THE GAZETTE
Page B-2
Wednesday, December 18, 2013 r
FOOTBALL
Player of the Year
Coach of the year
BRIAN LEWIS/FOR THE GAZETTE
Seneca Valley High School’s Juanita Craig dribbles the ball against BethesdaChevy Chase’s Lexi Hopkins on Monday.
S. Valley senior dials up shots from distance Craig has helped Screaming Eagles to a hot start in 2013 n
BY
ERIC GOLDWEIN STAFF WRITER
Seneca Valley High School girls’ basketball player Juanita Craig excelled after moving into the starting lineup a few games into her junior season, but something was still missing from her game. “It’s kind of embarrassing,” the 5-foot-5 guard said. “It was hard for me to shoot [3-point shots].” But not anymore. After struggling from long range in her first three years of high school basketball, Craig has added a 3-point shot to her repertoire. And her newly discovered jumper has helped the Screaming Eagles to a 3-0 start. “I’ve been working hard at doing what I do, and just playing smart and making sure I have a good shot,” Craig said. Over the summer, the senior focused on improving her range by training with coaches and playing with her younger brother, William Craig. The extra time is paying off — Craig is averaging 20 points through three games this winter and shooting an impressive 9-of-16 from beyond the arc. Craig scored 26 points and hit five 3-pointers in Seneca Valley’s 74-46 win over Quince Orchard in the season-opener earlier this month. In Seneca Valley’s 55-52 over Gaithersburg on Friday, she scored a gamehigh 23 points and converted three 3-pointers. Craig’s long distance shooting is a welcome addition to the offense, said senior guard Erin Gary. “It gives you confidence. If I have to drive and kick it out to her, the fact that she can shoot and make a three, that really helps,” Gary said. Craig played for Quince Orchard as a freshman before transferring to Seneca Valley her sophomore year. She said she
got a decent amount of playing time in her first season with the Screaming Eagles, but then saw a major boost in minutes last year when she became a starter. “Really I just wanted to prove myself, why I should be able to start,” Craig said. She did. The Screaming Eagles went 14-8 last season and have returned their entire starting lineup this season. The senior-laden team has developed chemistry and the players are familiar with each other’s playing styles, Craig said. “I know who likes to drive, who likes to be down low, who is going to go up. ... We’re just jelling and we’re just going off of that,” Craig said. Despite going through multiple coaching changes — Jennifer Hoffmann is Seneca Valley’s third coach in as many years — the players have a solid understanding of the system, Hoffmann said. “They’ve got pretty good basketball IQs,” Hoffmann said. “That makes it easier on me.” While Seneca Valley has benefitted from an improved offense, the defense has been on point too, said senior CeAyra Brown. The Screaming Eagles surrendered an average of 47 points through their first three games. “If we can keep up our defense like it was, I really don’t think we have much that can stop us,” Brown said. The team will rely on the Craig-Gary backcourt duo which will continue accounting for a significant portion of Seneca Valley’s scoring. “The two of them together — it’s just awesome,” Hoffmann said. “They’re very good at being able to adapt quickly.” The Screaming Eagles won their first and only state title in 2010 after a 27-0 season. Craig is hoping this team can earn the school a second championship. “My goal is to be state champions. To be able to make my coach proud,” Craig said.
Mike Neubeiser
Gaston Cooper
Northwest Third year
Paint Branch Senior QB
Third-year coach has done a remarkable job reviving the Jaguars, having turned a 1-9 team into the 4A state champions in just three seasons. Northwest defeated Suitland in state title game to capture county’s first football championship since 2008.
BILL RYAN/THE GAZETTE
Paint Branch High School quarterback Gaston Cooper is The Gazette’s 2013 Player of the Year in football.
First team
Second team Offense
QB: Mark Pierce, Northwest RB: Isaac Boyd, Avalon RB: Chris Dawson, G. Counsel RB: Jake Funk, Damascus WR: Steven Kelly, B-CC WR: Matt Watson, Northwest OL: Jemal Averette, G.Counsel OL: Austin Herbert, S. Valley OL: Justin Herron, Bullis OL: Vince Gorgone, G.Counsel OL: Patrick Stewart, G. Prep K: Christian Reyes, N’wood
Defense
DL: Bruno Anyangwe, C’burg DL: Jon Bateky, Poolesville DL: Jonathan Holland, Bullis LB: Yonis Blanco, Blair LB: Samer Manna, Northwest LB: Nicholas Miller, G. Counsel LB: Tatah Ndeh, Springbrook DB: Kyle Gregory, Q. Orchard DB: Kevin Joppy, Q. Orchard DB: Johnny Littlewood, P.B. DB: Alec Perez, Sherwood Return: Tavis Holland, C’burg
Honorable mention Nana Yaw Amankwah-Ayeh, Bethesda-Chevy Chase, RB; Doudly Aujour, Sherwood, OL; Sherwyn Benjamin, Springbrook, DB; Jake Bradshaw, Damascus, DL; Daequan Brooks, Clarksburg, OL; Malcolm Brown, Quince Orchard, DB; Jovon Burriss, Seneca Valley, DB; Tayahd Campbell, Blake, LB; Kamonte Carter, Gaithersburg, DL; Anton Casey, Whitman, WR; Malleh Ceesay, Clarksburg; A.J. Coleman, Churchill, OL; Dage Davis, Georgetown Prep, RB; Nick DeCarlo, Gaithersburg, QB; Sam Ellis, Wootton, QB; Tyler Fenslau, Clarksburg, RB; Tinashe Gwashavanhu, Gaithersburg, DL; Brandon Hungerford, Northwest, OL; Lucas Kane, Northwood, OL; Zephaniah Langley, Northwood, DB; Stephen Johnston, Georgetown Prep, WR; Mike Murtaugh, Quince Orchard, QB; Nick Newsham, Whitman, DB; Logan Portes, Wootton, OL; Calvin Reighard, QB, Seneca Valley; Dominique Seagears, Landon, RB; Rodney Snider, Northwest, DB; Chase Williams, Damascus, QB; Khalil Wilson, Einstein, RB; Jaron Woodyard, Watkins Mill, R; Jibri Woods, Wootton, WR; Chris Young, Paint Branch, OL.
egoldwein@gazette.net
Zac Morton
Charles Lyles
Devonte Williams
Javonn Curry
Josh Gills
Anthony Combs
Walt Whitman Senior RB
Poolesville Senior RB
Bullis Junior RB
Paint Branch Senior WR
Northwest Senior WR
Gaithersburg Senior OL
Versatile star ran for 1,499 yards, had three INTs.
Carried offense with 1,623 yards, 16 TDs.
Ran for 1,581 yards, two TDs on punt returns.
Caught 70 passes for 1,170 yards, 16 TDs.
Played several positions and did it all.
Athletic lineman cleared lanes for run attack.
David Forney
Sam Madaras
Sam Mustipher
Chris Whalen
Marvin Galdamez
Jesse Aniebonam
G. Prep Junior OL
Good Counsel Senior OL
Good Counsel Senior OL
Damascus Senior OL
Kennedy Senior K
Good Counsel Senior DL
Six-foot-3, 290 pounder dominated at the line.
One of the strongest at 6-3, 306 pounds.
Great size (6-4, 290), committed to Notre Dame.
Anchored one of county’s top offenses.
Made kicks from 38, 42 and 45 yards.
The 6-foot-5 star is committed to Maryland.
Daniel Appouh
Adam McLean
Avery Taylor
Rasheed Gillis
Stephon Jacob
DeSharnte Thompson
Seneca Valley Senior DL
Quince Orchard Junior DL
Gaithersburg Senior DL
Northwest Senior LB
Damascus Senior LB
Good Counsel Senior LB
Gave offensive coordinators nightmares.
Recorded seven sacks, 10 tackles for loss.
Active in passing lanes, put pressure on QBs.
Made plays all over the field for state champs.
Consistent twoway playmaker for Hornets.
Playmaker on one of county’s top defenses.
Jalen Christian
Elliott Davis
Trevon Diggs
Kobie Walker
Elijah Spottswood
Damascus Junior DB
Quince Orchard Senior DB
Wootton Sophomore DB
Good Counsel Senior DB
Sherwood Senior Returner
Shutdown CB ran for five TDs and caught four.
Speedster was equally impressive offensively.
Two-way star hurt teams from all over field.
Kentucky recruit had a stellar season.
Top-notch returner was also strong RB, CB.
Notice of opportunity for public hearing Montgomery County government hereby notifies the general public and other interested parties that a three-week period has been established during which they may request a public hearing on the FY 2015 Ridesharing / Commuter Assistance Program grant application in the amount of $372,070 from the Maryland Transit Administration and Federal Transit Administration. 1905986
This three-week period will commence on December 18, 2013 and end on January 8, 2014 at 5 PM. If requested, the public hearing on the above mentioned program will be held on January 13, 2014 at 3:00 PM in the Executive Office Building, 101 Monroe Street, 10th Floor Conference Room, Rockville, Maryland 20850. The request for a public hearing must be submitted in writing and received by the Division of Transit Services no later than 5 PM Wednesday, January 8, 2014. Any request received after January 8, 2014 will be returned to sender. Request for this public hearing must include your name and address, and if any, organization or business name, reason(s) or issues of your request, and sent to: 1905987
Carolyn G. Biggins, Chief Division of Transit Services 101 Monroe Street, 5th Floor Rockville Maryland 20850 1890804
(12-18-2013)
Dual threat signalcaller blossommed in final high school season, throwing for 40 touchdowns and running for 22 more and leading the Panthers to the Class 4A state semifinals, one of the best seasons in program history.
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