SPORTS
www.journalpress.com
The Journal
Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2013
5
Anthony “Kobe” Howard: a rising star with the magic touch! Leonard Banks Sports editor On the basketball court, he has the magic touch! King George High School varsity basketball guard/forward Anthony Howard, Jr. is having a phenomenal senior year. Respectfully nicknamed “Kobe” after his childhood basketball idol and NBA Los Angeles Laker basketball legend, Kobe Bryant, Howard has taken the team on his back as he attempts to fill the void left by injured Fox standouts NaNa Djan and De’Quan Whiting. After six games, Howard has led his team to a 4-2 overall record, while averaging 23 points (139 total) per game. Also, the college bound communications/journalism major has recorded 2.3 assists per game, 44 rebounds, and three blocked shots over a course of six games. Most recently, Howard rocked the Courtland defense with 32 points, 18 rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks. In addition, on Friday, Anthony nearly achieved a back-to-back double with 21 points, nine rebounds, and five steals. “They (teammates, and coaches) view me as a scorer,” Howard said.
“Whenever we have practice, or play a team a certain way, they give me the ball, because they are confident that I can knock down that shot.” As the 2013 portion of the winter sports season comes to a close, Howard’s offensive contributions as the team’s leading scorer will ultimately play a significant role on the direction of the Foxes varsity boys’ basketball program. While it’s too early to forecast the winner of the 4A North Conference 22, it’s also safe to say that the Foxes will heavily depend on Howard’s court skills to lead them to the promised land of a potential championship. The challenges and obstacles that stand in front of the Foxes are problematic, but the Foxes have stepped up. Howard, like many the unsung heroes who compose the team, he is willing to do what it takes to compete in new VHSL conference reclassification. With the abilities to play every position on the court, Foxes head coach Darren Berkley’s plan is to make Howard the center of the Foxes’ game plan. “We need his scoring, rebounding, defense, and post-up abilities,” Berkley said. “He’s really stepped up his game—it’s been good
“He’s our inspirational leader, where if we’re down emotionally, he brings us up— he’s our rock and continues to be solid with everybody on the team.” —Eian Chase for him and us.” For the last two seasons, Fox point guard Eian Chase and Howard have offensively served the team as a one-two-combination. Instinctively, Chase looks for Howard to score as he pushes the ball up the court. “Kobe means a lot to our team,” Chase said. “He’s our inspirational leader, where if we’re down emotionally, he brings us up—he’s our rock and continues to be solid with everybody on the team.” Humble and unassuming, Howard is approaching the 1,000-point club, but rather than focus on his personal achievements, he continues to focus on the aspect of team unity— which has become team mantra. “We’re coming together as a team, because coach (Berkley) told us to buy into the program,” Chase said. “Everybody is now talking on the
floor, doing their thing, and we’re all having fun.” His speed and quickness to penetrate opposing defenses in the role of a six-foot-two three-guard/ small forward could potentially open the doors for a collegiate career next fall. In fact, several colleges have shown interest in Howard. “I think he’s an upside Division-3 or -2 guy,” Berkley said. “He’s a program athlete who comes off screens, with a high release—and he defends in multiple positions.” Off the court, Howard is a conscientious student athlete who delivers in the classroom, and as the school’s morning announcer. Along with being a model citizen, he has quietly become team’s leader. “If your best players aren’t your hardest workers, and best leaders, you’re a sinking ship,” Berkley said.
Leonard Banks
After leading the Foxes varsity boys basketball team in scoring for three back-to-back seasons, senior Anthony Howard (right) has now come into his own as one of the area’s top high school basketball players.
Lady Foxes battle Courtland Cougars down to the wire Leonard Banks Sports editor After nearly pulling off a miraculous win over the undefeated Courtland Cougars (47-45), on Tuesday night, the Foxes girls’ varsity basketball team Cougars was dealt another loss by Caroline (50-38). The Foxes will return to action on Jan. 1, Foxes as they travel to play conference 22 rival, LibertyBealton. Shortly after their first battle of the season with Liberty, the Foxes will host Mountain View. They literally brought the house down! For the fans who missed the game featuring King George (2-5) and Courtland (7-0) last Tuesday night at King George High School gymnasium, they missed a nail-biter for the memories. The game featured a variety of twists and spectacular performances from two of the best players in the area in the form of Cougar point guard Kayla Demps and Foxes forward Jada Saxon. Demps finished the game with 12 points, that included three 3-pointers, while Saxon scored a team high 16 points, including two 3-pointers.
47 45
First quarter, varsity After a slow start, with both teams attempting to establish territorial rights to the post area, otherwise aptly named, no-man’s-land, the Foxes rallied back from a 1-2 point deficit to take a 6-5 lead with 2:46 left in the first quarter. In the final seconds of the quarter, Courtland tied the game at 8-8, on two foul shots from Kiara Williams. Second quarter, varsity The second quarter was reminiscent of the first, as both teams were equal on the boards, but the game took on an entirely different atmosphere as the pace shifted from methodical to a gymnasium track meet. The quarter featured three ties and a seven-point Fox lead that crumbled to two points before the end of the half. The Foxes sustained their scoring and lead with scoring from Megan Montague, Sha’Tiva Harvey and Saxon. The power forwards penetrated the Cougars’ post zone with key shortrange jumpers and layups. In the final seconds of the half, Demps nailed two 3-pointers that cut the Fox lead to 24-22. Third quarter, varsity
To Subscribe to The Journal Call (540) 775-2024 $24.00 per year for all the local news.
At the start of the second half, Montague opened up the third quarter with a layup over Courtland forward Kiara Williams. However, in the face of a confident Foxes team, and the game’s momentum slowly slipping away, the Cougars stood their ground, and Demps and Allison West scored two jumpers to tie the game at 26-26. In the final moments of the quarter, the Cougars took a four-point lead from a 3-pointer from Demps and a fast break layup from Cassidy Holt. Fourth quarter, varsity The Foxes faced a huge dilemma in the fourth quarter, as Harvey was forced to rest after picking up her fourth foul with 5:48 left in the game. To make matters worse, the Foxes were faced with a sustained Cougar 4-7-point lead that lasted for the next three and a half minutes. As fate would have it, the Cougars fell apart at the foul line, missing three potential 1-1 situations in a row. The
Leonard Banks
From the start of the game to the final seconds, the battle between King George and Courtland was fast and physical. The Cougars’ final 3-point shot from Kayla Demps was the deciding factor of the game. Cougar foul shot dilemma coincided with the return of Harvey, who quickly gave the Foxes the advantage in rebounds. With 25 seconds left in the game, Saxon cut the Cougar deficit to two points. Later with 11 sec-
onds remaining, and after two costly Cougar turnovers, the Foxes scored two free throws on two trips to the foul line from Kanysha Reynolds and Elissa Davis. While it appeared that the Foxes
had pulled off the upset of the season with a 45-44 lead with nine seconds left to play and two missed foul shots from Demps, the Cougars redeemed their efforts with a crucial steal and 3-point shot from beyond the arc by
Demps to win the game (47-45). “It was definitely a very exciting finish,” Cougar varsity head coach Laura Gast said. “However, if we had made our free throws, then the end would not have been exciting.”
This Christmas season commit to being the answer to a child's prayer.
Do you know a child struggling in math, chemistry, languages or computer technology? Be a year round Secret Santa by providing tax deductible scholarships to children in our community. Our donors make it possible to keep each tuition at only $50 per month for math, physics and chemistry. Scholarships available now to qualifying families courtesy of Community sponsors. Applications available at the 24/7 TLC community Care Clinic located at 11131 Journal Parkway, KG, (Hours 10-5)
May your Christmas and New Year be blessed! Computer Classes starting Jan. 6 Construction Class Time Mon. Tues. Wed. Fri. Sat. 9-11
Pre-Spanish I Ages 7-12
11-12
Lunch
12-2
Cool Chemistry Ages 10-14
Cool Chemistry Ages 10-14
Coder Dojo 10-1 Ages 5-18
2:15-3
Advanced Math Ages 13-16
Advanced Math Ages 13-16
Computer Construction 10-1
Math Doesn't Suck Ages 10-13
Math Doesn't Suck Ages 10-13
2:15-3
Pre-Spanish I Ages 7-12 Lunch
Lunch
Lunch
GirlFriendz Ages 10-15
3:154
Fun Physics Ages 10-16
4-5
Coder Dojo Ages 5-18
Classes Over Break See Calendar CoderDojo is an international, not-for-profit coding club for young people to learn code, develop websites, apps, programs, games and more. Leadership Enrichment Center is a mentor site. Call for more information. (540) 625-2084
Fun Physics Ages 10-16
5-6
4-6
Coder Dojo Ages 5-18
LOK Fashion Academy 4:30-6:30
Khalfani King Media
Safe Social Media Ages 5-100 Coder Dojo Ages 5-18
(payment plans available).
Example on display at Blue Phoenix Computers
Safe Social Media Ages 5-100
Keyboarding Ages 5-100
Stunning, finished computer will have a state-of-the-art 500 gigabyte hard drive, SSD drive, graphics card, 8 gigabytes of RAM, enclosed in customized cut-away, view on tower case, power supply, DVD drive, CPU, Mother Board, Windows 7 Home Pre x64, monitor, keyboard, mouse. 45pc. computer tool kit supplied. 12 week course - $2,250
LOK Fashion Academy
2-4 3-4
Lunch
Students build an entire computer!
Safe Social Media (Age 5 - 100)
Computer/Keyboarding –
Coder Dojo Ages 5-18
All Class Access $50 monthly *excludes LOK/Computer Construction
Khalfani King, Instructor B.S. Broadcast Journalism DisabledVeteran
(Age 5 to 100) $25/month for Safe Social Media Classes
Fashion Academy lokacademy.com • (540) 720-0851 Sewing Basics • Basic Sewing 2 • Tailoring • Pattern Making • Draping • Fashion Illustration • Textile/Fashion Art History
Only $100 monthly for weekly classes
The Leadership Enrichment Center “Tomorrow’s Leaders Today” • Dynamic Home School & Vocational Enrichment
T h e Le adership Enrichment center
LeadershipEnrichmentCenter@24-7TLC.org 11155 Journal Pkwy. • 540-625-2084 • www.leadershipenrichmentcenter.com • Arlene Jacovelli, Founder
Marie King, President
LOK Fashion Academy