second game of the women’s semifinals when they fell hard to the NHTI Lynx. The Lady Seawolves won both regular-season games against NHTI; however, postseason play is often full of upsets and disappointments. SMCC senior Jennifer Conrad finished the day with 20 points and one rebound shy of a double-double. However, the Wolves were not able to capitalize on Jennifer’s efforts, as the team shot a dismal 23.9 from
the field. NHTI’s Riselly Deoleo finished with a game-high 33 points while managing to corral 12 boards. SMCC was staring down a 10-point deficit headed to the locker room at half, but the Lynx opened up the third-quarter play fast and finished the quarter with a 22-point performance. Displaying tough defense, NHTI cruised to an easy win inside the H.U.B. gym. While the loss was disappointing, the Lady Wolves are still on the hunt for an at-large bid to the USCAA Nationals in Uniontown, Pa. The USCAA will be making its selection Tuesday at 5:00 p.m.
SMCC Survives CMCC By Beacon Sports Staff
Saturday evening’s final game would prove to be one of the most competitive of the 14-game Yankee Small College Conference (YSCC) Elite 8 tournament, with the Mustangs from CMCC battling it out with the SMCC Seawolves. Saturday’s game was of heightened importance; both teams looked to earn the right to face NHTI in the championship game. Forty-six personal fouls were called during the 40-minute contest. While the game did take on a rough tone, there were plenty of moments that showcased the beauty of basketball. The first half saw SMCC’s Chase Soares light up the court from behind the 3-point line as he hit 5–6 and scored 17 points in the first half. The Seawolves were also aided by John Morgan’s 12 points, which helped SMCC lead at half by 1 point, 41–40. Kionno Nelson lead the Mustangs in the first half with 8 points; however, the Mustangs’ scoring was spread across their roster. The Wolves were trailing by two as time expired when Dennis Cummings drained a circus shot from behind the 3-point line and gave the Wolves their 1-point lead at half. Cummings would also come up big in the second half. The Wolves built an early 11-point lead in the second half — only to watch CMCC
Pelham, N.H. natives Ryan Cloutier and Dylan Silvestre fight for a loose ball in an 84–74 victory against rival CMCC at the conclusion of Friday’s YSCC Elite 8 action.
erase it to pull ahead 65–62 with eight minutes remaining. But as both teams traded baskets in the later stages, Cummings came up with a steal and the lay-in that proved to be the momentum swing for the home team. SMCC sophomore Chase Soares scored a season-high 32 points, shooting an unconscious 9–12 from beyond the arc. YSCC Player of the Year John Morgan poured in 20 points, and an efficient 9–12 from the field, in 33 minutes of action. CMCC’s Cornelius Lawhorn led his team with 16 points, followed by Kionno Nelson’s 14 points on 5-of-10 shooting.
Holly Deourcey of UMA attempts to find an open teammate after CMCC’s patented pressure defense is applied. CMCC finished with the advantage 69–60 in a hard-fought matchup.
Mustangs Leap Over Lynx By Beacon Sports Staff
The first game of Saturday’s semifinal action pitted top-seeded Central Maine Community College against the Moose of UMaine-Augusta. The Moose played tough against the Mustangs for the first 20 minutes, grabbing a 5-point lead to open the game and battling back after CMCC responded and took the lead. At halftime the Mustangs were ahead by a tenuous, 1-point margin. YSCC Player of the Year Jamie Plummer’s 21 points were not enough, as Central Maine opened up the second half with a
13–0. Brooke Reynolds, a first-team all-conference player, and teammate Jenny Schim shared top-scoring honors with 14 points each. CMCC’s patented full-court pressure defense did periodically disrupt the Moose while they brought the ball up court, and their half-court defense remained keyed up throughout the second half. CMCC would able to build an 11-point lead after three quarters, which proved to be too much for the Moose to overcome. CMCC would move on to play New Hampshire Technical Institute for the role of top dog in the women’s championship of the YSCC Elite 8 Tournament.
The Beacon ■ February 21 ■ 2017 11
SMCC S ports Men Wolves Defeat #1 Seeded NHTI in Thriller Seawolves hold off the Lynx down the stretch
Seawolf Chase Soares finds driving the lane rough in Sunday’s action against the NHTI Lynx. Chase finished the day scoring 18 points.
By Gio DiFazio SMCC men’s basketball took to the court on Sunday to battle it out with the top-seeded Lynx of New Hampshire Technical Institute for the Yankee Small College Conference (YSCC) Elite 8 Tournament. Riding a high from the previous game against Central Maine Community College — one in which SMCC’s Chase Soares put on a shooting demonstration from behind the 3-point arc — the Seawolves spotted the NHTI Lynx the first two points of the game and responded with focused energy on the offensive and defensive sides of the court. Soares had another banner day, sharing top scoring honors with Timothy Dixon; both players netted 18 points. Their offensive output contributed 36 of SMCC’s 85 points. Dixon was incredibly efficient, hitting 4–6 shots from downtown and manag-
ing to hit all his shots from the line. Tournament MVP John Morgan quickly learned that he was either going to have his hands full or opportunities for other players might open up, as NHTI Coach Paul Hogan instructed his squad to double-team him early on, limiting his offensive production in the first half. Morgan, this year’s leading Seawolf scorer, bounced back with 12 points in the second half as his patented fall-away jumper began to find the bottom of the net. He finished just short of a double-double, with 9 rebounds and 13 points. J’Quavious Thurmond of NHTI put in another flashy showing: the 6-foot-3 forward took home the defensive player of the Elite 8 tourney, all while consistently showing his ability to play above the rim. Thurmond finished as the game high-scorer, totaling 20 points and five rebounds. Just looking at both teams, it was apparent that SMCC might have trouble
YSCC Player of the Year and tournament MVP John Morgan battles it out under the boards with the Lynx. John posted 13 points and 9 rebounds.
overcoming NHTI height underneath the basket. However, Dylan Silvestre and co. were able to lock down the painted area and out-rebound The Lynx 52–36. After Raikwon Rodrigues hit a free throw with 17:22 remaining in the second half and cut the lead to three, SMCC initiated a run that put them back into a comfortable spot. Another late charge by the Lynx came within the last two minutes of the contest, leaving everyone in the gym wondering if a spectacular finish was imminent. NHTI at one point trimmed the lead to 7 with a couple timely 3s, but ultimately, the Seawolves proved to be the superior team. SMCC has been plagued with free-throw troubles at times this season, and that’s one of their biggest question marks as we get deeper into postseason play, but the men have shown evidence that all their troubles from the line are in the past. SMCC has the discipline to play with
good teams down the stretch and overcome adversity in postseason play. One thing is for certain, adversity will stare the Seawolves square in the face during the USCAA tournament. But this squad, led by Coach Matt Richards and his staff, has the ability to keep its composure in high-pressure situations. One thing’s for certain: the Seawolves are playing at their peak at the most important time of the season. SMCC has a great opportunity to make noise at the national level, and has a very good chance to do so, as they are the best team in the YSCC. After going undefeated in the YSCC Elite 8 tourney, Coach Richards takes home his first YSCC championship title since 2008, and his team automatically earns a bid into the Division II USCAA Association tournament to be hosted by Penn State Fayette in Uniontown, Pa.
Central Maine Lady Mustangs Outlast Lady Lynx By Gio DiFazio
Taylor Esty rebounds and follows up with an easy 2 in Sunday against NHTI. Taylor was one of 11 Mustangs to score.
Championship Sunday started out with the top-seeded YSCC Elite 8 women’s favorite, the CMCC Mustangs, taking to the hardwood against the third-seeded Lynx of New Hampshire Technical Institute. Coach Morong has his squad geared up for a deep run in the USCAA Division II tournament. First-team all-YSCC selection Brooke Reynolds put on another spectacular performance with a game-high 21 points. Reynolds would go on to win the Most Valuable Player of the YSCC Elite 8 Tournament. The Mustangs were able to limit the explosive presence of Riselly Deoleo to just 14 points. Deoleo finished with a double-double, snagging 10 boards. The previous day, Deoleo put on an electric performance against SMCC, scoring 33 points and snagging 12 boards to finish the day with a double-double performance. The Mustangs took a 34–23 lead into halftime intermission after
trailing early to the Lynx in the first quarter. CMCC outscored the Lynx in the second quarter to open up an 11-point lead heading to the locker room. A Central Maine 8–0 run that stretched for a large portion of the second quarter was countered by an NHTI 3-pointer with three seconds left on the clock. All six of NHTI’s second-quarter points came from beyond the arch. NHTI could not recover from the second quarter, in which they were outscored 17–6 — after a first quarter in which the two teams had traded basket for basket. CMCC’s height underneath the basket proved to be a large advantage, as they outscored the Lynx 32–18 inside the painted area, again led by the efforts of Brooke Reynolds. NHTI had trouble finding the basket at times, and finished shooting just 27.9 percent from the floor, while CMCC shot an efficient 49.1 percent from the floor. CMCC earns an automatic bid into the USCAA Division II tournament; NHTI remains hopeful for an at-large bid into the tourney.
NHTI Lady Lynx Hayley Jakubens gets a shot off over Seve Deery-Deraps. Hayley contributed off the bench and was one of eight Lynx who scored.