THE RETURN OF THE EYE

March to Glory

By: BHS Sports Staff

March 19, 2026

It is the best sports time of the year, especially for college basketball fans. The 64-team March Madness tournament has arrived, so let us give a rundown of the favorites from each region, plus a Cinderella story from each region as well.

*South Region: The #1 seed is the reigning national champion, the Florida Gators, who went 26-7. The #2 seed is the Houston Cougars with a record of 28-6. Remember, the Cougars lost to the Gators in last year’s National Championship game. The #3 seed is from the Big 10, the Illinois Fighting Illini, who finished with a record of 24-8. The #4 seed, also from the Big 10, is the Nebraska Cornhuskers, who finished with a record of 26-6. The Cornhuskers are looking for their first tournament win in program history. Cinderella Team: Look for the Southland Conference champion and the #12 seeded McNeese State Cowboys to upset the #5 Vanderbilt Commodores.

*West Region: The #1 seed is the #2 overall team in college basketball, who finished with a record of 32-2, the Arizona Wildcats. The #2 seed is the Big 10 tournament champion, the Purdue Boilermakers, who finished with a record of 27-8. The #3 seed is the Gonzaga Bulldogs with a very solid season, who finished with a record of 30-3. The #4 seed is the Arkansas Razorbacks, SEC tournament champion, who finished with a record of 26-8. Cinderella Team: Look for the Big South Conference champion the High Point Panthers to upset the #5 Wisconsin Badgers.

*East Region: The #1 overall team in college basketball, the Duke Blue Devils, finished with a record of 32-2. The #2 seed is the UConn Huskies, who finished with a record of 29-5. The #3 seed is the Michigan State Spartans, who had a record of 25-7. Finally, the #4 seed is the Kansas Jayhawks with a record of 23-10. Cinderella Team: Look for a potential upset with the #11 South Florida Bulls over the #6 Louisville Cardinals.

*Midwest Region: The #1 seed and #3 overall team in college basketball is the Michigan Wolverines, who finished their season with a 31-3 record and won the Big 10 regular season title. The #2 seed belongs to the Iowa State Cyclones with a respectable 27-7 record. The #3 seed is the Virginia Cavaliers, who finished with a record of 29-5. Lastly, the #4 seed is the Alabama Crimson Tide with a record of 23-9. Cinderella Team: We can see a hometown upset with the #12 Akron Zips beating the #5 Texas Tech Red Raiders.

Now is the time you have all been waiting for: The Return of the Eye Sports Staff will make our “expert” Sweet 16 predictions. Mr. Urig, this year’s guest picker, along with Mr. Holko will make theirs, too.

*Nicolle: Hopefully, she spent more time on her bracket picks than with her recent court appearances.

South: Florida, Nebraska, Illinois, Houston
West: Arizona, Arkansas, Gonzaga, Miami
East: Ohio State, Kansas, Michigan State, UConn
Midwest: Michigan, Alabama, Virginia, Iowa State

*Reese: How can we really take her seriously when she believes that soccer is the best sport?

South: Florida, Nebraska, Illinois, Houston
West: Arizona, Arkansas, Gonzaga, Purdue
East: Duke, Kansas, Michigan State, UConn
Midwest: Michigan, Alabama, Virginia, Iowa State

*Jacob: Wild Fire’s picks can only go up from last year where he found himself in the basement of accuracy. He’s striving for more correct picks to match or surpass his current 33 mph fastball.

South: Florida, McNeese State, Illinois, Houston
West: Arizona, Arkansas, Gonzaga, Miami
East: Duke, St. John’s, Michigan State, UCLA
Midwest: Michigan, Alabama, Tennessee, Iowa State

*Mr. Urig: This “celebrity” guest picker has a tall task ahead of him in that he cannot lose to the students. If he does, he will never live it down, and his daily jokes will turn him into a joke.

South: Florida, Nebraska, North Carolina, Houston
West: Arizona, Arkansas, Gonzaga, Purdue
East: Duke, St. John’s, Michigan State, UConn
Midwest: Michigan, Alabama, Virginia, Iowa State

*Mr. Holko: Greatness, self-explanatory!

South: Florida, Vanderbilt, Illinois, Houston
West: Arizona, Arkansas, Gonzaga, Purdue
East: Duke, St. John’s, Michigan State, UConn
Midwest: Michigan, Akron, Virginia, Iowa State

The games tip-off today with #9 TCU taking on #8 Ohio State at 12:15.

Good luck to everyone with their brackets. As always, don’t overthink it because March Madness makes the smart people feel dumb. Leave a comment below with your Sweet 16 picks.

Below is the upcoming schedule for Brooklyn Hurricanes Athletics:

March 21: Softball @ Ellet (1:00)
March 28: Baseball @ Rhodes (10:00)

Go Canes!

{For up-to-date events and schedules, visit Brooklyn Hurricanes Athletics.}

The Museum of Illusions

By: BHS Features Staff

March 18, 2026

Want to challenge your cognitive skills? If so, there is just the right place for you to test your brain.

The Museum of Illusions is a tourist attraction in Cleveland that features 60-80 visual mind-blowing optical illusions, holograms, and interactive exhibits.

It offers a fun, photo-friendly environment that explores the science behind perception and perspective, designed for all ages. Not only is it a unique experience, it also provides visitors an educational experience that inspires creativity.

Come and enter the fascinating world of illusions to trick your brain into seeing from different perspectives to create a cool illusion. Explore different exhibits to challenge your vision and mind in sync together.

Below are some featured rooms.

*Tilted Room: The famous Tilted Room tricks your mind by using extreme angles to create an illusion that makes the guest feel as though they are defying gravity. This looks exhaustingly entertaining.

*Vortex Tunnel: The Vortex Tunnel is a popular disorientating interactive exhibit that features a rotating cylinder around a flat walkway. Though the path remains stable, it tricks the brain into feeling as if the ground is spinning or tilting causing dizziness. Please don’t fall!

*Reversed Room: The Reversed Room is an inverted exhibit designed to challenge perception by turning a room upside down. By using specific angles, utilizing slanted objects and furniture, visitors can take pictures that make them appear walking on the ceiling or defying gravity. We may need Dramamine for this one.

With many interactive activities, this Museum of Illusions provides many fun exhibits that make the experience enjoyable. Open throughout the week, visit the link below to check out the optical illusions and many more opportunities for a different kind of fun.

Don’t trick yourselves too much.

{Information for this article sourced from Museum of Illusions.}

Fourth Quarter Blues

By: BHS News Staff

March 17, 2026

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day, everyone!

Welcome to the fourth and final quarter, one step closer for seniors being free as they leave BHS forever in May.

To start off this week’s news, Mrs. Holko is now taking deposits for any student who wishes to attend prom. The deposit is $60 and can be turned into her, room 271. Also, anyone who does not go to prom can still attend post prom, which will be located at Fun ‘n’ Stuff. See your grade-level Google classroom for more details on both events.

Next, following the upcoming Spring concert, the jazz band will travel to the Tri-C Metro Campus for a day of performance and art. The legendary Count Basie Orchestra will be present with many of its members assisting all of the performing jazz ensembles.

Speaking of the annual Spring concert, which will include performances from the show choir, chorale, and concert band, each student in these groups has been working hard during and after school to make this a special show. Make sure to come and support them as this will be the final concert in the old auditorium.

Moving along from music-related items, any senior interested in seeking to earn scholarship money, make sure to check your Class of 2026 Google Classroom for scholarship opportunities. There are plenty of local scholarships available, ranging from $500-$2,500 each. All scholarship applications are due by April 24.

With the fourth quarter starting yesterday, there is not a whole lot going on as of now, but news will pick-up soon. In the meantime, start this quarter off well, and don’t look back.

Here is this week’s calendar.

March 18: Spring Concert
March 19: Winter Sports Banquet
March 19: Tri-C Jazz Festival

Have an outstanding week, Hurricanes!

{To stay updated with the Brooklyn City School District, make sure to click here.}

Senior Spotlight: Malak Chafki

By: BHS Senior Spotlights Staff

March 16, 2026

Chosen for this week’s senior spotlight is Malak Chafki. Malak is confident, caring, and exquisite. She has been a student in Brooklyn throughout her educational career and currently balances her time working, attending college classes, and being a student-athlete. When she does have free time, she likes to read and go shopping. After graduation, she plans to attend a four-year university to pursue a career in the medical field. A fun fact about Malak is that she used to do gymnastics when she was younger.

Q: What kinds of struggles have you gotten past that were difficult to conquer?

A: “Staying motivated through all four years of high school was something that I struggled with a lot. My grades definitely reflected that in my junior year.”

Q: What is something you regret that you didn’t do during school?

A: “I regret not trying harder. I feel like I did the bare minimum when it came to certain subjects when I know I could’ve done a lot better and gotten better grades.”

Q: How did you manage to do college classes while still taking classes at BHS?

A: “Reminding myself what I’m doing all the work for and trying to find a balance with sports, college classes, classes at BHS, and a job. I still struggle with trying to keep up with the load and feeling burnt out, but other times, I feel motivated and energized.”

Q: What is something that you didn’t like about your high school career?

A: “How stressful the environment was. I struggled a lot with navigating friendships and such. But, I learned a lot from the experiences and have grown as a person.”

Q: What is your favorite TV show or movie?

A: “Probably The Summer I Turned Pretty or Grey’s Anatomy.”

Q: Summer or Winter?

A: “Summer, for sure.”

Q: What is something you like to do in your free time?

A: “I like hanging out with my friends, doing puzzles, and watching romantic comedies.”

Q: Out of your entire school career, what teacher has been your biggest inspiration and/or influence?

A: “While I’ve only known her for a short period of time, Mrs. Meeks has been one of the best mentors I could ever ask for. She never fails to make me laugh and reminds me all the time to believe in myself.”

Thank you for your participation in this week’s Senior Spotlight, Malak. With only one quarter of high school left, we hope you enjoy it to the fullest.

Rapid Fire: Mr. Rademaker

*ELA Teacher*

By: BHS Staff Profiles

March 13, 2026

Q: Biggest pet peeve?

A: “Students who don’t listen.”

Q: What would your spirit animal be?

A: “Dog.”

Q: One bucket list item for this year?

A: “Go to the Winter Carnival in Quebec, Canada.”

Q: Road trip or plane?

A: “Road trip.”

Q: Host a party or attend one?

A: “Attend.”

Q: Formal or casual?

A: “Casual.”

Q: Favorite celebrity?

A: “Belinda Carlisle.”

Q: One language you would like to learn?

A: “French.”

Q: Comedy or drama?

A: “Comedy.”

Q: Sun or snow?

A: “Snow.”

Stay tuned for weekly rapid fire interviews and future podcasts. Have a wonderful three-day weekend, Brooklyn!

Baseball Takes Center Stage

By: BHS Sports Staff

March 12, 2026

America’s pastime has taken center stage with the World Baseball Classic and also the Hurricanes baseball season coming right around the corner. So now, it is time to give some love to both the Hurricanes and U.S.A. baseball.

Up first is the Hurricanes baseball team, a team which lost a lot of players from last year, specifically seven seniors. However, there are 10 returners, but this season will be a revamped year as they will be counting on a few guys who have yet to play varsity ball.

Head Coach Kevin Sedlacek has a squad that he is counting on to make an impact.

“We will have to rely on returning seniors Zander Rolon and Jacob Collins, plus sophomore Mason Vega to be the foundation of our pitching staff. Another senior returning who we are counting on is Jayden Chin, and we have two first-year senior players, Nathan Phillips and Ryan Gardner. Promising juniors from last year’s team include Jayden Torres and Aron Turbi. The remaining players will be a cast of sophomores who are new to varsity baseball, including Bentley Cox, Alex Gonzalez, Matt Kenderes, and Carson Westerhold.”

As expected with a new-look team, it will take some time to adjust to the faster-paced varsity game, but as the season progresses, confidence and skills will grow to become more competitive.

The first three games for the Hurricanes will be played on turf with the season kicking off on Saturday, March 28, against their “Battle of Biddulph” rivals, the Rhodes Rams. The game will be played at Talty Field. The Hurricanes will also travel to the historic League Park on Wednesday, April 1, to face the John Marshall Lawyers. The first home game will be on Saturday, April 4, against the Euclid Panthers.

Good luck, boys! Have a great season.

Now onto the big stage for the World Baseball Classic, where the biggest stars in the game representing 20 countries are facing off for an opportunity to win the WBC title.

Group A (hosted in San Juan, Puerto Rico) consists of Canada, Colombia, Cuba, Panama, and Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico was the first team to move on, but Canada secured a quarterfinals berth as well.

Group B (hosted in Houston, Texas) consists of the host favorite United States, Mexico, Italy, Great Britain, and Brazil. It came down to the final day for the two qualifying spots, but Italy and the United States moved on after Italy beat Mexico 9-1.

Group C (hosted in Tokyo, Japan) consists of Korea, Australia, Chinese Taipei, Czechia, and Japan. The two qualifying teams for the quarterfinals were Japan and Korea.

Group D (hosted in Miami, Florida) consists of Venezuela, Israel, Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, and the Netherlands. The winner of the group came down to the final game between Venezuela and the Dominican Republic, with the winner being the Dominican Republic. Venezuela, however, still qualified.

The quarterfinals matchups will be played tomorrow with Korea versus the Dominican Republic at 6:30 and Team U.S.A. taking on Canada at 8:00. On Saturday, Puerto Rico will battle Italy at 3:00, and Venezuela will play Japan at 9:00.

Seeing baseball back on the big screen is exciting, and this WBC is setting up for a dramatic conclusion.

Aside from baseball, next week is the biggest time of the year for college basketball fans, and do not worry, we will begin our trifecta of March Madness articles and our expert predictions.

Below is the upcoming schedule for Brooklyn Hurricanes Athletics:

March 21: Softball @ Ellet (1:00)
March 28: Baseball @ Rhodes (10:00)

Go Canes!

{For up-to-date events and schedules, visit Brooklyn Hurricanes Athletics.}

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

By: BHS Features Staff

March 11, 2026

Continuing our 2-1-6 Tour, the next Cleveland venue to preview is for all of the music lovers out there. If you are interested in music and its history, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is the perfect place to visit.

Since the weather is warming up (sporadically), there is a great opportunity to take a picture in front of the iconic sign without wearing big, bulky jackets.

Now, it is time to start nominating inductees into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. With a plethora of inductees, the museum is as inclusive as possible, offering multiple voting options. You can cast your ballot online located in the link below.

The Rock Hall offers all kinds of events, giving visitors many different options to choose from. With over 10 different events to sign up for, guests can really choose what they want to get the most out of their museum experience.

One event offered is “Girls Rock the Hall”. On March 21 from 10:00-2:00, the Rock Hall will shine a light on how women shaped the music industry. This event offers hands-on experiences as well as educational activities.

Also worth the time is the cool “Sonic Connections,” where people can dive deep into the background of their favorite songs, tunes that have influenced music lovers over the years.

Simply, the Rock Hall has numerous exhibits featuring decades and decades of music and musicians.

After visiting all of the exhibits, there are plenty of items at the gift shop, too. After learning about a new musician, you may want to listen to what that musician created. There is plenty of merchandise, ranging from clothing and bags to CDs and records.

No matter if you know a lot about music or only know a little, this is the perfect opportunity to learn more and to become musically-educated. Maybe, you will even find some new artists to enjoy and add them to your playlist.

Music unites all people, and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is housed right here in our favorite city, so head downtown for this memorable experience.

{Information for this article sourced from Rock Hall.}

Just Around The Corner

By: BHS News Staff

March 10, 2026

As the lovely three-day weekend is in the past, the Drama Club performed The Addams Family musical very well. Starting the process in November with countless hours of rehearsing, the seniors performed their final play as high school students.

Senior Riley Cummings was a part of the Crew, which specializes in building the set. She shared her favorite moments throughout her BHS Drama Club career.

“Some of my favorite moments were watching the musical from the wings and all the memories at dinner with all my friends. My favorite sets to build were the stained glass in the back made of tissue paper in Sister Act, Little Mermaid was the sister beds, The Wizard of Oz Glinda’s bubble, and for The Addams Family was the graveyard. The person who had the biggest impact on me was Mr. Kaspar. He pushed me out of my shell and helped me learn to make my own decisions. I joined Crew because my older sister joined, and I wanted to do it from a young age because I got to watch her do it. The people I’m going to miss the most are all the friends I have made along the way.”

Senior Amir Green was a part of the Pit, which specializes in playing the music for the play. Here are some of his favorite memories.

“Some of my favorite moments from this year are probably either watching the play slowly come together or the chicken fight during senior circle. My favorite play I’ve done would probably be either Sister Act or The Little Mermaid just because during those plays, I was surrounded by a lot of friends that I knew and cared about. The people who influenced me the most were Mr. Keller, Mr. Sullivan, and Ben Denovchek because when I thought I wasn’t good enough to play the drumset parts, they were all there to either help me or encourage me.”

This play shows how the Brooklyn community comes together as a big team to show up for each other, even if it is just to watch the play. Students showing up for each other is so important, too.

Congratulations to everyone who was involved in bringing this musical to life. Hurricane Nation is proud of all your hard work and dedication.

To wrap up this week’s news, the third quarter ends this Thursday, March 12. Buckle down, work extremely hard, and finish strong with no regrets.

Here is the upcoming schedule for mid-March.

March 11: First Ring Leadership & Yearbook Picture Day
March 12: End of Third Quarter
March 13: No School
March 19: Winter Sports Banquet

Have an amazing week, fellow Hurricanes.

{To stay updated with the Brooklyn City School District, make sure to click here.}

Senior Spotlight: Adam Cowper

By: BHS Senior Spotlights Staff

March 9, 2026

Chosen for this week’s Senior Spotlight is Division II State Bowling Champion, Adam Cowper. After graduation, Cowper plans on bowling at Indiana Tech University while pursuing a degree in Computer Science. Outside of school, you can find him bowling at Yorktown Lanes in Parma Heights and hanging out with his friends. A fun fact about him is that he owns 16 bowling balls.

Q: What surprised you the most about transitioning from eighth grade to high school?

A: “Probably the people I was around. Being in classes with mixed grade levels was something I wasn’t used to.”

Q: How do you keep a positive mindset?

A: “I start focusing on what I can do better instead of worrying about the past.”

Q: What is your dream job?

A: “Cybersecurity Analysis.”

Q: How do you deal with adversity?

A: “By keeping a clear mind.”

Q: When did you fall in love with bowling?

A: “I have no clue; it has been forever. Maybe since 2015.”

Q: What is your biggest fear?

A: “I don’t have one; I am fearless.”

Q: What is one piece of advice that you would give to incoming freshmen?

A: “Get used to the heat. Some of the classrooms are very hot in the Summer.”

Q: If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?

A: “There are so many great foods out there, and I don’t know if I can pick just one. If I had to have something right at this moment, I would have some good Sesame Chicken.”

Q: Out of your entire school career, what teacher has been your biggest inspiration and/or influence?

A: “Mr. Verba. He always pushed me to do great things and to never settle.”

Adam, thank you for taking part in this week’s Senior Spotlight. We wish you continued success as you pursue your career in Computer Science. Once again, congratulations on your State Bowling Championship!

Rapid Fire: Ms. Lowe-Fleischer

*Health & Physical Education Teacher*

By: BHS Staff Profiles

March 6, 2026

Q: If you could teleport, where would you go right now?

A: “Somewhere with blue water and white sand.”

Q: Text or Call?

A: “Both.”

Q: Least favorite food as a kid?

A: “Sweet Potatoes.”

Q: Favorite flower?

A: “Gardenia.”

Q: Chocolate or Vanilla?

A: “Vanilla.”

Q: Morning or Night?

A: “Morning.”

Q: Polka Dots or Stripes?

A: “Polka Dots.”

Q: Any animal as a pet?

A: “Seahorse.”

Q: City or Country?

A: “Country.”

Q: Favorite cartoon character?

A: “Smurfette.”

Stay tuned for weekly rapid fire interviews and future podcasts. Have a great long weekend, Hurricanes!

Cowper Makes History

By: BHS Sports Staff

March 5, 2026

Jenna Young, 2023 graduate, was the last state champion (High Jump) for the Brooklyn Hurricanes…until last Friday. It was a historic moment for the Hurricanes as a state champion was crowned for Bowling, and his name is Adam Cowper.

Cowper had a historically-great career at Brooklyn, being a three-time state qualifier, a conference champion, participating in numerous competitive tournaments, and signing with Indiana Tech earlier this year to continue his bowling career.

However, none of these accomplishments will ever top winning the state championship. Cowper proved the old saying to be true: “The third time’s a charm.”

He rolled a series of 729 (235-279-215), beating the individual runner-up by 33 pins. His 729 total was 90 pins higher than what he had two weeks ago just to qualify for the state championship.

Cowper knows that consistent practice and great coaching were the main reasons for his state title.

“The amount of practice I’ve put in over the last four years and the coaching from my dad has led me to success, and I’m grateful.”

Athletic Director Mark Zofka points out that this accomplishment is an amazing feat for Brooklyn.

“This is only our second individual state champion in the last few years. It’s a young program, and it’s amazing to see him succeed the way he did.”

As he prepares for college bowling at Indiana Tech, Cowper wants to keep doing his thing with the right mindset, knowing what it takes to be successful at the highest level.

Congratulations, Adam! Your state championship will forever be remembered here at Brooklyn High School. You will forever be a Hurricane.

Now onto other Winter sports.

The boys basketball team, last Saturday, defeated the St. Martin de Porres Lions in their sectional playoff matchup by a score of 54-47. Freshman Shaddai Givens led the way with 17 points, and junior Jose Mateo added 15 points. Unfortunately, their season ended last night with a 63-47 district semifinal loss to Triway. The boys ended the season with a record of 12-11.

Additionally, in wrestling, sophomore Levi Bledsoe finished in third place to advance to the OHSAA district tournament in Independence. Zofka is proud of what Bledsoe has accomplished this season and hopes to see more out of him tomorrow.

“Levi has a great chance of making it to the state tournament, and he’s having a great season. It is amazing to see what he does with his weight, especially competing against upperclassmen.”

Good luck, Levi!

Below is the upcoming schedule for Brooklyn Hurricanes Athletics:

March 6: Wrestling District Tournament (4:00)

Go Canes!

{For up-to-date events and schedules, visit Brooklyn Hurricanes Athletics.}

Cleveland’s Iconic Westside Market

By: BHS Features Staff

March 4, 2026

Want to get some fresh fruit and vegetables? How about some grade-A quality meat? Maybe even some pierogies?

The Westside Market is one of the best options for food in Cleveland, so make sure to check it out.

Since 1912, the Westside Market has been up and running. With their fresh food, professional chefs, and welcoming environment, many Ohio residents love to visit and purchase goodies from here.

With over 70 different family-owned businesses within the market, it creates a safe sense of community and belonging. These businesses also give you an opportunity to explore the many choices, not leaving you empty-handed or disappointed.

To prove the hype of this market, more than 800,000 guests visit within a calendar year, proving its quality, worth, and impact.

For those interested in history and/or cooking, The Chef’s Cut is a must. Featuring Chef Eric Wells, he will take you through the history, future, and ongoing cooking routines. After learning, Chef Wells will take you through a hands-on experience to cook a fresh, gourmet meal. For those interested in The Chef’s Cut, please do not hesitate to register your visit in the link provided above. No matter if you are a skilled chef or a novice, you will enjoy this experience.

If you are not the type who is sociable or someone who hesitates trying new things in public, the market has just the experience for you. Each Friday from 10:00-2:00, the Westside Market features a chef’s new recipe through Fresh Fundamentals. Once you grab your selected recipe card, you are able to walk around the market to purchase the needed items. Once you get home with your recipe and ingredients, you may view the market’s YouTube page to understand the recipe better and how to properly prepare it.

Do not wait! Head to the Westside Market and enjoy this iconic Cleveland venue. Remember, eat a lot but not too much.

{Information for this article sourced from Westside Market.}