“Rosie, look, I know you’re about to go up to bat. I’ve just got one favor to ask you.”
“What?” says Rosie, a 7-year-old slugger on our Lightening Bolts softball team.
“I know you’ve been hitting bombs. Just don’t break my windshield in the parking lot.”
Rosie swung a big bat. No matter how many times I made that joke, she always laughed.
I miss coaching.
I miss the Lightning Bolts, the Huskies and Giants, the Golden Dragons and Lemonheads. I miss the Flaming Dragons, Purple Seahawks, and Silver Stars. I miss the team names, chosen by my players, that sounded like equal parts goofy and mythical.
After soccer practices at Explorer Middle School, CeCe and her teammates would feed goats through a chain-link fence with torn-off ivy leaves. Then she’d climb into the truck, peel off her socks, shin guards and cleats, her sweaty feet stinking up the cab. I’d roll down the windows, turn on Taylor Swift and ask about her day.
For 13 years the back of my old Subaru Forester or, more recently, my beat-up 2006 Toyota Tacoma was filled with mesh bags of soccer balls or basketballs, or huge black Little League equipment bags and a tee or a spring-loaded pitching machine. A couple rogue water bottles — left by players at the last practice — rolled around in the back when I turned, knocking into a beat-up cardboard box filled with extra uniforms, photo forms or end-of-season medals.
Some moments made the whole season. Parents handed off a skeptical 7-year-old at the first practice. She’d never played on a team, never competed, never trusted a grown-up with a whistle. But then came name games, sharks-and-minnows dribbling drills, team cheers, and the slow thaw of suspicion. A month later, she scored her first goal. Her parents erupted on the sideline, and her teammates mobbed her. An athlete was born.
Like my Dad before me, I coached for my kids; and for that kid. The one on the bubble. The one who might not try again if I mess this up. That kid is one of the main reasons I put up goals in the rain and get up for early Saturday morning games. If I can turn her from wary to wild, from timid to free, I’ve done more than coach. I’ve helped her discover something that was already there, but needed a chance to come alive.
I don’t coach anymore. Not right now.
My kids have chosen sports that I never played or that exceeded my knowledge. I can’t teach the butterfly stroke, how to set a volleyball to an outside hitter, or proper finger placement for a curveball or a slider.
Toward the end, something hardened in me, during the rush to pick up CeCe, the sprint across Everett to practice, the set-up and take down. It wasn’t the parents who cared too much that wore me down. I could handle the sideline strategists and the hyper-competitive assistant coaches, diffuse them with humor or channel their energy.
It’s the ones who didn’t care enough. The ones whose players missed half our practices and many of the games, who treated our team’s schedule like a suggestion. Their indifference was like sandpaper to my spirit.
Eventually, my reservoir of goodwill ran dry. It’s one thing to care a lot. It’s another to care too much, particularly about a rec sport. I needed a break.
But now, a couple years later, I think I’m getting it back: the juice, the desire to make practice plans and game line-ups. To set up cones on damp grass and hustle to run drills on crisp fall afternoons, as sunset becomes earlier and earlier. To make that shy kid laugh. To ride home as my daughter, sweaty and tired, asks why we can’t have practice every night.
Cory Armstrong-Hoss lives in Everett with his wife and three kids. His kids have played nine different sports. He’s a lifelong athlete, and he’s served as a coach, ref, and youth sports administrator. Find him at substack.com/@atahossforwords.
Rockport native Arthur Barragan is turning hometown pride into purpose through his locally-owned company called Brightview Exterior Cleaning, a business rooted in service quality and community commitment.
Barragan, who grew up in Rockport, says building a business in his hometown was always the goal. After spending nearly a decade as a specialty welder, he launched Brightview during the COVID pandemic, seeking stability and control over his future.
Today, Brightview Exterior Cleaning provides residential and commercial services, including soft house washing, window cleaning, pressure washing, and trash can cleaning, serving waterfront properties, neighborhoods, and local businesses across Rockport.
Now in its fifth year, the company has grown from about 100 customers to more than 700, a success Barragan credits to consistent customer service and strong relationships with other local businesses.
Giving back is central to Brightview’s mission. The company supports Church Unlimited, local youth sports, and community events, reflecting Barragan’s belief that business growth should benefit the entire town.
For Barragan, success is measured not just by numbers but by service to the community that raised him.
Brightview Exterior Cleaning can be found online at brightviewexteriorcleaning.com and on Facebook and Instagram under Brightview Exterior Cleaning, where the company regularly shares photos and updates from recent projects.
“This town gave me everything, Barragan said. Now I get to give back.”
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) is encouraging youth across the state in grades K-12 to submit their original artwork of any Tennessee native fish for the national Art of Conservation: Fish Art Contest. The contest was created by the nonprofit Wildlife Forever to encourage youth to become connected to the outdoors.
The contest is free to enter, and students can submit one 2D piece and one 3D piece. All participants must enter original artwork of a Tennessee fish in a natural habitat and may not replicate another artist’s work. Photos or videos used as a source material for inspiration of the artwork are allowed. Goldfish, guppies, bettas, and koi are not eligible for this contest.
Additionally, TWRA is adding its own specialty award this year, The Bill Dance Signature Lakes Award – in honor of the legacy of fishing legend Bill Dance and the TWRA’s work to develop premier fishing destinations across the state. To be considered for the award, students should enter artwork of largemouth or smallmouth bass or art featuring bass fishing.
All submissions must be entered through an online entry form. More information regarding rules, submission form, and requirements can be found on the Wildlife Forever Art of Conservation website. The last day for submitting artwork is Feb. 28, 2026.
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is responsible for protecting, managing, and conserving fish and wildlife species for the benefit of Tennesseans and visitors. The Agency also maintains public safety through law enforcement and safety education on waterways.
The Centennial Cougars won their game at Centennial Sports Arena against the Champlin Park Rebels on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, ending 7-4.
The Rebels took the lead in the middle of the first period, with a goal from Paul Pazandak. Derek Roehl assisted.
The Cougars tied it up 1-1 with a goal from Nick Carls halfway through the first, assisted by Joey Hemr.
Five goals were scored in the second period, and the Cougars led 4-3 going in to the third period.
The Cougars increased the lead to 5-3, only 43 seconds into the third when Cooper Daikawa netted one, assisted by Keegan Julik.
Kaden Johnson made it 6-3 with a goal three minutes later, assisted by Gavin Cunningham.
Paul Pazandak narrowed the gap to 6-4 with a goal three minutes later, assisted by Gabe Contons and Brody Girard.
Gavin Cunningham also increased the lead to 7-4 with a goal eight minutes later.
The teams will face off once again at Champlin Ice Forum on January 9th.
Coming up:
The Cougars will go up against the Forest Lake Rangers at Centennial Sports Arena on Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025, while the Rebels will battle Maple Grove on Monday, Dec. 29, 2025, at Maple Grove Community Center.
Read more prep coverage
Scoring:
Minnesota, Centennial Sports Arena
6th December 2025
Champlin Park Rebels at Centennial Cougars
7-4
1st period:
Champlin Park Rebels, 1–0 (9:44) Paul Pazandak
Centennial Cougars, 1–1 (12:20) Nick Carls
2nd period:
1–2 (23:20) Kaden Johnson, 2–2 (23:42) Max Peterson, 3–2 (25:30) Rhys George, 3–3 (30:55) Joey Hemr, 3–4 (32:25) Nick Carls
3rd period:
3–5 (41:43) Cooper Daikawa, 3–6 (44:48) Kaden Johnson, 4–6 (47:13) Paul Pazandak, 4–7 (55:39) Gavin Cunningham
Automated articles produced by United Robots on behalf of The Rink Live.
St. Joseph’s Bella Bartolovic is a member of the 2025-26 basketball team. (Submitted by Bella Bartolovic)
Springdale’s Robby Simmen is a member of the 2025-26 basketball team. (Submitted by Robby Simmen)
Previous
Next
Bella Bartolovic
School: St. Joseph
Class: Sophomore
Sport: Basketball
Claim to fame: Bartolovic dropped a season-high 27 points against Leechburg on Tuesday. She then followed that up with 19 against Eden Christian on Thursday to lead St. Joseph to a 2-0 week. The sophomore guard leads the Spartans with six double-figure scoring games and 20.5 points per contest.
St. Joseph is 5-2 (3-0) and will prepare for a meeting with Aquinas Academy (6-0, 2-0) on Monday.
What do you believe is the potential of this team, even with it being a young one?
It is a great start, and we look to continue this streak. I believe this team has a lot of potential this season to make it far, even though we’re young.
What has been working well for you as you’ve taken a scoring leap?
I have a very supportive team and coaching staff, which allows me to play without the worry of making mistakes.
If you maintain your scoring, how will you respond when teams begin to put you at the top of the scouting report?
I will take this as a compliment. I will continue to work on improving my game and trusting my teammates.
What can you say about the contributions the team has gotten from senior Kasey Cienik and junior Jocelyn Spinelli?
Their leadership has been very important because they encourage us all to do our best and boost our confidence.
What is a must-do when you have a day off from school and basketball?
Play more basketball
What is the best basketball shoe out right now?
Sabrina’s
What are your plans for the holidays?
To spend time with family and friends
What is your favorite Christmas song?
“Jingle Bell Rock.”
You have a matchup against Aquinas Academy on Monday, a rematch of last year’s No. 2 teams in Section 1-A. What will be the keys to staying undefeated in section play against the Crusaders?
The keys to Monday will be staying composed and working as a team.
Robby Simmen
School: Springdale
Class: Junior
Sport: Basketball
Claim to fame: Simmen went off for a season-high 39 points to lead Springdale to a Section 1-2A win over California on Tuesday. He then scored 15 in an overtime loss to Bentworth on Friday. Simmen has reached double digits in all six games for the Dynamos (2-4, 1-2) and leads them with 20.5 points a game.
After graduating eight seniors last year, how have you and other underclassmen stepped up and filled in leadership roles?
Many of our current juniors and our senior that have been on the team last year know what it takes to be a leader from experiencing our games and practices. The past seniors and our coaches set a great example for us. We stepped up by continuing to do what makes us better as a team, which is lifting each other up as well as giving everyone the confidence they need on and off the court.
What has been the biggest improvement in your offensive game this season?
In the offseason, I work on all of my skills. I feel I improved most in my speed and strength. It gives me a lot more opportunity to be an all-around threat on offense.
In three out of five games this year, the team has had two double-digit scorers. Liam Dexter has two of those games. How have you seen him grow as a player in your three years together?
Liam has always had the skill to do what he does. We’ve played together on a youth basketball team since third grade. His ability to shoot and play in the paint makes him a difficult player to guard.
What is a must-do when you have a day off from school and basketball?
When I’m not playing basketball or in school, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends.
Who is your favorite music artist, and is it the same person for pregame?
My favorite artists are probably Zach Bryan or Drake. Drake is more for pregame, though.
What are your plans for the holidays?
Go spend time with family.
What Christmas movie is a sneaky contender for the best of all time?
The Commanders will have nearly two dozen players hit free agency in March, so these final three games are a lot like preseason games, as glorified tryouts. Chris Rodriguez Jr., a Commanders sixth-round pick in 2023, stuck around with the regime change in ’24 and has really come on this season to become the team’s de facto starter after Austin Ekeler went down with an Achilles injury. He will be a restricted free agent in March, and as Washington tries to revamp the entire roster, his play this evening could carry significant weight in deciding his future here.
Rookie Jacory “Bill” Croskey-Merritt could play heavily into that. Bill has shown flashes of his quickness, speed and vision behind the line of scrimmage, and leads the team in both rushing yards (646) and rushing touchdowns (five) through Week 15. But his development into a complete back, who can block and catch passes out of the backfield, will be key to him becoming more of a featured back.
