Teamwork will be key for season ahead

Coming off two consecutive 4A Maryland State Championships, the varsity boys basketball team has a lot on their plate.

With the 2009-2010 season quickly approaching, the Springbrook community is highly anticipating another championship run, and complete the "three-peat."

Some of the successes that came from last year’s team were likely achieved because of experienced returning players from the previous season’s squad. As a result of such a winning program, there have been several new transfers to refresh and renew the Devils’ lineup for this season.

"This year we have a lot of good kids on the team, hopefully we can go to states for the third time in a row," junior Gary Gates said.

The team welcomes the additions of juniors Miles Jackson, a transfer from Einstein High School, P.J Purnell, a transfer from Atholton High School, and freshman Demetrius Austin. Seniors Deshawnt Walker and Samni Ogunjobi look to lead the team as veterans who have had much court experience.

Senior Ben Willems should be another player who could potentially provide much needed encouragement to his younger teammates.

"Ben will help us out in the big man department. We have been working with him all year," assistant coach Darnell Myers said.

The players have been working in the weight room and running hills in addition to other pre-season preparations.

"We have been working in the weight room and the players have been running to route 29 and back," Myers said.

Other key players who will look to contribute are juniors Devon Pestano and Enerio Jones. Vital players in last season’s undefeated junior varsity squad, Pestano and Jones look to be factors in the varsity squad’s third championship run. The team is not expecting to run through their opponents like they did last season, however.

"Magruder and Richard Montgomery High Schools will be the hardest games we have this year. Last year Richard Montgomery had a young team so this year they will be better," Myers said.

The Devils said goodbye to many crucial players due to graduation, in Jamal Olasewere, Kwambina Coker, Brandon Davis, Jeremy Williams and Christopher Carter. Last year’s graduates will surely be missed this season, but the new additions and senior leaders look to fill the void.

The Devils’ first scrimmage will be against Good Counsel on November 21. The veteran seniors from last year’s team set a high standard.

The team has scheduled scrimmages with teams outside of Montgomery County, including Georgetown Preperatory School, so as to increase the challenge and better prepare the team for the season and postseason.

"After our scrimmages we will have a better idea of how good we are going to be this season," Myers said.

After two back-to-back state championships, students, teachers and the community have very high expectations.

"I really want the team to win another championship. It would cap off the year right," senior Joseph Galeano said.

Another championship is almost expected by the devoted fans of the Devils.