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U.S. ArmyThis blog is presented by the U.S. Army.
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Tuscarora High School Students compete for ESports Championships

County Sports Zone and PressBox were at Tuscarora High School on November 29 for the latest ESports event in partnership with the US Army.

Next Level Gaming and Entertainment brought its gaming trailer, allowing students to compete in perfect conditions. The inside of the trailer included comfortable gaming chairs and multiple consoles, while the crowd outside was able to watch the action through a live stream.

Students were able to stop by the truck after school and participate in single-elimination tournaments in NBA 2k22 and Madden NFL 22.

The NBA 2k21 championship was won by Michael Boadu and Zack Lewis of the team UA.

Trenton Johnson and Justin Banks took home the title of Madden NFL 22 champions as Ms Lightskins.

County Sports Zone, PressBox and the US Army will be at Catonsville High School on December 2 for the next installment of this eGaming series.

See pictures from Monday's event below!

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Esports Champions Crowned at Frederick High School Event

In partnership with the US Army and PressBox, County Sports Zone facilitated an esports tournament at Frederick High School Friday afternoon.

Next Level Gaming and Entertainment was on-site with its gaming truck, allowing students to compete in perfect conditions. The inside of the trailer included comfortable gaming chairs and multiple consoles, while the crowd outside was able to watch the action through a live stream.

In all, 24 students across 12 teams took on each other in Madden 22 and NBA 2K22 with winners being determined through single-elimination brackets.

Landon Williams and John Boison of Team Goat took the title in Madden 22 with a thrilling comeback as the Seattle Seahawks, taking down the Baltimore Ravens, 24-21. Goat scored 10 points in the final minute of the game to come out victorious.

Coen Welte and Sheku Conde of Team Krots ran away with the NBA 2K22 title thanks to a 46-25 victory as the Milwaukee Bucks over the Brooklyn Nets. Krots shot 62% from the floor in the championship to take the crown.

See pictures from Friday's event below!

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Player Profile: Hancock Middle-Senior High School’s Laura Golden

The Maryland high school player profiles series is presented by the U.S. Army.

Three-sport star Laura Golden, who graduated from Hancock Middle-Senior High School in the spring, was nominated for the Maryland high school player profiles series by varsity volleyball coach Shawnda Wills.

“Laura is not only an outstanding student-athlete, she is also an outstanding human. She will do anything that is asked of [her] and then will even do more,” Wills said. “She may not be the biggest player on the field or court but she will give it all she has and then some. It was an absolute privilege to coach her for two years and I am so proud of the young lady she is.”

Golden was a standout player on Hancock’s volleyball, basketball and softball teams. She served as a setter, guard and outfielder/second baseman. She was also the valedictorian for the graduating 2021 class of Hancock.

Golden answered a few questions about receiving this honor.

PressBox: What does it mean to be nominated by your former coach for an honor like this?

Laura Golden: Honestly, I didn’t even know about it until my coach had texted me quite recently. I was really honored because I never really thought about ever being honored or asked to do something like this. I’m really thankful that she would consider me.

PB: What was the sports season like for you as a senior? Were you able to play all three sports and how much of those seasons did you play?

LG: I was able to have seasons in all three sports that I play. For volleyball, we got about five games in before COVID rates went up in November. Our basketball season was shortened up to eight or 10 games, but I was lucky enough to have a full 20-game softball season in the spring.

PB: How much more of a leadership role did you take across the three sports you played to make sure your teammates were prepared for their respective seasons?

LG: Compared to past years, this was definitely the most growth I’ve had and biggest step I’ve taken because we were so young in every single sport, especially softball and basketball. I really wanted to focus on not just me getting better, but each player getting better individually.

PB: When did you first get involved in each sport and what kept you going to eventually become a three-sport star in high school?

LG: Sports are really big in my family, especially with my dad. The first sport I picked up was softball, but I actually played football in grade school, eventually picking up basketball once I stopped playing football, and I didn’t start playing volleyball until high school. Going to such a small school as mine is, you kept the different programs alive by playing several different sports — at least that’s what my perspective was.

PB: What were some of your favorite moments and achievements across your athletic career?

LG: Since [Hancock] was such a small school, just going out and being able to compete with all my friends and hang out and laugh, get each other fired up in the locker rooms before and during games and on bus rides. I wouldn’t trade my four years for anything.

PB: What is next up for you now that you’ve graduated high school? What are your plans for college?

LG: My last two years while also attending high school, I attended Hagerstown Community College and earned my associate’s degree in science before graduating. I’m going to be attending West Virginia University to do two more years of undergrad, getting my bachelor’s degree in biology and then attending physician assistant schooling.

To nominate an athlete or team for a future U.S. Army Player/Team Profile, visit PressBoxOnline.com/Impact.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Hancock Middle-Senior High School

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Player Profile: Friends School’s Zoe Baumgartner

The Maryland high school player profiles series is presented by the U.S. Army.

Zoe Baumgartner, a rising senior softball player at Friends School, was nominated for the Maryland high school player profiles series by Quakers varsity softball coach Ken Zalis.

“[Zoe] is the hardest-working player on the team,” Zalis said. “She came up huge in the championship.”

Baumgartner, a corner outfielder, was an impact player on this season’s varsity squad, which put together an undefeated season this spring. It was capped off by a 12-4 win against Concordia Prep in the IAAM C Conference championship game.

She put the game away for Friends in the sixth inning, hitting an inside-the-park two-run home run.

Baumgartner took some time to ask a few questions about receiving this honor.

PressBox: What does it mean to you to have your coach recognize you for this?

Zoe Baumgartner: I was surprised. Getting this nomination really makes me feel like my hard work coming into this season paid off.

PB: What were expectations like leading up to the start of this season?

ZB: We were supposed to be good last season and we had several seniors that played a big part on our team. With the season canceled and those seniors graduating, we were unsure of what was going to happen coming into this season. I talked with our coach and he said he thought the team had a lot of potential and could make a run at the championship.

PB: When did things really start to click for this team? What do you think was the key to the team’s success on the field?

ZB: I think after that first conference victory, it gave our team hope. We were nervous going in, but each win helped boost our confidence more and more. We were a family this season. We all meshed so well through our first few practices and that was definitely a big reason for our success this season.

PB: How did you first get into playing softball? What made you fall in love with the sport?

ZB: I started halfway through the season my freshman year in high school. My friend, who played on the team, came up to me, saying they needed more players on the team. At first, I completely shut her down, but as she kept asking me, I caved in, and that season, I had a lot of fun playing, I stuck with it, and my love for the game grew from there.

PB: What’s been your favorite moment in your softball career so far?

ZB: Definitely the championship game in May. That solidified the amazing season that we had. We worked really hard and improved a lot.

PB: How did you step into a bigger role as a team leader this season?

ZB: As I became more confident in my skills as a softball player, I definitely stepped up my role on the team. With so many new players this season, whether it was helping them learn the roles or helping instill confidence in the team, my impact grew as a leader.

PB: What are your plans for the rest of high school? Have you started thinking about post-graduation plans?

ZB: I plan on playing soccer, basketball and softball next year with softball being my primary sport, and once I finish up my high school career at Friends, I plan on going to a four-year college to study athletic training and physical therapy.

To nominate an athlete or team for a future U.S. Army Player/Team Profile, visit PressBoxOnline.com/Impact.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Friends School

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Player Profiles: Boonsboro High School’s Rachel Roupe, Madison Taylor

This Maryland high school player profiles series is presented by the U.S. Army.

Senior Rachel Roupe and junior Madison Taylor of the Boonsboro High School softball team were nominated for the high school player profiles series by head coach Mark Wadel.

“They combined to throw a perfect game on April 26 against Williamsport,” Wadel said. “They threw three innings each and nine retired batters each. The two girls were great this year!”

The tandem of Roupe and Taylor led Boonsboro to a 15-0 win against Williamsport (Md.) High School that day. Roupe and Taylor answered a few questions about receiving this honor.

PressBox: What does it feel like to you to be honored by your coach like this?

Rachel Roupe: It shows how much he cares and it’s nice knowing that you have people behind you who are willing to give you the recognition that you deserve.

Madison Taylor: I felt really honored. I’m proud to have had him as a coach all three of my years here.

PB: How were you feeling going into that game against Williamsport April 26?

RR: Coming into that game, I felt pretty good. I try to relax before every game. I had a lot of energy and also our bus ride there was delayed, so I just tried to stay focused and relaxed.

MT: It felt like any normal day, but I was really excited. I didn’t know that Rachel was throwing a perfect game at the time and I felt honored that they put me in there to show what I had.

PB: What do you think was the key to your individual success and the team’s success this season?

RR: We learned to really trust each other, which helped a lot. We didn’t take any team lightly. Once we got our energy consistently going as a team, everyone’s a lot more in the game and it made it a better environment for me to pitch in.

MT: I know that our team has a lot of talent, and I know that the girls have been working really hard over the summer through travel ball and the like. Individually, I’ve worked out constantly and made sure to get those extra reps in and it’s made a big difference.

PB: Where does the perfect game rank in terms of your favorite moments so far in your softball career?

RR: I had never experienced something like that before, so that was a unique and different moment I won’t forget.

MT: I’d say this one’s pretty high up in the books.

PB: What are your plans for the rest of high school and post-graduation?

RR: My freshman year, I committed to play Division I softball for Liberty University, and now, I’m just training and preparing for college. Also, I’m going to make sure I succeed on and off the field once I’m there, as I’ll be majoring in biology.

MT: For softball, my goals are to make the All-County team and as for college, once I get there, I’m going to work to do the best I can. Keep working hard.

To nominate an athlete or team for a future U.S. Army Player/Team Profile, visit PressBoxOnline.com/Impact.

Photo Credits: Heather Dillow

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Player Profile: Wheaton High School’s Savanah Thompson

Senior Savanah Thompson, a three-sport star at Wheaton High School, was nominated for the Maryland high school player profiles series by Knights girls’ soccer coach Travis Woodruff.

Thompson, a midfielder/striker, led Wheaton with 12 goals and four assists during her senior season this spring. She finished her high school career in style, scoring four goals in her final high school game, a 5-1 win against Paint Branch April 15.

“Savanah has stood out this past season on and off the field as a leader,” Woodruff said. “She’s also been the first person week in and week out to recognize the hard work of the defense and goalies.”

Thompson, who also played basketball and softball at Wheaton, answered a few questions about being nominated.

PressBox: How does it feel for your coach to recognize you for an honor like this?

Savanah Thompson: I’m really appreciative that he would honor me out of the team. There are a lot of people on the team who did really well this season, but it feels good to be recognized for my accomplishments on this team. I really enjoy it. It feels really nice.

PB: What would you most attribute to your success on the soccer field this season?

ST: The entire team in general. It’s not just one player. We’re an entire unit. This year, we really gelled together, developed good chemistry and talked well on the field, which was a key factor toward our success — and also, our coaching. They’re great.

PB: How did you prepare for this season not knowing there would even be one some months ago?

ST: I never really fully stopped sports altogether because I play sports outside of school, so I was able to stay in shape through those practices and games during those seasons. I was outdoors a lot, so I did lots of activities outdoors, avoiding the house.

PB: What was the anticipation like coming into this season and how excited were you to get on the field and play again for Wheaton?

ST: Originally, I didn’t think we were going to have a season because of COVID, and I was bummed. Leading up through your high school career, everyone talks about your senior season and senior night, playing those last few games. I didn’t think I was going to get that experience, but once they announced there was going to be a season, even though it was shortened, I was really happy I was going to be able to experience some of those things and have those memories with my team and coaches.

PB: What made you first fall in love with soccer and what kept you going in the sport?

ST: I started soccer when I was really young and I just liked the adrenaline rush of scoring goals or stop a key play on defense and that’s what’s really made me love the game the most.

PB: What’s been your favorite moment in soccer so far?

ST: For me, it was definitely being able to play with my younger sister on varsity this season. We had a lot of plays together and assisted each other this last season, and I just enjoyed playing with her. We have great chemistry on the field and I think it made for a much more memorable season, being able to spend those last few games and practices with her.

PB: How would you describe the leadership role you’ve had on the team and how did you get to that point?

ST: Even though I’m not a captain, I always tend to give speeches and other things to motivate the team before games or at halftime. I think I do it well to help get morale going. I’ve become more vocal as I’ve played and matured. As a senior, I’ve found that I’ve vocalized different things even more to the younger players to help solidify their mindset in games.

PB: What are your goals for the rest of your high school career, and do you have any early plans for after high school?

ST: I’ll be attending the University of Maryland this fall, and I plan to finish my business degree there and then go to law school and become a lawyer. As for sports, it’s up in the air if I want to continue them because of my academic career, but I love playing them and it’s a great outlet for me. I’m not really sure.

To nominate an athlete or team for a future U.S. Army Player/Team Profile, visit PressBoxOnline.com/Impact.

Photo Credit: Tony Kosiyachinda

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Team Profile: Easton High School’s Football Team

This Maryland high school player profiles series is presented by the U.S. Army.

The Easton High School football team was nominated for the high school team and player profiles series by nominated by athletic director Kurisha Hoffman.

“The boys were dedicated to not only the program but to each other. They supported each other, celebrated individual successes and picked their teammates up when needed,” Hoffman said. “I couldn’t be more proud of being their athletic director and how this team represented our school throughout the season.”

Easton finished the shortened spring season a perfect 5-0, including defeating North Caroline for the first time since 2014. Easton won, 15-14, in a late fourth-quarter comeback. That ended North Caroline’s 23-game Bayside Conference winning streak and 35-game regular-season winning streak.

Head coach Patrick McGlinchey was at the helm for Easton during this historic season. Easton also had the Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year in the Bayside Conference — senior quarterback Ryan O’Connor and senior linebacker Jarin Winters, respectively.

McGlinchey, O’Connor and Winters answered a few questions about receiving this honor.

PressBox: What does it feel like to have your school recognize this team after the season you guys just had?

Jarin Winters: It’s really unexplainable. I’ve been on varsity for four years and I’ve put in the work. We’ve been recognized here and there, but this is really unexplainable. This is crazy.

PB: What was your team’s mentality like coming into the school year and how optimistic was everyone that a season would happen? How difficult was it to stay motivated through the uncertainty?

Patrick McGlinchey: That was the hardest thing, not knowing there would be a season at all. I had a lot of people tell me that they didn’t think it was going to happen. I said I believed it was going to happen. We have to will it into existence. Anytime anyone spoke to me about it, my perception was that we were going to have a season. Not only do we have to say it, but we have to prepare for it. Not once did I talk about there maybe being a season. It was always, “It’s going to happen.”

Ryan O’Connor: Watching everyone else play in neighboring states like Delaware and Pennsylvania, that was really hard just to not have it and watch other people do it. Personally for me, it made me more excited for the spring season, for the possibility of having one. I think for me and really our whole team, not having it and having to wait for it built up a lot of anticipation for the spring season. A lot of us believed we were going to get it.

Jarin Winters: It was so hard to stay motivated. I almost wanted to sweep everything under the rug and say, “Let’s just be done.” However, I had my teammates pushing me saying, “Hey, there’s a chance we could have a season. Let’s go to the gym, let’s go work out.” They kept me motivated, but it was hard for everyone to keep that motivation going.

PB: How did you react when the spring season was announced and what was it like getting back out on the football field in the spring?

Patrick McGlinchey: When it came out, it spread like wildfire on Twitter. Everyone was really excited that the Bayside announced there was going to be a season. It was really just a huge relief and the kids were just so stoked. They were exuberant.

The weather was exhausting and of our 20 practice days, we had just seven outside. The rest was in our indoor facility, our gymnasium. That part was really difficult. Dealing with the rain and the freezing cold temperatures was not the most pleasant thing, but they never complained about it, either.

PB: How do you think the team’s mentality changed as the season progressed?

Ryan O’Connor: Our first few practices were really sloppy for us, so we grew a lot throughout the season. Every game I think we got better and more confident. Honestly with only a five-game schedule, I don’t think we played a complete game and we still won every game, including a couple pretty handily. That really speaks to the potential we had and how far we could’ve gone. I believe that this would’ve been a state championship-caliber team.

Jarin Winters: With just two weeks of practice to prepare a number of players who hadn’t played on varsity before that started, we were nervous, but we weren’t scared about playing the season. We had no team chemistry starting out, but after our first game, a 21-7 win, we went from there and started building chemistry and momentum.

PB: What moments made this season special? What will you remember most about this season?

Patrick McGlinchey: This is my 18th season coaching football and fourth as a coach at Easton, and this team is probably the most special team I’ve ever coached. I have not seen a team where they’re so willing to help each other out and it wasn’t just on the field. It was in the classroom — the virtual classroom — as well. They’re just willing to fall on a sword for each other and that’s the thing I’m going to remember most about this season. They never gave up. They never quit on each other.

Ryan O’Connor: It was just fun to go out there and have the opportunity to play in front of our fans. In middle school, I would come to the games on Friday nights and that’s all I would think about. Just to be able to fulfill that dream I had to play in front of our town, that’s something I won’t forget. Beating North Caroline on that two-minute drive to end the game for the first time in six years, that was big.

To nominate an athlete or team for a future U.S. Army Player/Team Profile, visit PressBoxOnline.com/Impact

Photo Credit: Scotty Bruce

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Player Profile: Rockville High School’s Hector Alvarez

This Maryland high school player profiles series is presented by the U.S. Army.

Hector Alvarez, a senior soccer player for Rockville High School was nominated for the Maryland high school player profiles series by Rockville boys’ soccer coach Julio Zarate.

“Hector is a remarkable young man and excellent captain,” Zarate said. “Leadership and compassion is his strength. During a difficult year, he managed to keep the team united and strong.”

Alvarez was a key piece on defense for Rockville, a stout centerback who was the spine of this team, helping guide the Rams to the Class 3A West Region II title during the 2019 season.

He took some time with us to answer a few questions about being nominated.

PressBox: What does it mean to you to have your coach recognize you for this?

Hector Alvarez: It was amazing. I didn’t really expect it, but when he chose me, I was shocked. It’s a huge honor to be chosen by my coach and it’s super amazing to be a part of it.

PB: How did you prepare for this season and how optimistic were you about there even being a season?

HA: I made sure I had time to keep myself and others on the team in shape. I had a good four months where I would be outside all the time, going on walks and jogs. Later on, I started inviting two or three of my teammates to work out socially distanced. We always believed there would be a season, so we would prepare ourselves through long workouts to get ready to play.

PB: How did you get your start with soccer and what’s kept you going in the sport?

HA: I started playing in middle school, around 11 or 12. I originally liked basketball more, but then I went to one of my cousin’s soccer games, and through watching, it looked like a lot of fun. Also, my parents would watch Barcelona games on our TV, so I would watch it with them. I started out at an older age, so I wanted to improve myself quickly, but it just grew from there.

PB: What’s been your favorite moment in your soccer career so far?

HA: When I was on my club team, Takoma Park Friends United, around ninth grade, we were in the finals of the Maryland State Cup. It was about 15 minutes into the second half of a 0-0 game against our rival team. I had the ball at my feet and I saw my striker breaking toward the net. I whipped it in and our striker volleyed it for the goal. I got the assist on the goal that opened up the scoring, and we ended up winning 2-0.

PB: What did it mean to you to get named co-captain as a junior and how have you grown into the role the past two seasons?

HA: It meant a lot, but I personally believe it’s not just one leader. I believe it’s multiple people. I always recognize my teammates and what they tell me. All of the intel is coming from everyone else.

PB: Do you have any post-graduation plans once high school ends?

HA: I have already committed to UMBC and I’m planning on walking on to the men’s soccer team there to help further my future goal of hopefully making it into MLS.

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Player Profile: Clarksburg High School’s Nathan Goh

This Maryland high school player profiles series is presented by the U.S. Army.

goarmy.com/army/1bde/baltimore-recruiting.html?iom=OM78-BATT-ACNP-ON-LOC-XX-***-69-XX-X-1ST

By Alex Peters, CountySportsZone.com

Nathan Goh, a junior volleyball player for Clarksburg High School (Md.), was nominated for the Maryland high school player profiles series by Clarksburg volleyball coach Dawn Dickinson.

“He leads by example and continually helps teammates on and off the court and with academics also,” Dickinson said. “He plays club volleyball year-round on an elite team that’s qualified for nationals every year he’s been at Clarksburg.”

Goh recently competed in the Chesapeake Wave Junior Beach doubles beach volleyball national qualifier in Ocean City, Md. Despite playing up in the 18-year-old age group, Goh and partner Dylan Mulvaney finished second and earned a bid to the 18-year-old open division of the boys’ national beach championships.

“His whole family plays volleyball, and he’s a role model to his three younger siblings who play as well and look up to him,” Dickinson said.

Goh answered some questions about winning the award.

CountySportsZone: What is your favorite thing about playing volleyball?

Nathan Goh: I love the team aspect of it. I’ve played a bunch of sports, including baseball and basketball, but in volleyball, no one can carry the team. I love the team chemistry that comes from the sport.

CSZ: You play both beach and indoor volleyball. Do you prefer one more the other?

NG: I’ve only played beach volleyball for a few weeks, but I prefer indoor. I love playing [6v6] because you can do more things on offense and defense. A lot of times with just two players, it’s hard to get a rhythm going. [6v6] is also more flashy, which I like.

CSZ: Do you have a favorite memory from playing volleyball?

NG: Yes, when I was 10 years old, I was playing up in my first club league. It was for a 14U team and it was a really tight game. I had the game-winning kill, and that’s when I fell in love with the sport.

CSZ: What is your favorite subject to study in school?

NG: I would say psychology. I think it’s interesting to see how much the brain does for our bodies, everything that is controlled throughout. I’m excited to learn more about it.

CSZ: What are your plans for after high school?

NG: My dream is to play Division I volleyball. Right now I have a few schools looking at me, but I’m excited to continue my high school and club career. I’m trying not to get ahead of myself. Wherever I end up, I’m thinking about a business degree. However, I’m not exactly set on any major in particular right not.

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Player Profile: Calie Dunn From Richard Montgomery High School

*This Maryland high school player profiles series is presented by the U.S. Army.*

goarmy.com/army/1bde/baltimore-recruiting.html?iom=OM78-BATT-ACNP-ON-LOC-XX-***-69-XX-X-1ST

Calie Dunn, a senior volleyball and basketball player at Richard Montgomery High School (Rockville, Md.), was nominated for the Maryland high school player profiles series by Montgomery volleyball coach Gretchen Barber-Strunk.

“Calie is the all-around perfect student-athlete — a winner on and off the court. She excels in athletics, not only during our volleyball season but in the winter on the basketball team,” Barber-Strunk said. “She is a great teammate. Dedicated, hard-working, respectful and has a great attitude. She also excels in the classroom. She is so well rounded and I want nothing more than to watch her succeed. I can’t think of a better person to nominate than Calie Dunn.”

Dunn answered some questions about winning the award.

CountySportsZone: What is your favorite thing about playing volleyball?

Calie Dunn: I love the team aspect of it. I’ve built a lot of great relationships from basketball and volleyball. Also, I love the team chemistry that comes from the sport. I’ve been playing volleyball since 11U and basketball for a couple of years longer than that.

CSZ: You play both basketball and volleyball. Do you prefer one more the other?

CD: I love both sports. I think a little part of me feels stronger about basketball because I’ve played it for longer. But volleyball has been so great to me as well. I don’t know if I can really choose between either of them. I know that is the easy way out, but it’s true. Each sport is different and has different memories for me.

CSZ: Do you have a favorite memory from playing volleyball?

CD: My favorite memories are travel tournaments for both club volleyball and AAU basketball. They were just so much fun, staying in the hotels and bonding with my teammates. The last one would probably be Senior Night. [It was] not my Senior Night, but even as an underclassman, it was great to see the seniors get their night.

CSZ: What is your favorite subject to study in school?

CD: History, psychology and chemistry. I know that is three, but I couldn’t choose one in particular.

CSZ: What are your plans for after high school?

CD: I know I want to go to college. As of right now, I don’t plan to play sports while in school. I want to focus on majoring in international studies. With that major, I want to study abroad and see different parts of the world. I’ll probably play some club volleyball or basketball, but it won’t be as competitive as I’m playing now. My dream school is [the University of Southern California].

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Player Profile: Judson Lincoln IV from Oakland Mills High School

*This article is sponsored by the U.S. Army*

goarmy.com/army/1bde/baltimore-recruiting.html?iom=OM78-BATT-ACNP-ON-LOC-XX-***-69-XX-X-1ST

Judson Lincoln IV, from Oakland Mills High School in Howard County, is the newest U.S. Army Player of the Week. Judson, a junior this year, was the only sophomore on the Scorpions’ varsity basketball team last season. His coach, Judson Lincoln Jr., said Judson IV acquitted himself well on a “heavily senior-laden, talented basketball team.”

He was an honor roll student enrolled in GT and honors classes. He was a JRROTC Air Force cadet and looking forward to an exciting HS Track season,” the coach said. “[Even though] the season canceled he continued to practice with hopes of competing at the AAU national track and field Junior Olympics. He won the 15-16-year-old 400-meter event in 49.45 seconds, which is the fastest time posted by any Maryland high school athlete for the season, as well as finishing seventh in the 100 and 200 meters with the third-fastest times by any Maryland high school athlete in those events for the season as well. He was honored by the AAU as a three-time All American."

As you can see, Judson is just the type of athlete for this honor. He has shown great leadership throughout his playing career. Not only that, but Judson is an honor roll student in honors classes. There is no question in our minds that Judson will go far in life.

We think its important to not overlook the athletic accomplishments that he has had in only two years. As you can see from Coach Lincoln, Judson is an outstanding track athlete. He set the record for the fastest time posted in the 400-meter race. We can only imagine that Judson will continue to progress on and off the field as he continues his high school career.

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Rising senior Taniyah Hogg looks to take on a bigger role for C.H. Flowers girls basketball

By Wesley Brown

Growing up in Prince George’s County, Taniyah Hogg found basketball at a young age. In the fourth grade, she joined her team at Ardmore Elementary and began to find her passion.

“I used to always play on the blacktop with the boys, so I thought I might as well play on the team. I started feeling like this was my thing in sixth grade when I won MVP,” Hogg said

Hogg, now a rising senior, transferred to Charles Herbert Flowers High School in 10th grade and saw her basketball career develop even stronger.

Head coach Rob Hairston took over the program for the 2018-19 season, Hogg’s first season with the team, and began to coach her that summer.

“My first thought was, ‘This girl has a lot of potential,’” Hairston said. “There’s a lot of gifts that she’s been blessed with, her size [5-foot-10], her athleticism, and she can be a great basketball player with that.”

The biggest part of Hogg’s growth came mentally, as she began to piece together her physical gifts with strong, positive mindsets.

“As a sophomore they expected more out of me, so I had to adjust to how everyone played,” Hogg said. “I had to step up because my attitude wasn’t really there yet. My coach pushed me to have a better attitude towards the game so he could coach me better.”

That growth during the 2018-19 season helped lead the Jaguars to the first state championship in school history and showed that the team had the ability to change its outlook.

During this past season, the team continued its stretch of success, winning the county and region championships, earning a return trip to Towson University for the state tournament before its suspension and eventual cancellation.

“When we first found out that everything was suspended, we thought it was going to be rescheduled,” Hogg said. “Then they said it was being cancelled and we weren’t going to play at all, so we just thought ‘Hey, we’re back-to-back champs.’”

After the 24-1 record in the 2019-20 season, the Jaguars feeling of repeat success is certainly understandable and was echoed by Hairston.

“We feel like we did defend it,” Hairston said. “We lost one game all year. If you want to be the champ, what do you have to do? You have to beat the champ. If the champs go unbeaten, who’s the champ?”

Hogg averaged nearly 10 points, four rebounds and two assists per game in her junior season, but as a captain for the 2020-21 season, her ability to lead will be tested, according to Hairston.

A member of the business management program at C.H. Flowers, Hogg says she also takes pride in being a student before being an athlete. She hopes to develop a career in sports management to combine her interests.

Since the season was cancelled and schoolwork shifted online, Hogg has been working with her AAU coach to further develop her on-court talents while focusing on taking on a bigger role on and off the court next season.

“My senior year, I’m focused on leading the team,” Hogg said. “I want to get the new players familiar with how the team works and to remain being a high standard for the team.

“I want to show everyone what they slept on with me. I want to make sure everyone knows what we do and I hope they let us play for my senior year.”

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Toughness prepared two-sport Linganore athlete Will Coletti for West Point

By Wesley Brown

For Linganore High School two-sport athlete Will Coletti, toughness is the key to just about everything.

At a young age, he dove into the sport of wrestling and cited the mental toughness that it helped develop during his childhood. During middle school, Coletti switched from wrestling to football and lacrosse, so he could have the winter and summer to train and prepare for the fall and spring.

“He loves training,” Linganore head football coach Rick Conner said. “He loves to do what it takes to be the best whether it's football or lacrosse.”

Heading into high school, Coletti found himself developing a skill for winning faceoffs thanks to lots of training and his wrestling background.

Despite being a bit undersized at 5-foot-9 and 185 pounds, Coletti also found a home at free safety for the Lancers on the football field.

“I watched him play football in ninth grade and he was just so natural. At the free safety position, a critical part of our defense, he’s started the last three state championships since,” Conner said.

Coletti led the team in interceptions during his junior and senior seasons with five each year. In 11th grade he had 60 tackles and finished his senior year with 74 tackles and two fumble recoveries.

His success on the football field helped take away from the fact that there was no spring lacrosse season during his senior year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“It was awful,” Coletti said. “The first two weeks after we found out it was cancelled I was really upset. Luckily, I had a good football season to end things on. I thought we had a chance to win this spring though.”

The lacrosse field was always where Coletti knew his athletic future would be though, as he started receiving attention from college coaches while in middle school. He played with prominent club teams such as FCA MD and Lax Factory during the summer while taking the field for Linganore in the spring.

At Linganore, Coletti became one of the best faceoff men in Maryland, winning 78 percent as a freshman, 81 percent as a sophomore and 84 percent as a junior. In his final season last spring, Coletti tallied 32 goals and 27 assists as he worked to improve his all-around game as a true midfielder.

“High school was all about having fun and winning championships with my friends,” Coletti said. “Club was all about recruiting.”

Coletti received some interests from Division II and Division III schools for football, but that came a bit late in his recruitment process.

NCAA lacrosse recruitment used to allow kids to commit early on in their high school careers. A rule change then made it so coaches and players could not have contact until July 1 after the student’s sophomore season.

A number of schools had made connections with Coletti before the rule change, but he knew he wanted to go to one school if the offer came.

When Army reached out, Coletti committed within the same phone call, setting up his future as soon as he could and didn’t look back.

“I was lucky enough to have visited West Point before the rule change,” he said. “I’ve always wanted to serve in the military. I like doing all the stuff they focus on and couldn’t see myself doing anything else. I plan on making a career out of it.”

Since the pandemic put an early end to Coletti’s high school career, he has spent time preparing to report to West Point July 20.

“I ordered my boots and I’ve been doing a lot of body weight training such as pull ups, pushups and planks. And going on lots of runs,” Coletti said.

For the Army Black Knights, Coletti figures to be a FOGO (faceoff, get off) man and plans to use his toughness on and off the field to serve his team and eventually his country.

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Player Profile: Isaiah Smith From James Hubert Blake High School

*This Maryland High School player profile series is presented by the U.S. Army.*

goarmy.com/army/1bde/baltimore-recruiting.html?iom=OM78-BATT-ACNP-ON-LOC-XX-***-69-XX-X-1ST

This article was written by Liz O'Connell

Isaiah Smith never thought he would find himself putting on cleats instead of basketball sneakers. But when his natural ability shined on the field, he knew he couldn’t step away.

Smith originally wanted to focus on basketball during his high school career at James Hubert Blake High School. He wanted to be different from his brothers who all played football.

It was during his sophomore year that Smith saw his potential as a football player. Each year he improved and gained momentum, making him one of the best players in Montgomery County.

He shined in multiple positions as Smith’s roles flipped every year. He originally played quarterback in his sophomore year for the Junior Varsity team. Then he moved up to varsity his junior year as a wide receiver.

Not only was he a wide receiver, but Smith was also one of the top wide receivers in the county.

You would think he would continue in that position going into senior year, but when the team lost their graduating quarterback, Smith stepped up.

“He was hesitant at first, but he realized if he didn’t, they wouldn’t have a good year,” said brother and JV Coach Bryon Marshall. “Instead of complaining, he jumped right in and learned the plays.”

Smith spent time during the winter and spring learning the quarterback position and plays.

When Smith took the field during his first game of senior year, he proved himself. He completed four touchdowns and had over 400 yards rushing during the Bengal’s first game.

He eventually led the team to a playoff run. Smith was recognized as All-County First Team, MVP, and numerous other post-season awards, according to Marshall.

By stepping up for the team, Smith showed he is the definition of a team player.

“He was a straight leader, a team player,” said Coach Marshall. “He was always picking up players. He never got too high, never got too low. Our team was actually playing for him.”

Smith will continue playing football in the Fall at Bowie State University. But this time, he’ll be a wide receiver. His time as a quarterback will go hand in hand as he plays wide receiver for the Bulldogs.

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Player Profile: Jeff Bruner from Howard High School

*This Maryland High School player profile series is presented by the U.S. Army.*

goarmy.com/army/1bde/baltimore-recruiting.html?iom=OM78-BATT-ACNP-ON-LOC-XX-***-69-XX-X-1ST

This article was written by Joe Lotano

Following a two-loss season and an appearance in the 2018 Class 4A state semifinal, the Howard High School boys lacrosse team was in rough water heading into its game against Franklin High at the halfway point of the 2019 season.

The Lions had their guard down when they needed to pick up the slack in this one however, as they dropped the road game against one of the weaker teams in their conference.

A shadow of doubt, frustration and disappointment crept over the postgame locker room, as some of the players in the usually solid program began to realize that they weren’t untouchable. What followed the crushing loss, however, was a spark lit by a determined group of upperclassmen, which ignited a rally in the second half of the season.

A close defeat to state powerhouse Severna Park in 2019, Howard's first state championship appearance since 2016, marked the end of the long season, but just the beginning of junior midfielder Jeff Bruner’s role as a senior leader for the program.

“As a team, we all became closer together from that moment and I took a lot of learning moments from them,” Bruner said.

The Salisbury lacrosse commit is regarded by his head coach Jimmy Creighton as ultra-competitive and is always striving to become a better player.

“You want your guys to play with a little bit of an attitude and to hone that attitude and put it in a positive way for the team,” Creighton said. “He’s just driven, he wants to succeed.”

Creighton said that in the early years of Bruner’s varsity tenure, the coaches would have to help remind him to instigate “next-play mentality.”

“He had a little hard time because he was so overly competitive and wanted to succeed at a high level,” Creighton said. “He didn't want to disappoint his teammates or himself.”

From then on, Bruner was a key cog in the Howard offensive attack, asserting himself as a valued player on the field in just his freshman season.

Bruner played three sports in high school — a rarity nowadays because of sports specialization — but still found ways to perfect his craft on the lacrosse field. From taking strength and conditioning classes taught by Creighton, to nearly year-round club lacrosse participation with the Maryland Roughriders, Bruner always stayed in shape for the spring.

He also had the influence of his two older brothers Scott and Mark. Mark was a three-time All-Howard County first-team selection before graduating in 2018, while oldest brother Scott played at Siena College before walking on at the University of Maryland in 2016.

“Just being the youngest, he definitely took a few beatings from me and [Mark] when we would get into some serious sports games,” Scott said. “I think that kind of molded him into the player he is today; a super tough kid who doesn't let much get by him.”

Looking back on the locker room discussion after the team’s loss to Franklin and the countless other moments of leadership and bringing out the best of his teammates, Creighton said it became a no-brainer to him and the rest of the coaching staff to name Jeff as a senior captain.

The COVID-19 pandemic halted what could’ve been a special season for the senior, but greener pastures await as Bruner will bring his competitive spirit to the Salisbury lacrosse program. His brother believes he is more than up to the task to make a seamless transition to collegiate ball.

“His work ethic will temper over really well on the field,” Scott said. “I know he’ll bring some sort of athletic nature where he’s always going to give 110 percent.”