DO YOU KNOW YOUR NEWS? ANSWERS AND
2 | thesignpostwsu.com | February 14, 2023 2 7Th AnNuaL StoRyte ing StiVaI Feb. 27- March 1
2023 FEATURED STORYTELLERS Sheila Arnold Valentina Ortiz Bil Lepp All events are FREE! Seating limited. Arrive early. Todos los eventos son GRATIS! Los asientos son limitados. Llegue temprano. weber.edu/storytelling | 801.626.7515
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EXPLANATIONS ON PAGE 15
ASPYN JONES | The Signpost
By ALMA BELL Reporter
By MEGAN SWANN Reporter
Every Valentine’s Day many couple’s race out to buy the best gift for their partners. But what about those who have just gone through a breakup? With all the lovey-dovey messages and energy going around, what are they supposed to do with all their sadness and anger? Look no further, we have compiled a list of good “anti-Valentine’s” movies and songs to help recently single people through this difficult time of the year.
“Marriage Story”
If you need to uncontrollably sob for days, “Marriage Story” is for you. Sometimes all you want is to watch other people’s lives fall apart. In “Marriage Story,” Charlie and Nicole deal with the struggles of going through a divorce, dissecting their dynamic about whether or not they truly loved each other, who helped the other out more, and who should have custody over their son.
“Do Revenge”
This movie takes strong influences from the dark teen comedies of the 80’s and 90’s and is a great watch if you are still in the anger phase of your breakup.
Welcome to the pastel world of Rosehill Country Day High School. When Drea’s boyfriend sends her private video to the whole school, Drea teams up with the new girl, Eleanor, who also has an ex she wants to get revenge on. The girls decide to take on the other one’s rival so as not to get caught. As
the girls start putting their plans into action, Eleanor gets a classic teen movie makeover, and Drea starts working at the school farm. Why “Do Revenge?” Because sometimes you just want to see people get their just desserts.
“We Broke Up”
Still friends with your ex? Watch this. Despite being together for years, couple Lori and Doug break up the night before Lori’s sister, Bea, has her wedding. To avoid causing a scene at the wedding, they decide to attend the event as if they were still together. Although they get back together in the end, this is still an amazing movie to watch during a breakup because nothing is better than a fake dating trope.
“Mademoiselle de Joncquières”
(“Lady J”)
Wanting to cry but in a French coquette type of way?
In this French regency-era film, Madame de La Pommeraye is betrayed by a possible suitor, Marquis des Arcis, so she gets in contact with an old neighbor, Madame de Joncquières. Madame de Joncquières and her daughter, Mademoiselle de Joncquières, work at a brothel and are down on their luck, but have hopes of getting Marquis des Arcis to fall in love with the daughter and steal his riches.
This movie is perfect for those Janeites that have “Sense and Sensibility,” “Pride and Prejudice” and “Clueless” memorized forward and back and desperately want something similar.
“My Valentine”
Wishing Valentine’s Day was a little more like Halloween? This movie is the perfect Valentine’s Day horror movie. Pop singer Valentine has recently broken up with her ex Royal, who also happened to be her manager. Royal has now taken Valentine’s artistic identity to try and make his new girlfriend, Trezzure, a star. The two girls end up in a venue together after hours, and it gets bloody. This is perfect for those of us who are complete horror fanatics but want something a little more timely than Myers or Krueger can give.
Just broke up? Try adding these songs to your playlist and if you don’t feel all the way better, you’ll at least get some emotions out by the end.
“Before He Cheats”- Carrie Underwood
Carrie Underwood puts the “girlboss” in “gaslight, gatekeep, girlboss,” making this the perfect screaming-while-driving song. From keying her ex’s car to slashing the tires, this song describes an elaborate revenge-fantasy. If you’re feeling rage this Valentine’s Day, this one is for you – just keep away from their car.
“Crazy”- Patsy Cline
For being written in 1961, Patsy Cline’s “Crazy,” still resonates for people that are going through a rough breakup. Lamenting a love that was stolen, Cline sings, “I knew you’d love me as long as you wanted / And then someday, you’d leave me for some-
body new.”
This song is perfect for when you’re looking out the window and pretending you’re in a music video.
“In the Kitchen”- Reneé Rapp
Fans of Olivia Rodrigo’s “drivers license,” should give this one a listen. Much like how Rodrigo sees her ex-lover in traffic, Rapp is haunted by the love that once warmed her now-empty home. Detailing the arc of “strangers-to-lovers-to-enemies,” Rapp provides a cautionary tale about the less pleasant feelings love can evoke.
“All I Wanted”- Paramore
This song is perfect if you have some subtle, quiet anger about a love that went wrong. Let that anger go by belting this one. The song starts out slow and melancholic, but transitions into a raging final chorus. If your Valentine’s Day includes looking through old text messages and photos, then consider this for background music.
“Why Won’t You Love Me”- 5 Seconds of Summer
This song is for those in their pining era. Its yearning vocals are perfect to cry in the shower with after you sent yet another unopened text. After all, it asks the burning question: why won’t you love me? Until you figure out that answer, I highly recommend streaming this song.
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By SIMON MORTENSEN
A year with conference championships and groundbreaking changes, 2022 was quite a ride for Weber State University athletics. Today, on Valentine’s Day, it’s time to look at the four things fans loved about the Wildcats’ last year as well as something that broke their hearts.
A bittersweet passing of the torch
After Weber State’s men’s basketball team lost in the semifinals of the Big Sky conference tournament, fans knew they’d have to say goodbye to star players like guard Koby McEwen, forward JJ Overton and center Dontay Bassett. But on May 16, the Wildcat
basketball community was shocked to hear about the retirement of 16-year head coach Randy Rahe.
This came as a surprise to even players like forward Dillon Jones. Knowing the forward would receive offers during the offseason, Rahe convinced Jones to stay with the Wildcats.
“Those were the conversations we had at the end of the year,” Jones said to The Signpost in July. “It was nothing about him retiring. It was about trying to win the championship next year.”
Although heartbreaking to lose the winningest coach in the program’s history, the announcement of Rahe’s replacement felt right. After coaching under Rahe for 16 seasons, assistant coach Eric Duft was promoted.
“My goal was to stay here and help coach Rahe as long as he wanted to do it, and when he didn’t want to do it, I wanted to be the head coach of Weber State,” Duft said to The Signpost in July.
Beating teams like Utah State University this season, Duft has made a strong first impression as head coach. With an 8–6 in-confer-
ence record, Weber State is currently No. 3 in the Big Sky standings.
A vindicating upset
Before the start of 2022, Weber State’s women’s basketball team enjoyed some success. Winning their first game of the season as well as a game against Montana State University to close out 2021, Weber State had a 6–6 record. The rest of the season, however, did not go as smoothly. After beating the University of Montana on Jan. 1, 2022, the Wildcats went on a six-game losing streak. While there were blowouts like a 62–41 loss against the University of Idaho on Jan. 13, most of the games were lost by only a few points. From the start of 2022 till the end of the season, the Wildcats won only four of their 17 games — losing six of those games by 6 points or less.
Finishing No. 10 of 11 in the conference, Weber State came into their Big Sky tournament opener against Sacramento State University on March 7 as heavy underdogs. Despite falling behind in the first quarter, the Wildcats were able to beat the Hornets
74–64. Four players were able to score over 10 points on Weber State’s way to victory.
“I’m really proud of our players,” Wildcat head coach Velaida Harris said after the game. “They’re such fighters.”
Heartbreak: Jay Hill leaves
While continuing to list what fans loved about Weber State sports this season, it’s time to look at one thing that broke their hearts: the departure of Weber State football’s head coach, Jay Hill. Hill had been a staple of the program for nine seasons. The winningest coach in the Wildcats’ history, Hill led Weber State to four Big Sky titles and six FCS playoff appearances.
Following the Wildcats’ FCS playoff loss to Montana State on Dec. 3, Hill announced on Dec. 7 that he would be joining Brigham Young University as a defensive coordinator. “We will always be Wildcats and look forward to seeing Weber State always be great, great, great,” Hill said in his Thank You video to the university.
Offensive coordinator Mickey Mental has been appointed as the Wildcats’ new head
4 | thesignpostwsu.com | February 14, 2023
Section Editor
Weber State wins 2022 Big Sky Softball Tournament.
Robert Casey | Weber State Athletics
coach. Although excited for his tenure to start, fans will miss the first Weber State head coach since 1972 to bring home multiple conference championships.
Putting the L in Logan Weber State’s football team in 2021 hadn’t enjoyed the success they’d had in prior years. Finishing the season with a 6–5 overall record, the Wildcats failed to make the FCS playoffs.
Despite beating Western Oregon University 41–5 in their season-opening exhibition on Sept. 1, 2022, many still had doubts about the Wildcats. Quarterback Bronson Barron threw for only 152 yards and had 0 touchdown passes against the Division II opponent.
Heading into their matchup against Utah State on Sept. 10, Weber State was not favored. The Wildcats hadn’t won a game against the Aggies since 1978.
Finishing with 401 yards of total offense and keeping Utah State to just 283, Weber State beat the Aggies 35–7. Mental’s fastpaced, no-huddle offense dominated Utah
State while the Wildcat’s defense held the Aggies offense to 0 points.
“We had DB’s in the office every day this week,” Hill said. “They just played absolutely outstanding.”
Matching the football team’s success, the men’s basketball team beat Utah State 75–72 in Logan on Dec. 19. With a 4–7 record, the Wildcats were seen as the underdogs against the then-undefeated Aggies.
After dominating Weber State in the first half, many believed the game would be a blowout. Down 43–29 at halftime, however, the Wildcats rallied back and scored 46 points in the second.
“Before that game, we just said to each other that they’re going to be 9–1,” Wildcat guard KJ Cunningham said. “The whole game, we were going to be like, ‘They’re going to get their first loss today, and it’s going to be against this team.’”
The Big Sky’s best ever
It seemed like Weber State was headed back to the NCAA tournament in 2021. Their
15–3 in-conference record had deemed them the regular season champions. For as dominant as they were in the regular season, however, the Wildcats were not able to enjoy success in the Big Sky tournament after losing 2–1 to Portland State University on May 13, 2022 and then being eliminated by Sacramento State after a 4–3 loss on May 14.
That offseason, the Wildcats brought in talented freshmen like catchers Mika Chong and Carlye Davis, outfielders Marissa Cerda and Gianna Memoli and infielder Abby Grundy.
To add to their stacked lineup, Weber State brought in fifth-year pitcher Arissa Henderson from BYU. With the Cougars, Henderson won 2019 West Coast conference pitcher of the year and had been a part of multiple conference championship-winning teams.
The Wildcats dominated both in and out of the conference that season, beating teams like Texas A&M University; University of Las Vegas, Nevada; San Diego State University and the University of Utah.
Weber State started their in-conference schedule with an eight-game win streak. Finishing with a 15–3 Big Sky record the previous season, the Wildcats went 13–1 in-conference and 38–12 overall. To solidify themselves as the most dominant team in Big Sky history, Weber State run-ruled every playoff opponent on their way to a conference title.
Following the title, the Wildcats became the first team in the history of the Big Sky to be selected as a third seed for the NCAA tournament.
Weber State fans went through multiple ups-and-downs, but overall, we had a good 2022. With the softball season now underway and Big Sky basketball conference tournaments starting soon, fans will get a glimpse into what 2023 has in store.
February 14, 2023 | thesignpostwsu.com | 5
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First practice of the 2022 football season.
Randy Rahe retired after 16 years as the head coach at Weber State.
BIG SKY CONFERENCE
Weber State women’s basketball team at Big Sky Tournament 2022.
WEBER STATE ATHLETICS
Robert Casey Weber State Athletics
By SIMON MORTENSEN Section Editor
Un año con campeonatos de conferencia y cambios revolucionarios, 2022 fue todo un paseo para el atletismo de la Universidad Weber State. Hoy, en el Día de San Valentín, es hora de mirar las cuatro cosas que los fanáticos amaron sobre el último año de los Wildcats, así como algo que rompió sus corazones.
Un agridulce paso de la antorcha
Después de que el equipo masculino de baloncesto de Weber State perdiera en las semifinales del torneo de la conferencia Big Sky, los aficionados sabían que tendrían que decir adiós a jugadores estrella como el escolta Koby McEwen, el alero JJ Overton y el pívot Dontay Bassett. Pero el 16 de mayo, la comunidad de baloncesto de los Wildcats se sorprendió al enterarse de la jubilación de Randy Rahe, entrenador durante 16 años.
Esto sorprendió incluso a jugadores como el alero Dillon Jones. Sabiendo que el alero recibiría ofertas durante la temporada baja, Rahe convenció a Jones para que se quedara con los Wildcats.
“Esas fueron las conversaciones que tuvimos al final del año”, dijo Jones a The Signpost en julio. “No se trataba de que se retirara. Se trataba de intentar ganar el campeonato el año que viene”.
Aunque resulta desgarrador perder al entrenador más ganador de la historia del pro-
grama, el anuncio del sustituto de Rahe fue acertado. Tras 16 temporadas a las órdenes de Rahe, el entrenador ayudante Eric Duft fue ascendido.
“Mi objetivo era quedarme aquí y ayudar al entrenador Rahe mientras él quisiera hacerlo, y cuando él no quisiera, quería ser el entrenador jefe de Weber State”, dijo Duft a The Signpost en julio.
Tras derrotar a equipos como la Universidad de Utah State esta temporada, Duft ha causado una buena primera impresión como entrenador jefe. Con un récord de 8-6 en la conferencia, Weber State es actualmente el número 4 en la clasificación de la Big Sky.
Un revés reivindicativo
Antes del comienzo de 2022, el equipo de baloncesto femenino de Weber State disfrutó de cierto éxito. Ganando su primer partido de la temporada, así como un partido contra la Universidad Estatal de Montana para cerrar 2021, Weber State tuvo un récord de 6-6. El resto de la temporada, sin embargo, no fue tan bien.
Después de vencer a la Universidad de Montana el 1 de enero de 2022, los Wildcats entraron en una racha de seis partidos perdidos. Aunque hubo goleadas, como la derrota por 62-41 contra la Universidad de Idaho el 13 de enero, la mayoría de los partidos se perdieron por pocos puntos.
Desde el comienzo de 2022 hasta el final de la temporada, los Wildcats ganaron sólo cuatro de sus 17 partidos - perdiendo seis de esos partidos por 6 puntos o menos.
Terminando No. 10 de 11 en la conferencia, Weber State llegó a su apertura del torneo Big Sky contra la Universidad Estatal de Sacramento el 7 de marzo como grandes perdedores.
A pesar de ir por detrás en el marcador en el primer cuarto, los Wildcats fueron capaces de vencer a los Hornets por 74-64. Cuatro jugadores fueron capaces de anotar más de 10 puntos en el camino de Weber State a la victoria.
“Estoy muy orgullosa de nuestras jugado-
ras”, dijo Velaida Harris tras el partido. “Son unas luchadoras”.
Desconsuelo: Jay Hill se va Mientras continuamos enumerando lo que los aficionados amaron de los deportes de Weber State esta temporada, es hora de mirar una cosa que rompió sus corazones: la partida del entrenador en jefe de fútbol de Weber State, Jay Hill.
Hill había sido un elemento básico del programa durante nueve temporadas. El entrenador más ganador en la historia de los Wildcats, Hill llevó a Weber State a cuatro títulos de la Big Sky y seis apariciones en los playoffs de la FCS.
Tras la derrota de los Wildcats en los playoffs de la FCS ante Montana State el 3 de diciembre, Hill anunció el 7 de diciembre que se incorporaría a la Brigham Young University como coordinador defensivo.
“Siempre seremos Wildcats y esperamos ver a Weber State ser siempre grande, grande, grande”, dijo Hill en su vídeo de agradecimiento a la universidad.
El coordinador ofensivo Mickey Mental ha sido nombrado nuevo entrenador jefe de los Wildcats. Aunque está emocionado por el comienzo de su mandato, los aficionados echarán de menos al primer entrenador de Weber State desde 1972 en traer a casa múltiples campeonatos de conferencia.
La L de Logan
El equipo de fútbol de Weber State en 2021 no había disfrutado del éxito que había tenido en años anteriores. Terminando la temporada con un récord general de 6-5, los Wildcats no lograron entrar en los playoffs de la FCS.
A pesar de vencer a Western Oregon University 41-5 en su exhibición de apertura de temporada el 1 de septiembre de 2022, muchos todavía tenían dudas sobre los Wildcats. El mariscal de campo Bronson Barron lanzó para sólo 152 yardas y tuvo 0 pases de touchdown contra el oponente de la División II.
De cara a su enfrentamiento contra Utah
State el 10 de septiembre, Weber State no era favorita. Los Wildcats no habían ganado un partido contra los Aggies desde 1978.
Con 401 yardas de ataque total y manteniendo a Utah State en sólo 283, Weber State venció a los Aggies por 35-7. La rápida ofensiva de Mental dominó a Utah State, mientras que la defensa de los Wildcats mantuvo a 0 puntos a la ofensiva de los Aggies.
“Tuvimos DB en la oficina todos los días de esta semana”, dijo Hill. “Simplemente jugaron absolutamente excepcional”. Igualando el éxito del equipo de fútbol, el equipo de baloncesto masculino venció a Utah State 75-72 en Logan el 19 de diciembre.
Con un récord de 4-7, los Wildcats fueron vistos como los perdedores contra los entonces invictos Aggies.
Después de dominar a Weber State en la primera parte, muchos creyeron que el partido sería un partidazo. Sin embargo, con una desventaja de 43-29 en el descanso, los Wildcats remontaron y anotaron 46 puntos en la segunda parte.
“Antes del partido, nos decíamos unos a otros que iban a ser 9-1”, dijo el escolta de los Wildcats KJ Cunningham. “Durante todo el partido nos decíamos: ‘Hoy van a sufrir su primera derrota, y va a ser contra este equipo’”.
Los mejores del Big Sky
Parecía que Weber State iba a volver al torneo de la NCAA en 2021. Su récord de 15-3 en la conferencia los había considerado los campeones de la temporada regular. Sin embargo, a pesar de lo dominantes que fueron en la temporada regular, los Wildcats no pudieron disfrutar del éxito en el torneo de la Big Sky tras perder por 2-1 ante la Universidad de Portland State el 13 de mayo de 2022 y ser eliminados por Sacramento State tras perder por 4-3 el 14 de mayo.
En la temporada baja, los Wildcats incorporaron a talentosas jugadoras de primer año como las receptoras Mika Chong y Car-
6 | thesignpostwsu.com | February 14, 2023
POR MARIANNA LOPEZ-LURITTA
Traductor
lye Davis, las jugadoras de campo Marissa Cerda y Gianna Memoli y la jugadora interior Abby Grundy.
Para añadir a su alineación apilada, Weber State trajo a la lanzadora de quinto año Arissa Henderson de BYU. Con los Cougars, Henderson ganó el premio a la lanzadora del año de la conferencia de la Costa Oeste en 2019 y había formado parte de varios equipos ganadores del campeonato de la conferencia.
Los Wildcats dominaron tanto dentro como fuera de la conferencia esa temporada, venciendo a equipos como la Universidad de Texas A & M; Universidad de Las Vegas, Nevada; Universidad Estatal de San Diego y la Universidad de Utah.
Weber State comenzó su calendario dentro de la conferencia con una racha de ocho victorias consecutivas. La temporada anterior, los Wildcats terminaron con un récord de 15-3 en la Big Sky, 13-1 en la conferencia y 38-12 en la clasificación general.
Para consolidarse como el equipo más
dominante de la historia de la Big Sky, Weber State arrolló a todos sus rivales en los playoffs camino del título de la conferencia.
Tras el título, los Wildcats se convirtieron en el primer equipo en la historia de la Big Sky en ser seleccionado como tercer cabeza de serie para el torneo de la NCAA.
Los aficionados de Weber State pasaron por múltiples altibajos, pero en general, tuvimos un buen 2022. Con la temporada de softball ahora en marcha y los torneos de la conferencia de baloncesto Big Sky comenzando pronto, los aficionados podrán echar un vistazo a lo que 2023 tiene en la tienda.
February 14, 2023 | thesignpostwsu.com | 7
ROBERT CASEY WEBER STATE ATHLETICS ROBERT CASEY | WEBER STATE ATHLETICS
Weber State wins 2022 Big Sky Softball Tournament.
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First practice of the 2022 football season.
To: Sara
These things now for my companions I shall sing beautifully my darling one what country girl seduces your wits wearing a country dress not knowing how to pull the cloth to her ankles o beautiful o graceful one may you sleep on the breast of your delicate friend
You came and I was crazy for you and you cooled my mind that burned with longing I am broken with longing for a boy by slender aphrodite
I love everyone because I love you
-Love: Your acolyte
To: Ella
Why are artichokes so beloved? They’re known for their hearts. Thank you for always having the biggest heart! So very glad I get to work with you!
-Love: Jessica
To: Jessica Oyler
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
As you take EMSS out of sight! For the ends of being and ideal grace, And WSU to all, be the favored place!
-Love: Oh, you know. ;)
To: Raegan
To: FRCH 3650 Students
Je vous adore! Merci pour êtres des supers étudiants!
-Love: Prof Jones-Rousseau
To: Guitar Boy
Your songs are still stuck in my head. I wish you would play them again for me.
-Love: Anonymous
To:The Signpost staff
Raegan, you are my everything! Thank you for your kindness and thoughtfulness. I don’t know what I would do without you and the endless hours laughing until our stomach hurts. These last three years at Weber have been so fun with you, and I’m grateful to have known you my entire life! I’m grateful for our friendship, and all the wonderful advice you’ve given me. Truly my sister in every way. I love you, have the happiest Valentines Day! Filled with love and wonderful thoughts about YOU Here’s to many more years of adventures together!:)
To: G.F
Every day I am reminded of how I am the luckiest girl in the world to have you in my life. Thank you for your love and affection, honey!
-Love: M.A
I am so grateful for everything you all do for our wonderful newspaper. You all work so hard to make this paper as amazing as it is and I have so much love for every single one of you.
-Love: Your wonderful editor-in-chief
-Love: Miranda
To: Brisa
Happy Valentine’s day. I love you so much.
-Love: Eddie
8 | thesignpostwsu.com | February 14, 2023
To: Lupita
Your eyes glow warmly like sunshine, And I think that the way you make me smile when we’re together is a sign, So I wonder, will you be my valentine?
-Love: Sky
To: Boy with green shoes
Boy with the green shoes, I haven’t seen you since we met on the bus, but every day I wait hoping you’ll be there. I want to talk to you again.
-Love: Ella Kelly
To: FRCH 2020 Students
Vous rendez ma journée brillante! Merci!
-Love: Prof Jones-Rousseau
To: My Little Love Roses are red, Violets are blue, I want to fight capitalism and save our planet with you!
-Love: Luna
To: Lois Lane
To say “I love you” seems too small of words to express my undying devotion to you. You have given me wings to fly when life had crumpled those wings with sheared swords and terrible tar. You give me eyes to see when those eyes are weighed with the weight of the world and fogged with feared fog. You give me hope. You dare me to do better and inspire every hour. You’re a heavensent help. I cherish every day we spend together, even whose those days get blocked with business.
To: Grant Day
I love you.
Such a scary and compelling word
Something we gave meaning to
Yet it’s so hard to understand what that is
Sometimes it’s known as absolute adoration
Sometimes its known as sacrifice
Othertimes it’s known as lust
But for you Goddamn I just couldn’t find a better word then I love you.
-Love:FrenchJocelyn
To: Jaxon Winder
To: FRCH 1020 Students
Je vous adore! Y’all are the best!
-Love: Prof Jones-Rousseau
Jaxon, you’re the most caring, amazing person. Your ambitious attitude toward everything makes you who you are, which is breathtaking. We love you, Jaxon!!! Keep shining as you always are!
-Love: Anonymous
We take the time for each other. Find time for family. This is my world. YOU are my world. A world in an endlessly careening cosmos. Happy Valentine’s Day. I love you until the end of time.
-Love: Clark Kent
To: Jessica
With the passing grace of one more year, your closeness draws me far from here. So give me this, just one more year, I’ll draw you close, you’ll draw me near.
-Love: Benjamin
February 14, 2023 | thesignpostwsu.com | 9
By COLLYN COWLES Reporter
After a 73–63 win against Montana State University on Feb. 9, Weber State University’s men’s basketball team fell to the University of Montana 74–69 on Feb. 11 at the Dee Events Center.
Heading into the game, Weber State had a three-game winning streak over the Grizzlies with the last game being decided by a buzzer-beater from Wildcat guard Steven Verplancken Jr. Before Saturday, both teams had 13-12 Big Sky conference records. With similar styles of play, both teams were holding opponents to 68 points per game.
Montana held the biggest lead of the night as they went up 16-points over the Wildcats halfway through the second half. Although Weber State scored 16 more points in the paint, the Grizzlies were able
to dominate from the 3-point line, hitting 14 shots from beyond the arc compared to Weber State’s 8. Montana was able to shoot 56% from the 3-point line.
“After switching the defensive formation multiple times throughout the game, we realized that we need to stick to small ball defense,” Wildcat head coach Eric Duft said. “Typically, when we go small, we have a harder time guarding them.”
The Grizzlies starting guard Aanen Moody shot 5 for 10 from the three-point line, finishing the game with a total of 23 points and two assists.
The leading scorer for the Wildcats was Dillon Jones, who had a total of 21 points while only shooting the ball a total of 20 times throughout the game.
With Wildcat guard KJ Cunningham playing on a restricted amount of minutes due to an ankle injury, guard Zahir Porter was able
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to come off the bench and fill in the role, finishing with a total of 15 points, one assist and one steal throughout the game. This matchup only had one lead change throughout the entire game as Montana held the Wildcats off for a majority of the 40 minutes.
“I thought our plan was sound, but they executed better than we did,” Duft said.
After a big win over Montana State and a hard-to-swallow loss against Montana, Weber State sits at No. 3 in the Big Sky rankings. With a 13–13 record, the Wildcats have a total of five more games until the conference tournament in March.
Weber State will hit the road to take on Sacramento State University on Feb. 16 and Portland State on Feb. 18. The Wildcats’ next home game will be against Eastern Washington on Feb. 23.
10 | thesignpostwsu.com | February 14, 2023
U T A H A R T I S T F E L L O W S H I P S S u b m i t b y M a r c h 3 > a r t s a n d m u s e u m s u t a h g o v
Weber State Center position, Handje Tamba (#32) stealing the ball from a Montana State player.
MONTANA STATE ATHLETICS
By RAYSHAUN BAKER-LYNCH Asst. Section Editor
Weber State University’s men’s basketball team won in a battle against Montana State Bobcats 73–63 on Feb. 9 at the Dee Events Center.
Coming off a blowout 88–54 loss to the University of Northern Colorado on Feb. 6, the Wildcats were looking to get their first win against the Bobcats since Dec. 30, 2021.
Early in the first half of this game, Montana State guard Raequan Battle started scoring early, hitting a 3-pointer to go up early. Then Wildcat forward Dillon Jones came back down the other end to hit a go-ahead layup.
The scoring went back and forth for a while, with Montana State having a slight lead. Going into halftime, Montana State was up 39–34.
Going into the second half, Jones said he told the team they had to lock them down on the defensive side of the ball. He said the Wildcats were scoring but needed more stops to take the lead.
In the second half, Montana State came out in a zone defense to slow the Wildcats down. Their zone worked the first few possessions until the Wildcats figured it out and made a run. Weber State went on a 30–7 run to capture the lead by 14 points.
After the run, Weber State kept their distance. With 6:39 left, tempers rose when Wildcat center Alex Tew and Bobcats guard Raequan Battle both got technical fouls.
With 1:53 left, Montana State trimmed the lead to 6-points, but free throws from Wildcats forward Dyson Koehler and guard Junior Ballard sealed the game.
“We had some good post-defense tonight, credited to our team for being able to lock in and know what we’re doing,” Jones said. “We just had to get them to miss. We were making shots all night.”
Wildcats head coach Eric Duft said they won this game because of their players and that his belief in his players was on full display.
“We got their big guys to turn it over 11 times. I thought that was the difference in the game,” Duft said. “Coach Russel had a really good game plan. He knows them well, and
it’s a credit to our players. You better have the right guys this time of the year.”
Jones said this game shows how the team is maturing at the right time of the year.
“Nobody thought we were going to be good. In-house, we knew what it took. We knew how good we were,” Jones said. “When you look at our season, we basically played two seasons the way we started so bad you’ll never think our record is what it is.”
February 14, 2023 | thesignpostwsu.com | 11
SARA STAKER | The Signpost
Top Left: Zahir Porter passing the ball to a teammate. Bottom Left: Weber State’s MBB player, Steven Verplancken, with the ball at the game against Montana State. Right: Kaylie Sandou performing during halftime at the Weber State basketball game on Thursday.
SARA STAKER | The Signpost SARA STAKER | The Signpost
By SHANIA EMMETT Reporter
Most people associate Valentine’s Day with giving chocolates and gifts romantically, but in Japan and other Asian cultures, Valentine’s Day has been more thought of as a holiday for giving loved ones, friends and coworkers gifts.
Valentine’s Day in Japan is for women to give gifts to the men in their lives. It could be their friends, loved ones or co-workers who are close to them.
Then, on March 14, it’s the men’s turn to give gifts to the women who gave them gifts. The men give anything white. This day is called White Day. Common gifts such as clothing, white chocolate or white paper cranes can be given.
The main reason for White Day comes from what Japanese culture believes when it comes to gift-giving. People in Japan believe if someone receives something, they should give something back in return. This is called Okaeshi. It means gifts given
for receiving gifts.
“I love how much different the culture is with the holidays over in Japan compared to here and that the festivals are always so special with each piece of it representing something important,” Shelby Beckstead, a member of Cosplayers of Utah, said.
According to History.com, Valentine’s Day used to be known as Lupercalia, the pagan holiday that celebrated the she-wolf that took in Romulus and Remus. It was then changed to be called Valentine’s day in honor of Saint Valentine, a Catholic Saint.
“It was one of the Roman fertility festivals, and it was later converted into Saint Valentine’s Day by the Roman Catholic Church much in the same way that several other prolific pagan holidays were altered to more closely fit the church’s image,” Rhydian, a member of Cosplayers of Utah, said.
Rhydian has also pointed out that though both holidays have become increasingly commercialized as the years go on, they love that it isn’t centralized on romantic love; you
can give gifts to anyone close to you.
Valentine’s Day and White Day in Japan are also quite differently celebrated in this aspect when compared to Valentine’s Day in the United States.
In Japan, it is more focused on love in general and not necessarily romantic love. In fact, on Valentine’s Day in Japan, the chocolates are called obligation chocolates. Not because they are naturally obligated to give them, but because the men who are given the chocolates are close to the women in some way or another.
“I love celebrating those I care about,” Justine Carroll, a member of Cosplayers of Utah, said. “Sure I tell them I love them every day, but making them feel special once a year is something I love to do.”
