BY THE NUMBERS

OFF CAMPUS

41According to reports from CBS19, the flood affected 29 homes and the rain damaged 12 others for a total of 41 homes damaged.

Home of theatre instructor under four feet of water at worst point

The Flare Vol. 79 No. 17

Serving Kilgore College since 1936

Friday, March 18, 2016

Damage remains from flood

MEAGHAN MORTONManaging Editor

Twenty-nine homes with soaked, dirt-packed carpet, a foul smell and lost belongings sit in Kilgore. Records of memories litter the ground, some salvageable and some not, all because of rain water.

Michael Atkins, theatre instructor, was faced with the reality of flood damage after driving home during spring break.

“Somebody texted my wife when we were on the road from Houston coming back to Kilgore that my house was flooded,” Atkins said. “We called my wife’s son and he went over to our house and it had four feet of water in it.”

Currently Atkins and his wife are staying at his mother-in-law’s home while trying to recover what can be recovered during this time.

“The Red Cross has been tremendous with all of this. The Southern Baptist Convention Men’s Disaster Relief are the ones that helped clean the house out,” Atkins said. “The Kilgore Fire Department personnel helped clean the house out too, and when I say that, not just throw stuff away, but I mean ripping out carpet and stuff like that.”

Atkins described the feeling of finding your home in this kind of condition.

“Think of the worst situation you can possibly be in with your guts turned inside out and your home looking like, and for all practical purposes, is ruined,” Atkins said. “You don’t know what it’s going to take, if it can even be fixed. So all of a sudden you have no base. You have no home, it’s underwater. When the water goes away, then that’s really going to be the mess.”

When a home floods it brings in mud, silt,

See FLOOD, Page 3

Flood waters rise on the Sabine River at Texas Highway 42. Panoramic Photograph by Rain Cohn / THE FLARE

70Rabbit Creek was the highest it has been in 70 years. Wednesday, March 9, the creek broke the 1945 record of 19.6 feet with 20.3 feet of water.

years8

On March 9, according to the Kilgore Police Department, rainfall was measured at eight inches from midnight until noon.

inches homes

MEAGHAN MORTONManaging Editor

Flood waters from the Sabine River, Rabbit Creek and Turkey Creek took over parts of KC Wednesday, March 9, during spring break.

According to the KC Police Department, the parts of campus affected were the lower parts of the S.L. Canterbury Engineering and Science Building, the Anne Dean Turk Fine Arts Building and a ceiling leak in Masters Gymnasium.

Jeanne Johnson, music department chair, said the flood in the basement of the FA Building was not the worst she has ever seen, but it was certainly bad enough.

“This is probably the ninth or tenth time that the basement of Fine Arts has been flooded in the years that I have been here,” Johnson said.

Because of this, over the years KC has taken precautions to protect the interior of the building from water damage. Carpets have been ripped out and the rooms have been covered with area rugs.

“We have put up extra-high rubber borders around the walls so I didn’t see any damage to the sheetrock,” Johnson said. “So we didn’t have to cut out sheetrock or anything like that. The last time, we had to cut sheetrock.”

Though the basement was covered in six inches of water, Johnson credits the quick turn-around to maintenance.

“We had nine maintenance people here that morning after it flooded and they did a really terrific job and got it cleaned out pretty quickly,” Johnson said. “Hats off to them, they did a great job.”

KC board votes for new softball, band complex; tuition increase passed

FROM STAFF REPORTS

Trustees voted to raise tuition and raze a building during KC’s regular business meeting Monday night.

Tuition and fees for in-district students will take an 8 percent hike, from $63 to $68 per semester hour. Out-of-district tuition and fees will increase nearly 4.5 percent, from $134 to $140 per hour. Trustees approved the increase for the Fall 2016 semester 7-0. Trustees Scott Andrews and Bob Heath were not present.

According to Joe Carrington, the increase will move KC from the least-expensive of the area’s eight community colleges to second least expensive after Paris Junior College. KC’s in-district tuition and fees are still about 20 percent less than area community colleges and 23 percent less than the state average for all community colleges.

“In the past, I think we kind of had the Walmart strategy, thinking that if we had the lowest cost tuition, students are going to come to us,” Carrington said. “Unfortunately, our preliminary numbers for spring enrollment are down again, so we’re down about six years

in a row for enrollment.”The increase is projected to bring in an

extra $600,000 — funds that will go to benefit students on campus, said Duane McNaney, vice president of administrative services.

“We need to improve the information technology infrastructure, especially with supplying wireless access throughout the campus,” he said. While this project itself would, “carry a high price tag,” other proposed projects included hiring a database manager, adding lighting around campus and addressing roofing and plumbing concerns.

“The student is the end-user who benefits the most from this,” McNaney added.

Trustees also voted unanimously to begin Phase 1 of creating a KC Activities Complex on Houston Street, one block north of the Devall Student Center.

“From this point on Kilgore Heights will no longer exist. It will now be known as the Kilgore College Commons,” said Dr. Mike Jenkins, vice president of student development.

See BOARD, Page 3

ON CAMPUS

Some flooding reported in KC buildings

Rangerette Revels tickets are now on sale.

O. Rufus Lovett / SPECIAL TO THE FLARE

5 30 1965THIS WEEKBY THE

NUMBERS

n ArtsView in Longview

will hold five perfomances of their adaptation of the children’s book “Charlotte’s Web” March 17 - 20.

n “Pee-Wee’s Big Holiday” begins streaming on Netflix today, 30 years after his first film, “Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure” premiered.

n On this day in 1965, cosmonaut Alexey Leonov took the first spacewalk. It lasted 12 minutes.

PAGE TWO THE FLAREFRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2016

Check theflareonline.com for a full calendar of activities, or go to twitter.com/theflareonline for live updates

Brooke McNattTina Marie Reed / THE FLARE PTK fees due,

orientation, elections slated

Why are you a vegetarian?I’m a vegetarian because of the massive impact cattle make on

our climate with the methane they release, as well as inhumane treatment. Not only that, but you never hear a vegetarian’s doctor say, “you should cut back on eating that.”

When did you become a vegetarian?I became a vegetarian right before the new year in December.

What is your favorite food?My favorite food is rosemary french fries.

What advice would you give to anyone wanting to live a vegetarian lifestyle?

My advice to anyone would be, yes, it is more expensive, but do your research, ask forums and you’ll realize that you get what you pay for.

Where is your favorite place to shop?My favorite place to shop is Drug Emporium.

Who is your favorite fictional character and why?My favorite fictional character is a hard choice, but it would

have to be Wade Watts from Ready Player One because he is an introvert that saves the world through virtual reality gaming.

What is your favorite quote and why?My favorite quote is by author J.R.R. Tolkien, “Not all who

wander are lost.” Because it directly refers to my journey in life; I’m ceaselessly wandering.

Hometown: Kilgore Age: 20Classification: Freshman

KATHRYN AGEEExecutive Editor

PTK’s new member orientation is noon today (Friday, March 18), in CA 104. Anyone with questions is encouraged to attend.

The membership scholarship fee deadline is at 2 p.m. Friday, March 18. The application can be found on the KC website under Campus Life. Applications need to be submitted online to Michele Daniels.

New PTK officer elections for the fall/spring upcoming year will be held March 28. Anyone interested in being an officer for 2017 should plan on attending this meeting.

For more information, e-mail Michele Daniels at mdaniels@kilgore.edu.

TRIO marks 15th year

TAREA WESTBROOKStaff Writer

TRIO will celebrate its 15th anniversary while recognizing their 2016 graduates at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 29, in the Devall Student Center Ballroom. “The staff ’s dedication and willingness

to help students achieve their personal and academic goals is what has made this programs successful for the past 15 years,” said Heidi Everett, TRIO alumni and current KC TRIO staff member.TRIO is offered to students from low-

income families, who have parents without a bachelor’s degree, or any student with a disability. KC has maintained these federal grants since 2001 and has added an online program that teaches students how to manage their finances. TRIO offers a great support system with three full-time staff members and six tutors to help the 50-plus students in the program. In 2014-2015, KC’s TRIO program held a

92 percent Academic Good Standing over the standard school performance of 80 percent. Last year they also graduated and transferred three times the school’s objective.Since its beginning, KC TRIO has been

supporting students from different backgrounds. “We are so happy to celebrate the TRIO program at KC. We’ve had 584 associates, 154 bachelors, 36 masters and 3 doctorates within the last 15 years,” said Bindy Tice, KC TRIO’s director. She added that Dr. James Cureton, a TRIO alumni, will be the guest speaker at the TRIO celebration. In addition to school-year activities, TRIO

also offers a summer program, The Launch Program allows students with 30-plus hours to attend a week-long boot camp, focusing on skills for transferring, gathering reference letters and comparing college programs. Upward Bound lends a helping hand alongside TRIO to area high school students with a summer program. For more information, contact Tice at 903-988-7590.

Rangerette Revels tickets on sale now

KAYLA TERRAZASStaff Writer

Tickets are now on sale for the Rangerette Revels variety show. The production will be held at 7 p.m. April 6 - 9, with a matinee performance at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 9, at Dodson Auditorium.

Revels is the annual two-hour event produced and performed by the Rangerettes. The show will feature solo and group dance routines, singing and music.

The 2016 show theme is “The Show Must Go On” and includes a wide variety of dance genres including the Rangerettes’ signature “high kick” production for the finale.

Tickets are $25 each and seating is reserved. Students with a current KC ID may attend a Wednesday, Thursday or Friday night performance for free, but must pick up a ticket in order to attend.

Student tickets will be available

to be picked up March 23 through April 8 at the Revels box office in the Rangerette Gymnasium or at the box office in Dodson Auditorium an hour before the show. Tickets are going quickly, so students are advised to reserve them well in advance.

The Revels box office is located downstairs in the Rangerette Gymnasium at the south entrance. Box office hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Tickets for the 2016 production ‘The Show Must Go On’ currently available, seats going quickly

FACE IN THE CROWD

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FLOOD: Area residents recovering

BOARD: Most funds needed for new complex raised, VP says

FROM PAGE 1

trash and if it is in a neighborhood, also brings in backed up sewage and can make the house smell. During this time, Atkins remembers what he thinks is important.

“My feeling is that it’s just stuff. Some of the stuff is personal to you, like you bought the couch you liked, and that’s your couch. Now it’s gone. Or it’s stuff like a picture of your grandparents,” Atkins said. “You can’t go down and buy another one of those. I lost my car

in this too. The flood waters took it away, but you know, it’s just a tool. It’s something that wears out, it’s not going to last forever. It’s not going to be an heirloom.”

Even through this, he thanks his family for the support.

“We are doing fine; we are much

further along in the clean out process than the neighbors across the street, and I don’t know about how many other people that are affected by all of this, but our family came together and they really went beyond the call of duty, so to speak,” Atkins said.

FROM PAGE 1

KC purchased the 7-acre block from KISD over a year ago and have since been moving forward with plans to improve the softball, band and culinary arts programs.

Plans include the demolition of the original Kilgore Heights elementary building. A sod field, as well as a softball field in the northwest corner of the property, will follow. The former Head Start building on Martin Street will be repurposed into softball offices, home and visitor dressing rooms, and six kinesiology classroom spaces, according to Jenkins.

Most of the funds needed to begin building a basic softball field have already been raised, according to Jimmy Rieves, director of student development and athletics.

Additional phases will see the cafeteria and gym space converted to a band hall. Culinary art instructors will also cull the school for appliances.

Cecelia Sanders made the necessary motion for the vote.

“I’m really excited about this because it shows that we are really interested in Title IX and women’s sports,” added Karol Pruett.

President Dr. Brenda Kays echoed her support. “This puts us squarely in compliance with that law (regarding equal opportunities). We have a commitment with regards to our school, with regards to our softball scholarship athletes. We need to actively find these positives that are a benefit to both.”

In other business, trustees:• recognized Ashley Finley-

student spotlight; Kenya Ray, corrosion technology- employee spotlight; and KC Clubs and Organizations – program spotlight;

• heard a report on KC’s Balanced Scorecard from the 2014-2015 academic year from Dr. Staci Martin;

• accepted resignations, retirements, employments and changes of employment;

• approved a change to the KC Board of Trustees Procedures Manual regarding Citizens Comments;

• re-adopted the KC Investment Policy;

• paid nine employees for extra hours spent working on the Jenzabar software conversion;

• and approved the payment of legal fees for services rendered. (This item was removed from the consent agenda by Brian Nutt. The vote carried 6-1, with Nutt opposing).

A man observes flooding near campus over KC’s spring break. Flood waters have receded but more than 20 homes were damaged during the week-long deluge.

FROM STAFF REPORTSKC’s Bobbie McGee-Benson,

director of Adult Education and Literacy, has been named Runner-Up Administrator of The Year by the Commission on Adult Basic Education (COABE), a national organization.

McGee-Benson has worked in education for 45 years teaching public school, serving as the education specialist for Oklahoma Historical Society and working as manager of training and development for a Fortune 500 corporation.

She said her most valued time, however, has been spent working

in Adult Education and Literacy at KC where she was first hired to start an Adult GED class in 1983.

The GED class began with only five students but grew over the next 13 years by adding more teachers, locations and content under McGee-Benson’s direction.

In 1996, McGee-Benson was promoted to full-time director of the program that had expanded from one GED class to a program offering literacy, ABE, GED and ESL classes.

Under her direction, the KC Adult Education and Literacy Program provides classes in three counties, holds classes at 26 sites

that include correctional facilities, churches, community buildings and public school facilities – as well as KC’s facilities in Kilgore and Longview.

The KC AEL Program has 35 staff members, serves up to 1,400 students annually and sub-contracts services with two local literacy councils.

To learn more about COABE’s prestigious award program, go to www.coabe.org or contact info@coabe.org.

For more information on KC’s AEL Program, visit www.kilgore.edu/ael.adult learners.

Instructor wins national adult ed. award

Bobbie McGee-Benson

Blinn bounces KC

Lady Bucs shoot down Lady Rangers

Apaches sweepRangers at home

Men, women, lose in first round of Region XIV tournament to Blinn College

Adriana Edwards, Houston sophomore, elevates over two defenders to find an open teammate. Edwards finished with 11 points and 5 assists in the 91-66 loss to Blinn College.

Victoria Gilchrist / THE FLARE

SOFTBALL

Ndene Gueye, Sengal, Africa freshman, throws down a two-handed slam in a 63-53 loss to Blinn College in the Region XIV tournament. Gueye would finish with 11 points and 12 rebounds.

Jon Vashey / Special to THE FLARE

ELIJAH BANKSSports Writer

LUFKIN – The Lady Rangers season skidded to a halt with a loss to the Blinn College Lady Buccaneers 91-66 in the first round of the NJCAA Region XIV Tournament.

In the first quarter the Lady Rangers were in great shape and took control of the game with their fast-paced tempo.

In the middle of the first half the Rangers dialed up a 13 point lead, but the Lady Buccaneer’s Ebony Parker and Jellah Preston big shots from downtown kept the game from getting out of reach.

The two combined for 8 made threes in the game and Preston would finish with a game high 22 points.

The Lady Rangers went into a scoring drought, causing the Buccaneers to take back momentum and go into halftime up by four.

Thanks to a trio of Lady Buccaneer players, Blinn was able to keep their foot on the gas from there.

At the end of the third quarter the game began to get out of hand.

The Lady Rangers had a hard time preventing the Buccaneers from getting offensive rebounds and scoring easy points in the paint. Blinn forward Penina Faumui would be a big reason for that, scoring 14 of her 18 points in the hole along with grabbing 16 rebounds.

Despite the Rangers being down big in the fourth they continued to fight all 40 minutes.

With closing seconds, Dominique Thomas, Tyler freshman, hit a deep three.

Blinn would go on to win the Region XIV Tournament and secure a National Tournament bid in Lubbock.

FROM STAFF REPORTS

Tyler’s Abby Walker proved to be a thorn in Kilgore’s side in both games on Wednesday, leading the Apache Ladies to a Region XIV Conference sweep of the Rangers at Stream-Flo Field.

Walker threw a no-hitter in the opening game, a 5-0 win, and also earned the win in relief in the second game – an 8-4 Tyler victory.

In the second game, Kilgore fell behind 5-0 before Taylor Sieber belted a third-inning grand slam to make it a 5-4 contest. Tyler pulled away by scoring single runs in the fourth, sixth and seventh innings.

Sieber also doubled for

Kilgore. Kelsey Ancelot, Ryanne Lunceford and Hallee Carter rounded out the offensive attack for the Rangers.

Tanna Huie, who had a big day at the plate for Tyler, homered and drove in two runs. Walker struck out six in three innings of relief.

Hayley Vavra struck out four, walked none and allowed three earned runs in seven innings to shoulder the loss.

In the opening game, Walker fanned 15 and walked just one and Huie drove in four runs with a home run, a double and two singles.

Kilgore (12-19, 1-7) will return to action on Saturday at Trinity Valley for a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m.

RICHARD NGUYENSports Editor

LUFKIN – Blinn College put an early end to the KC Ranger basketball

season defeating them 63-53 in the first round of the Region XIV Tournament at Angelina College.

The loss marks the second year in a row the Rangers were ousted in first round. Last year KC fell in a heartbreaking 52-58 loss at the hands of Coastal Bend Community College.

KC finishes its season with a 20-10 (10-9) record. The Blinn defense was able to held the Rangers to just 32.8 percent shooting from the field.

The Rangers were down 23-30 going into the half. They fought back to keep the game close until the closing minutes where Blinn pulled away with their free throws. The Buccaneers shot an impressive 88 percent from the charity stripe.

It was an off night for Jaleel Wheeler, Newark, New Jersey sophomore, who was held to just 14 points and four assists in the contest. Wheeler had averaged 22.4 points per game throughout his last season at KC, which was good enough for second best in the Region XIV conference.

Outside of the 15 points from CB Diallo and Ndene Gueye’s 11 points, the Rangers got very little help from the rest of their players. Gueye finished the game with 12 rebounds giving him his third straight game with a double-double for the Rangers.

KC’s Antonio Moore and Greg Sessions were both held scoreless, combining to go 0-10 from the field.

Blinn finished the game with four players in double-digit points. Buccaneer guard John Dewey led the way for all scorers with 17 points, along with four rebounds and three assists.

Despite outrebounding Blinn 39-36, the Rangers mustered out just five second chance points to the Buccaneers’ 10.

Blinn would go on to lose 86-73 in the next round to the eventual Region XIV Champions, Trinity Valley Community College.

Rangers fall in first round for 2nd year in row

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THE FLAREFRIDAY, MARCH 18, 20164PAGE S P O R T S

O P I N I O N THE FLAREFRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2016 5PAGE

THE FLARE is the student newspaper of Kilgore College and is published every Friday by the journalism department, except during examination periods and vacations. First copy is free, subsequent copies are available for 50 cents. THE FLARE is a member of the Texas Community College Journalism Association and the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association.

All people holding editorial staff positions are Kilgore College journalism students. Comments and views expressed in THE FLARE reflect the thoughts of the individual writers, and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs or opinions of other students, staff members, faculty members, administrative officers or the Board of Trustees.

THE FLARE welcomes any letter to the editor and encourages all readers to use this as a sounding board to express thoughts and opinions on current campus-related topics. We also welcome news or feature ideas. Due to space limitations, letters should be as concise as possible and may still be edited for space. Letters must be signed and include an address and telephone number so that we can verify their authenticity. Letters should be delivered to the newsroom in Communications-Automotive Building, Room 125, mailed to The Flare, 1100 Broadway, Kilgore TX 75662 or emailed to: kc_flare@yahoo.com

LETTERS

DISCLAIMER

The Flare VOL. 79, NO.17 n Friday, March 18, 2016 Copyright 2016, The Flare. All rights reserved.

2014 Sweepstakes Winner, Texas Intercollegiate Press Association • 2015 Sweepstakes Winner, Texas Community College Journalism AssociationSpring 2012 Gold Crown, Columbia Scholastic Press Association • 2012 First Place, Texas Associated Press Managing Editors

ADVERTISING MANAGERKayla TerrazasSTAFF WRITERSElijah Banks, Max Cervantes, Lucy Lopez, Ajani McCoy, Nick Shelley, James Shrewsbury, Taylor Stewart and Tarea WestbrookPHOTOGRAPHERSRamona Barryer, Tiffani Branch, Lacey Bunn, Jessica Carrington, Rain Cohn, Jodi Dosier, Victoria Gilchrist, Tiffany Johnson, Richard Nguyen, Tina Marie Reed, Baylor Roberson, Sam Rodriguez and Kiana Rose

EXECUTIVE EDITORKathryn AgeeMANAGING EDITORMeaghan Morton

SPORTS EDITORRichard Nguyen

COPY EDITORNIck Shelley

CARTOONISTSarah Hooten

PHOTO ADVISERO. Rufus Lovett

ADVISERRachel Stallard

CONSULTANTJamie Maldonado

YOUR VIEW

Illustration by Sarah Hooten / THE FLARE

Enrolling in college and beginning a new chapter of life brings different challenges every day. Stress levels rise, and being able

to handle it all will test the will of every student. According to the Mayo Clinic, depression among

college students is a common problem. Symptoms can include loss of interest or pleasure in normal activities, fatigue, tiredness or loss of energy, feelings of worthlessness or guilt or frequent thoughts of death, dying or suicide. Through this time, college students may become

down, overworked and depressed. During these trying times, the best thing for a student to do is seek help and confide in others.If a student, or anyone, is having these feelings

they should seek help and use all available resources to help overcome their problems.

KC’s Counseling Center, on the second floor of the Devall Student Center, has resources available to those who need help. Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) are available to help students and give them other resources if needed, such as referrals to other counselors in the area, recommendations of shelters and names of therapists. For those who believe it is difficult to confide in

someone they don’t know with their problems, KC counselor Jennifer Quine says all LPCs are obligated by their contract to confidentiality with all who visit. The mental health of students is important for

success in college and ultimately, life. Improved mental health will help anyone get through the struggles life can hurl our way.

asking for help

MEAGHAN MORTONStaff Writer

When someone mentions becoming healthy, they usually mean something along the lines of eating more fruits

and vegetables or adding more reps to a workout. Rarely do you hear someone talk about becoming healthy and mean that they want to have better mental health.

My first semester of college, I was struggling mentally. In class I was fine. I would make A’s and high B’s. Everyone was friendly and nobody really bothered me.

After class, I would stay in my dorm room in my bed, crying all the time. I would cry in my car out in the parking lot, in my dorm room and, most of the time, cry myself to sleep.

This wasn’t right. I knew it wasn’t right because I had these same feelings during the first semester of my senior year in high school. I felt alone, stressed and I didn’t

care if I was alive anymore. While driving, I would think about what would happen if my car crashed and I died. While thinking this, I didn’t feel anything. Then I would feel sad because I didn’t care. I knew something had to change. So I took the initiative and decided to change my life for the better.

I talked to a former teacher of mine. She knew how to help me because she helped me with the same thing in high school. She told me to keep pushing forward and that I was doing a good job.

I told my mom how I was feeling. She understood because she used to go through the same thing and has been diagnosed with depression and anxiety. She told me I needed

to start taking medicine again, so I did, and I felt better.

I gave myself goals that would make me get out of my dorm room more and meet other people. I told myself I would visit the other side of the campus more, eat in the cafeteria and be open to talking to people.

I became a part of the Ranger Ambassadors, who work at the front desk and assist current and future students. This has helped me with my social skills and given me new friends. Working on The Flare gave me an opportunity to talk to other students and faculty on campus who I would not normally get the chance to talk to.

This is just my story, but I know many other people on campus struggle with the same feelings. Please know that you are not weird or strange. You just need help to become healthy.

Reach out to someone you can trust —

a friend, family member, counselor or a mentor. Make attainable goals for yourself, and celebrate the little things. Did you talk to somebody today? Good. That will help you socially. Did you get out of bed today and fix your hair? That’s awesome and will help you feel better. Doing little things that you usually do not feel like you have the energy to do will help you grow stronger mentally.

The most important thing to remember throughout this growing period is, you are important. You are special and people will miss you. There are things to do, places to see and none of us have seen them or done them all yet. Keep going. Keep growing. Keep working on your mental health and you will make it.

Meaghan Morton is a freshman journalism major from Trinidad.

Making mental health an important priority

Where to go and who to talk to when the stress of life becomes overwhelming

OUR VIEW

Mia ThigpenArlington freshman

“My cousin, because we can relate to each other and she’s older and a good mentor to me.”

Who do you have available to talk to about your problems? Why did you choose them?

“I talk to my mom, my fiancee or a friend. I go to them because I know I can go to them about anything and they will give me their opinion about it.”

Dealamoney JohnsonChicago, Illinois, freshman

Alex BridgesRockwall sophomore

“My dad! He always asks and is always so receptive to all my problems, and in the end he comes up with the wisest solutions.”

Pedro RoblesWest Columbia sophomore

“Hayley Cadorette. Hayley is a close friend from back home. She has always been there for me when others haven’t.”

AJANI MCCOYStaff Writer

The month of March means so much to

America. To some, it means spring break; but for others, it starts March Madness.

March Madness is not just a tournament played for NCAA basketball. It’s also a time when small teams who people usually never notice upset big time colleges.

East Texas university Stephen F. Austin is known for ruining brackets. Two years ago, SFASU beat Virginia Commonwealth in a cringe-worthy overtime game.

Picking teams for your bracket is like doing your taxes: one mistake and everything can be ruined. Here is a guide to picking the best teams for this year’s bracket.

The most important thing you have to know when picking teams is, stats do not matter. Yes, its basketball and it’s all about the stats, but when it comes to tournament play, you’re setting yourself

up for failure. I like to watch a lot of the

teams I’m interested in picking. The best time to observe them is in the last eight minutes in the second half. Usually, most of the tournament games are going to wind down within that time frame.

Also, always go with at least one underdog in each round. There is always one team that nobody has ever heard of, in the middle of nowhere, who will go on to beat a higher seed.

The most important rule in picking teams is to relax and have fun. There is always one person on the news who takes their bracket too seriously and ends up doing something crazy. You have to remember, bracket play is a fun tradition basketball fans can enjoy. So when picking teams, it’s OK to go with the school you’re an alumni of or the school with the cool guys, because it’s all fun and play.

COMMENTARY

SFADukeMiamiTexas Tech

N E W STHE FLARE

FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 20166PAGE S P O R T S

RichaRd NguyeNSports Editor

Picking bracket should be fun

VirginiaXavierVillanovaDuke

VillanovaOklahomaUNCIowa State

OklahomaMichigan StateDukeKentucky

Our Picks

Reason: I chose University of North Carolina because they are the most complete team; and I chose Oklahoma because they just have that dog in them.

Reason: I’m picking UVA to win it all this year. Of all the teams, the Cavaliers are the most complete team, from their coaches to their bench players. If they catch momentum, I don’t see anyone being able to slow them down.

elijah BaNksSports Writer

ajaNi MccoySports Writer

TayloR sTewaRTStaff Writer

Reason: Oklahoma is my favorite team and has one of the best players in the nation; Duke can sneak past you if you fall asleep; Michigan State has a great overall team; Kentucky is not as good overall, but they have a Hall of Fame coach that can get them there.

Reason: I have friends who go to some of these schools. For the rest, I used “eenie meenie miney moe.”