Boys Basketball Team

Mission:

We have created this team to help give examples of cooperation and healthy living. Students become “student-athletes” and are responsible for maintaining a GPA of 2.0, and expected to positively contribute to each classroom for eligibility. Students have regular practice twice a week during their Physical Education classes, and are required to attend a study hall if their GPA is at any time below a 3.0. We watch video of the previous game and analyze the actions, finding ways to improve individual/group.

->Click HERE to enter the basketball team’s GOOGLE website

2009-2010 SEASON:

Date Time Location Home Away

Dec 15 2009 4:30 Barreto PACHS v Latino Youth W-

Mon 1/25/10 4:30pm Von Humboldt Gym Mandela vs. Campos L-

Tue 1/26/10 4:30pm Baretto Campos vs. Prologue L-

Tue 2/02/10 4:30pm Windy City Campos vs. Innovations L-

Tue 2/09/10 4:30pm Baretto Campos vs. Houston W-

Wed 2/10/10 4:30pm Olive Harvey College OHMC vs. Campos N/A

Tue 3/02/10 4:30pm Baretto Campos vs. L. Youth W-

Tue 3/09/10 4:30pm Baretto Campos vs. J. Addams L-

Tue 3/23/10 4:30pm Baretto Campos vs. Sullivan

Wed 3/24/10 4:00pm Windy City YCLA vs. Campos

Tue 4/06/10 4:30pm Baretto Campos vs. CYDI

April 12th PLAYOFFS

PACHS v Jane Adams
3/9/10 Barreto’s Boys and Girls Club

2009-10 PACHS

PACHS v Latino Youth
3/2/2010 Barreto’s Boys and Girls Club
“Sharing is Caring”

I was not sure if I was in the right place, when I walked into the gym Tuesday night. My schedule said Albizu Campos was playing Latino Youth, but they didn’t look like the Albizu Campos Basketball team that I have seen last month. That team had lost three straight games by a combined 65 points! This team was winning. Was it the new shiny white and red jerseys? Was it the fact that the bench had five substitutes that were eligible to play? Or maybe it was the fact that the strange looking team in the white jerseys were passing the ball. Yes that was it! The team with the “PACHS” across the chest was sharing the basketball… and they were successful.

The first quarter started off shaky, with Latino Youth out-rebounding PACHS as if they were giants playing against First graders. PACHS got opportunities to score, but did not find their rhythm on defense. When Kique, Senior Forward, stole the ball and passed it brilliantly to Benito for a fast break, the team found some “swagger.” The team all of a sudden disappeared, and a strange team showed up that executed flawless “Give and Go” passes knifing through the Latino Youth defense. Who was this team? They were so unselfish, so quick to make decisions. They were starting to get rebounds, and even though they missed their first five lay-ups, they took the lead and did not let go of the lead the entire game.

The newest members of the team Kiole and Jonathan DJ, were instant contributors. Chris started the game with a very mellow vibe but picked up his game as Latino Youth closed the gap. Emmanuel Holmes, helped as point guard with the injured veteran Jonathan Cintron. Jesus Garcia was the catalyst and easily the most successful at converting the “Give and Go,” he opened the door for the rest of the team. Was it true? Was PACHS actually doing something in a game that they had done in practice? Who was this team? The answer was yelled from the crowd…

“Albizu!”

“Campos!!”

“Albizu!”

“Campos!!”

Albizu Campos – 51 Latino Youth – 35

Edit by Raymond “RJ” Rodriguez

PACHS v Innovations

2/2/10 Game Five

Windy City Field House

“Ouch”

-RJ Rodriguez

The game started off with a fury of fouls and aggressive play. It would be the preview of things to come for the PACHS Basketball team. The full court press was intense, and the team would yet again not be able to get across the half court line without a intercepted pass, a steal, a foul, or a traveling call. Before we knew it the score was 28-0 at the end of the first quarter.

Senior leader Jonathan Cintron, decided to take a more assertive role and used his power and quickness to get passed the press. However, he was not able to find his teammates or score any baskets. He found himself getting frustrated that he was obviously getting fouled but not getting the call. The second half, as the score gap between the two teams mirrored more of a canyon than an easy hurdle, Jonathan would sacrifice his own health for the team. He tried to take on three defenders and would roll his ankle. The next day the team would find out that he spent the night in the hospital.

Benito, Ramon, Chris, Ricardo, Emmanuel and Kelvin all stayed on the court, but seemed to turn from a feeling of competitiveness to an emotion of playfulness. The gap was too big. The other team had too many subs. The players turned to themselves and did not pass any more. They did not want to lose face as an individual. Pachs would lose 60-19 The team concept was lost. This attitude, says some of the team players, is making people want to quit the team.

The PACHS Basketball team will have to find strength in each other when they play Houston (an alternative school from the far south side of Chicago), Tuesday 2/09/10 5pm at Barreto’s Gym.

PACHS v Prologue

1/26/10 Game four

Barreto’s Gym

“One Team”

-RJ Rodriguez

As expected, Prologue immediately attacked PACHS with a stretched 2 – 1 – 2 zone. Their zone was as good as a full court pressure, because they reached all ends of the gym. PACHS point guard Benito, struggled to pass their long reaching defenders. The only success was the speed that he had forcing the defenders to foul him if Prologue wanted to stop him. This was not something Benito could consistently accomplish, so he had to turn to Jonathan Cintron to take over. Senior leader Jonathan was up to the test. He spoke with confidence in the huddle and his actions then backed up his words. The determination helped keep Prologue to only a 5-point advantage after the first quarter.

The Prologue team did not let up, scoring every time PACHS turned the ball over. With an average team height that only our center would top, they were physically stronger, better stamina, better disciplined and showed more teamwork. What PACHS didn’t have, they made up for in heart and determination. Yes, they were losing badly. Yes, it was in front of their home fans. But they did not give up. They found solace in knowing that although they could not play against Prologue’s full court press, they had trouble scoring when faced with a man to man defense, and were not getting the calls to go their way, they did do well against the typical 2 – 3 zone. Prologue showed excellent sportsmanship by pulling back the full court pressure, with their 25-point advantage in the second half.

The highlights of the game came through Student athletes finding ways to make up for mistakes. Chris Williams was turning the ball over with his passes, but found ways to get some great rebounds over the Prologue team. Emmanuel was almost invisible first half but then made a name for himself second half with easy put backs and aggressive play in the paint. Jonathan Cintron did have turnovers but found a way to be the leading scorer, wisely finding ways to get to the free throw line. Hector Reyes had a great game playing more minutes than usual, and although he didn’t start off making smart decisions, he played a key role in breaking the traps and even sinking a couple of jumpers. Kelvin Aponte could not hold on to the ball on offense but made up for it with his presence on defense in the lane. Kique fouled out in the second half and got into an argument with teammate Hector, but he was very strong in the paint playing through an illness.

In the end, the game was as brutal as the freezing wind outside. Losing 22 – 60, does not feel good no matter how you try to look at it. However, The PACHS basketball team walked off of the court as it entered… as a team.

1-14-10 PACHS v YCLA Game Three

Jackson Park

“Black Ice and Blueberries”

-RJ Rodriguez

Every year, Chicago has a brutal winter that reminds you just how powerful the universe can be. The temperature fluctuates a great deal, from warm to cold to warm to freezing. “Black ice” is when snow melts and then freezes, forming a thin layer as dark as the streets and sidewalks. Most people don’t notice it until it is too late. Sometimes, the only evidence is the black and blue bruise on your backside. Sometimes, people watch you fall and laugh until they are blue in the face. Sometimes, you look like you sat in a basket of blueberries.

Thursday, January 14, 2010, the PACHS Boys Basketball team slipped on some black ice. Fresh off of a one-point loss in overtime to Mandela two days prior, they walked into Jackson Park Gym. The gym was beautiful, and the game started like any other game. The PACHS opponent, YCLA, was no taller than the PACHS basketball team. They did not look any older, wiser, stronger; they didn’t look like they were going to beat PACHS by thirty points. But sometimes, you don’t see things coming, even if they are right in front of your face.

YCLA won the tip and scored almost immediately. PACHS then faced the first “press” they have seen this year. The PACHS point guard was Octavian (Oxe). As the game progressed, PACHS started to realize that they could not just pass it to Oxe and let him do all the work. Desperately, the PACHS coach called two time outs in the first quarter to readjust the game plan. YCLA continued to make easy baskets after stealing it from the lonely point guard. However, when PACHS was finally down twelve to zero, they experienced a moment of clarity. The team started to understand that it takes teamwork to overcome intense pressure.

PACHS then remembered what got them one win and one nail-biting almost-win. They took the ball strong to the rim to draw fouls. PACHS started scoring from the charity stripe. But PACHS carried their free throw problems with them from the last game. Although it was helping them get easy shots, it was not helping them catch up. Neither was PACHS shooting guard Jonathan’s early exit from the game. His intense defense helped bring some life to the team, but it also took him out of the game at the beginning of the second Quarter.

PACHS tried to start the second half with a man-to-man defense. This strategy worked in the Mandela game and created turnovers, leading to easy baskets. Not against YCLA. They may not have been taller but they were in better shape. They may not have been older or stronger, but they were faster. YCLA would eventually win 59-30.

Three years ago, PACHS played in the very same gym. Three years ago, PACHS lost by a very similar score. The difference from three years ago to now, is that the old team saw three players walk off of the court in disgust and anger, quitting in front of their own teammates. This year’s team stayed and played through the frustration and embarrassment. There were a lot of people in the gym watching PACHS fall on black ice. They will have some bruises the next day, some hidden, some visible. In the end, bruises fade, and PACHS will be more aware watching where they are stepping.

PACHS v Mandela Academy

1-12-10 VonHumboldt Gym Game Two

“The Slippery Floor”

-RJ Rodriguez

Twenty minutes behind schedule, the undefeated PACHS basketball team took the court. They were displaced from their home gym at Barreto’s because of an unforeseen schedule change. Von Humboldt Elementary school would be the first away home game of the season. As the gym lights slowly flickered on, the PACHS basketball team took their warm up shots and formed two layup lines… taking turns and practicing focus. As a blessing, they were able to have eleven eligible players! Student athletes were working hard to stay on the team and have the ability to represent Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos High School. As Student Athletes took their practice layups, many of them were slipping from the dusty floor.

Winnie Mandela Academy, an alternative high school from the south side of Chicago showed up ready to play, and amidst the slipping and sliding, they were very focused on their layups and jump shots. The PACHS basketball coaches Juan and Raymond, noticed their players’ attention slipping from their own shots to the team from down south. It was a team that showed intimidation by touching the ten-foot rim every time they took a layup. PACHS players missed the ball from easy passes… “Focus!” Ray would bark at his Student Athletes, and he could tell that their feet would not be the only things slipping that night.

The PACHS team was excited, nervous, anxious, scared all in the same moment. The birthday boy Jesus Garcia, had found a friend to cover his shift at work that night and was able to spend his birthday night with his team. His daughter and girlfriend sat in the only chair in the gym accompanied by ten to twelve standing PACHS faithful, including the always loud, always positive, Principal Matthew Alec Rodriguez. He again had his megaphone and was constantly getting the crowd excited as he pretended to coach across the gym from where the team stood. The two teams were not given benches this night and were forced to stand. It was almost as if the gym knew that this game would go down to the wire and decided “What would be the point? Everyone will be standing in the end anyways, so why bother with setting up chairs?”

The game was slow as the players looked like Bambi on ice trying to slip and slide to the hoop. It took almost six minutes for the first basket to be scored. PACHS took the quick lead and was on a roll. There were fast break points, rebounds and even some unselfish play displayed by the passing. The game plan was again, to take the ball to the hole and get fouled. However, this night, there would not be a student athlete to save us at the free throw line. The PACHS team was fouled, hacked, hit, grabbed and the times the referee did blow the whistle, the charity stripe was more of a punishment than a reward. A “Brick,” is when a player shoots the ball and instead of going in the rim for a score, it loudly hits the rim and sails away from an easy one-point advantage. The PACHS student athletes could have built a small doghouse with all of the bricks that they created this night. When you shoot a free throw, no one is allowed to move, the gym gets silent and it is You vs. You.

The PACHS basketball team was lead again by Emmanuel Holmes on the rebounding. Although he was shorter and younger than the other team, his heart was stronger than theirs. He was very active, keeping the poorly-took jump shots in play. The PACHS guards were very happy to have Octavian and Jonathan back on the team but they definitely showed their rust and lack of playing time by some unfortunate turnovers. Aside from the turnovers, they added the offense and defensive intensity that was needed to look like a fully functioning team.

Every quarter found the PACHS team with a lead. After only scoring about four points in the first quarter, the team remembered the game plan, “Win at the free throw line,” and had big man Kike took the ball strong to the hole. The birthday boy was clutch in reminding the guards how successful we can be if the ball goes to our big men. The majority of the game found a PACHS student athlete at the free throw line. Although they were bricks, it still showed the teams’ ability to play smart basketball as a team.

The Winnie Mandela team found its way back, as they realized that they were taller and faster. They were inspired by incredible point guard play and climbed back to gaining their first lead of the game in the fourth quarter.

Confused and out of shape the PACHS team put in their best ice skater, Ricardo, to slide all over the court sticking to their point guard like glue. His tenacity allowed the defense to focus on other players and the Mandela team was stifled. Ricardo, allowed the PACHS team to build a comfortable lead. Much like the feet, the lead slipped away from PACHS. The team would be taken into over time and then lose at the buzzer with a Mandela three point jump shot. The (PACHS) team, fans, and coaches were devastated by the score. The game had drained all energy from everyone involved, even the scoreboard ladies were jumping up and down. Later, the head custodian would pull Raymond (PACHS coach) aside and go on and on about how impressed and excited he was. Everyone that showed up for the game was treated to an extremely thrilling game. There were screams of joy, anger, laughter, elation, and then finally devastation. More importantly, the custodian was happy that so many teens were doing something productive instead of slipping into something dangerous in the streets.

PACHS – 29 Mandela Academy – 30

PACHS v Latino Youth

12/15/2009 Game One

Barreto’s Boys and Girls Club Paseo Boricua

“Undefeated!”

-RJ Rodriguez

Cold air blew through the Barreto’s Boys and Girls club gym as the Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos Boys Basketball (PACHS) team got off to a slow start. As if the legs and arms were cold from the Chicago chill, the offense could not get going in the first quarter. The team’s opponent, Latino Youth, came into the gym with fire and intensity. They powered the middle by a gigantic center numbered 53, an energetic point guard numbered 4, and a slasher number 32. PACHS center, Kike had is hands full in the paint with their giant, and the PACHS zone was giving up early jump shots that allowed the Latino Youth team to gain a 10 point lead in the first half. PACHS point guard and community scholar, Benito played the entire game taking care of the ball not allowing any turn overs.

As the game continued at a frantic pace the PACHS team was wearing down the Latino Youth defense, and as PACHS guards were fouled they would go to the charity stripe (the free throw line) and shoot two. It is called the charity stripe because it is supposed to be an easy basket. However, PACHS could not make a free throw to save their lives! Missing almost ten free throws in the first half. It was almost as if the rim had a closed door, because the way that the ball hit the rim sounded like someone was knocking on the door.

In the second half… someone answered the door… it was Chris Williams. Making four free throws in a row due to Latino Youth’s excessive fouls and a foolish technical foul committed by their number 32, Chris brought PACHS back to striking distance. The giant then fouled out and the middle of the lane was suddenly empty. PACHS Forwards Emmanuel and Jesus got rebounds and that led to Latino Youth committing more fouls. Through Chris’ leadership, PACHS started making free throws. Latino Youth #32 hit a clutch three pointer to bring them within one point. PACHS wisely called a time out and decided not to push but to slow it down with one minute remaining. If Latino Youth fouled PACHS, they would be heading to the charity stripe AGAIN.

Benito controlled the ball well after the time out, but Latino Youth left the middle of the floor wide open. Jesus and Benito combined for a quick give and go pass, and Benito hit a mid-range jump shot to put PACHS up by three. In disgust, a Latino Youth player slammed the ball down getting a technical foul called. PACHS sent Chris Williams to the line again. He made the first one and finally missed a free throw. With 3 seconds remaining on the clock Latino Youth had time for one more shot. Wisely, the PACHS team did not foul the last shot to allow a four point play. In the end, PACHS escaped their first home game with a come from behind win 39-35. The completely filled bleachers were elated and embraced the team chanting “Albizu”! “Campos!” “Albizu”! “Campos!” “Albizu”! “Campos!”

2008-2009 SEASON

OUR FIRST WIN!!! Game Five: 2/17/2009 PACHS v Jane Adams HS

Game Four: 2/12/2009 PACHS v ASA

Game Three: 1/20/2009 PACHS v Bronzeville