Archive: December 2008
A Trip Down Memory Lane
I've been at The Post 13+ years, roughly the same time Nick Lynch was at Suitland. He certainly provided some good copy over that time. Looking back through my files, here's an unedited version of a story that ran in November 2004 after Lynch was suspended from coaching in a...
By Josh Barr | December 31, 2008; 4:19 PM ET | Comments (0)
Fellow Coach Was First On Scene at Accident
This will probably be my last file here today. Just got off the phone with former Fairmont Heights coach Stefan Gansert, now an Eleanor Roosevelt assistant. He's a professional fire fighter in Fairfax County and a volunteer firefighter in Prince George's. And, in an incredible twist, he was the first...
By Josh Barr | December 31, 2008; 2:38 PM ET | Comments (0)
More On Lynch...
Here's my file. Colleague Hamil Harris is headed over to the school. Suitland High football coach and athletic director Nick Lynch died this morning after being in a two-car accident. "It's just shocking news," Prince George's director of athletics Earl Hawkins said. "It's a tremendous loss for the county. Nick...
By Josh Barr | December 31, 2008; 10:03 AM ET | Comments (1)
Suitland Coach Nick Lynch Dies
This isn't recruiting and I don't have any details yet, but a truly terrible end to 2008. I got a message this morning from Keith Lynch, saying that his brother, Suitland football coach and athletic director Nick Lynch, has passed away after being in a car accident. "Pray for us,"...
By Josh Barr | December 31, 2008; 9:14 AM ET | Comments (10)
DeMatha Update; Terps, Cavs Offer DE Mathis
A quick update from DeMatha Coach Bill McGregor: Offensive lineman Calvin McDowney, whose massive weight loss was chronicled before the season, "is hot," according to McGregor. "He has New Mexico and Hampton and North Carolina A&T. His mother called me and said she was nervous, she didn't know what to...
By Josh Barr | December 30, 2008; 10:39 AM ET | Comments (4)
An Inside Look at How a Top Prospect Made His Pick
Terrific reporting here, with an inside look at how one of the nation's top recruits, defensive lineman Jamarkus McFarland chose Oklahoma over Texas. Some highlights: He said he saw everything from flat-screen televisions in Texas Coach Mack Brown's bathrooms to L.S.U.'s recruiting hostesses sitting on the laps of prospects. But...
By Josh Barr | December 29, 2008; 11:40 AM ET | Comments (1)
Looking Back at Oregon's $150k Recruiting Weekend
Here's a real blast from the past. It's a look back at Oregon's $150,000 recruiting weekend back in 2004. Since that weekend and other recruited faux pas, the NCAA started legislating what schools could and could not do on recruiting visits, outlawing various outlandish acitivites. That said, it's an interesting...
By Josh Barr | December 29, 2008; 10:57 AM ET | Comments (1)
Vetter Talks; Says NHSI Is a National Championship
Top-ranked Montrose Christian suffered its first loss of the season, 74-62 in double overtime to Oak Hill late Monday night, but Mustangs Coach Stu Vetter said his team's trip to the Iolani Classic in Honolulu was a success. Montrose nearly had the game won, but Oak Hill's Lamont Jones made...
By Josh Barr | December 23, 2008; 3:51 PM ET | Comments (3)
Nation's Best Players Coming to Town in April
Oak Hill got the best of Montrose Christian last night and the teams are scheduled to play again in March. And now they could meet again with even more on the line. ESPN and the sports marketing company that helps put together the network's high school basketball and football games...
By Josh Barr | December 23, 2008; 11:35 AM ET | Comments (2)
Montrose Falls in 2 OTs in Hawaii
Gotta scroll down to read about it, but top-ranked Montrose Christian lost to Oak Hill, 74-62 in double overtime in the championship game of the Iolani Classic late last night/early this morning. Villanova recruit Mouphtaou Yarou led Montrose with 23 points, but the Momo Jones hit a long three-pointer to...
By Josh Barr | December 23, 2008; 9:52 AM ET | Comments (2)
All-Met Defensive End Chooses Huskers
Quince Orchard defensive end Jason Ankrah, a first-team All-Met, has committed to play for Nebraska. John Papuchis, a QO grad, is the Cornhuskers' defensive line coach. Ankrah also strongly considered Maryland and Michigan. "It was a gut feeling," Quince Orchard Coach Dave Mencarini said. "That and his relationship with the...
By Josh Barr | December 22, 2008; 5:32 PM ET | Comments (4)
Maryland Recruits Shine in Crab Bowl
It was a big day for Maryland recruits in the inaugural Crab Bowl all-star game. Forestville defensive end DeOnte' Arnett had 1 ½ sacks and Good Counsel All-Met running back Caleb Porzel rushed for three touchdowns. Dunbar-Baltimore star Tavon Austin, who has yet to make his college choice, scored twice,...
By Josh Barr | December 22, 2008; 1:41 PM ET | Comments (5)
Virginia Pursuing DeMatha End, Terps Next?
DeMatha Coach Bill McGregor reports that second-team All-Met defensive end Jeremiah Mathis will take an official visit to Virginia this weekend and that an offer could be in the works from Maryland, with Kansas State possibly also entering the mix. Mathis previously had offers from Syracuse and North Carolina State....
By Josh Barr | December 17, 2008; 11:01 AM ET | Comments (2)
Stone Bridge Back Picks Dukes
Colleague Paul Tenorio with today's news: Stone Bridge senior running back Daniel Allen has committed to play for James Madison, according to Bulldogs' Coach Mickey Thompson. Allen chose JMU over Vanderbilt, and will have the opportunity to play running back for the Dukes. Vanderbilt was recruiting Allen as a defensive...
By Josh Barr | December 16, 2008; 1:38 PM ET | Comments (0)
De'Antwan Williams Makes His Pick
Colleague Matt Stanmyre with today's breaking news: Woodbridge senior running back De'Antwan Williams, who blossomed into a highly-coveted recruit, verbally committed to Rutgers on Saturday at the conclusion of his official visit to the school. Rated by Rivals.com as the No. 14 overall running back recruit in the 2009 class,...
By Josh Barr | December 15, 2008; 3:17 PM ET | Comments (3)
Terps Going After Local Junior
Wise Coach DaLawn Parrish reports that Maryland has offered the Pumas standout safety Titus Till. It is Till's second scholarship offer. The first came a year ago when Army offered Till, thinking that he was a rising junior at the time....
By Josh Barr | December 15, 2008; 1:05 PM ET | Comments (1)
Big Weekend in College Park
On the recruiting front, with many local players scheduled to make official visits to Maryland, including St. John's offensive lineman Pete White and Quince Orchard defensive end Jason Ankrah. DeMatha lineman Pete deSouza and Good Counsel running back Caleb Porzel -- who already have committed to play for the Terps...
By Josh Barr | December 11, 2008; 12:34 PM ET | Comments (1)
New Mexico, K-State in the Local Picture
Those coaching changes at Kansas State (adding former Maryland defensive coordinator Chris Cosh) and New Mexico (where local recruiting mastermind Mike Locksley is now head coach) are already have local repercussions. DeMatha quarterback Tom Chroniger, who most likely will be a safety in college, said that he has received interest...
By Josh Barr | December 10, 2008; 5:14 PM ET | Comments (0)
Behind Va. Tech Recruit's Decision to Transfer
Colleague Matt Stanmyre has a terrific read this morning on Paul VI guard Erick Green and his decision to transfer for this season from Millbrook to the Fairfax private school in an attempt to better prepare for college. It's a two-way street: Green hopes to get more rigorous practice and...
By Josh Barr | December 10, 2008; 12:35 PM ET | Comments (1)
Jenkins Bound for Gainesville This Weekend
Good Counsel All-Met linebacker Jelani Jenkins will take his first official visit this weekend, travelling to the campus of the University of Florida, according to Falcons Coach Bob Milloy. Not bad timing for the Gators, eh? Win the SEC title, get an invite to the BCS title game and then...
By Josh Barr | December 9, 2008; 9:41 AM ET | Comments (2)
Austin Prefers the Mountains
Walking into Dunbar's postgame media availability following its 20-19 victory over Fort Hill in the Maryland 1A final on Saturday, the first person I bumped into was Maryland offensive coordinator James Franklin. Franklin and offensive line coach Tom Brattan were at Dunbar at 7 a.m. in an attempt to make...
By Josh Barr | December 8, 2008; 5:08 PM ET | Comments (0)
Locksley to New Mexico; Will Local Players Follow?
Sorry, been a busy morning. I've got some good stuff, including Dunbar-Baltimore star Tavon Austin talking about his decision-making process - I'll post it later this afternoon, but here's a quick hint: Maryland made an impression with its efforts Saturday but West Virginia is his favorite school right now. That...
By Josh Barr | December 8, 2008; 12:38 PM ET | Comments (5)
Cosh Expected to Return to Arundel
Chris Cosh might be leaving Maryland to coach at Kansas State, but his son, Arundel record-setting quarterback Billy Cosh, should return for his senior year with the Widcats, Arundel Coach Chuck Markiewicz said. Markiewicz said the topic came up during a recent discussion at his house. Chris Cosh "told us...
By Josh Barr | December 5, 2008; 5:59 PM ET | Comments (4)
Imported Attractions in Southern Maryland
Opposing coaches have trekked to Southern Maryland to scout St. Mary's Ryken and all have come away impressed with the Knights' latest imports, Turkish guards Gorkem Sonmez and Gokhan Sirin. The two are seniors and already drawing considerable college interest. Sonmez, who is 6-5 and 225 pounds, holds offers from...
By Josh Barr | December 5, 2008; 11:58 AM ET | Comments (0)
PVI a Team to Watch
Working on preseason basketball (yeah, I know, the season has tipped already, but our previews run next week) notes, Paul VI Catholic is one team that many coaches have on their radar as much improved. Apparently, with good reason. Coach Glenn Farello has two players who have signed LOI for...
By Josh Barr | December 4, 2008; 11:14 AM ET | Comments (0)
Cotton On the Move
Yep, Ray Cotton no longer Auburn bound.. Katie Carrera with the news tonight: Several subscription Auburn football recruiting websites, along with ESPN, are reporting that Meade quarterback Raymond Cotton has decommitted from Auburn after coach Tommy Tuberville's resignation. Read about it here. Cotton was extremely fond of Tuberville and said...
By Josh Barr | December 3, 2008; 11:14 PM ET | Comments (1)
Looking All Over to Find Players
National Christian Coach Trevor Brown looks all over to find players. He has perhaps the area's top senior this year in Pittsburgh-bound forward Dante Taylor and a talented surrounding cast. Junior Ayobeji Egbeyemi (say that one a few times) is a 6-4 guard from Nigeria who arrived in October; like...
By Josh Barr | December 3, 2008; 12:43 PM ET | Comments (0)
Jenkins Headed to College Park
At least for a few days. Good Counsel All-Met linebacker Jelani Jenkins, who has yet to make his college choice, will be on Washington Post Live tonight at 5 p.m. on Comcast SportsNet to pump his appearance in the inaugural Maryland Crab Bowl all-star game. The Washington and Baltimore teams...
By Josh Barr | December 3, 2008; 9:18 AM ET | Comments (6)
Making an Impact South of the Border
Just got off the line with St. John's (Md.) Coach Silas Cheung, whose team features sophomore Grandy Glaze, a 6-6, 220-pound sophomore from outside Toronto. Carroll Coach Clinton Perrow, whose team is relying on four new foreign players (three Canadians), couldn't stop raving about Glaze, who led the Vikings to...
By Josh Barr | December 2, 2008; 1:26 PM ET | Comments (0)
DeMatha Juniors in No Rush
While classmate Josh Selby already has committed to play for Tennessee, DeMatha junior forwards Victor Oladipo and Jerian Grant are in no hurry to make their college choice and likely will wait until next year to reach a decision, Stags Coach Mike Jones said. Both players have many scholarship offers....
By Josh Barr | December 2, 2008; 10:08 AM ET | Comments (0)
Coach Who Developed Kickers (and Others) Resigns
Colleague B.J. Koubaroulis has the news: West Springfield football coach Bill Renner said Monday that he has decided to step down from his position. Renner, who led the Spartans to a 57-47 record in the past 10 seasons, held a meeting Monday at 2:30 p.m. to notify his players of...
By Josh Barr | December 1, 2008; 2:28 PM ET | Comments (0)
D.C. Quarterback Makes Impression
Spent Thanksgiving morning at the Turkey Bowl, where H.D. Woodson quarterback Ricardo Young was quite impressive in leading his team to victory. The 6-1, 170-pound junior completed 10 of 17 passes for 139 yards - not overwhelming stats, but he consistently showed poise and presence in the pocket and a...
By Josh Barr | December 1, 2008; 11:41 AM ET | Comments (0)
