SHS_Warrior

The Warrior • Sports
February 20, 2025
Wrestling Looks Ahead to the Postseason
by Chase Sondike ‘26
As the team portion of the season
wraps up, Sherwood’s wrestling
team now shifts its focus toward
the individual competitions
at counties, regionals, and states.
While the dual season had its
challenges, first-year head coach
Nick Arnone remains optimistic
about the team’s top wrestlers and
their chances at success.
Leading the way for Sherwood
are three standout wrestlers: junior
JJ Andews (132 lbs), junior
Connor Flickinger (165 lbs), and
senior Brendan Heyer (175 lbs).
“I expect all three of them to be
competitive at all three levels,”
Arnone said. “Brendan got injured
to end the season last year,
so we really never got to see him
compete at states other than that
first match, and Connor was one
match away from placing at the
state tournament last year. JJ has
proven he can compete with the
best kids this year.”
Flickinger, in particular, has
made headlines this season by
reaching the 100-win milestone,
a rare achievement for a high
school wrestler and especially for
one who is still a junior. Arnone
emphasized Flickinger’s commitment
and dedication to the sport
as some of the reasons for his success.
“I think the number one reason
is the buy-in that he has,” said
Arnone. “He commits himself, he
works hard, he makes sacrifices,
he doesn’t make excuses, and it
pays off.”
While Sherwood has strong
individual competitors, the team
faced several obstacles throughout
the dual season, including
injuries, disciplinary issues, and a
roster filled with many new wrestlers.
One major setback was the
loss of standout wrestler Cade
Muñoz (113 lbs), who had been
one of the team’s top performers
before suffering a season-ending
injury. “Prior to injuries, I would
have thrown Cade in there as one
of our top wrestlers,” said Arnone.
Despite these challenges, Arnone
remains hopeful about the
upcoming individual postseason.
“Wrestling is a unique sport in
the sense that there is an individual
season and a dual season,” he
said. “From the dual portion of
Elijah Goodman ‘26
Senior Brendan Heyer (left) grapples in a match against Churchill.
the season, I think we struggled
for the reasons that I mentioned.
Individually, I think we can still
do very well with those three individuals
performing here in the
postseason.”
As Arnone wraps up his first
season as Sherwood’s head
coach, he reflects on the challenges
and highlights of the role. “I
would be lying if I said it hasn’t
been a challenging year,” he admitted.
“But I have 36 years of
experience in this sport. I grew
up in central Pennsylvania, where
wrestling is a big deal, and I’ve
learned from some of the best.”
Sherwood looks to take on
the postseason and make a strong
push at counties, regionals, and
states. As Flickinger, Heyer, and
Andrews prepare to take the mat,
the Warriors hope to add more
individual accolades to their program’s
legacy.
15
Perspective
Historic NBA Trade Deadline
by Chase Sondike ‘26
In a stunning turn of events, the 2025 NBA trade deadline will be
remembered as one of the most dramatic in league history. The headline-grabbing
move was the Dallas Mavericks trading their superstar
player, Luka Dončić to the Lakers, in exchange for big man Anthony
Davis. The trade left many fans and analysts in disbelief.
Dončić, a 25-year-old phenom, had been the face of the Mavericks
since he got into the league, leading them to multiple playoff appearances
and an NBA Finals berth in 2024. Many considered him to be
‘untouchable’, which is why his sudden departure has left questions
regarding the Mavericks’ decision-making. Dončić was the heart of
the team, a player who could take over games and make his teammates
better. His ability to create offense, hit clutch shots, and dominate
in the playoffs made him invaluable. General Manager Nico
Harrison defended the move, stating “Defense wins championships,”
highlighting Davis’s defensive presence as a key factor in the trade.
However, the Mavericks’ fanbase is displeased, to say the least.
Trading away a player of Dončić’s caliber, especially given his youth
and impact, has led to widespread criticism. Finding a talent like
Dončić is extremely rare, which is why many believe that this move
could set the franchise back. Dončić was the face of the franchise and
by dealing away a generational talent in his prime, the Mavericks
may be pushed into years of mediocrity.
Dončić himself was reportedly as surprised as everyone else,
having not requested the trade. He expressed his gratitude toward
Mavericks fans in a heartfelt message, stating, “I am leaving a city
that will always feel like a home away from home.”
Simply put, trading away a superstar-caliber player is illogical,
especially one entering their prime. While Anthony Davis is a
high-quality player, he is 31 and is currently in his 13th year in the
league, so there are questions about the trade for Dallas in the long
run. The sudden loss of Dončić has not only shocked the NBA community
but also left Mavericks fans feeling hopeless at the absence
of the superstar they thought would lead them for years to come. It’s
impossible to perfectly predict the future, but it’s a safe bet that the
Mavericks may have made one of the dumbest trades in NBA history.