Canada is a northern force to be reckoned with since we are so unexpected and determined. We make things bigger and brighter, and we never give up. However, we face persecution, we are underestimated, but we keep our heads high. A good example is the Toronto Raptors. We have been playing like crap for the past years and so many people doubted them, but they used that persecution as motivation. So many people doubted them, but they got back up. This year the Raptors improved so much, they shocked so many people, and I believe if they continue to play aggressively, make great shots, play superb offense and defense, and they play like a team they would definitely make it to the finals. We are all our own in our division, and if that makes us outsiders, we are in. WE THE NORTH.

Ever since 2010, I had a big connection with basketball and it was not because I was black. It was because Kobe Bryant inspired me to play basketball because he made the toughest shots and he never gave up. He is currently 36 but he still has that energy and determination no matter how old he is. I was definitely a Lakers fan at that time, but I then became a Raptors fan in the 2012-2013 season. The Raptors were an underdog team just like almost every national Canadian team. They were amazing in the 2013-2014 NBA season and they were so close to advance to round two of the playoffs and I was at the edge of my seat in game 7 against the Brooklyn Nets.

Now in the 2014-2015 NBA season, it is a year of progress for the Raptors since they were first in the Eastern Conference, unfortunately they dropped to third in the standings since after the NBA All-star game, they didn’t play as well. I think that slump happened because the team chemistry was weak, their defense was poor, and they were obliterated in getting rebounds. Fortunately, the Raptors stepped up when they beat the Miami Heat on Friday night and they just fixed their mistakes and got back to work. I hope they will continue to play as a team and they will be superb offensively and defensively in these next 13 regular season games and in the playoffs. Obviously I want the Raptors to make it into the NBA finals and win. I hope you had a great March break and managed your time wisely. Remember, WE THE NORTH.

Josiah Damian.