Daily Archives: August 10, 2022

Tayshaun Prince #22, Richard Hamilton #32, Chauncey Billups #1 and Lindsey Hunter #10 of the Detroit Pistons (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

The Detroit Pistons are one of the more storied teams in NBA history, especially if youre one of those fans that only counts the seasons following the NBA-ABA merger in 1976, as the Pistons are sixth in ring count in that time.

While there have been mistakes made and underwhelming seasons, the Pistons still won three of the most underrated championships in NBA history.

They also had plenty of great teams that didnt win titles, as the Pistons were very close on several occasions.

During this time, they have put together some great teams with great players on said teams. Although, many of these players are still waiting on the Hall of Fame nod. Once again, still rooting for you Chauncey!

Lets take a dive into the top-5 Detroit Pistons teams of all time.

Following the success that the Detroit Pistons had in the 2004, there were huge shoes to fill in the 2004-05 season. These shoes were most definitely filled as they would go on to make the Finals in their second consecutive season, falling short against the great San Antonio Spurs dynasty.

This was a team led by Chauncey Billups, Rip Hamilton, and Hall of Famer Ben Wallace that would win 54 games in the regular season before winning the Eastern Conference and losing to the Spurs in seven games.

This is the season that the Detroit Pistons set the franchise record for most wins in a season at 64 behind new head coach Flip Saunders, the coach that almost got the Minnesota Timberwolves to the Finals two years before.

Once again headed by the trio of Chauncey Billups, Hamilton, and Wallace, this team was one to be reckoned with as they rolled through the regular season and beat a young LeBron James in the second round only to meet the Dwyane Wade and Shaquille ONeal duo that would go on to win the championship.

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Detroit Pistons: Top five teams in franchise history - Piston Powered

BALTIMORE -- Drumming circles, cooking classes and dance performances are all on the schedule for a group of West Baltimore kids participating in a free summer enrichment program at The University of Maryland, Baltimore's Community Engagement Center.

Put on by Moving History, the program is designed to teach African culture and history and culture through hands-on immersive experiences.

"There's so many different types of learners," said Moving History director Breai Michele.

Over the course of several weeks, students will learn about the African diaspora during a cooking class, and how the Mali Empire used drums to communicate at long distances.

"If you're sitting in history class with a book talking about those things it's a little different than sitting down and learning the rhythms and understanding that this rhythm comes from a place," explained Michele, "embodying education is a really powerful way to really have a deep experience of the lesson."

The students will also participate in dance, step and voice classes. Soon-to-be 8th grader Cortly Witherspoon is really enjoying both cooking and drumming.

"It's a different thing when you're just being shown it. But when you actually get to do it, it's a fully immersive experience," said Witherspoon.

A fully immersive experience that Michele believes has the power to bring people together.

"If we can have people who love and respect themselves and in turn have people who are maybe outside of the community come in to learn and know and love that community because they've danced or played music or they've made art or they've made food. I really do think that we can have a more tightly woven community of people who are caring for one another," said Michele.

The summer program is just about over but Moving History offers programs throughout the school year.

Sean Streicher joined the WJZ news team as a reporter in the summer of 2019.

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Moving History's summer program takes a hands-on approach to teaching African culture - CBS Baltimore

FLINT Kearsleys football team is in the midst of an unprecedented stretch of success.

And the Hornets have no reason to believe its not going to continue.

They say theyre determined to extend a three-year playoff streak the longest in school history.

Were on the upswing and were trying to get better, said coach Shawn Fitzgerald. Last year, the general feeling around Kearsley in my opinion was new coach, losing (quarterback) Braylon Silvas and a bunch of other guys, being at Swartz Creek I came over and we expected Kearsley to be down a little bit.

On the other hand, we had an excellent senior class. Brendan Schanick was a 4.0 student and excellent leader for us. There were kind of what I like to call the bridge between the coach before us and our group.

Now I feel like weve got another extremely determined group.

Kearsley had never made the playoffs in consecutive seasons until beginning the current streak in 2019.

The Hornets last appearance before then was in 1998, when they posted a 9-0 regular-season record before losing in the regionals.

Kearsley isnt thinking that far ahead just yet but the Hornets already have one goal in mind.

The expectations are a Metro League championship, said senior Brayden Weidenehammer, a 5-foot-10, 195-pound quarterback. Always has been. We could have did it last year, some things just didnt work out.

I feel this year we have some people who seen what happened last year. Were driven to be in that position to win that (championship) game.

To do so, the Hornets will likely have to overcome some growing pains.

They have 12 sophomores on the varsity last year and at least four started as freshmen. That group included sophomore defensive lineman Keegan Roesner (5-11, 180).

Were still young, Fitzgerald said during a recent high school football media day at the Flint Farmers Market. Right now were struggling with a little bit of chemistry, a little bit of love, a little bit of brotherhood.

But we shaved off a couple of kids that maybe werent all in. All the kids that have made it this far, they can all play. Were looking at starting about 17 or 18 different kids. That could go up to 19.

We always have a couple you want on the field all the time or almost all the time. If it was (the opener) right now, wed have three kids going both ways.

In addition to Weidenhammer, other key returning players include junior jack-of-all-trades Julienne Brandt (6-2, 225), junior running back Donovan Harrington (6-3, 225), senior lineman Dominik DiGenova (5-10, 265) and junior wide receiver Dakari Neely (6-0, 160).

Weidenhammer made the All-Metro League first team last season, Harrington, Brandt and DiGenova were all second-team picks, and Neely received honorable mention.

Fitzgerald originally wasnt sure how committed Weidenhammer was last season but the senior signal-caller made a believer with his performance once it was game time.

Ill be honest with you, Fitzgerald said. I tried every way possible to get him off the field last year and he knows it. But hes a gamer. When its Friday night and lights come on, hes tough. Hes a good leader.

Hes grown up tremendously since I met him and since his sophomore year. There used to be questions about how hard a worker he is but hes a gamer. Hes going to make plays.

Hes come a long way. He is a hard worker now. Hes not the biggest, hes not the fastest but hes a bowling ball running quarterback. He is running the ball hard core between the tackles.

Weidenhammer was sitting a few feet from his coach when he heard those words.

I love it, Weidenhammer said. Thats just how it is. When the lights come on, its time to play.

Kearsley opens the season Aug. 25 against Carman-Ainsworth in the Vehicle City Gridiron Classic at Atwood Stadium.

MORE:

Who is your pick to win the Metro League football title?

Who is your pick to win the Saginaw Valley South?

Who is your pick to win the Genesee Area Conference?

Who is your pick to win the MMAC?

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Kearsley determined to continue greatest stretch of football success in school history - MLive.com

The History of Swimming: From the Maya to the AztecsAnd More

Swimming is universal to all races and cultures. However, in these times, we see very few representatives from the indigenous populations of Africa, the Americas or Oceania competing in aquatic sports at the Olympic Games. This fact has led some to question the physical capabilities of these people as swimmers.

There is no truth to these racist stereotypes. In fact, prior to the destruction of their native aquatic cultures by mostly Western nations, the indigenous populations of the so-called uncivilized world were universally regarded by those who saw them as being the best swimmers and divers in the world.

The purpose of this series is to educate people about the universal history of swimming in the hope that these stories may inspire more peopleof every race, religion and ethnicityto swim.

Most of what is known about the swimming abilities of the indigenous populations of pre-Columbian Mesoamerica comes to us from observations made by the early conquistadors and archaeological evidence. In the 1940s, archaeologists discovered a series of murals in the homes of wealthy or powerful citizens of Tepantitla, a suburb of Teotihuacan, one of the most remarkable cities of the ancient world. The murals date from A.D. 100 to 650, when the city was abandoned.

One mural depicts a Great Goddess who is thought to have been responsible for creation. In another scene, water drips from the hands of the Goddess, creating the mountain streams of Tlalocan, the heavenly paradise ruled over by the Aztec rain god, Tlaloc.

Scholars have differing interpretations of the meaning of these murals, but for me, the mountain resembles a modern waterpark-like scene, with mortals going down water slides, using a variety of strokes to swim and having fun in the water.

While the builders of Teotihuacan remain a mystery, the inhabitants included a patchwork of cultures from the Maya, Mixtec, Zapotec and other tribes. This may account for the different colors of the swimmers.

Another important archaeological artifact is a Totonac stone carving of a swimmer dating to A.D. 600-800, and found near Veracruz, Mexico. The Totonacs were one of many pre-Aztec tribes who may have built or inhabited the multi-ethnic city of Teotihuacan. The decline of Teotihuacan has been correlated to lengthy droughts and uprisings against the ruling classes.

In 2009, archaeologists uncovered two massive carved stucco panels in the Mirador Basin of Guatemalas northern rain forest. Known as the El Mirador Swimming Panels, they are the earliest known representation of the Mayan creation myth, predating other such artifacts by a millennium.

According to researchers, the panels26 feet long and 20 feet highwith images of monsters, gods and swimming heroesdate to 300 B.C. They formed the sides of a channel that carried rainwater into a complex system of stepped pools, where it was stored for drinking and agriculture.

The carved images of swimmers, which have an uncanny similarity to the modern wave breaststroke, depict an important scene from the Popol Vuh, the centerpiece of Mayan beliefs for well more than a millennium and which stands as one of the worlds enduring religious stories. A text of the Mayan myth was first recorded and transcribed in the 16th century by a Dominican monk.

The sagas two main characters are the Hero Twins, named Hunahpu and Xbalanque, who were like a double dose of Hercules. They were the sons and nephews of another set of twins, Hun Hunahpu and Vucub Hunahpu, who were passionate ball players.

Photo Courtesy: ISHOF

They were so good that they came to the attention of the Lords of the Dead in underworld, Xibalba, which was at the bottom of the sea. There the two men were defeated, sacrificed and decapitated. The sons were born predestined to avenge their father and uncle, and the El Mirador sculpture and the images that appear on pottery found throughout the Mayan lands, shows them swimming down to Xibalba to defeat the Lords of the Dead, which they did.

But its not just Mayan gods who swam. Archaeologists have discovered the remains of Mayan villages all along the Yucatan and Central American coastlines with piles of shells, proving the Mayans were skilled watermen who harvested food from the sea, like all other indigenous tribes throughout the Americas.

Today, inland Maya are not good watermen, few can swim, and many are drowned in lakes and streams. It is strange that along the shores of Lake Atitlnone of the most beautiful lakes in the world and one of the most visited tourist attractions in Guatemalamost of the local inhabitants cannot swim and do not bathe in it.

When the conquistador, Hernando Cortez, and his men began their approach to the Aztec capital, they landed in Veracruz, where Cortezs chronicler, Bernal Diaz, observed that the Indians of both sexes were excellent swimmers who were as much at home in the water as on land. When the Spanish horsemen attacked the Aztecs on the causeways of Tenochtitlan on Lake Texcoco, Diaz wrote that the barbarians (Indians) threw themselves quickly into the waterfor like crocodiles or seals, they swim as easily as they walk on land.

According to the Aztecs, if you drowned, it wasnt by chance. Whoever died a watery death did so for one of two reasons: Either you were such devout subjects that the Tlaloque gods, assistants to Tlaloc, selected you as a worthy inhabitant of their watery, heavenly paradise or they had hoarded precious jade stones or other action that angered the Tlaloque gods enough to kill you! (It must have left relatives guessing.)

The importance of swimming in pre-Columbian American cultures cannot be overestimated, although little has been written on the subject. Perhaps no people on earth took more pains to learn to swim nor were any better at it. There certainly were no people whose avocations of life more often called for its use, as many of the tribes spent their lives on the shores and in the waters of our beaches, lakes, rivers and swamps.

But they also swam for fun and understood the benefits of hydrotherapy as a cure all for injuries and illness. It was for these reasons that children of both sexes were taught by their parents to swim as soon as they were old enough to walk.

Unfortunately, for a variety of historical, social and cultural reasons, the descendants of these ancient swimmers have become detached from their rich aquatic traditions and heritage. But in communities where swimming has been encouraged, like in the City of Commerce, Calif., we can get a glimpse of what these incredible people can do in the water.

Take the case of water polo great, Brenda Villa, who can trace her proud ancestry to first peoples of the Americas and who, at the time of her retirement in 2012, was the most decorated athlete in the history of the womens game with four Olympic medals (one gold, two silver, one bronze).

With more communities like the City of Commerce embracing the ISHOF concept of Every Child a Swimmer, we will not only see a healthier and happier society, but much needed increase in diversity in the aquatic sports.

Bruce Wigo, historian and consultant at the International Swimming Hall of Fame, served as president/CEO of IHOF from 2005-17.

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The History of Swimming: From the Maya to the Aztecs...And More - Swimming World Magazine

Miami Hurricanes College Football

Every few years, there's a college football team that just seems to get under people's skin, either by the way the team's players act on the sideline or play during the game. There's one team in particular, though, that appears to be the most polarizing in the sport's history: the 1986 Miami Hurricanes.

Per 247Sports, the 1986 Hurricanes is the most hated team in college football history. Miami essentially birthed swag, and opponents hated them for it.

The team was littered with NFL talent, but also dealt with plenty of off-field issues. Jimmy Johnson, the team's coach at the time, also let his players get away with a whole lot more than today's coaches would allow.

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The rest of the sport hated the Hurricanes for it.

"The birth of swag, so they say," said Brad Crawford of 247Sports. "When the inmates run the asylum, you get instant chaos and that's exactly what the Hurricanes hoped to create on the field in the 1980s when 'The U' became college football's bad boys. Then-Sports Illustrated writer Rick Reilly said it best, 'Miami may be the only squad in America that has its team picture taken from the front and from the side.' On a team loaded with future NFL talent, Johnson basically didnt believe in suspensions and handled all disciplinary action in-house. That included several slap-on-the-wrist penalties for alleged shoplifting and fraud infractions. Miami's swag wasn't enough in the national championship game against Penn State after the Hurricanes infamously stepped off the plane in military fatigues. Heisman-winning Miami quarterback Vinny Testaverde threw five interception and the Hurricanes fell, 14-10, for their only loss of the season. The widespread hate started the previous season when Johnson and the Hurricanes blasted Notre Dame by 51 points in a Catholics vs. Criminals showdown. Over five seasons with the Hurricanes, Johnson went 52-9 with a national title in 1987 and three Top 3 finishes, putting together one of the greatest runs of all-time."

No team will ever be as polarizing as the 1986 Miami Hurricanes.

Who will be the most hated college football team of the 2022 season?

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Analyst Names The 'Most Hated' Team In College Football History - Athlon Sports

In September 2021, the exhibit Celebrating 100 Years: Latino History in Lorain, Ohio, opened at the Lorain Historical Societys Carnegie Center and ran through October, according to a news release.

The exhibit, which was created as part of the Latino Lorain History Project, kicked off National Hispanic Heritage Month by shining a spotlight on Vine Avenue.

This thoroughfare once was the hub of Latino/Hispanic culture, business and social and spiritual life that, unfortunately, ended with the city of Lorains urban renewal program of the late 1960s and early 1970s, according to the release.

The nine-panel display has been making its way around Lorain County, most recently at the International Festival, where it was very well received.

For National Hispanic Heritage Month 2022, the exhibit will split its time among three locations.

From Sept. 1-15 at the South Lorain Branch of the Lorain Public Library System, 2121 Homewood Drive in Lorain.

From Sept. 22-Oct. 8 at the Oberlin Public Library, 65 S. Main St. in Oberlin.

From Oct. 10-30 at the Stocker Arts Center, Lorain County Community College, 1005 Abbe Road North in Elyria.

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Latino history exhibit to be displayed again in Lorain County - The Morning Journal

Pancake breakfasts on The Colonnade, holiday boat parades along the canals and the Naples Island Swim.

Long Beachs Naples community has events and traditions that seem to have started before anyone can remember.

One of the oldest traditions is the annual open water swimming competition, which will return Sunday, Aug. 21, with the first race starting at 9 a.m. The Naples Island Swim, at the beach next to the Leeway Sailing & Aquatics Center, has multiple events of varying lengths, including a 500-yard swim for those 10 years old and younger, a 1-mile swim for those 11 and older, and a 3-mile Naples Island circumnavigation for anyone who is at least 13.

There are various thoughts on when the swim first started.

In the Aug. 13, 1906, issue of the Long Beach Tribune, a story titled Naples Swim said, The third annual tournament of the California Swimming Association took place at Naples yesterday.

That would mean that formal swimming contests in Naples have been held as early as 1903.

The 1906 article goes on to say every Red Car headed to Long Beach was crowded to the limit with spectators, and every floatable item and gondola was chartered for the day, while thousands lined the shores and pavilions.

In the 1906 swim, both the 440-yard and half-mile races were won by swimmers that finished using the Australian crawl, also known as the front crawl.

This was considered a remarkable feat, the story said, as, while it is not unknown, it is exceedingly difficult after a long swim.

That was then, of course. Today, that stroke is famous being the primary one used during freestyle competitions.

Greg Shea, chairman of this years swim, has been researching the events history using the archives of the Long Beach Lifeguard Museum.

The annual event has taken place in most years since 1926, Shea said, and has become a favorite family tradition for locals.

There is no shortage of news stories regarding the event over the past 50 years. One story published in a 1970 issue of the Long Beach Independent, for example, says the competition was the highlight of events that took place that year.

Theres even one race in which the object is to get to the finish line feet first, swimming on your back, the story said. Each entrant from teenagers to adults accompanied by a buddy on a paddleboard to serve as both navigator and shouter of encouragement as arms grow wearier and the water colder.

In 1970, there were 700 entrants. Last year, there were 492 swimmers.

Almost 600 swimmers and several hundred spectators are expected to attend this years event.

Proceeds from this years swim will benefit the Aquatic Capital of America Foundation and the Waterproof Our Youth program, which provides funding for local youngsters to attend the Fairfield YMCA for swimming lessons.

The featured event now is the 3-mile swim around Naples Island led by a gondola. Michael OToole, owner of Gondola Getaways, will be at the helm with an experienced crew of gondoliers working hard to stay ahead of the fastest swimmers.

And as usual, there will again be a grand marshal who will watch the start of the race from the lead gondola, Shea said. The 2022 grand marshal is Steven Munatones, president of the World Open Water Swimming Association. the largest news service dedicated to covering open swim competition globally.

But what sets this competition apart from others, some swimmers sayd, is the beauty of Alamitos Bay.

Our bay is the secret gem of the California coast, said Katie Rowe, a world-class swimmer and Naples resident. Calm, flat water, with plenty of wonderful and safe areas to swim. Beautiful scenery all around and filled with people enjoying the water and loving our Long Beach lifestyle. Our bay cant be beat.

For more information, go to naplesislandswims.com.

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Naples Island Swim, with a century of history, returns to Long Beach this month - Long Beach Press Telegram

Prey Becomes the Most-Watched Premiere in Hulu History

After years of releasing one disappointing sequel after another, the Predator franchise finally broke its three-decade streak of bad luck over the weekend and delivered a bona fide hit with Prey. The much-talked-about prequel has earned glowing reviews ever since it premiered exclusively on Hulu last Friday. Now, it officially has viewer numbers to match. Disney (via The Hollywood Reporter) announced that Prey scored the most-watched debut of any film or TV show in the history of Hulu.

Neither Hulu nor Disney is sharing the total number of hours viewed (as usual). But they also claimed that Prey had the biggest premiere on Star+ in Latin America and Disney+ under the Star banner in all other territories. Normally, a response this good would merit a theatrical release. But given the scathing reception to the franchises last entry, The Predator, in 2018, its not hard to see why Disney decided to take its chances with a streaming exclusive.

Critics and fans arent the only ones currently heaping praise on the film. A few original Predator stars have had nothing but good things to say about Prey as well. Jesse Ventura (Blain) and Bill Duke (Mac) both tweeted out their own kind words to the filmmakers, specifically director Dan Trachtenberg and star Amber Midthunder. You can check out what they had to say below.

Did Prey live up to your expectations? Let us know in the comment section below!

Recommended Reading: Predator: The Essential Comics Volume 1

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. This affiliate advertising program also provides a means to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

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Prey Becomes the Most-Watched Premiere in Hulu History - Superherohype.com

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Have you noticed that a Black Panther movie is coming out? Marvel Comics has. Which is why Bryan Edward Hill and Alberto Foche team up for a new Black Panther one-shot this November. Black Panther: Unconquered will see Black Panther doing a little Wakandan archaeology and rewriting of Wakandan lore along the way.

This fall, all eyes will be on Wakanda! In addition to John Ridley and Germn Peralta's current run on Black Panther and the upcoming Wakanda limited series, Marvel Comics will also publish a special one-shot in November, BLACK PANTHER: UNCONQUERED #1! Written by Bryan Edward Hill and drawn by Alberto Foche (Miles Morales: Spider-Man), BLACK PANTHER: UNCONQUERED will be an ideal entry point into the world of Black Panther, perfect for longtime fans and newcomers to the Black Panther mythology.

The scribe behind 2019's acclaimed Killmonger limited series, Hill returns to Wakanda to explore the land's rich mythology once again with a thought-provoking story that will see the emergence of a threat deeply rooted in Wakandan history. In order to combat it, Black Panther will have to learn new secrets about Wakanda's ancient past and unlock a new connection to the Panther god, Bast.

"Black Panther and Wakanda mean so much to people. It's an honor to contribute my imagination to the legacy of this character," Hill said. "I'm very grateful that I can only do comic projects that mean something to me personally, and returning to Marvel for this certainly does. Hopefully it speaks to longtime fans of the character while also onboarding new readers into his world. Shall I say it? Why not. Wakanda Forever! You'll just have to imagine me crossing my arms, LOL!"

Witness T'Challa face a challenge unlike anything Wakanda has seen before when BLACK PANTHER: UNCONQUERED arrives on November 9!

BLACK PANTHER: UNCONQUERED #1Written by BRYAN EDWARD HILLArt by ALBERTO FOCHECover by KEN LASHLEYOn Sale 11/9

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Bryan Edward Hill & Alberto Foche Tell Wakandan History in November - Bleeding Cool News

MIAMI GARDENS, FL - SEPTEMBER 3: A general view of Hard Rock Stadium prior to the game between the Miami Hurricanes and the Florida A&M Rattlers on September 3, 2016 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)

There's unprecedented excitement around the Miami Dolphins heading into the 2022 season.

With a new coach and new weapons, fans of the Fins are experiencing a newfound optimism this year. So much so, that the franchise is doing something with ticket sales that it's never seen in the team's 57 years in the NFL.

Via the NFL Network's Cameron Wolfe, "Excitement surrounding 2022 Dolphins has led to season tickets being officially sold out. Theyre now starting a waitlist for 2023 season tickets on Dolphins team site for 1st time in franchise history."

There's certainly plenty to be excited about down on South Beach.

The organization has surrounded second-year QB Tua Tagovailoa with the requisite playmakers to win games in Tyreek Hill, Jalen Waddle, Raheem Mostert and tight end Mike Gesicki.

Not to mention, adding an offensive coach in Mike McDaniel, who brings a winning pedigree and Shanahan schematics to the Sunshine State.

If the Dolphins can put it all together, Miami could capture its first AFC East division title since 2008.

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Dolphins Have Made Franchise History With Their Ticket Sales - The Spun