Column

antings and Ravings of a Biology Student

‘athy Giesbrecht ; column is in response to the article entitled ‘“‘Ecology and ood Chain’’. I’m sure the author was well intentioned, but son should not make such strong statements after reading one source.

Any student of ecology knows you need a balanced ystem that has plants, animals and inorganic materials acting together-- like a balanced diet with, yes, meat ables, milk and grains.

Forests are destroyed for the trees and for agricultural as often as they are removed for cattle crops. In fact the nous Brazilian rainforests are, for the most part, being cut

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to grow crops which the soil cannot support. After crops ‘own for one or two years the field must be abandoned and nes a mucky silt-laden mass of landslide waiting to

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Farming in Canada causes huge amounts of damage to vironment if crop rotation is not used (as is often the And everyone knows about the hundreds of tonnes of pesticides sprayed on fields before we knew it would kill ite so quickly. Raising livestock does no more damage Agriculture when both are managed correctly.

As for water pollution, which do you think is more Tous in the water table: pooh (a natural biological proc- ind blood (again natural) which will break down eventu- herbicides made from who knows what, but which most tely kills stuff, and will stay in the ecosystem longer than ill. Think about it... If something kills plants and bugs, obably not going to be good for you either.

The entire reason animals such as cows, pigs and ‘ls were kept by North Americans was for food. Some les” of cows which were not good milk or beef producers tteady become extinct because no one cared about them. ould surely be the inevitable end for meat producers if one became a vegetarian.

Here’s something else for all of you ‘‘bleeding heart- © world people’ to think about. Your vinyl coat, nylon and fun fur mitts are made from nonrenewable resources Means you’re going to run out of building materials, but

Se Wearing ‘‘cruel’’ mink coats and leather shoes are not any damage to the environment as long as we keep letting Sand cows reproduce. I know it sounds heartless, but mes down to my initial statement. In order to have a ssful healthy planet we need a delicate balance-- fish eat © eat meat-- the balance is still maintained. It’s pretty “tlc to say all of the world’s problems can be prevented

til you have polluted the air and water with toxic gas and—|_

0} * Ming a. vegetarian..\s.:»

— ary 28, 1995

ing, .

Playoffs Part II

Women's Basketball.

The Lady Panthers have been one thing lately: on fire. After having a losing streak at the end of first semester, which carried over to the new year, it looked like the P’s might fall out of the playoff hunt. But heading into this past weekend’s series at Memorial, the ladies were looking not just to play for the gold, but to host the AUAA’s. As of Friday, they were a few points back of Dalhousie (The P’s have a 14-4 record) who they beat at home last weekend. But if they end up tied with the Dal Tigers, the playoffs will be played at the friendly confines of the Fieldhouse. This team :s one of the deepest in the league, with solid backups at every position. 6'0" post Kara Saunders should be recovered from her knee injury by the time AUAA’s rolls around, restoring the P’s original starting lineup. Hillary Watson should be a lock for All-AUAA, as she leads the team in scoring and rebounding, but its the play of graduating senior Kathy Quinn which has really helped out the team. Quinn has become a threat to hit for 20 a night, with her long distance gunning, and has been passing the ball well as of late. Reserves Jennifer Sirois and Jennifer Johnson come off the bench to change the tempo of the game, as both can hit area code jumpers. The Panthers arguably have the best front line in the conference with Saunders, Watson, frosh Charlene Woolaver, and junior Angela MacIntyre. MacIntyre and Woolaver are a pair of 6’0"” posts who have spent time in the AUAA’s top ten for field goal percentage this season. Angela is one of the top ten rebounders in the league, while Charlene has been improv- ing from game to game and should be one of the league’s dominant posts in the next few years.

If the ladies get hot, the AUAA crown is a good possibility.

Men's Basketball

While this was a poor year for the Panthers, you have to look at what this team should have right now: point guard Jason MacDonald, and power forwards Dennis Smith and Brian McLennon. With those three back, this team would be contneding for the CIAU’s, and not trying to grasp the final AUAA playoff spot. '

This year’s squad could best be termed inconsistent, as they have shown the ability to blow a team out one night and then lose the next day. They have let sure victories escape their hands, and have come out on the losing ends of games that they should have easily won.

Lately though their fortunes have been reversed, as they’re riding a win streak that saw them come up with a road win at Acadia (always a tough venue for visiting teams) and an emotional hom. victory over the first place Dal Tigers. Dal coach Tim McGarrigle was quoted as saying that Panthers 6’8" Greg Lucas was the most improved playerin the conference this year in a recent interview. Lucas made the most of his spot in the starting lineup and played up to his advance billing as he came up with the game of his career. Lucas scored 18 against every big man Dal threw athim, grabbed 7 rebounds, and dished off for an assist. Greg has been one of this season’s pleasant

surprises.

Curtis Robinson has been getting all the headlines for his

scoring prowess (he leads the league with a 25 ppg average), and looks tobe a All-AUAA lock, and a good possibility for All- Canadian. Robinson, a fourth year senior, is potentially headed to England to play pro ball next year, but hasn’t ruled out

returning for his fifth year.

While Curtis looks to be a lock for All-Conference, fifth year guard Craig Walker is deserving of a place on that team as well. Craig, always known for his acrobatic dunks, is one of the league’s top three point gunners as he complements his excel- lent one-on-one scoring moves with radar like range. Craig is tenth in the league in scoring with a 14.4 ppg average, and can pass the rock with the best of them. He can break down opposing defences by slashing to the hoop or bombing away

from the outside, opening up the middle for Curt and Lucas. .

°© Tf the team can win their final four games, they should make it into the playoffs. Without four wins (and the accom- panying eight points) they’ll need some divine intervention if they hope to play for the prize in Halifax in two weeks.

} DS TNTRAMURALS

tint hi i 88" Player of the Week

... week of Feb. 6 to 10

A Division

Two speedy shooting guards who torched the twine this past week share POW honors. Billy Keaveny and Jason Martell lit it up in leading their respective teams to victory. Keaveny, of the Flyin Monkeys, was on fire as he scored 40 points and grabbed 10 boards, and was 7 for 8 from the line in a blowout win over the Rapid Dogs. Martell led his suddenly streaking Gigolos to an upset over a short-staffed Blue Hens team by

equalling a league season scoring high with 52, hitting shots from all over the court.

B Division

Future vet Jen Steeves of AVC led her squad with 19 points in’ ~

a loss against the experienced Alumni team.

Hey Fitz, glad to inspire ya. That’s much better work on the

boards this week. Keep crashing big guy.

... week of 13 to 17 A Division Kris Saunders of Jessie’s Girls got hot from the outside as he

notched 25 points and 8 rebounds in a one-sided loss to the Fighting Blue Hens.

B Division

Mike MacDougall of Pats Ex-Rats and Robert ‘‘don’t call me Bob’’ Martin of the No Names share POW honors for the B league. MacDougall banged away inside for 17 points and 8 caroms in a win over Wong’s Way. Martin led his team as he

scored 15 and grabbed 8 off the glass, but his No Names fell to President’s Choice.

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