In a hard-fought match at the SUNY Plattsburgh Fieldhouse, the Saranac Lake Placid (SLP) boys hockey team faced an unfortunate end to their season. Despite giving it their all, they were unable to convert key opportunities and ultimately lost 5-2 to the Beekmantown Eagles. The game showcased SLP's resilience but also highlighted the unpredictable nature of sports where even the best efforts don't always result in victory. On the other side, Beekmantown capitalized on their chances, with standout performances from sophomore forward Edward Sweenor, who scored four goals in the second period alone.
The Unyielding Effort of SLP
Despite the loss, the Saranac Lake Placid team demonstrated remarkable determination throughout the game. Coach Josh Spanburgh praised his players for their relentless effort, noting that sometimes things just don’t go your way. The team had several promising moments, including shots hitting the post or narrowly missing the goal. Even though these missed opportunities were frustrating, Spanburgh emphasized the importance of giving it their all, which his team undoubtedly did.
SLP took an early lead with a goal by Ayden McCormick in the first period. Later, Carson St. Louis added another goal during a power play in the second period. However, despite these efforts, the team couldn't overcome Beekmantown's offensive surge. Senior goalie Cassidy Goodman made 38 saves in what was his final varsity game, showcasing significant growth over his four-year career. Spanburgh expressed pride in Goodman’s development, describing him as a rock for the team. Goodman’s dedication and improvement were recognized, earning him the internal player of the game award.
Beekmantown's Dominance and Future Prospects
Beekmantown's success in this game was largely due to their ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities. Star player Edward Sweenor was instrumental, scoring four goals in the second period and assisting on the fifth. His performance highlighted not only individual skill but also the team's strategic prowess. Other notable contributors included Pryce Parker, Lee Jarus, and Braden Nephew, each providing crucial assists. The Eagles' goaltender Jack Bell also played a pivotal role, making 34 saves to keep SLP at bay.
Looking ahead, Beekmantown will face the Saranac Central Spartans in the Section VII Championship game. Meanwhile, SLP ends its season with a 7-12-1 record. Although losing three seniors, Coach Spanburgh remains optimistic about the future. He believes that if most of the current team returns next year, they will be stronger and more competitive. Spanburgh expressed gratitude for his players' dedication and encouraged them to continue pursuing their passion for hockey.
The Champaign Central Maroons made history by breaking a long-standing streak of Decatur MacArthur's dominance in regional championships. The victory, secured with a 60-54 win, marked the Maroons' first regional title since 2019, rekindling hopes and spirits within the team.
David Riley and Chris Bush were instrumental in leading the Maroons to victory. Riley's 19 points and Bush's 14 points provided the firepower needed to edge out the Generals. The game was intense from the start, with Riley scoring the opening three-pointer, setting the tone for the evening. By the end of the first quarter, the Maroons had established a 17-10 lead, thanks largely to Riley's early contributions. In the second quarter, Hasenstab's breakaway layup further extended their advantage, giving them a 30-24 lead at halftime. Coach P.J. Keaton’s message of unity resonated throughout the match, encouraging the players to stay focused despite any setbacks.
This win signifies more than just a regional championship for the Maroons. It represents a turning point for a team that has faced challenges over the past few years. The senior class, led by Hasenstab, is determined to build on this momentum and aim for even greater achievements. The team's resilience and teamwork were evident, especially in the final minutes when free throws by Hasenstab sealed the victory. Looking ahead, the Maroons are now set to face Chatham Glenwood in the sectional semifinals, with aspirations of reaching the state championship. This triumph not only honors the team's hard work but also sets a positive example of perseverance and unity in sports.
Pada hari pertama bulan puasa, harga emas yang diproduksi oleh PT Aneka Tambang (Antam) Tbk mengalami penurunan yang cukup signifikan. Berdasarkan data terbaru dari platform resmi perusahaan, harga emas 1 gram turun menjadi Rp 1.672.000 per batang. Selain itu, harga pembelian kembali atau buyback juga mengalami penurunan. Penurunan ini sejalan dengan tren global dan dipengaruhi oleh beberapa faktor ekonomi internasional.
Penurunan harga emas Antam mencapai Rp 35.000 dalam tiga hari terakhir. Pada Sabtu, 1 Maret 2025, yang bertepatan dengan awal bulan Ramadan 1446 Hijriah, harga emas satuan 1 gram diperdagangkan pada Rp 1.672.000 per batang, melemah sebesar Rp 6.000 dibandingkan hari sebelumnya. Harga buyback emas Antam juga turun menjadi Rp 1.521.500 per gram. Pergerakan ini mencerminkan kondisi pasar logam mulia yang sedang mengalami tekanan.
Pelemahan harga emas tidak hanya terjadi di Indonesia tetapi juga di pasar global. Lonjakan nilai dolar Amerika Serikat (AS), aksi ambil untung, serta rilis data ekonomi AS menjadi penyebab utama penurunan harga. Pada penutupan perdagangan Jumat, 28 Februari 2025, harga emas dunia berada di posisi US$ 2.855,06 per troy ons, melemah 0,73%. Ini merupakan pelemahan terpanjang dalam dua hari berturut-turut, dengan total penurunan mencapai 2,1%.
Dalam seminggu terakhir, harga emas telah anjlok 2,76%, mengakhiri tujuh pekan pesta pora logam mulia. Pelemahan ini menandai titik terendah sejak 4 Februari 2025 atau 18 hari perdagangan terakhir. Kondisi ini menciptakan situasi yang sulit bagi investor dan pedagang emas.
Berbagai faktor eksternal telah mempengaruhi fluktuasi harga emas. Lonjakan nilai dolar AS dan aksi ambil untung oleh pelaku pasar menyebabkan penurunan yang cukup drastis. Selain itu, data ekonomi AS yang baru dirilis juga memberikan dampak negatif terhadap harga emas. Situasi ini menunjukkan bahwa pasar logam mulia masih sangat sensitif terhadap perubahan kondisi ekonomi global.
Di tengah penurunan harga, banyak pihak yang memperhatikan dampaknya terhadap investasi emas. Meskipun kondisi saat ini kurang menguntungkan, para ahli menyarankan untuk tetap waspada terhadap pergerakan pasar dan mempertimbangkan strategi jangka panjang dalam berinvestasi. Dengan demikian, pemahaman mendalam tentang faktor-faktor yang mempengaruhi harga emas akan membantu investor membuat keputusan yang lebih bijaksana.